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.
1 Peripheral artery disease is due to atherosclerosis. 2  This is a gradual process in which a fatty material builds up inside the arteries. 3  The fatty material mixes with calcium, scar tissues, and other substances and hardens slightly, forming plaques of arteriosclerosis. Most of these cases are acquired at birth, and the cause remains unknown. 2  Takayasu disease is a vascular disease affecting the upper vessels of the body and affects usually Asian females. 3  Injury: Blood vessels can be injured in an accident such as a car wreck or a bad fall.