My 16 month old cat limps on and off from her hind legs, sometimes the right and sometimes the left one. She doesn't seem to feel any pain when I touch her legs or paws. She never goes outside. I thought maybe it could be that her nails are too long (I've tried to trim them but she just won't let me, I have scars in my hands to prove it!!), could that be it? She has no other symptoms, at least to my knowledge.
I already have an appointment to take her to the vet next week, but I'm very worried and it would really help me to know what it could be. I found her on the streets when she was just a couple of weeks old, so we have a strong bond. I really hate seeing her like this, hope it's nothing serious.
2007-06-26 09:50:36 · 9 answers · asked by greY 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
Call your vet's office and see if anybody has cancelled their appointment in an effort to be seen sooner. Any good clinic will put you on a call back list in case of cancellations to get you in ASAP. Without doing a Physical exam on your cat, there is really no way to tell what is wrong without seeing her. A complete background is needed (since she was a stray, this may be minimal).
A limp in a cat's rear legs can be anything from a simple dew claw beginning to curl around into the skin (which in serious cases may need antibiotics) ranging to something such as ataxia due to a neurological disorder or something even more serious that cat's young and old get, called a saddle thrombus (a blood clot in the vena cava artery that biforcates/splits off to run down both legs). As any of these are just guesses, they are of course, all possibilities. Since she alternates hind legs, I would not suspect something like a sprain or a splinter/glass shard.
The most important thing is to stay calm, and try to take a look at her feet/ claws and try to run your hands down her back and hind limbs looking for scrapes, bumps, lumps, etc. In any case, keep her as calm and comfortable as you can until you can have her seen. DO NOT give her aspirin. Cats are more susceptible to the effects of aspirin than are dogs because they are unable to metabolize the drug as quickly. Young animals are more susceptible to the toxic effects than are adult animals. Aspirin toxicity may cause gastrointestinal problems, respiratory difficulties, neurological problems, bleeding disorders, and kidney failure. Gastrointestinal problems are common in dogs whereas central nervous system depression is most common in cats. I hope I've helped a bit. Good luck!!
2007-06-26 10:06:15 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
She is still considered to be an adolescent, so she's still in her growing stage. She could have something as simple as muscle stiffness (I know, exercise and a cat?), or perhaps a bit of arthritis or hip dysplasia, both which can show up in younger cats. She could have also bumped herself jumping on and off furniture, or running around slippery floors.
Cats are sneaky this way. I think that my 5 take turns getting these aches to see if we notice them.
The important thing is that she is not in pain, so perhaps her vet will state that it's just a bump. Good luck.
2007-06-26 09:59:33 · answer #2 · answered by bethanne 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be just overgrown nails, the vet will be able to get them trimmed for you, even if he has to sedate to do it!
Not going outside doesn't really save cats from lameness, there's plenty that can happen just from walking around really. Could be congenital hip problem (something she was born with) or she could have anything embedded in her paw, you wouldn't necessarily be able to find it - or any kind of muscle/joint prob. Age is on her side though, it's more likely to be something simple. Main thing is, you're taking her to a vet!
Chalice
2007-06-26 10:09:13 · answer #3 · answered by Chalice 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The cat could have jumped off furniture and pulled mucles in both her back legs from the landing. Or, it could be vise-versa,- maybe she/he could have pulled a muscle from jumping onto something. Either way, take her to the vet asap, and watch her actions closely.
2007-06-26 10:36:06 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had a cat once who did that very thing. We would come home and she would be limping with one of her paws lifted up. It was never anything and we figured it was a sympathy plea.
2007-06-26 09:56:05 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'd call a vet if it persists. She may have jumped off of something and landed wrong.
2007-06-26 09:59:26 · answer #6 · answered by Heather 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
is she using the potty regularly? if not she may have a urinary tract infection...this has been known to cause limping in cats
2007-06-26 10:11:06 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a dog who always does that we took her to the vet and they said she was ok and It happens a lot to dogs or cats.
2007-06-26 09:59:08 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
She may have sprained it, broken it, or stepped on something, like a cactus quill or something.
2007-06-26 10:48:30 · answer #9 · answered by The Doctor 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋