8 week old kitten's back left leg is limping. Could it be broken? How can I find out? Help please!!!?

Question

I noticed that my 8 week old kitten's back left leg is hurting as has started limping. I noticed it a few days ago because I though it was just a bit of pain and it will go away but it hasn't. She runs around and plays, acting like a normal 8 week old kitten but she won't touch the ground with her back left paw/foot. She plays around with the other two kittens and isn't crying about it but I'm still very worried. She twists it outwards (but doesn't walk with it) while she walks.
Is there some way I can find out if it is broken?
I've tried feeling around to find out what hurts but she just moves around and jumps out of my arms. She hardly every meows so that doesn't really help in this situation.
I don't have much money for the Vet at the moment and I can't take her to the Vet ER Hospital because I still owe $230 for the cremation of my dog which I havne't paid yet.

Any advice? Suggestions? Help!!??

I saw her running just then. She was stepping on her foot as she walked and ran but her foot is pointing outwards.

Please, if all you can suggest is the vet, it's no help. I can't take her to the vet until maybe tomorrow or Tuesday. I don't have a car at the momend, nor do I have the money. The only Vet that is open is the ER that I owe money to.

Trust me, if there was a Vet open, I had a car and I had a little bit more money, I would take her. I'm not some idiot cat owner who doesn't know what to do when a cat is limping.
I take my cats to the vet if there is something wrong and I am able to do so. I have spent over $500 in vet bills in 2 weeks as the new kitten came home with the flu and gave it to the other two cats so I don't have an extra $200 in my pocket yet.

Wow, I am not going to give my cat to the shelter just because of her paw. When I get a little bit of money (I get paid Monday/Tuesday) I will take her as soon as they open.

Can anybody please tell me HOW to feel around her foot/paw/leg properly? I have felt her PAW (around her claws etc.) and nothing hurt her. As she doesn't meow much, how can I tell if it hurts?

Trollkpr

Wow, I have spent $500 in two weeks (which I have NEVER done in my LIFE) on medication, vet bills, consults, etc. and now I'm being told that I shouldn't own a cat? I have $50 in my wallet. That will pay for a taxi fee to the city where the Vet ER is. What am I going to do about the $60 consult, the medication, the tests that may have to be done etc.? I get paid in a day or two and I will take her. I need to know what to do NOW to ease any pain that she may have. True, I should have paid the $250 for the cremation of my dog but I didn't have the money to do so. I was on a payment plan and I messed it up so they expect me to pay in full. I need to wait until money from shares come in to do that. And just so you know, all my local RSPCA shelters are closed. They close on a Sunday at approx. 2pm. It is now 6:40pm. I asked this question so I can get good answers. I was hoping someone could give me INFORMATION on what I should do, beside going to a vet.

Yes I have all my three cats current on their shots (8 week old got her first shot with me, 13 week old has both current shots, 9 month old is current on all shots), I take my cats for monthly check ups, 9 month old is up to date on Frontline flea prevention, 8 and 13 week olds are current on Frontline flea prevention, all my cats have been wormed at 8 and 12 weeks old, and 9 month old has been wormed for 2 days in a row every 3 months.

So how DARE you tell me I am an idiot. You don't know anything about me. I take care of my pets. I may not be able to afford a few hundred dollars on a vet AT THE MOMENT, that doesn't mean crap.
After spending $500 on medication, consults etc. and an extra $130 on worming medication and flea prevention, it's a little hard to gather up another $300 for another vet visit. I hope you learn not to judge people of the fact that they can't get to a vet everytime a little something goes wrong because you're a real...

Yes I know that a cat purrs when it is happy. My kittens are always purring. I AM NOT GOING TO LEAVE MY KITTEN AT A SHELTER. I love my kittens and I would never surrender my kittens to anybody or any shelter. Why can nobody just tell me how I can check what is wrong? Of course I do not want her to be deformed or in pain all her life, what a stupid question. I am taking her to a Vet either TOMORROW or TUESDAY. She is not crying, not meowing, not showing any signs of pain, it could be nothing. Money can be an issue for anybody at any time. Coming past Christmas and the NY, kids are on school holidays; how do I know when something like this is going to happen? I generally always have "back-up money" in my account but after spending $500 + $130-$150 just two weeks ago, it makes it hard to regain so much money in less than 2 weeks. I have spent so much money on these cats, you wouldn't believe. Nobody has the right to tell me to surrender my kitten to the shelter.

Answer 1

i suggest that you feel slowly up her leg starting from paw up and rub and move her leg aound all while talking nicly and slowly to her and telling her that you are not going to hurt her.
when she meows in pain or tries very strongly to get out of your grasp then you have a major problem

as for holding her down i suggest that you get a friend help you so she doesent hurt you or herself.

heres my email if you have more questions:
[e-mail]

Answer 2

there's is no way to be able to tell someone through the Internet how to be able to determine if your kittens leg is broken. An X-ray needs to be taken to see if there's a break and this would require a vet.

I'm sure you could find a friend, family member to borrow some money from to pay back later and have them give you a ride to the vet. I have yet to know anyone who can't get a ride somewhere if they needed to go either. Sorry, but it's your responsibility to understand that when you adopt a pet they will have accidents and get sick just like us humans. In the future why not start a pet fund to use for emergencies or for general care. It's the only way to not be put in a pinch.

Answer 3

It depends on if you know why it's limping; say, you accidentally stepped on its paw. Since it is a kitten it is very important to get into the doctor as soon as possible.

**Broken bones can begin growing back together within the first few days after the injury, which would necessitate surgery to "re-break" the bone and set it so it grows correctly.
Of course, it is a kitten and not a person, so it won't go through the psychological stress I did when my wrist was set and shifted, leaving my hand slightly crooked.

You can try to put a makeshift splint on the paw yourself (not recommended), or work ten more hours and get the kitten to the vet. Sorry, but you wouldn't walk on a broken leg over an old bill. Even if you were very financially lacking. Don't worry too much though.

Answer 4

Well I think your best bet is going to be to call your vet and explain the situation and what the problem is with your kitten's leg. He or she can at least say if you should bring her in. If it has been like this for a few days and hasn't gotten any better you probably will have to take her in. If you really can not afford the bill to get it fixed, as difficult as it may be the best thing to do would be to surrender the cat to a vet hospital or shelter where they can treat the animal and then put it up for adoption. This should not go untreated, but talk to your vet.

Answer 5

Because a kiten's bones are still growing if it is broken and you don't bring her to a vet immediately she could become deformed and/or lame for life. Also did you know that kittens and cats purr when they are happy as well as when they are in extreme pain. Animal "hospitals" cost more than animal "clinics" because they have to pay for a larger office and more expensive equipment. Try contacting the vets with clinic in the name. It's a cruel fact that the local ASPCA will arrest people for animal cruelty based on neglect reasoning that kittens are like babies that don't just need water and food which is inexpensive, but also need vaccinations and emergency medical care, which is expensive, but do not provide free medical care although some run a low cost clinic-- call them immediately to find out if they run a low clost clinic in your area. You could also surrender the kitten to the ASPCA and they will provide it with medical care but you may not be able to adopt it back until you can prove you can afford to care for it properly even though they kill animals that they can't find homes for. I know someone who was in the same situation as you, and they tried bringing the kitten to all of the vets in their area and wouldn't take no for an answer until a kind receptionist who saw the cute kitten persuaded the vet to take just a quick look at it and he did. You can also offer to walk the dogs they have boarded in exchange for the kitten's care. You can also try borrow the money from someone who loves kittens. You can also try have someone else bring the kitten to the Vet ER Hospital for you or to their vet for you, etc. If the vet knows them and they are a good customer the vet may look at the kitten for them. The key is to go in person to make a personal appeal and try to make a personal connection without taking no for an answer. With a cute kitten it isn't as impossible as you might think but it will take leg work and persistence on your part and the sooner you start the better. Condolences to you on the loss of your dog.

Answer 6

Well, my best suggestion is to take the kitten to the vet. I understand that you owe some money to the vet...maybe you can try another vet, and if necessary apply for CareCredit. It's a credit card specifically for medical purposes (including veterinary). You can apply on-line, or at most vet's offices. The CareCredit has (literally) been a life saver around my house, and it has been worth every penny.

But if you are opposed to the debt (understandable), maybe you should take the kitten to the Humane Society. If the leg is reparable they can have their vet treat her and then put her up for adoption. Luckily kittens are very adoptable, older cats aren't always so fortunate. Giving an animal up is a difficult decision, so try to think of the kitten here, and put yourself aside. If it is possible for the cat to live happily and healthily with another family give her that chance.

Answer 7

Try feeling around some more...Feel the same leg on one of your other cats and then try to on the limping kitten. If that seems to be the problem try to masage it but very little and not to hard. Or try checking the paw real well to see if anything is in there like a sticker or something, you will know if someting is wrong with the paw cause the cat will probably go crazy. But when you can take her to the vet to be on the safe side, good luck

Answer 8

You need to get her into the Vet immediately. If her leg is broken and doesn't get fixed it will have long lasting affects on her and her ability to use it. Just like with a human an untreated broken bone will cost more in the long run. You need to get her xrayed immediatly and don't wait or hesitate. If you think you can get it there is something that can help called a care credit card. Listed below is the link to the site of the credit card you can get for vet bills. Try to apply for this card. It really is crucial that you get this looked at.

Answer 9

I will sound cruel but if you can't afford to care for your animal then you shouldn't have that pet. You should have taken care of your previous pets bills before getting another one.

Now after the scolding. Call your local shelters and ask if they have a way to help.

"I'm not some idiot cat owner who doesn't know what to do when a cat is limping." Actually you are. If you weren't an idiot cat owner you would not be asking total strangers what to do on the internet or gotten yourself into this position to begin with. Do your animals get annual shots? Flea and tick and prevention? Worming?

Answer 10

sounds like her hip is dislocated, which needs to be put back in by the vet. unfortunately, you need to take that precious cat there now.

wait till normal businss hours, but still take her. set up a payment plan with your vet. if you can only afford $20 a month, thats still better than nothing. and if they refuse payment, then its paid infull, since they won't take your money for it!

but still the kitten neds to go.

Answer 11

well if she isn't crying in a lot of pain then it probably isn't broken and she wouldn't be able to walk/move it without it hurting so much she has to cry...she may have just twisted it while playing or something like that
yes deffinately take her to the vet in case it is something very bad and you want to fix it as soon as possible...these things come up and you have to do what you have to do...she is very young and you don't want her to grow up disformed, do you?
your vet. will tell you what it is and what needs to be done....you never know...it could be something...it could be nothing major at all
but just to be safe...take her to the vet