For cat owners, this blog will help you find out why your cat is limping. It will also give you some tips about what to do.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Cats are natural hunters and predators, but sometimes they can get into a scuffle with another feline or have an accident that leaves them limping. In this blog post we’ll discuss the signs of injuries in cats and how to treat them accordingly.
We’ll also provide tips on what you should do if your cat is limping so you can help him heal as quickly as possible!
Cats are known for their stealthy movements – they can creep up on you without ever being heard. But if your cat has started to limp, it could be a sign that something is wrong. It may be an injured leg – cat’s legs can get hurt and there may be a few things that can have damaged the affected leg.
Check out this blog post for more information about what might be causing your kitty’s limping and how you can help them feel better!
Importantly, are you here because you noticed your cat limping lately? If so, it is important to call the vet for an appointment. There are many reasons why cats might be limping and some of them could be serious or life-threatening. For example is your cat licking its paw excessively? Limping in cats can be a concern for cat owners.
In this blog post, we will discuss some reasons as to why your cat may be limping and what you should do if they are exhibiting these symptoms, from mild discomfort to severe pain.
What might be the reasons?
There are several reasons that your cat’s limping on one leg or your cat’s pain, some more serious that others:
- A broken leg or other broken bones. A broken leg or similar broken bone can be fixed so go to the vet who can set a broken bone.
- Soft tissue injury
- Hip dysplasia (normally in older cats)
- Is there an issue with your cat’s paw pad? Look out for something stuck in your cat’s paw pad such as broken glass or other foreign bodies. Broken glass can be removed but check with your vet.
- A dislocated joint? A dislocated joint can be reset by your vet but get veterinary attention asap as it can be more painful the longer it is left.
- Lumbosacral disease
- Lung digit syndrome.
- Injection site sarcoma
- Slipped disc
Or there may be some other issues that are causing lameness in your cat (or most cats for that reason).
How can I help?
It’s wise to know a little first aid for your cats, at least for the most common causes. Look at your cat – are there any legs at an awkward angle? Any grazes -in which case use anti bacterial soap or an antibiotic ointment if you have it. Is your cat walking on three legs? Gently touch around an affected area of the leg to see if first aid can help and to gauge the level of pain and decide on the best course of action.
What about your cat?
Your cat’s lifestyle may also help diagnose problems. So for example, do you keep your cat indoors or is it ons of those outdoor cats, always prowling and hunting – or fighting with other cats.
Younger cats will have different issues to older cats, and younger cats are less likely to have disease-related issues that are limiting your cat’s movement, so bear that in mind.
Overweight cats will have different problems, often around joint health.
What can my vet do?
It’s great to take your pet cat to the vets’ so that they can add to any first aid you have given and look for higher risk symptoms that you may have missed as just a pet owner.
Vets may help with:
- Taking an x ray
- Better examination of front and back legs
- Recommendations for rest for several weeks
- Physical therapy
- Anti inflammatory medications
- Hip dysplasia
- Pain management around the leg or paws
- Arthritis management
General views
A cat limping is a common symptom of feline arthritis. Feline arthritis can develop in cats of any age, but the most commonly affected are adults between seven and ten years old. The symptoms will depend on which joint or joints are inflamed, so you’ll need to examine your pet thoroughly for other symptoms such as lameness in one or more legs or around the affected limb, reluctance to move around, pain when touched over the painful area and muscle wasting.
For arthritic cats, treatment options to relieve pain and help your cat’s recovery include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as carprofen; steroids; injections with long-acting corticosteroids; hyaluronic acid supplements; analgesics for short term relief from pain also called “rescue” medications and weight control.
Conclusion
If you notice your cat limping, it’s important to take them to the vet and find out what is going on. You can make sure that they are in a safe place while you get some work done or wait for an appointment time (depending on how soon someone will be available).
When at the vet, always have information about their history of illness/injury ready. This could include when the injury occurred, any medications prescribed already, if there was trauma involved with this incident as well as previous incidents where medical attention has been sought.
It may also help to know if they had any accidents lately like being hit by a car which might show up in x-rays later down the line. Once we figure out what the background is, help is always easier to give.
Cats are known for their agility and love of jumping, but sometimes they can develop a limp that is not caused by an injury. There are many reasons why your cat might be limping, so it’s important to take them in for veterinary care as soon as possible if you notice any change in movement or behavior when walking around the house.
You may also want to talk with your veterinarian about how you can help at home until your pet gets better. If you have noticed some changes in your cats’ behaviors or think something else could be wrong, don’t delay getting professional medical advice from a vet!
Cats are notoriously difficult to diagnose, but a veterinarian will be able to help you figure out what is causing your cat’s limping. If you’re not sure where the nearest vet clinic is, ask around for recommendations or look up local animal hospitals in an online directory like Yelp.
Whether it turns out that your kitty has arthritis or just needs some pain medication, do yourself (and them) a favor by getting them checked out as soon as possible. We want cats to live long and happy lives too!
Limping Cats FAQs
Why is my cat limping all of a sudden?
There are a variety of reasons that your cat might be limping, from less serious to more serious. This is a non-exhaustive list surrounding cats limping that pet owners will need to consider when look at limping in cats.
- Lumbosacral disease
- Lung digit syndrome.
- Injection site sarcoma
- Slipped disc
- A broken leg can be fixed so go to the veterinarian or doctor who can set a bone.
- Soft tissue injury or lameness
- Hip dysplasia (normally in older cats)
- Something may be stuck in your cat’s paw pad. Make sure to check with your vet for the best course of action.
- A dislocated joint? Get veterinary attention as soon as possible to have it reset!
Or there may be some other injuries that are causing pain.
Should I take my cat to the vet for lameness?
Cats are known for their natural agility and love of jumping, but they can develop a limp that will not due to injury. There are many reasons why your cat might be suffering from lameness, so it’s important to take them in for veterinary care as soon as possible if you notice any change in movement or behaviour when walking around the house
Cats are notoriously difficult to diagnose and their symptoms can range from arthritis to needing pain medication.
Whether it turns out that your kitty has arthritis or needs pain medication, make sure they go see the vet as soon as possible. We want cats live long happy lives!
Can a limping cat heal itself?
Cats are known for their love of jumping, and they are typically highly mobile in the house, but sometimes they develop a limp that does not seem to be from an injury. There are many causes (including neurological, orthopedic, or infectious), so it is important to take your cat into the vet if you notice any change in movement or behavior.
Cats are notoriously hard to diagnose, but a veterinarian offers the best recourse for figuring out what’s causing your cat’s limping. If you’re not sure where the closest clinic is, talk to your neighbors and find out which clinics they recommend or look up veterinary hospitals on an online directory like Yelp.
How do you tell if your cat’s leg is broken or sprained?
The cause of a cat’s limping may be difficult to determine. Take your cat for a checkup and ask the veterinarian if they recommend visiting another clinic in case their resources are limited.
If you notice one of your cat’s legs is not functioning correctly, take a closer look and see if there are any wounds or skin irritations. Most likely there is an issue with the leg of your cthat needs first aid attention.
If you do not know how to help, it’s best to consult your vet immediately for way to ease any suffering that your cat may be going through.
