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Limping kitten

Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2019 12:11 pm
by Jenskin
I have an 11 week old kitten, she came out of the “tent” we keep them in overnight and was limping, she’s not bearing much weight on it but is running around with her brother, eating, drinking and using the tray. Husband suspects soft tissue damage - Kids seems to think she has a lump on her “knee” joint. Vets have no appts available today. Do we think keep her in the tent for the day and limit her exercise?? She lets me touch her leg, doesn’t flinch when it’s touched and doesn’t seem that bothered but I know cats are good at hiding things!! Any advice appreciated! Thks

Re: Limping kitten

Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2019 12:11 pm
by Jenskin
I should add it’s her front paw

Re: Limping kitten

Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2019 2:33 pm
by Lilith
Hi and welcome :)

Sorry to hear about Kitten, but if she's lively and coping, I think that's a good sign. Once a kitten of mine, not much older, swarmed up a ceiling height bookcase and descended in a shower of books before I could grab her, little horror. Her front paw swelled up - and of course it was a Sunday. The little devil was still dashing about on three legs but I rang the emergency vet in a mad panic ... bring her in on Monday, he said. That night she came to bed with me as usual and that fat paw did its share of 'killing' my night-time plait of hair ... Little or no treatment required, as far as I remember.

You'd certainly be wise to get her checked out asap, but in my experience she'll probably know her own limitations - but, if confined, she might expend twice as much energy trying to get out of her night time quarters as she will in the freedom of the house and her usual routine. I once had an Alsatian puppy who had a sudden mysterious limp. No exercise, said the vet. Rest it. But I had to walk the other dog ... I chained Hannah in a corner of the kitchen to confine her, but when I returned, that 'resting' front leg had helped to dig up a huge stretch of lino ... fail ... :roll:

Good luck with her, and please let us know how she goes on.

Re: Limping kitten

Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2019 2:41 pm
by lilynmitz
I'd keep an eye on her tonight, and if there's no improvement try to get an appointment in the next day or so. Cats are prone to soft tissue injuries (sprains and strains), I had one all action hero who was always hurting himself leaping out of trees, or occasionally getting hit by a car :o (he survived with concussion and bruises, twice) but it sorted itself.

But it's best to play safe, as with some injuries "soonest caught soonest mended" applies.

Re: Limping kitten

Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2019 3:08 pm
by Jenskin
Thanks for your responses - she’s very hard to keep in the cat tent we have - she’s currently sleeping. I’m guessing she’s jumped from the cat post and landed awkwardly and as she was zipped into the tent last night we’ve only noticed it this morning.
Vets tomorrow I think !
Thanks again

Re: Limping kitten

Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2019 8:33 pm
by Mollycat
Sorry to divert off topic, I'm just curious as to what you're calling a knee joint on a front leg?

Re: Limping kitten

Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2019 7:22 pm
by Jenskin
So there was no limping yesterday but it is back again tonight.
Obviously using the term “knee” was incorrect - as I said, my kids were the ones that said it looks like she’s got a lumpy knee.
Kitten back on rest - which she has been doing all day and will speak to vet again in the morning.

Re: Limping kitten

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2019 8:05 am
by Lilith
Lol - I suppose a cat's 'knee' would really be its wrist, and the joint up by its armpit its elbow?

Good luck with her.

Re: Limping kitten

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2019 8:31 am
by Ruth B
Except in other animals (I know in horses for certain) the joint in the middle of the front leg that looks like a knee is referred to as a knee even though it is a different joint to our knees.

Re: Limping kitten

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2019 9:03 am
by Polly
jenskin,
You could phone your vet back,tell them you are very concerned and would like an appointment, until your cat is examined by a vet, no one knows exactly what is wrong
Good Luck

Re: Limping kitten

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2019 9:08 am
by Mollycat
In digitigrades such as cats walking on their toes it is the wrist, horses are unguligrades walking on one fingernail and yes it looks like a nobbly knee and is called a knee even though technically it isn't. The actual knee and elbow are close in to the body, though in cats and dogs people often refer to what is actually the heel as a "funny backwards knee" but really they just have huge feet and walk on their toes, you can even feel the two ankle bones either side of the funny backwards knee.

Just wondered if it was the wrist, elbow or shoulder that the kids were calling a knee :lol: