My cat is limping and lifting her leg after a fight. Is it a sprain?

I think an immediate check up is required as the most likely problem is that they got into a fight and Lissana has an abscess on the lower back region. Possibly the limp is due to pain on the back region, but it is unlikely that spinal cord is involved (she would possibly drag the leg when she walks rather than limping on it and there would be other signs as well). If there is a bit wound, abscess must be lanced, flushed, disinfected and antibiotics must be given. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

There can be many sources of pain. Fractured bones are a possibility. There are many tiny bones in the paws, but if Mizzy lets you press firmly on all 4 paws, long leg bones, and along the back and ribs, she may not have anything broken. Second, ligaments or muscles can strain or tear. Sometimes this causes swelling and pain in a specific place, but not all the time. Third, she could have a wound or bruising in an area that is hard to see because of the fur. I would recommend just monitoring her for a few days. Watch her eating and drinking, and watch for improvement of the limp. If any thing changes or isn't better in a few days, she should be evaluated by a vet. Mizzy should also stay inside during this monitoring phase since cat's that are sick or painful may hide and don't always come back home for you to care for them.

If you cat goes outdoors, this is very likely the result of a cat bite. It is amazing how small a cat bite wound can be, but under the skin, infection is building up. Have Coco evaluated tomorrow by your vet because if this is a bite wound, the sooner antibiotics are started, the sooner she will start feeling better. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

The chance that there is a blood clot contributing to these clinical signs is very unlikely. Typically, when something like this happens, your cat would be in absolutely uncontrollable pain, screaming and crying like nothing you have every heard. You might also notice that the feet and limbs are noticeable cold. This doesn't sound like the case. In all likelihood, Autumn simply sprained or strained something and is now experiencing some discomfort as a result. One other cause of shifting or sporadic lameness in the limbs are tick borne diseases such as Lyme disease. While these are far more common in dogs, they can definitely occur in cats as well. Depending on your geographic region, the type of tick borne diseases that are most common will vary considerably. Hope this makes sense. Get Autumn into the vet for some examination if the symptoms don't subside in the next day or so. Just don't try and give any over the counter pain medication at home as there are none that are safe for cats.

Poor Oreo! It sounds like she has injured herself, and it could be due to a strain. I recommend resting her for the next 48 hours. No running, jumping, or playing. Keep her confined to a small room to limit movement, and do not allow her outside if she is allowed outdoors. If she still appears painful after this time, then I would take her into the vet for an exam. The vet can diagnose where the pain is coming from, and can dictate a treatment plan for it. She may also benefit from some pain medications, which the vet can prescribe. Please do not give him any human pain medications, as many are toxic to cats and are fatal if given.

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Based on the information you have provided, and the attached pictures, I am also very concerned that Sprinkles may have sustained significant trauma, causing her to be non-weightbearing lame on her left hind leg. Whether she was hit by a car or potentially fell and injured her leg, it sounds like she is in a significant amount of pain. She also looks like she has abraded skin (a wound) on that leg as well, which is at risk of becoming infected. I recommend having her seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible to have her injuries addressed. He/she will perform a full physical exam to localize her pain and determine if she has other, more life-threatening injuries such as damage to her chest or abdomen. X-rays may be indicated if a fracture is suspected. Ultimately, pain medication and antibiotics can be prescribed to help ease her pain and prevent infection. Importantly, NEVER give pain medication that is intended for humans to your pet, as these can be fatally toxic. I hope this is helpful!

Restrict Spaghetti's activity as much as you can. No excessive running, jumping or rough play. If the lameness does not begin to resolve in the next 24-48 hours, have her seen by your vet. Go sooner if you notice any swelling or if the lameness worsens.