Is your cat impaired by a limp, and you’re not sure what’s leading to it? They might be harming elsewhere on their body, like a paw, a muscle, or a joint, but they won’t be able to inform you where it hurts by meowing. There are multiple potential root causes of a limp in a cat. Consequently, it is essential to know the warning signals to search for and the best ways to reduce their suffering.
Prevalent Causes of Cat Limping
Pain is commonly indicated by limping, which should never be ignored. A limping cat can be concerning, but how can you understand if it’s an emergency or if you can wait it out? It’s harmless to presume that a limping cat is in pain since most cats will do anything to conceal their discomfort. Your cat will gain significantly from the care a veterinarian provides, so feel free to take it in.
There is a wide variety of reasons for a cat to limp. All these elements are related to the age and health of the pet. Keep in mind that limping is a sign, not the actual ailment—the following list of the most generally identified reasons for cats limping.
Injury
You will most likely be present when your pet endures a leg injury and see the ensuing limp. The most typical method for cats to injure their legs and begin to limp is by landing awkwardly after jumping off decks, furnishings, arms, or stairs. Depending upon the severity of the injury, different amounts of damage will be done to the damaged body part’s bone, cartilage, and tendons.
Veterinary surgeons usually resort to operating on damaged animals for less intrusive methods if the damage is too significant. To learn more about cat limping, you should talk to a reliable veterinarian by visiting vet websites like powderspringsvet.com.
Cardiovascular Disease
Surprisingly, complications with the rear legs are another sign of circulatory (heart) disease in cats. In cats, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the leading root cause of congestive heart failure and is associated with weakness in the back legs. Blood clots, referred to as feline aortic thromboembolism (FATE), can form because of this problem and cut off blood flow to the back legs.
If your cat can not walk, is dragging one or both back legs, or is making uncomfortable noises, you need to bring it in immediately or call for an emergency visit. Additionally, pet wellness plans and regular veterinary visits can help keep your cat healthy and prevent this kind of complication from ever occurring.
Paw Problems
Paw concerns are a common reason for limping cats. A burr, cactus spine, foxtail, splinter, cut, or swelling might cause this, as could an ingrown toenail or other foreign items embedded in the paw. If you find a problem with your cat’s paw, examine it gently to determine if it is something you can handle in your home (such as removing a little splinter) or if it needs a vet’s care.
For more info, grooming your cat from professional veterinarians frequently, and paying specific focus to its paws and fur, will help fend off paw problems.
The Takeaway
Whether your cat’s limp is moderate or severe, it’s essential to spend quality time with them and help them stay comfortable. Providing extra love and tasty treats throughout their recovery phase will additionally help. Seeing your pet in pain is upsetting, but if you adhere to the vet’s orders, your furry pal will return to their usual, playful self in a snap.
