There are a lot of different things that might be causing to start a cat is limping. In light of this, it is possible that some investigation will be necessary in order to get to the bottom of the matter. In this article, our veterinarians in Memphis discuss some of the possible causes of your cat’s front or rear legs exhibiting a limp, as well as the steps you should take in the event that this occurs.
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Why is my cat limping all of a sudden but not in pain?
It is possible that they are in fact experiencing pain, but they are not displaying any signs of it. It is possible for cats to limp for a variety of reasons, including having something trapped in their paw, that they have a sprain, that they have broken their leg, or even that they have an ingrown claw. Cats may limp from their rear leg or from their front limb.
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If your cat is limping, it is in your best interest to take them to the veterinarian as soon as possible. This will help prevent the chance of infection and will also hinder the progression of their condition. There is a possibility that the reason for your cat’s limp is not easily identifiable; yet, the cure may be as simple as clipping their claws or extracting a thorn.
Having said that, if you are the owner of a pet, it is a good idea to keep a close eye on your animal’s health on a regular basis, and one of the ways you can do this is by observing how they walk. Make sure to keep a close look out for any signs of open wounds, redness, or swelling. Immediately contact a veterinarian if you come across any of these.
Possible Causes of Cats Limping
Here are some of the most common causes of limping in cats:
- Something stuck in their paw
- Sprained or broken leg caused by trauma (being hit, falling, or landing wrong)
- Walking across a hot surface (stove, hot gravel, or pavement)
- Ingrown nail/claw
- Being bitten by a bug or other animal
- Infected or torn nail
- Arthritis
What should I do if my cat is limping?
Your first order of business should be to make an effort to calm your cat down, and then you should inspect their limbs and paws both manually and visually. You should run your fingers along the spot, paying attention to and feeling for any sensitive places. You should also be on the lookout for open wounds, swelling, redness, and in the most severe instances, hanging limbs. To properly care for your cat, you should start at their paw and work your way up their leg.
If it is anything like a thorn, remove it carefully with tweezers and then clean the area with soap and water. Remove any other debris that may be present. In order to prevent an infection from taking hold of the region while the puncture hole is healing, it is imperative that you keep a close check on it. In the event that your cat’s nails are overgrown, you may just clip them as you normally would (or have your veterinarian do it for you).
You should take your cat to your main veterinarian for an evaluation if it has been at least twenty-four hours from the onset of the limping and there are no evident indicators that indicate the reason of the limping.
Due to the fact that the symptoms may be similar to those of other injuries or a sprain (swelling, a limp, limb being held in an unusual posture, lack of appetite), it may be difficult to determine whether or not your cat’s leg is broken. Since this is the case, it is always recommended to contact your veterinarian.
It is imperative that you restrict your cat’s movements while you are waiting for your appointment with the veterinarian. This will prevent your cat from inflicting any extra harm or making the injury worse. Keeping them in a place with low surfaces or placing them in their carrier are also effective ways to do this. Ensure that they are comfortable by giving them with a cozy spot to sleep or a cat bed, and by keeping them warm with the blankets that they like to use. Maintain constant vigilance on their predicament.
When should I take my cat to the vet for limping?
When your cat is limping, it is always a good idea to take it to the veterinarian so that you may either avoid an illness or receive a thorough diagnosis. We ask that you get in touch with our emergency veterinarians if any of the following circumstances apply to your cat and it is outside of the hours that your main veterinarian observes patients:
- You can’t identify the cause
- They have been limping for more than 24 hours
- There is swelling
- An open wound
- The limb is dangling in an odd position
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In the event that there is an excessive amount of blood or a clear indication of major harm to the leg, it is imperative that your feline companion get immediate or emergency veterinarian attention. In spite of the fact that the issue may not be as urgent as you would want it to be, you should still get in touch with your veterinarian to get guidance and to discuss the next actions to take.