My kitten is limping but still eating and climbing. What's wrong?

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!

Since it has only been going on a few hours and she does put some weight on it when jumping I think you could monitor her today. I would try to keep her indoors and confined to small room so she stays quiet and rests the leg as much as possible. If swelling starts, she starts acting lethargic, or the limping doesn't resolve in the next 24 hours I would have her evaluated by a veterinarian so they can assess her for wounds or more serious injuries. Hope she feels better asap !

It could be that Ballora has injured herself causing her to limp. She is showing you she is in pain by limping and not putting much weight on the leg. I would rest her for the next 24 hours. No running, jumping, or playing. Keep her confined to a small room or a large crate (with food, water, and litter box in it) to restrict her movement. If after this time she is still limping, take her into a vet asap. The vet can diagnose what is causing her pain, and can treat her for it. The vet can also prescribe pain medication for her. Please do not give her any human pain medications, many are toxic to cats and are fatal if given. Best of luck, I hope this helps!

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.

Given that she has been limping for a few days now, I would have her seen by the vet. In growing animals, it's important to have any limb problems checked out just in case it could have an adverse affect on her growth.

You didn't mention if it was a hind leg or a front leg. There are different possibilities for injuries based on which leg is injured. She may just sprained the leg but if she is holding the leg completely up and not putting any weight on it then it could be broken and she needs to see a vet. If she is putting weight on it but just limping slightly then just watch her for a few days. If it doesn't resolve then she should see a vet.

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.