Why is my cat limping and losing muscle mass in her back leg?

I'm sorry Shadow is limping! No, it's not likely the vet injured her during the first visit. When we do a lameness exam, yes we do manipulate the legs but not enough to cause injury. If she does have spinal issues, it does make sense that she will show varying degrees of limping at times. I'd recommend having x-rays done on her spine to see if she is suffering from spinal problems. Unfortunately, kidney failure is very common in senior cats. It can be managed symptomatically, but it cannot be cured.

Poor Sophie! It is possible that she developed a soft tissue injury or fracture in your absence or developed a blood clot in one of her hind legs (saddle thrombus). Since she is unwilling to bear any weight on this leg, she is likely in quite a bit of pain and should go to the vet immediately for evaluation. She may need to have x-rays and pain medication. I hope that all goes well!

Poor Princess! It's important to determine why this is happening in order to be able to treat it effectively. Muscle atrophy in the rear legs can occur due to arthritis, neurologic disease, an injury of some kind, or a metabolic disorder such as diabetes or hyperthyroidism. I would recommend taking Princess to the vet for an exam - he/she can do x-rays, blood work, or other testing if needed to help determine what is causing the muscle loss. Many of these issues are treatable once a diagnosis is made.

I'm glad Panda returned home! Limping is a sign of pain in cats, and if she can't jump onto the sofa, then I suspect she may have an injury to her spine, hips, or back legs. Muscle wastage and weakness in her back legs is serious as well. I would take her into a vet immediately. The vet can do a physical exam, blood tests, a urinalysis, and a lameness exam to determine what is causing her symptoms, and how to treat them. She could have gotten hit by a car while missing, or attacked by another animal. Please take her into the vet now.

I am sorry to hear about Luna. If Luna is limping there are many different possible causes, including soft tissue injury (such as a muscle sprain/strain, torn ligament), a fracture (it isn't always obvious when a pet breaks a bone if the fracture is not displaced), a torn or sore toenail, a skin infection of the toenails or bottom of the foot, nerve disorders, or in older pets tumors of the muscle or bone. I would recommend examination by a vet if the issue has been present since Sunday with no improvement. Unfortunately there are no safe pain medications available over the counter for cats, so I would just try to keep her quiet/restrict her activity/keep her indoors until she can be seen.

Hi! Thanks for entrusting us with Sweetie's care today! Lameness can be a sign of a few things that range from a muscle sprain to even a fracture. I recommend that you have her evaluated by your veterinarian so that this can be further assessed which will likely include radiographs. Treatment will be dependent on findings though at the very least pain control medications can be prescribed. Good luck! Hoping for a speedy recovery!

Poor Kosho! She could have accidentally injured her limb at night while you were asleep. She could have severely strained a ligament, torn a ligament, broken a bone, or potentially could have an osteosarcoma. An osteosarcoma is a tumor of the bone in cats, the most common bone tumor cats can get. It would cause sudden and severe lameness. Unfortunately, cancer is always a possibility in an old cat. I would take Kosho into the vet today for an exam. The vet can do a physical exam, routine blood tests, a urinalysis, and x-rays to determine what is causing her limp and how best to treat it. She will also need some pain medication as well. Do not give her any human pain medications. Many are toxic to cats and are fatal if given. Please take her into a vet now.