Mary Allen
If your cat suddenly limps, it may have injured itself. However, limping can also occur without any visible injury and be a symptom of another medical condition.
Regardless of whether it is an indoor cat or an outdoor cat, if your animal is limping, there can be various reasons for this. Here is an overview of common causes of limping in cats.
Is There a Foreign Object in the Paw?
One cause of your cat’s limping can be a foreign object in its paw. This is not uncommon.
The solution: Examine your cat’s paw more closely. Check for any foreign objects such as stickers, thorns, burrs, stones, splinters, or broken glass caught in them. Gently remove the foreign body with tweezers, if possible, and dress the wound.
Note: If the object is too low or your cat is in obvious pain, it is better to take him to the vet.
Does Your Cat Have a Cut?
A cut is another possible cause of a cat limping. You can clean a light, superficial cut, apply a special wound healing ointment for cats and bandage it, then the injury will heal again.
However, if your velvet paw is bleeding or the cut is too deep, veterinary help is needed. This also applies if the kitty is bleeding and limping because of a broken claw, you cannot identify the cause, or if the paw or joint is severely swollen and hot to the touch.
Sprained Paw or a Broken Paw?
If your lame cat has hurt itself during a walk or a daring jump, it may have sprained its paw or even broken its leg. If you suspect this, it is advisable to go to the vet.
X-ray examinations allow the veterinarian to determine the exact cause of the pain. As for treatment, the vet will fix a sprain with a bandage. A broken bone, on the other hand, is usually plastered.
Has Your Cat Caught an Insect Bite?
In addition to injuries, bee or other insect stings on the paws can also cause pain and cause your cat to limp. In the case of minor incidents, it is sufficient if you clean the area, apply lotion and bandage it. Otherwise, the veterinarian has to intervene again.
Has Your Cat Been Bitten by Another Cat?
Even cats sometimes argue with each other, which can be quite violent. If your cat is limping after such a fight, it may be due to a possible bite wound.
You should not hesitate and consult a veterinarian. A cat’s mouth contains a large number of pathogens that should not get into the blood of another animal.
Cat Hobbles: Does It Have Arthritis or Osteoarthritis?
If all of these causes can be ruled out, the limp can also be a symptom of arthritis or osteoarthritis. The painful joint disease often affects old cats, which then usually appear weak and listless overall.
Is It Chlamydia?
In addition, cat flu caused by chlamydia can be accompanied by limping. The pathogens not only cause symptoms in the nose and eyes but also deposit in the joints and can cause inflammation there.
Cat Limping: When to the Vet?
If you find your cat is limping on its front or hind legs, it’s important to determine the cause and find a solution quickly. If you are unsure where the limp is coming from or how to help your cat, consult your veterinarian.