Cats can become lame for many reasons. Cats may develop an abscess from a cat bite, a wound, sprain, fracture or a sting in the paw. Some lameness can also be caused by joint problems in the leg. Here you can read more about symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of lameness in cats - and when it's time to contact a vet!
Cats may show lameness when they are painful. They may not want to fully stand on the affected leg, they may only use three legs to move around, or they may not want to move around at all. They may also lick a specific area or the leg that hurts.
It is important to understand that if your cat is lame as this usually shows that they have pain somewhere. Many cats that are in pain also withdraw, becoming irritated and are more generally not themselves, or lose their appetite. Chronic lameness can lead to reduced generalised condition, or loss of muscle on the affected leg.
Here are some examples of what can cause lameness in cats:
If your cat is going to the clinic for a lameness assessment, it is helpful to starve the cat for six hours before the visit. They should continue to have free access to water. During the examination, sedative medication may be needed and this helps to reduce nausea and vomiting.
During the examination, the vet will ask for information about the cat’s history and whether they have had any similar problems in the past. The vet will carefully examine them for abnormalities and assess the cat’s movement. If the vet may recommend an x-ray or ultrasound scan if there is a risk of damage to the skeleton or joints. In some cases, an MRI or CT may also be recommended.
Treatment of your cat’s lameness will depend on the cause. Abscesses often need to be lanced to allow the pus to drain, which also relieves the pressure and pain. In the case of fractures, surgery may be needed to stabilise the fracture under general anaesthetic, or splinting needed.
For osteoarthritis, there are several different treatment options, which together aim to relieve the pain and inflammation. These include keeping the cat at a healthy weight, to reduce strain on the joints, encouraging and maintaining regular exercise to maintain range of motion of the joints and promote a healthy weight.
Also read: Obesity in cats and How to do a Body Condition Score
Cats are good at hiding pain. If your cat is lame, it is a good idea to contact a vet for advice and assessment of the lameness. Gently and carefully check your cat all over for swellings, soreness and wounds. Until you visit the vet, keep your cat indoors and reduce the amount of movement they need to make. Older cats often get osteoarthritis in one or more joints and should be examined by a vet to avoid unnecessary pain.
Emergencies: if a cat is involved in an accident, develops an acute lameness, or has a deep wound or a wound close to a joint they should be seen by a vet immediately.
You can always book a video call with a vet at FirstVet if your cat is lame to get an initial assessment and advice about how to proceed!
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