It is not always easy to detect lameness in a cat, as these animals are able to endure much before showing obvious symptoms of discomfort. However, if you have already noticed that it is difficult for him to walk, you are probably wondering why my cat limps
In this article on our site we will review the most common causes Except for minor injuries, we should always go to our veterinarian, Well, we could be facing an injury as serious as a fracture, which will require, in many cases, surgery. It may also be due to an infection that will also need veterinary treatment
My cat limps on one leg but doesn't complain
If we want to know why our cat is limping, the first thing is to examine the affected limb. If the cat limps on one front leg, we can think that it has been injured by jumping on something, such as a hot ceramic hob. We must observe the paw looking for injuries, especially in the pads and between the fingers Observing that the cat grabs a hind leg can also be due to an injury, such as a bite or scratch that may have been done playing with other animals.
If the lesions are slight and superficial, we can disinfect them at home and monitor their evolution. Soon the cat should support perfectly. He will always try to hide his ailments, therefore, even if he limps, it is normal for him not to complain or show pain
In the next section we will explain lameness due to injuries that will require veterinary attention.
My cat has a very swollen paw
A cause that can explain why the cat limps we have seen that it could be an injury. Sometimes they seem scarred on the outside but the truth is that inside they are developing an infection This is more common in wounds caused by bites, since in the mouth of animals inhabit numerous bacteria that are transmitted at the time of the bite.
Infection that develops under the skin can explain the swelling of a paw. Sometimes that swelling is reduced to a specific point. In these cases we will observe that the cat has a ball in the paw It is what is known as 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 he is going to need antibiotics, a good disinfection and, in the most complicated cases, a drain
My cat suddenly limps
A traumatism may explain why our cat is suddenly limping. A fall from a considerable height or an accident can crack, dislocate or fracture a limb. It is likely that other symptoms of pain will not manifest, as we have already explained, but observing that the cat does not support the front or rear paw can give us a clue as to what occurred.
In the most severe cases, the cat limps and shakes due to shock. You may have dilated pupils, hemorrhages or visible injuries, breathing difficulties, etc… This can happen after a fall out of a window, in what is known as parachuting cat syndrome.
Whether you have more symptoms or not, a sudden limp is cause for veterinary consultation. If we know that the cat has been run over or has fallen, a visit to the clinic is mandatory because, even if no external injuries are observed, there may be a broken leg, internal damage, bleeding or pneumothorax
The vet will decide whether or not a fracture requires surgery, as some can be resolved with bandaging or rest. If we operate, we must know that the postoperative period is very important. We will have to keep the cat calm and give him medication for pain and to avoid infections. Cats usually recover very well from these trauma procedures.
My cat limps sometimes
Problems such as feline osteoarthritis can explain why a cat limps intermittently. The truth is that, rather than lameness, we will observe a strange wandering, with the rigid limbs, especially when the cat gets up after a period of rest. After walking for a while, it seems that he can walk normally, which confuses the caregivers.
With osteoarthritis problems other symptoms appear that may go unnoticed or we attribute them to the age of the animal, since they are more common ailments in the elderly. It is difficult, we insist, to appreciate the pain in a cat, but we can notice that it eats less, spends almost all its time resting without interacting with the family, avoids jumping, loses muscle mass, stops using the litter box or does not groom itself.
Treatment is pharmacological and may include food supplements that protect the joints. The environment must be modified to help the cat's mobility using a litter box with low walls, an arrangement of furniture that it can access, a soft bed away from drafts, as well as brushing it to contribute to its cleanliness. In addition, it is essential to control overweight, if applicable.
My cat is limping and has a fever
Other times the explanation for why a cat limps is an infectious disease A very common one is caused by the feline calicivirus. Although it is associated with respiratory and ocular symptoms, the truth is that this highly contagious and widespread virus can also cause lameness, arthritis, as well as fever and the classic symptoms of conjunctivitis, mouth sores, or runny nose.
As in all viral diseases, treatment is based on support and the administration of drugs to relieve symptoms or prevent secondary infections. As prevention is always better than cure, it is recommended to vaccinate all cats against this virus which, although it usually causes a curable disease, there are highly virulent strains capable of killing a cat quickly.
Finally, after vaccination against calicivirus, a condition characterized by lameness and fever may appear that subsides without major consequences, although, of course, we must go to the vet.
