My cat has rib pain, won't jump, and eats less. What should I do?

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sorry to hear about Squishy. Not sure if he goes outside but if he does I would suspect that he has been in a fight with another cat or wild animal and now has developed an infection/abscess. I would advise taking him to your vet immediately to get him evaluated. Not sure if he has a rabies shot either. Your vet can evaluate him after gathering a history and can advise you on what to do. If it's from a fight or bite wounds, he may have to be sedated to explore the injuries further. Treatment may include antibiotics, pain meds, etc. If a bone injury is suspected, x-rays may be needed. If a fight is suspected a rabies shot or booster may be advised also. Good luck with Squishy.

As your cat hasn't been eating and is limping it is best to schedule a veterinary appointment ASAP. The limp could be caused by a number of things including injury to the leg, such as a break or sprain, wound or infection from a bite or scratch, or muscle or nerve damage. If the limb is hurt severely enough or if infection is present it may make your cat not want to eat. Until you can get to the vet, limit all activity to prevent further injury to the limb, and try to entice eating by warming up some wet food or adding some warmed boiled chicken to your cat's food. However it is necessary to schedule a vet appointment ASAP.

Yes, it sounds like Sebastian is lethargic. His symptoms are non-specific, but could indicate infection, trauma leading to injury, or endocrine/autoimmune disease. I recommend that you have him seen by a veterinarian to help determine the cause of his symptoms. Your vet may recommend blood and urine testing or even imaging such as an x-ray to help determine what is going on with Sebastian.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I think that if this is a consistent finding meaning that Phoenix continues to be like that today and again tomorrow, it is very important to have him evaluated by a veterinarian as it could be something serious causing him pain. It could be pain from one of his ribs or perhaps referred pain from his abdomen. Hopefully this goes away but if not a visit to your veterinarian is indicated. Good luck and have a great day!

It is common in cats to see abscesses due to bites and scratches from other cats. I would bring him in to your veterinarian as they can evaluate it. An antibiotic as well as cleaning and flushing the abscess may be indicated. If it is not an abscess your veterinarian can help to determine what it it by collecting a fine needle aspirate. Certainly an abscess would describe many of the things you are describing.

Hello. It is impossible to say exactly what might be going on, but we should rule out the possibility of a bruised rib or small fracture. Your veterinarian may need to clip some hair down to the skin to see what things look like. It is good that everything else is well with her so it does not sound like there is anything serious. But if your vet suggests an x-ray, this might be a good idea. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Yes, I would be concerned because it's been a few days and Maverick is still acting this way. It shows he is painful, and he needs pain medications. Please do not give him any human pain medications, as many human ones are toxic to cats and are fatal if given. He does need to see a vet, please take him into one.