It is not always easy to detect the limp in a cat, as these animals are able to withstand long before showing obvious symptoms of discomfort. However, if you’ve already noticed that it’s hard to walk, you might worry about seeing your cat limping, what could it be?
In this Animal Expert article, we will review the most common causes. Except for minor injuries, we should always go to our veterinarian because we can face an injury as severe as a fracture, which in many cases will require surgery. Cat limp may also be due to an infection that will also require veterinary treatment. See the causes below.
- Cat boitillant.
- Cat limping the front leg.
- My lame cat and with a swollen paw.
- Cat limping the hind leg.
- My cat lame what I do.
- Cat with swollen paw.
- Swollen cat leg.
- Broken ducky cat leg.
- How to know if the cat is broken leg.
- Cat that walks hard with hind legs.
To find out why our cat lims, the first thing we need to do is examine the affected limb. If you see the cat limping on its front leg, you might think it was hurt when jumping on something, for example, in a hot pottery. We need to monitor the leg for injuries, especially on the pads and between the fingers. Note that the lame cat with a hind leg may also be due to an injury, such as a bite or scratch, that may have been done while playing with other animals.
If the lesions are mild and superficial, we can disinfect them at home and control their evolution. Soon, the cat should be perfectly favorable. He will always try to disguise his illnesses, so even if he drinks it is normal that he does not complain or externalize the pain.
Next, we’ll explain the limp for injuries that will require veterinary care.
One cause that may explain the cat’s limp, we saw that it could be an injury. Sometimes they are marked on the outside, but the truth is that an infection develops inside. This is most common in bite-sized wounds, as many bacteria live in the mouths of animals that are transmitted at the time of bite.
The infection that develops under the skin may explain the inflammation of a leg. Sometimes this swelling is reduced to a specific point. In such cases, we’ll notice that the cat has a bullet in its paw. What is known as an abscess, that is, the accumulation of pus in a cavity under the skin. But a lump can also be caused by a tumor, so a good diagnosis is important.
If our cat has these inflammations, we should go to the vet, because it will need antibiotics, good disinfection and, in the most complicated cases, drainage.
Trauma may explain why our cat suddenly drinks. A fall from a significant height or crush can crack, displace, or fracture a limb. There are probably no other symptoms of pain, as we have already explained, but observing that the cat cannot hold the back or front leg can give us a clue as to what happened.
In the most severe cases, the cat limss and trembles because of the impact. You may have dilated pupils, visible bleeding or injury, shortness of breath, etc. … This can happen after a window drop, in what is called paratrooper cat syndrome.
Have more symptoms or not, a sudden limp is a reason for veterinary consultation. If we know that the cat has been hit or dropped, the clinic visit is mandatory because, although there are no external injuries, there may be a broken leg, internal damage, bleeding or pneumothorax.
The veterinarian will decide whether a fracture requires surgery or not, as some may resolve with a bandage or rest. If we operate, we must know that postoperative is very important. We’ll have to keep the cat calm and give it painkillers and prevent infections. Cats usually recover very well from these traumatic interventions.
Problems such as feline osteoarthritis may explain why a cat limss intermittently. The truth is that in addition to the limp, there will be a strange movement, with stiff limbs, especially when the cat gets up after a rest period. Walking a little, it seems to walk normally, which confuses caregivers.
Other symptoms appear with osteoarthritis problems that can go unnoticed or attributed to the age of the animal, as they are more common diseases in the elderly. It is difficult, he insists, to identify the pain in a cat, but it is noticeable that he eats less, spends most of his time resting without informing the family, avoids jumping, loses muscle mass, stops using sand or not clean.
Treatment is pharmacological and may include dietary supplements that protect the joints. The environment should be modified to promote cat mobility, using a low-walled sandbox, accessible furniture, a comfortable bed away from air currents and brushed to help groom it. In addition, it is essential to control excess weight, if necessary.
Other times, the explanation of why a lame cat is an infectious disease. A feline calicivirus is very common. Although associated with respiratory and eye symptoms, the truth is that this highly contagious and widespread virus can also cause limping, arthritis, fever and classic symptoms of conjunctivitis, oral lesions or nasal secretions.
As with all viral diseases, treatment relies on support and medication delivery to reduce symptoms or prevent secondary infections. As it is always better to prevent than cure, it is recommended to vaccinate all cats against this virus that, although usually causes a curable disease, there are very virulent varieties, capable of quickly killing a cat.
Finally, after vaccination against calicivirus, a pathology characterized by limp and fever may appear, which is deferred without major consequences, although, of course, it is necessary to go to the veterinarian.
Difficulty walking is a serious problem. In addition to this symptom, attention should be paid to other serious signs. Here are some of them in the video below:
This article is for informational purposes only, in Animal Expert.com.br we cannot prescribe veterinary treatments or make any kind of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case of any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read articles similar to Cat Limping: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments, we recommend that you visit our Other Health Problems section.