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My cat is lethargic and dragging her back legs after coming home. What to do?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 8 years and 1 month old | 20 lbs

My cat went outside yesterday and did not come back until 3 in the morning. She is now very lethargic, and seems to have hurt her back legs. She cannot jump and has to drag herself up to get somewhere

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on April 15th, 2017

This is an emergency, as your cat could be suffering from a riding thrombus, which is a blood clot that keeps blood flowing from the aorta into the femoral arteries. This is a very painful and life threatening condition. She could also have been a victim of a traffic accident hurting her spinal cord. Please take her to a veterinarian or an emergency room right away. The vet will want to do radiographs and a blood test and your kitty will need treatment depending on the diagnosis today.
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Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on April 17th, 2017

    This is an emergency and you will need to take your cat to a veterinarian/emergency service right away. There may be nerve damage or the infection travelled up the spinal cord or he may have developed a blood clot shutting off blood flow to his hind legs. Please take him to a veterinarian right now. Call your veterinarian, and there should be emergency information on the answering machine.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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