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My cat's back is jerking, S-shaped, and she's in pain. What's wrong?

Updated on September 23, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Bombay | Female | spayed | 13 years and 6 months old | 9 lbs

Last night my cat came down the stairs and suddenly started swinging/jerking her lower back. Her back legs weren't lined up w/the rest of her body...she was kind of an "S" shape. She seemed to be in a lot of pain, she kept trying to chew and lick her lower back/base of tail. Lasted about 5min and then she seemed to be back to normal. My first thought was that maybe it was a pinch nerve. She's eating, drinking, and eliminating normally. Her back does look slightly arched tho. Really worried!

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Destini R. Holloway, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on October 31, 2019

I am sorry to hear this. It sounds like perhaps your cat Mercy had a seizrue. I would have her examined by your vet soon. Often-times after a seizure pets will go back to normal. Other possible causes here are a pinched nerve or even arthritis of the back. Some more testing is needed to be sure. I would recommend starting with baseline bloodwork +/- radiographs of her hips/spine.
If the episode happens again before you can get her in to the vet, it is best to recrod it on your phone so that we can help classify what the event truly is. A video tells a thousand words.

I do hope that Mercy does well moving forward. Best of luck and take care.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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