Best answer: Hi Reyna, it sure was a blow, or a splinter, glass or wound on your pads.
There is a very simple way, if the cat is called, see if he has any injuries, if you don't see any injuries, look for some splinters or some glass, and if you don't see any glass, it could be a sprain, a fissure or a small fracture. This is what veterinarians do, they take the minor problem and they go up to the major problem.
Cats are very resistant, but also when they get sick they deteriorate very, very quickly. A cat only cries when it can't stand the pain.
Maybe he will recover in two days, being so small the recovery is very fast, but if tomorrow you still see that he can not support his paw you should take him to the veterinarian, with some bandage for a few days that the vet applies will work,)
The best in the world with your kitten, film it many times and take many photosss because they grow rapidlyisiiiiimooo. Greetingssssss
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My cat limps on one leg but doesn't complain
If we want to know why our cat limps, the first thing is that let's examine the limb affected. If the cat limps on a 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 fingers. Note that the cat catches a hind leg may also be due to a wound, such as a bite or a scratch that may have been made 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 support perfectly. He will always try to hide his ailments, so even if he limps, it is normal for him not to complain or express pain.
In the next section we will explain lameness for 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 can be a wound. Sometimes they seem scarred on the outside but the truth is that inside it is developing an infection. This is more common in wounds caused by bites, since in the mouth of the animals inhabit numerous bacteria that are transmitted at the time of the bite.
The infection that develops under the skin can explain the swelling of a leg. 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 by the name of 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 must go to the veterinarian because he will need antibiotics, a good disinfection and, in the most complicated cases, a drain.
My cat limps suddenly
A trauma You can explain why our cat limps suddenly. A fall from a considerable height or an outrage can crack, dislodge or fracture a limb. It is likely that other pain symptoms do not manifest, as we have already explained, but note that the cat does not support the back or front leg You can give us a hint of what happened.
In the most serious cases, the cat limps and trembles Due to the shock. You may have dilated pupils, hemorrhages or visible lesions, breathing difficulties, etc. This can happen after a fall through the window, in what is known as the parachute cat syndrome.
Have more symptoms or not, sudden lameness is a reason for veterinary consultation. If we know that the cat has been run over or has fallen, the visit to the clinic is obligatory because, although no external injuries are observed, there may be a broken leg, internal damage, bleeding or pneumothorax.
The veterinarian will decide whether or not a fracture requires surgery, as some can be resolved with bandage or rest. If we operate, we should know that the postoperative is very important. We will have to keep the cat calm and give him medication for pain and to prevent infections. Cats usually recover very well from these trauma interventions.
My cat limps sometimes
Problems such as feline osteoarthritis can explain why a cat limps intermittently. The truth is that, rather than limp, we will observe a strange wandering, with the rigid limbs, especially when the cat gets up after a rest period. When walking for a while it seems that you can walk normally, which confuses caregivers.
With osteoarthritis problems other symptoms appear that can go unnoticed or we blame them at the age of the animal, as 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 he eats less, spends almost all his time resting without relating to the family, avoids jumping, loses muscle mass, stops using the sandbox or does not groom himself.
The 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 sandpit with low walls, an arrangement of the furniture that can be accessed, a fluffy bed away from drafts, in addition to brushing it to contribute to its grooming. In addition, it is essential to control overweight, if applicable.
My cat limps and has a fever
Other times the explanation as to why a cat limps is a infectious disease. A very common one is caused by feline calicivirus. Although it is associated with respiratory and ocular symptoms, the truth is that this virus so contagious and widespread can also cause lameness, arthritis, plus fever and the classic symptoms of conjunctivitis, mouth lesions or nasal discharge.
As in all viral diseases, treatment is based on the support and administration of drugs to remit 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 picture characterized by lameness and fever may appear, which remits without major consequences, although, of course, we must go to the vet.
This article is purely informative, at ExpertAnimal.com we have no power to prescribe veterinary treatments or make any kind of diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian in case he presents any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Why is my cat limping?, we recommend you go to our Other health problems section.
Symptoms that your cat can exhibit
Depending on the length of your cat's coat, it can be difficult to see that the paw is swollen. The following symptoms tend to accompany a swollen paw, so try to examine your cat's paws if you notice any of these symptoms:
- Limp
- Lift the injured leg
- Lick or bite the injured leg
- Heat in the leg caused by inflammation, infection or abscess.
- Possible bad smell of an infection.
- Reluctant to be active
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Causes of a swollen leg
There are many reasons why a cat's paw may swell. It could be due to something as simple as an insect bite or as serious as an infection or a bone fracture. The following information is not intended to replace professional veterinary care or diagnosis, however, it may make it easier for you to describe what you see when you call your veterinarian. According to Noti Cats, the possible causes of swelling include:
Insect bites and bites
Cats love to smash insects and bees and sometimes they are bitten in the paw. Bee stings and insect bites usually swell quickly and can become infected. Sometimes the stinger remains in the paw. Bites from spiders and scorpions can be very dangerous and cause very painful inflammation, serious infection and death of tissues in the infected area.
Foreign body injuries
A swollen paw may come from a foreign body caught in a pad between the cat's fingers or in the soft, fleshy tissue of the paw. Anything, from a thorn to a small piece of broken glass, could be responsible for the swelling. If you see the object and you can remove it with tweezers, the swelling should decrease in a day or two. If you are sure that the swollen paw was due to a minor problem like a thorn you removed, dip the cat's paw in a mixture of a gallon of fresh water with two tablespoons of two percent added colhexidine. Colhexidine is an antiseptic that is available in many pharmacies. Many people still prefer to consult with their veterinarian even if the problem seems to be minor, since the possibility of infection is always present.
Punctures, lacerations or bruises
These types of injuries cause damage to the soft tissues of the leg, fleshy areas or pads. These injuries can be caused by stepping on a sharp object, getting caught in something or by the teeth or nails of another cat. Wounds of any kind can become inflamed, infected or abscessed. If you feel heat in your cat's paw, it is a sign of infection, abscess or inflammation and you need immediate medical attention.
Sprains, fractures and dislocations
Cats love to jump and sometimes a swollen paw can be the result of a sprain, a broken bone or a dislocation from jumping, playing or running. Some cats have suffered from bruised legs and even fractures because the caregiver accidentally stepped on their feet. For cats that go outside, the cause could be an accident with a vehicle.
Excessive nail growth
A cat's nails can also be the cause of a swollen paw. Too long nails can get caught in objects, break and become infected. Sometimes, a long nail gets caught in something and a swollen joint or arthritis of the toe is twisted. If one of your nails is cut too close to your flesh, you also run the chance of becoming infected.
Mild lamenesses
When we talk about mild lamenesses we are referring to those in which the animal can walk without feeling too much pain. You may complain, but it is not a very loud complaint. He will lick his leg, but the pain will not prevent him from moving it. The cat can have this type of lameness when a human - or a large dog - has accidentally stepped on it, or when it has a wound on the pads of its paws.
What to do? Well, one remedy you can use is to apply pure Aloe Vera gel on the affected area, and let one day go by to see how it evolves. If the next day we see that he has more swollen or starts to complain more, we will take him to the vet. If we do not have how to go, or if it is closed, in the next section I explain how to bandage your leg.
Reasons to call the vet
Your veterinarian is the most qualified person to diagnose the cause of a swollen paw and can often determine the cause of the inflammation by a simple exam. In some cases, a blood test or x-ray may be necessary to arrive at the most accurate diagnosis.
- If the cat's paw is hot to the touch or seems to be causing a lot of pain, it is most likely infected. In a case like this, it is very important to call the vet immediately. The longer you wait, the worse the infection will become, and medication is almost certainly needed to prevent the infection from spreading throughout the cat's body.
- If the swelling is due to a bee sting, an insect or spider bite, your cat may need medication to stop the allergic reaction and help reduce swelling in the paw.
Severe lamenesses
When we talk about severe lameness we mean those in which the cat cannot use the paw. It hurts a lot, and therefore his complaints are loud. You can become aggressive with us if we try to touch the affected leg.
Check your cat's paws regularly
Everyone who has a cat in their care wants their cats to be healthy and happy. It is a good practice to examine your cat's paws regularly.
- Look for small cuts in the pads.
- Check it between the toes of the legs to see if there is any foreign body, such as splinters, rigid rubbish or spines.
- Check your cat's nails and trim them if they are too long.
By performing these simple acts, you significantly reduce the risk that your cat has to suffer from having a swollen paw.
Causes of a cat being lame
If my cat limps, there are many causes that may have caused this injury, Among the most common are:
- Fractures
- Tumors
- Bruising
- Leg injuries
- Joint problems
In these cases, the most recommended is examine the animal well To get an idea of what is the cause of your lameness, since depending on which one, you will have to act in one way or another. Thus, he conscientiously examines the sore area, and looks for something (a pimple that has stuck, a foreign object, etc.). If you see that on its legs it has micro-cuts, do not worry: these wounds usually heal on their own, now, if you notice any external element that should not be, such as the sting of a wasp, you can carefully remove it with tweezers . Take it to the veterinarian if you suspect that he has a tumor, or if you see that everything is fine but the cat complains a lot.
Only if we have noticed that you have a broken leg, and only in very extreme cases, in which we do not have economic means at the moment, will we do it. How? Thus: while one person holds the cat, the other must bandage his leg with bandages or, if he does not have one, you can also use a cloth that you normally use to dry the dishes. Do not forget to hold it with adhesive dressings.
In very serious cases, in which the leg we see that it has come out, it is urgent to go to the veterinary professional. We can splinter it, but really, it is much better for the specialist to do it, since if we do it wrong, the cat could end up lame forever.
How to bandage a cat's paw
Then we put the steps to bandage a cat's paw who is limping and cannot walk well:
- Prepare the material that you will need: bandages, cotton, a splint (the ideal is to buy them in plastic, but if it is urgent you can choose to use wood or similar), adhesive dressings, towel (or cloth).
- Cover the animal with the towel or cloth, to prevent it from biting or scratching. It is important not to cover it completely, but to lay it on its side, and put the rag over it, without covering its head.
- Now, we proceed to make four rolls with the cotton (they are made by taking a piece, and rolling it between the fingers). Once done, you have to put them between the fingers of the affected leg to avoid sticking their claws.
- Then, while a person is holding it, wrap their affected leg with a bandage.
- Then you must put the splint, which has to be the same length as the leg. Secure it with adhesive dressing.
- Finally, you have to put three layers of bandage, starting from the fingers up, and a layer of wide adhesive for sale in pharmacies.
Once your leg is bandaged, you will gradually feel better. But if you see that it gets worse, Do not hesitate to take it to the vet.
Caring for a cat with a bandaged paw
It is not easy, but It is important that you keep the cat calm, preventing it from moving excessively. To do this, we can put classical music -with a low volume-, light candles that carry orange essential oil or sit next to you to pamper you. So we will keep calm, at least for a while.
Courage, that insurance will recover soon 😉.
