Sometimes pet owners can observe the following picture - their completely healthy pet begins to limp for some unknown reason. Some owners do not attach any importance to this and do not take any action, believing that lameness will go away over time. But, as practice shows, in some cases this symptom may indicate a completely serious illness. What to do if the cat begins to limp?
Why is the cat lame The reasons for this can be very different, for example, a foreign body. A splinter can simply get stuck in the pad of the animal's foot. In this case, the animal tries not to step on the paw and licks it endlessly.
By carefully examining the limb, you may be able to detect a foreign body. Try to remove it with tweezers. If the splinter sits deeply, the paw should first be held in hot salt water. Didn't manage to do it yourself? Seek help from your veterinarian immediately !
Having found a bite or cut on the paw, it is necessary to disinfect the affected area with any solution intended for this purpose. Even if the wounds, in your opinion, are very small, it is still better to play it safe and show your pet to the veterinarian - this will help to avoid complications.
In the absence of visible damage, lameness can be caused by diseases such as traumatic arthritis or osteoarthritis.
Traumatic arthritis occurs as a result of joint injury. Maybe the cat was unlucky, and he was under the wheels of a car or landed badly from a great height. This can be noticed by the limp and constrained movements of the pet. In addition, his walking or stroking by the owner of the injured joint may be accompanied by restless meowing.
Any jump (on the windowsill, sofa or knees) will hurt the animal. In this case, it is simply necessary that the pet be examined by a specialist who will make a supporting bandage and prescribe medications that relieve inflammation. You will need to make your pet move as little as possible for a few days.
Osteoarthritis is caused by joint loss of mobility. This disease often affects mature animals that are overweight and those that have once suffered an injury. Lameness that occurs after sleep or rest is the first sign by which you can determine the appearance of osteoarthritis. Over time, the size of the diseased joint increases, and the lameness, accordingly, never goes away.
If you notice the signs described in the cat, try to show it to the veterinarian as soon as possible. In the conditions of the clinic, the necessary research will be carried out and a course of treatment will be prescribed. In addition to drugs, osteoarthritis is prescribed: diet, physiotherapy, massage and exercises to help develop joints. Neglected cases sometimes do not go without surgical intervention.