What to do if my cat's leg is red, not walking, and not eating?

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. It probably is an infection affecting most of the leg. It is an emergency. Please, try and call your local emergency service if your regular vets don't have any appointments.

Please keep this area clean so the skin will heal. I use hydrogen peroxide as it doesn't sting. You can then apply a thin film of antibacterial ointment on it. Luckily cats heal very well so as long as he is moving normally, is not in pain and the area doesn't get infected you do not need to him take him in. If he stops eating or the wound becomes infected or smells or he stops using the leg then take him in for an exam. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you get answers to your veterinary questions.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It is not possible to know this just based on this picture. However, with a history of possible trauma and the presence of blood then a fracture is possible. Just based on the presence of blood and the possibility of a fracture, I would highly recommend you have him evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They would be able to check what seems to be the issue so that it can be treated accordingly. Good luck!

This presentation could be due to a trauma or localized spot of skin infection (likely to be caused by bacteria or fungal). A check up, appropriate disinfection and possibly antibiotics or antifungal meds (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are needed to solve the problem. Disinfection can eventually be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any licking. Hope this answer was helpful, but 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.

Whitey is very handsome! I would recommend monitoring it if you can't get to a veterinarian. If he starts licking at it I recommend putting an Elizabethan collar on so he cannot reach it. If it is getting larger or if he is limping I recommend a vet as soon as possible. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could be due to ringworm. This could also be just a focal skin bacterial infection, among other possibilities. I recommend that you have him evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They would be able to check for these possibilities and treat accordingly. Ringworm can be transmitted to humans so just in case this is what is going with him, wear gloves when handling this lesion. Good luck and best wishes!

This could be the result of an insect bite reaction or a wound. If there is no swelling around the leg and the lesion appears superficial then you can try washing it with a mild soapy water and observing the area for a day or two. If it increases in size, swelling develops around the area, the area becomes hot or painful, or is not looking less aggravated as time passes then a visit to the vet may be needed for antibiotic or steroid therapy.