Is my Cat's leg broken?

Question

Hi,
I don't seem to be off this site the past few weeks!!
I came home this evening to be met by my 15 year old cat Jessi, limping. She was holding up her left hind leg and just hobbled into the house. My neighbour said she saw her under her car and there was another cat who has been pestering her hanging around the car. She's now asleep in her bed after having some dinner. Her bed has a hood so can't get in to see if there's a bite on her leg. I tried running my hand down her back and she jerked her head towards me when I got near her leg and she went to bite me when I (lightly) touched her leg. I'm bringing her to the vet tomorrow morning anyway but just would like a few thoughts. Could she just have sprained it? I kind of worried about what the vet will say considering her age.
Thanks
Claire.

Answer 1

Most animals hold their leg up like you describe if its been hurt. Cats are clever creatures when it comes to injuries and seem to know instinctively to lie down and rest the limb. If she managed to get home and into her bed it's a good possibility that her leg is sprained but you are doing the right thing by taking her to the vets tomorrow. She hasn't reached the age of 15 without a scrap or two! Glad to hear she ate her dinner. Try not to worry too much......although you probably will because she's your pet and you love her. Good luck at the vets. Keep us posted about how you get on. xxx

Answer 2

I didn't want to go in to this, but I'm thinking about what I would do, and I think I have to. I would not persue corrective surgery. At her age, she really only has about three more years at best, and asking her to go through a surgery that may cause more trouble than good just is not fair. An amputation is a time-consuming surgery. Anesthesia is always risky business, and is no better on older pets. She is going to be under for a while, and it will absolutely be risky. If you DO persue the amputation, I highly encourage pre-anesthetic bloodwork to make eliminate any kidney/liver damage that could just make the process more dangerous. Cats manage with three legs very well, and get used to it pretty quickly. She will have recovery time, which is painful, although I'm sure your vet will supply her with proper meds. If you decided to euthanize her, I wouldn't blame you. She is a senior citizen, and it may be kindest thing to do at this point. You'll spare her the recovery, the surgery, and learning to live without the extra leg at her age.

Answer 3

Could be anything - a cut, a graze, a bite, a bruise.
Check the bed when she leaves to see if there is any blood - if so it would be a good idea to clean her leg up with warm salted water just to make sure there's no dirt.
Other wise just leave her alone - you'll probably find she is 100% fine by the morning and wondering what all the fuss is!
(BTW - I have had numerous elderly cats down to the vets for treatment and they have NEVER been dealt with in a helpless/hopeless way - so don't go giving up on her yet!)

Answer 4

Hard to say, vet is the best idea. The most important thing is not rest (although that would be good for her), the most important thing right now is to get her contained! Do not let her get loose. The worst thing would be upsetting her tomorrow when trying to load her into a cat carrier. Imagine chasing her around or hurting her while trying to get her into a cat carrier or to the car. I hope she gets rest...but, I would take her bed into a small room (bathroom maybe) and put her litter pan and stuff in there. From there...if you have to, since her bed has a hood....just block the bed entryway and take her to the car while she is still in the bed. If you think you can succeed at the cat carrier, try putting the cat carrier in front of the bed entryway with some apptizing food in it (I would suggest mackeral). She is going to be acting unlike herself if she is hurt. I hope she is okay and it turns out to be nothing!

Answer 5

As other people have said, take your cat to the vets for a check, it doesn't sound to me like the leg is broken or the cat would be in pain, and it would let you know it.Your cat may have a bite, which if untreated mat turn into an abcess, or as you say, it may be a sprain. You can't be too careful with an older cat !

Answer 6

My guini-pig was found one day dragging its hind legs a lot behind him so we took him to the vet and he'd broken the bottom of his pelvis. But don't worry this doesn't sound that serious.

It could a slight fracture or (like you said) a break but it probably isn't that serious either as the cat hasn't seemed to made too much of a fuss, maybe a sprain or it's bruised the bone or something.

Answer 7

Vets is the right place. Its hard to tell with a cat and legs. Good luck. Make sure (or try to) that she rests tonight - she may be fine in the morning if its just a sprain.

Answer 8

I had something similar recently. If she's not walking on it at all or won't let you touch it, then it's probably a break. If she walks on it occasionally, it's something else. Best thing to do is go to the vet.

If she's healthy, her age shouldn't matter unless the injury is age related.

Answer 9

The vet is the best thing you can do!!!
good luck
hope jessi' ll be fine

Answer 10

Keep her indoors from now on...please for her own safety