Cat - Neurological Issues?

Hello! My 10.5 year old calico, Cali, has recently been losing weight. We originally assumed it was anxiety related from adding an additional cat in May of last year. Additionally, she just started having issues with jumping up onto anything, has had a few episodes of falling over, collapsing, and walking wobbly. X-ray, ultrasound, and lab work came back relatively good - she had a high CK level and is showing constipation. One of her lung lobes is solid (so possible tumor or deflated from injury), but we’re following up next week with a chest ultrasound. We’re working on the constipation and weight loss, but the vet says to take her to a Neurologist. We have an appointment on Tuesday. I have multiple concerns as we can’t afford an MRI (was quoted between $5,000-$6,000). What else will they be able to do? Does anyone have a similar experience? Is there anything else we can do in the meantime?

Hello - and I'm sorry to hear all that you and Cali are going through.   Few would take the cost (financial and otherwise) of an MRI scan lightly, but neurologists represent more than access to an expensive machine.  A good neurological exam can show as far as possible from the outside, which areas / functions of the brain and spinal cord may be abnormal - and thereby, suggest likely causes, even without taking pictures.  As you will know, the lungs are a common location for metastatic cancers, so it may be possible that there is something similar inside the brain cavity, which cannot be pictured from the outside.  Your vet and / or the neurologist (depending on the GPs neurological experience, perhaps) will be able to suggest how likely that suggestion is to be true.  I find that a useful question (when considering specialist diagnostics) is, 'how likely is it that they'll find a way to make a solid, positive difference to my cat?  And in what scenarios might that happen?  What are the advantages of getting this done in the medium term?'   From there, you have a choice to make.  Different choices are made by different owners for different cats.  Just as in human medicine in the NHS, there is rarely one 'correct' answer.  Cost considerations and welfare decisions will always have an influence.  It can seem tempting for some owners to worry that the decision to have an MRI or not is somehow a measure of the bond between themselves and their cat - however, practically, this can be untrue.    I hope that this helps in some way and with you all the best - whatever your decide.  Please do let me know.

*However, practically, this generally IS untrue.

Thank you, Liz! I appreciate your response so much. And thank you for sharing how much they can do outside of an MRI. And I appreciate your compassion. I do feel awful that we never opted for pet insurance to be better prepared for situations like this, but I’m also trying to give myself grace. We’ve given her a pretty good life in the 9.5 years that we’ve had her. And I’m thankful that we’re able to meet with doctors that can help her and give us guidance on the next best steps for her. Hopefully that’s with us for another 10 years, but if not, at least I know we tried to do everything within our power to help keep her healthy and happy. Thank you again! And I will be sure to update.