How to Tell If a Cat Has a Broken Leg
Cats who will not put any weight on certain limbs could be suffering from broken legs. If their gait has changed suddenly it is essential they visit a vet as soon as possible for further evaluation.
Be sure to inspect your cat when they are relaxed. Carefully run your fingers along their legs and paws, checking for any sensitive areas such as open wounds, swelling, redness or any dangling limbs.
Limping
Though cats may seem invulnerable to physical harm, they’re no less prone to broken bones than people or dogs. While cats can hide pain well when injured by hiding it well or fighting other cats or being hit by cars, limping may be one of the first telltale signs that something may be amiss with your feline friend.
Occurring following a sprain, signs of broken legs typically include your cat holding their leg awkwardly or refusing to put any weight on it at all. Depending on its severity, your pet may also become reluctant or even try avoiding walking altogether.
When examining your cat for potential broken bones, always be careful and take extra care not to disturb their injured area. Rough handling or excessive movement could make their injuries worsen and increase pain levels further. Also keep children and other animals away from your injured cat to prevent additional harm or stress.
If there are bones protrusioning through your cat’s skin, secure them using clean gauze to avoid infections and restrain your cat in an ideal location such as a dog crate or cat carrier to ensure stability. Never give any over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers intended for humans as these medications could prove fatal for cats.
Take your cat immediately to your regular veterinarian or emergency veterinary clinic, requesting assistance in taking x-rays in order to assess the type, location, and severity of their break. A surgical procedure like splinting or casting may be needed in order to stabilize an injury while it heals; more serious breaks involving pelvis or spine fractures may need surgical pins and screws used by your vet in order to keep bones in their proper positions while they heal.
Reluctance to Move
Cats who are suffering tend to try and hide it rather than inform others they’re in pain, so if your cat avoids using one leg this can be a telltale sign they have broken bones or are experiencing discomfort they should be taken straight to a veterinarian immediately.
Cats suffering from broken legs often don’t move around due to pain, though this is not unique to this condition. Some cats will refuse to put any weight on the leg at all indicating it may be particularly uncomfortable and should contact a veterinarian immediately as this injury could potentially be severe and life-threatening.
As part of his treatment, it is vital that your cat rests as much as possible during its course of care. Depending on the nature of his injury, treatment could include anything from a simple splint to more drastic measures like surgery to stabilize bones with screws, pins and plates – your vet will advise on post-treatment care which may include sedation if necessary.
Mobility is of utmost importance to cats’ wellbeing; they utilize their limbs for grooming themselves and jumping. If your cat seems reluctant to move, using its limbs less frequently or jumping less, this may indicate bone injury that needs medical examination. Also if they stop curling up as frequently, this could indicate fracture. Typically a veterinarian can detect most breaks by simply feeling the affected limb, while for more serious fractures they might recommend an x-ray or sedation to diagnose its full extent and determine how best to treat them.
Swelling
Dependent upon the nature and location of a break, swelling may appear in the affected area due to inflammation caused by broken bones. If you detect lumps or swelling on any body part, consult your vet as soon as possible for treatment options.
Changes in appetite can also be a telltale sign that your cat is experiencing discomfort. If they’re typically large eaters but suddenly eating less frequently than normal, this could indicate leg issues are causing too much pain for them. Your pet might also refuse to chew food comfortably due to fractures – an indicator that their comfort has been compromised due to your cat’s fracture.
If you suspect your cat has broken legs, make sure to seek emergency veterinary attention immediately. A veterinarian will perform an initial examination, looking for other injuries or signs of shock as well as assessing the injured leg. An x-ray may be required in order to establish whether your cat has fractured anything – this may require sedating them so they can get a good look at their injury before treating as necessary.
Make sure that your cat is warm and cozy as they wait to visit a vet. Wrapping them or placing them on a board might help them remain still and prevent further discomfort, especially if their break lies in an inaccessible part of their body. Avoid trying to manipulate broken bones or dislocated joints yourself as this may increase further damage and increase discomfort for both parties involved; similarly if any pieces of bone have penetrated skin directly requiring immediate medical care should also be seen immediately by a veterinarian.
Vocalization
Cats are agile and flexible creatures, but that doesn’t preclude their bones from breaking under too much stress. Leg injuries are particularly likely to fracture; however, any part of the body could suffer damage that requires professional medical intervention. A broken leg may cause severe pain that changes your cat’s behavior – they might shy away from you more, meow more often or cry more than usual, lose interest in eating, or not groom themselves as frequently – it is essential that they seek veterinary advice immediately if these behaviors begin occurring in any form –
Treatment for a broken leg depends on its cause and location. Simple breaks without displacement may be treated using a splint and heavy bandage; more serious fractures may require surgery to keep disparate bones together while healing, using screws, pins or plates to secure them as they heal. In cases of severe broken legs that cannot be managed with this approach alone, your veterinarian may suggest an amputation instead.
Once your cat has received treatment at a veterinary hospital, it’s crucial that they rest comfortably and don’t encourage movement. You may need to confine them in a small space with food, water, a litter tray and bed until cleared by their veterinarian to resume normal activity. Furthermore, you must carefully observe them for signs of infection or any new symptoms that might emerge; you must follow all of their instructions strictly and never attempt to set broken bones at home as this could further distress and increase risk.
Hiding
Pet owners need to recognize the signs of cat broken leg injuries so they can take immediate action and visit a veterinarian immediately! Since cats are adept at hiding pain very well, it’s essential for owners to recognize any indications that their cat might need medical assistance right away!
Changes in behavior are one of the first indicators that a cat may be injured. For instance, if your normally active feline starts hiding more frequently than normal this could be an indicator that they feel uncomfortable around people or animals who make them worse. Conversely, an aggressive and in pain cat is another telltale sign they have broken limbs.
Another indicator of broken legs in cats is refusal to eat and drink anything, a sure sign they’ve got something messed up in their leg. Furthermore, cats who experience pain often become less inclined to move around freely due to fear. Sometimes this makes hiding more appealing; thus it’s wise to watch for any sudden increase in hiding behavior from your cat.
If you believe your cat has broken leg, contact their veterinarian immediately for an exam and possible x-rays. When handling, be gentle as cats in pain may become aggressive or bite, disrupt the wound, or attempt to “pop” back into place; these actions could make the break worse.
