In cats, limping is nearly always an indication of pain, even though the reason might not be clear. Cats might limp for a variety of reasons, many of which result in injuries that need to be treated by a veterinarian; therefore, it's critical to get treatment for them right away. On occasion, though, your cat's paw may just need to have a thorn and splinter removed. Learn about the underlying reasons for limping, the diagnostic process, and potential treatments for this illness.
Why Do Cats Get Limped?
Why Do Cats Get Limped?
Walking with a raised or stiff limb is known as limping. Cats typically lift their paws or legs to relieve unpleasant pressure on a limb in response to an illness or injury that causes them pain. A jerky, uncoordinated walk is the end outcome. While a fractured bone is frequently the first thing people think of when evaluating a limp in a cat, there are a number of other possible causes as well.
1: Fracture: Cats are unable to support weight on a broken leg because shattered bones hurt so much. Bones can break due to trauma, malnourishment, or even disease.
2: Dislocated Joint: If a cat sustains significant physical trauma, such as being struck by a car and falling from a height, their shoulder or hip joints may become dislocated.
3: Arthritis: A cat may limp due to this painful joint ailment.
4: Broken and Missing Claw: Rarely, a cat's nails will curl and develop into the paw pad.
5: Foreign Object: Your cat may experience pain if thorns, wooden splinters, staples, or other sharp things get stuck in their toes or feet.
6: Wound: Leg or paw bites, scratches, scrapes, burns, and abrasions can cause a painful wound that makes a person lame.
7: Cats may experience instability in their knee joints because of a torn ligament.
8: Spinal Injury: Loss of limb motion may result from damage to the spinal nerves.
9: Blood Clot: One particular kind of blood clot that may paralyze the rear legs is called a saddle thrombus. It is abrupt, excruciating, and perhaps fatal.
How to Handle a Limping Cat
You must confirm that your cat is truly limping before deciding on a plan of action. Even if the reason is unknown, limping is simple to identify. A cat that is limping may exhibit other clear indications of damage, such as an elevated paw, an uneven or unbalanced walk, or swelling in the affected limb.
A thorough physical examination is the first step your veterinarian must take because there are many possible causes of a cat's limp. Signs of abnormalities in the toes, legs, hips, or shoulders will be assessed, depending on which leg the cat prefers.
A thorough physical examination is the first step your veterinarian must take because there are many possible causes of a cat's limp. Signs of abnormalities in the toes, legs, hips, or shoulders will be assessed, depending on which leg the cat prefers.
In the event that no growing nail, burn, foreign object, or wound is visibly seen, an x-ray will be advised. X-rays can identify fractures and dislocated joints, but they cannot identify blood clots, tears in ligaments, or damage to nerves.
It could need more sophisticated diagnostic imaging, like an MRI or CT scan, to determine the reason behind a limp.
Therapy for Foot Pain
The majority of limping causes are treatable, allowing a cat to return to a more typical way of life. Naturally, the prognosis will differ for every individual case. Depending on the cause, there are a variety of treatments for limping, such as:
1: It may be necessary to administer medication for pain, inflammation, or infection.
2: If required, wounds, burns, or overgrown nails can be cleansed and sutured.
3: Broken bones and dislocated joints may require surgery, splinting, bandages, or casts.
4: For surgery and other procedures, sedation or anesthesia will probably be required.
Physical treatment may also be required on occasion to assist a cat in regaining their mobility. A cat's leg could occasionally need to be medically removed due to a catastrophic injury.
Ways to Avoid Getting Limp
Keeping a cat inside the house is a fantastic strategy to prevent it from developing a limp, as most incidences of limping in cats are caused by injuries; therefore, outdoor cats are more likely to get injured than indoor cats.
Supplements such as glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, or omega-3 fatty acids could help your cat remain more agile and at ease as it ages if it has arthritis or other joint issues. Additionally, maintaining a healthy weight for your cat will help avoid joint issues. Overgrown nails might contribute to a limp in your cat, so keep them clipped.
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