A limp means your pet is in pain somewhere and is sparing a leg. Traumatic causes — wounds, bites, sprains, fractures — are common, especially in the warmer months. Many are minor, but some need prompt care: here is how to respond.
Where does a limp come from?
The most common causes are:
- Infections, often after a bite from another animal: in cats they readily form an abscess (a pocket of pus), hot and painful. Every bite wound is contaminated and needs treating.
- A foreign body (grass awn, thorn, splinter) lodged in a paw pad.
- Injuries to bones and joints: fractures, dislocations, sprains, bruising.
Which signs should alert you?
- Swelling, redness, heat or a wound on the leg
- The leg held up, refusal to put weight on it
- An abnormal position, a cracking sound, sharp pain when touched
What will the vet do?
The vet grades the limp, then examines the leg by eye (swelling, deformity) and by hand (pain, heat). An X-ray or ligament tests, often under light sedation, pinpoint the injury. Depending on the case: a bite or an abscess is cleaned and drained, with antibiotics; a minor injury is treated with anti-inflammatories and rest; a fracture or dislocation may need surgery, sometimes by an orthopaedic specialist.
Mistakes to avoid
- Never give human painkillers (paracetamol, ibuprofen…): they are toxic, even fatal, especially to cats.
- Ignoring a bite ‘that hardly bleeds’: bites become infected very often.
- Letting your pet run about ‘because it doesn’t seem in much pain’: rest is essential for healing.
Prevention
Make balconies and windows safe (falls are common in cats), keep an eye on rough play and outings, and check the paw pads after a walk through long grass. After a fight, show any wound to your vet even if your pet seems fine.
The key points: a limp that lasts, a leg that bears no weight, a wound or a hard knock all call for an examination; in the meantime, rest and no human medicines. Most traumatic limps heal well when treated in time.