How To Help Your Cat When It's Limping After A Jump
Cats are natural climbers and jumpers, so they can get into all kinds of mischief. Even if you keep your cat in the house all day, they may still find a way to climb to great heights, such as getting on top of the refrigerator or bedroom dresser. The problem with climbing to the high spots in your home is that the cat may have to jump down.
The shock from the jump onto a hard floor could cause an injury. Your cat might even land wrong and injure themselves, especially if they have a medical condition such as arthritis. If your cat is injured, you may notice them limping. Here are some tips for dealing with limping in cats.
Look For Signs Of Serious Injury
If your cat seems to be in pain or you can tell a hip or leg bone is broken or at an odd angle, call your vet right away. Your cat needs quick medical attention in that case, and your vet can tell you exactly what to do. They may want you to come to the vet clinic immediately, or they may refer you to a local vet emergency clinic.
Monitor The Limping
If limping is the only sign of injury and your cat doesn't seem to be in severe pain or hiss at you, then you might wait a day to see if the limping clears up. However, if you have any concerns at all about your cat's health, be sure to call your veterinarian. Also, avoid giving your cat medications intended for people when you want to help with the pain. Only give medications if your vet tells you to do so.
Limping might not indicate a serious injury. Your cat may have twisted an ankle or injured a ligament. The soft tissue injury should heal on its own, but if your cat continues to limp after a day, call your veterinarian for advice. Limping can indicate a nerve disorder, joint problems, or other health issues your vet needs to know about.
Get Veterinarian Care
If your cat continues to limp, that's a sign they still have pain. Your vet can run imaging scans and other tests to figure out what's wrong with your cat. Once the cause is discovered, the vet might prescribe medication to reduce swelling and relieve pain.
The veterinarian may also give advice on home care. You'll want to keep your cat from climbing and jumping until they've healed, so you may need to confine them in a bedroom where you can spend a lot of time with them. You might need to change their litter box so they don't have to step high to get into it.
The vet might also advise you on dietary changes and water intake, so your cat stays healthy during an altered routine. You may need to avoid giving them treats so your cat doesn't put on weight while being less active.