The kitten is lame what to do. Scottish cat lame: causes and treatment. Symptoms of lameness

When a cat lacks trace elements, and especially calcium, it can experience dystrophic changes in the joints and bones. Of course, it is difficult to imagine such malnutrition for this to happen, but still cases are known. And if the cat is pregnant or nursing kittens, this probability is generally very high: she may experience a lack of calcium due to the fact that kittens need to be supplied with it.

Lameness due to infection

Sometimes lameness can be caused by infections such as mycoplasmosis or chlamydia. With such diseases, the joints of not one paw, but all, are most often affected, so the cat limps on one or the other. Pain in the extremities occurs due to inflammation of the joints, which lead to infections.

Age changes

As cats age, the same changes in the functioning of the musculoskeletal system as in humans can be observed. Bones become more fragile, joints wear out, and cartilage tissue undergoes dystrophy. Older cats also have arthritis and arthrosis. This does not happen so often, but in the case of lameness and a respectable age of the pet, such a reason can be suspected.

Back or brain injury

Sometimes we look for a problem where it is visually manifested, but we need to look elsewhere. Trauma to the lumbar back or brain can lead to lameness in cats. With a back injury, a nerve can be pinched, which prevents the cat from feeling comfortable when walking. When the brain is damaged, that part of it that is responsible for the nerve communication with the limb can be involved.

In the video, the cat is limping due to damage to the spinal cord after a fall

bone tumor

Among the causes of lameness in cats, there may be such a terrible disease as a cancerous tumor of the bone (chondrosarcoma). This is a malignant formation that gives a lot of metastases to other places. One of the symptoms is limb pain and lameness.

Treatment of lameness in cats

Treatment for lameness in cats depends on the cause. Depending on this, either only painkillers, or courses of antibiotics, or anti-inflammatory drugs, etc. will be prescribed. In some situations, complete healing will not be possible, but the condition of the cat can be maintained at the proper level. In any case, we recommend that you do not do this yourself, but go to the veterinary clinic. If your pet is given a terrible diagnosis, you need to double-check it in another clinic, without initially saying that you already know the opinion of another doctor.

Cats are very mobile. This may result in some injury. If the cat is lame on the front paw, the owner should without fail find out the cause of the problem and conduct a quality treatment of the animal. Without this, there is a high risk that the damage will not go away on its own, and the pet's condition will continue to deteriorate. On its own, the owner can determine the reason why the front paw is lame only if there are external signs of a violation of the integrity of the limb. In other cases, the correct diagnosis can only be made by a veterinarian.

The reasons

There is one non-pathological reason when the front (or back) paw of a cat is lame. It occurs if the animal has an artistic disposition and touchy character. Such a cat, if the owner even slightly stepped on his limb or slightly pinched it with the door, and everything went without injury and damage, immediately uttering a very loud cry, begins to limp on the injured paw, demonstrating with all his appearance that he is a victim.

After examining the lame foot, the owner does not find it sore or signs of damage. The animal will demonstrate a disturbed gait for another 2-3 hours, after which it will stop the performance. The main thing at this moment is not to feed the cat with treats, because otherwise it will get used to this method of extortion.

In other cases, the cat's front paw is lame for pathological reasons that require treatment. Several of the following diseases and trauma are major factors that cause front leg lameness..

Injury. The most common reason why a cat limps on its front paw is if it walks freely on the street. Lameness does not necessarily result from a severe injury, such as a fracture or dislocation. Disturbance in the movement of the front paw can also occur due to bruises, cuts, splinters and sprains. An external examination can reveal a wound or swelling, from which the front paw is lame.
If a cat suddenly limps, then in 99% of cases there is an injury. If it is simple, then nothing is required, and it passes for 2-3 days. The kitten gets the most serious damage if it is attacked by a dog. If the animal begins to limp gradually, we are not talking about injury.
Osteochondrosis can also cause cat lameness. The disease occurs in older cats. In pathology, the roots of the spinal cord are pinched. If this pinching affects the cervical region, then the cat is lame in one front paw or both paws at once. It is very difficult for him to stand on them. It is impossible to completely cure the pathology, and therapy is exclusively supportive in nature. The older the pet, the more osteochondrosis will manifest itself, causing more and more pronounced lameness. Often this is the answer to the question of why the cat is lame.
Elbow dysplasia. There is a violation infrequently and mainly in especially thoroughbred cats, the external appearance of which is much more important than health. This disorder begins to manifest itself already in young cats and only intensifies over the years. Such individuals should not go into breeding, since the pathology is hereditary and is transmitted from parents to offspring. The left or right paw is lame, as well as both at once. The pathology begins to manifest itself most clearly when the cat is two or three years old.
Arthritis or arthrosis. Diseases that occur in older cats and lead to inflammation of the joints. The anterior and hind limbs are equally affected by the pathology. Lameness increases gradually. Treatment for this disease is predominantly supportive. Periods of complete elimination of symptoms and its subsequent reappearance are possible. The cat's lameness does not disappear completely. If therapeutic measures are not taken, the pet's condition will only worsen and it may completely lose the ability to move normally.
Osteomyelitis. Occurs in cats less than 2 years old. In pathology, partial destruction of the bones of the paw occurs with the development of a purulent-inflammatory process. The cat's front paw is lame, both, or the hind ones too. The disease is especially common in representatives of the Persian breed and animals bred on their basis. The main assumption regarding the causes of the onset of the disease is a genetic predisposition.

If a cat or a cat is lame on its front paw, urgent measures must be taken to eliminate the problem. The longer the visit to the veterinarian is postponed, the more funds will need to be spent on the treatment of an already advanced disease. The veterinarian will take an x-ray of the front paws and, after identifying the cause of the pathology, will prescribe the necessary treatment. The front paw of cats is especially functional, and therefore, when it is lame, the pet experiences serious difficulties and cannot continue a full life.

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Cats, unlike dogs, are much more plastic and graceful creatures. And therefore, even inattentive owners notice violations in their “gait” much faster. Lameness is especially visible in cats. There can be many reasons for this phenomenon. We will try to consider those that are most common.

This disease for cats is considered not the most characteristic, but ... Yes, in the case of outbred "Murki" everything is exactly like that. They practically do not suffer from this pathology, the cases are extremely rare. That's just with thoroughbred cats in recent years, things are much sadder. The problem is selection. More precisely, in poorly conducted selection: a lot of animals get into breeding, which should not be allowed there, as a result of which the breed gains a lot of “bad” genes. The characteristics of the pathology are as follows:

How easy it is to understand are amazed forelimbs(as a rule, the pathology is well manifested only on one paw).

The disease is hereditary. If you do not know the breeder, and among your acquaintances there are also no people who bought kittens from him, it is better not to risk it. Animals must be purchased only from trusted individuals who will not allow sick pets to be bred.

Diagnosed "elbow" dysplasia at the age of two or three years, or even earlier.

The severity of symptoms varies greatly from cat to cat. Your pet may be lucky, and then only intermittent lameness will bother him, or he may not be lucky, and then he will not be able to fully move from without surgery.

Therapy (complete) - exclusively surgical. Anti-inflammatory drugs, painkillers, etc. are prescribed only in mild cases, when the compensatory reserves of the body have not yet been exhausted. When the cat already noticeably falls on the sore paw, drug treatment will not give a special effect.

Arthritis and arthrosis

Arthrytis () in Greek means "articular inflammation." This is one of the most common pathologies affecting older cats everywhere. Arthritis that affects one joint is called in veterinary medicine monoarthritis, disease of two or three joints - oligoarthritis. If not one or two, but all joints of the limbs suffer, then the name of the diagnosis changes - polyarthritis. What is it? This is the name of an inflammatory-degenerative disease, in general terms, characterized by the same pathological changes in the joints.

But its essence does not change. The joints do not hurt so much without movement, without a load on them, more strongly - with a load and outdoor games. In this case, the cat becomes very weak, completely or partially refuses to eat, an increase in body temperature is possible. Arthritis affects not only the joints, but also the internal organs. Among the main causes leading to the development of the disease, veterinarians distinguish the following factors:

Heredity, about which we have already written a lot above.

"Recumbent" lifestyle that is, the pathology very often affects castrates who are prone to low activity and rapid weight gain. If a "well-fed" cat begins to constantly fall on its front paw, it should be taken to the doctor immediately.

Unbalanced nutrition. It is typical for pets whose owners "do not bother" with the selection of the correct, complete diet.

We can also mention our ecology, which adversely affects the health of not only a person, but also his pets.

Various infections.

Read also: Fibrosarcoma - all about tumors in cats

Predisposing factors and how to deal with them

Currently, not everything is known about the causes of arthritis. It has a lot of varieties, among which it should be noted: osteoarthritis, gout and rheumatoid arthritis. Each type has its own characteristics, but at the same time, they also have a lot in common: pain on movement, severe lameness, inflammation. The latter (in especially advanced cases) can lead to the development of sepsis and the complete destruction of the joints.

There is also "professional" arthritis. This type of pathology is characterized by the fact that pathological changes in the joints occur as a result of long-term, repetitive loads on the limbs. For example, chronic arthritis can occur (due to the specifics of the "profession") in circus cats. But this, of course, is a real exotic. Much more often, the causes of arthritis and the lameness caused by it are much more commonplace.

Often the disease is provoked cold infection, severe bruises and bites in the joints, constant contact with toxic substances. Sometimes the disease of the joints is promoted exclusively by a fish or “dry” (that is, the cat is fed only dry food) diet. Rare cases of psychosomatic arthritis have been described that appear in especially sensitive pets against the background of serious ones (after sterilization, for example).

How does the disease manifest itself? The cat begins to limp heavily, every movement causes her severe pain. The joints can noticeably swell; when they are probed, it is easy to notice an increase in local body temperature. As a rule, animals react aggressively to attempts to probe them: they meow hoarsely, try to scratch the owner and run away.

Prevention and therapy

Proper nutrition plays an important role in the treatment and prevention of all forms of arthritis. This pathology, first of all, is the deposition of calcium in cartilage and joints. It happens in the end excessive consumption of canned food, cereals and bakery products. In a word, this is another reason to completely reconsider the diet of your "fluffy". The success of the treatment and prevention of arthritis is largely dependent on a balanced diet. Boiled and pureed vegetables should be included in the daily diet (especially for older cats), but fatty meat, canned food and "handouts" from the human table should be completely excluded.

Read also: Prostatitis - inflammation of the prostate gland in cats

The main emphasis in nutrition should be on reducing the calorie content of the animal's diet and eliminating excess calcium from it and other elements potentially capable of accumulating in the joints in the form of salts. It is better not to prevent the disease than to fight it later. This is clear to all breeders. We also recall that arthritis today is largely considered an inherited pathology - choose carefully where to buy kittens.

Concerning treatment. In mild cases, the cat is prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs. corticosteroids and painkillers drugs. With an infectious etiology (at least suspected of it), the pet is also prescribed broad-spectrum antibiotics and other antimicrobials. Finally, in the most severe cases, they resort to surgical intervention, including the complete replacement of the affected joint with a synthetic implant.

If arthritis has affected your pet, you should immediately contact your veterinarian to conduct a complete medical examination and make an accurate diagnosis. Sick cats are shown massage (but not in all forms of arthritis), physiotherapy.

It is advisable to consult a specialist regarding the preparation of the maximum balanced diet for your pet. If all this is done in time, the cat will be able to get rid of this serious illness and live a full, active life, again delighting its owner.

Dislocation of the patella, Patella

We note right away that in cats this pathology, leading to severe lameness, quite rare, but the cases are not isolated. The following characteristics of the disease can be given:

It strikes, as you might guess, exclusively hind limbs.

Lameness appears suddenly and spontaneously: the cat begins to fall sharply on its hind paw, while meowing and hissing frightenedly from surprise and pain.

Patella luxation is generally considered to be a genetic disease, but cases have been described in which severe trauma to the extremities contributed to its development.

Unlike dogs, in which small breeds are susceptible to this pathology, among cats, patella is most often diagnosed in "giants", as well as cats of ordinary breeds, beyond measure.

Treatment depends on the stage of the disease (there are four in total). On the first two, anti-inflammatory corticosteroids can be successfully dispensed with, while on the third and fourth, the animal's only chance for a full life is a professionally performed surgical intervention.

Lameness in cats does not appear just like that, there are always reasons that cause it. If a pet limps slightly, and after 1-2 days this defect disappears, he could bruise her. This often happens in sedentary and overweight cats. When the animal does not step on the hind paw at all, it must be carefully examined for damage. The reaction of the cat to the examination will prompt further actions. Strong pain on any touch will force her to aggression. The cat will break out, bite, meow loudly. This means that serious injuries, up to fractures, or dangerous diseases cannot be ruled out. It needs to be shown to the veterinarian.

How to distinguish a fracture from a bruise on the hind leg

The cat limps on the hind leg without visible damage due to fractures, cracks in the bones, sprains, dislocations, severe bruises. At the same time, it is absolutely impossible to distinguish a fracture from a crack at home.

A pet can limp for a variety of reasons.

In case of fractures and cracks in the bone, the pet does not rely on the sore paw at all, it constantly keeps it on weight. Trying to move less. When trying to examine does not allow touching the diseased limb. There may be swelling and fever at the site of injury.

As a first aid, the limb must be immobilized by applying a cardboard splint and fixing it with a bandage. Trying not to disturb the sore paw, you need to deliver the cat to the veterinary clinic. After an x-ray and a detailed examination, specialists, depending on the severity of the injury, will apply a plaster cast or splint.

X-ray will show the presence of a fracture

Unlike a bruised fracture, a cat will sometimes rest on the injured paw, even if there is some swelling. On palpation, the injured limb causes pain. After 1-2 days, the ward will increasingly begin to rely on it. Soon the lameness will completely disappear.

Back injury or brain injury and its consequences

Unfortunately, more severe injuries resulting from falling cats from a great height (from a balcony, roof) are fraught with bruises, concussion of the brain and spinal cord, followed by neurological disorders. In addition, they can be accompanied by numerous fractures of the musculoskeletal system.

Note! A strong blow to the head leads to the destruction of brain cells, the hypothalamus and the stem part may suffer. In especially severe cases, cerebral hemorrhages and tissue necrosis occur.

With bruises of the spinal cord, a violation occurs in the work of the musculoskeletal system, the animal limps or completely loses the ability to move. Vomiting occurs, pupils often have different sizes, and they react poorly or not at all to light. The cat begins to spontaneously shake its limbs. The head may sink back, and the pet may lose consciousness or fall into a coma.

Important! The symptoms and behavior of the cat depend on how severely the animal was injured. In severe forms with rupture of the membranes of the spinal cord, the sensitivity of the limbs and tail is completely lost.

If the cat is unconscious or in shock, in no case should it be shaken and ammonia should not be applied to the nose. You need to make sure that the tongue is not sunk and take it to the veterinarian in your arms. Only a specialist is able to assess the degree of concussion. Depending on the situation, he will give the necessary injections of antibiotics and sedatives. In some cases, the use of drugs that support cardiac activity will be required. The doctor will give the necessary recommendations for care and treatment. Cat recovery is long, up to 4-8 weeks or more (depending on the age of the animal and the severity of the condition).

The presence of serious diseases that cause lameness can only be detected by a veterinarian

Joint diseases

Also, without visible damage, the cat limps on the hind leg with serious diseases of the joints. Some of them are congenital, so they develop slowly. Pathology cannot be detected with a simple examination without having a medical education. If you pay attention to the accompanying symptoms and turn to specialists in a timely manner, the animal can be cured without resorting to surgical intervention.

Hip dysplasia is a genetic disease. It is dangerous because it can progress even in young cats. Lameness is especially noticeable after a long rest (sleep, rest).
Arthritis and arthrosis are common in older animals. The disease affects the bone tissue, causing pathological changes. Due to pain, cats try to move as little as possible, preferring to lie down. Often refuse food, weaken. On palpation, swollen joints react sharply to pain. The disease may be accompanied by fever.
Sweating, or a luxating patella, is an uncommon problem in cats. Usually it is a consequence of a severe injury, less often a genetic anomaly. It occurs abruptly, causing severe pain in the animal. At the slightest movement of the paw, the cat meows loudly. The injury requires immediate treatment, in advanced cases - surgical intervention.

Lack of calcium affects the motor functions of kittens

Osteomyelitis is a disease that occurs in young cats in the phase of active growth and development. Degeneration and partial destruction of bone tissue can affect not only one limb, but all at once. The disease is characterized by acute pain in the pet, which is why even light touches cause aggressive behavior.
Osteochondrosis, in which pinching and compression of the nerve roots in the spine, causes the animal to limp on any of the four limbs. The wear of the cartilage layer of the intervertebral discs affects the cat's ability to move easily.
Osteosarcoma is a malignant neoplasm. Usually it is a pathology of older cats who have crossed the 6-7-year milestone.

All of these diseases are diagnosed only by a doctor of a specialized clinic. They require mandatory treatment with corticosteroid, immunostimulating and analgesic drugs under the supervision of a veterinarian. In severe cases - surgical intervention.

Important! If there is any suspicion of joint disease in cats, it is necessary to immediately deliver the pet to the clinic. Delay or attempts to treat at home can adversely affect his health and lead to death.

Lack of vitamins and microelements

Due to a lack of calcium and an excess of fluorine in the blood of a pet, hyperparathyroidism develops, muscle weakness occurs, and the skeleton is deformed. This is reflected in the motor functions of young cats, especially kittens. The pet feels discomfort, becomes lethargic, stops playing, moves little, because the kitten's hind and (or) front paws hurt.

If measures are not taken in time, this will lead to curvature of the paws, growth retardation, neurological disorders, deformation of the skeleton (pelvic bones, chest). As soon as the owners notice signs of lameness (falling on the hind or front legs) during the period of intensive growth of the cat, you need to take him to the veterinarian.

Since it is impossible to determine the presence of the disease on the basis of only one analysis, an x-ray will be required. It will help to identify old fractures and places of bone destruction. If you take action in time, there is a chance for a successful recovery.

Surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism

With the diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism resort to surgical intervention. By removing damaged tissue, the production of parathyroid hormone is minimized. The animal is under the constant supervision of specialists to control the level of calcium in the blood.

Treatment is based on dietary adjustments, the addition of vitamin preparations to the animal's diet, if necessary, intravenous injections of calcium and painkillers. In this case, the kitten is placed in a cage so that it moves less. After 4-5 weeks, the state of the skeletal system is normalized.

Note! Siamese, Scottish, British cats are predisposed to hyperparathyroidism.

Other Causes That Can Cause Lameness

In addition to ailments, other factors can affect a cat's gait.

Standard scheduled vaccination. After the injection, the cat's paw hurts, does not step on it at all or occasionally leans on it. Limping usually on the limb into which the drug was injected. As a rule, this is not a dangerous phenomenon, the disease has the peculiarity to pass quickly within a few days. If it is protracted and lasts more than 2 weeks, it is worth taking the cat to the veterinarian. Usually prescribed ointment and massage. With the help of simple procedures carried out at home, the pet will quickly recover.
Animal sterilization. Although it is considered an ordinary operation, it is still a surgical intervention. The cat may limp for a while, but with proper care, the absence of infection, she quickly recovers.
With pain in the stomach due to perforation or foreign bodies in the cat, the integrity of tissues, including nerve endings, is violated. In this case, lameness is only one of the symptoms of a serious condition. Usually the cat is concerned about vomiting, bleeding from the anus, general weakness. If all of the above signs are present, the pet must be urgently delivered to the clinic. The diagnosis will be made only by a specialist after a detailed examination and review of the test results. Surgery is often required.

Accidental cuts cause lameness too

Cut wounds, bites. The cause of lameness may be hiding in a common wound that the owners did not notice during the examination. The cat could cut itself by jumping on the glass, or it could be bitten by a dog. It is necessary to examine the sore paw again, finding damage, treat it with any antiseptic, apply a bandage. The wounds heal quickly, and the lameness goes away if no infection joins them.
With infectious inflammations on the limbs, in addition to lameness, the cat's temperature rises, the general tone decreases, and appetite disappears. On palpation of the inflamed area, purulent discharge can be detected. At the same time, the cat reacts sharply to pain, meows, breaks out of the hands and hides from the owners. The wound must be treated, bandaged. In order to prevent complications, it should be shown to a veterinarian.

What to do if the cat's paw hurts and he is lame

If this is not a tiny wound, not a slight bruise, but a long-term lameness, the animal must be shown to a specialist. Elementary inattention, neglect of the pet's health and attempts to treat lameness on your own often lead to complications, even disability, since it is impossible to make an accurate diagnosis without having a medical education. In most cases, x-rays and tests are required. Only based on the results of a complete examination, an injured area or a disease requiring medical treatment is revealed.

Important! Many dangerous diseases that cause lameness can only be treated surgically. In any case, only a doctor can identify the disease and prescribe treatment.

Prevention of arthritis, arthrosis, vitamin deficiency

Prevention of lameness

To prevent lameness due to vitamin and microelement deficiencies, the development of arthritis, arthrosis, the cat's diet must be balanced. If you use dry food, then only industrial high quality. Before buying, you should carefully read the composition. It is necessary to limit the consumption of canned food, fatty foods, flour products, and also add more boiled vegetables.

Only a veterinarian can prescribe vitamins. Many four-legged felines are allergic to them.

Whatever causes lameness, it causes discomfort and pain to the ward. Trying to treat it yourself means wasting time. What if this is a serious disease requiring urgent surgical intervention? It is not at all difficult to show a pet to a specialist, thereby preserving his health, and in some cases, life.