How long can I treat my cat's limping leg at home before a vet?

I am sorry but we at Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach are unable to prescribe or recommended medications, this can only be done by your treating vet who knows and has recently examined your pets. Rest and confinement will help prevent further injury but I strongly recommend a full physical exam to determine the type of injury and the options to manage it and reduce pain

Hi, there is no evidence of any fractures on the pictures of these X-rays. Is Echo on any antinflammatories ? I often find cat bites can be painful even when superficial, is Echo allowed outside ? As this is all recent, it is likely that you need to give Echo some time to get better. Within 3-4 days with rest, pain relief she should go back to her normal self. If Buprenorphine is helping but just for a short period of time, I would enquire about having additional pain relief in terms of antinflammatories . This is provided that Echo is otherways healthy and does not have any other health concerns. Hope she gets better soon !

If the lameness has persisted for 3 weeks and you notice that there is a difference in the shape of the shoulder area and leg position, I fear that the injury could be more serious than a sprain. Muscle injuries normally recover in 4-5 days of rest and antinflammatories. I would recommend to have him reassessed, there is a medication that can be given at home prior to the visit to help with the stress, I would ask your vet. Hope this helps !

You can try resting Mickey for the next 72 hours. No running, jumping, or playing. I'd keep him confined to a small room or a large crate. Keep him indoors if he's allowed outdoors. It's very important to not give him any human pain medications. Many are toxic to cats and are fatal if given. Should he still be limping at 72 hours, then he will need to see a vet.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Kitty! Sadly all you can do at home is rest him (not running, jumping, keep indoors). Cats can not tolerate human pain medications (deadly to cats). Sometimes rest alone can really help a strain or sprain. You can start feline Dasuquin or Cosequin which is a joint supplement for arthritis. It is best to have Kitty evaluated by a Vet as soon as you are able. There are approved pain medications for cats but they are prescription only. Possible causes are: infection or abscess (especially if he goes outside), arthritis, strain or sprain, fracture, immune joint disease, cancer. I wish Kitty a speedy recovery!

Since he's so young the leg may heal fine on its own. As long as he's eating let him rest and give him a day or two to get better. If he stops eating or the shaking and tremors worsen please take him in for an exam. There is no safe. human pain medication for cats or kittens. Hopefully he'll improve. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Mystery.

It could be soft tissue damage from an injury causing limping but it could also be a result of an orthopedic issue. Kittens can also get viral infections like calicivirus that can cause limping. I'd recommend keeping Binks quiet by confining her to a small area and not allowing her to run, jump, or use stairs. If she continues to limp or any other abnormal signs develop she should be examined by a veterinarian as she may need X-rays or pain medication. Please remember there are no safe over the counter pain medications for cats so you will need to get these from a veterinarian. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach and I hope Binks is on the mend soon!