Leg weakness most commonly arises from nerve compression in the lower back. Hence, pain in the lower back region should not be ignored, especially if it is longstanding. The shooting pain, which travels from the lower back to the knee or the ankle, is because of the irritation of the nerves caused by compression.
Heart disease is a serious medical condition in dogs, cats and humans. Cats do not normally develop arteriosclerosis or coronary artery disease, which are both common diseases in humans. In general terms, heart disease can be divided into two categories, congenital and adult onset forms.
Of those children with Down syndrome who are born with congenital heart disease, an antrioventricular septal defect is the most common. In less severe cases, Ventricular Septal Defects and Atrial Septal Defects can also occur separately. The ductus arteriosus is a channel between the pulmonary artery and the aorta.