Cat Lameness

Neither an owner nor a veterinarian can always tell by eye or feel whether a bone is broken. If your cat is limping badly and you suspect a fracture, have an X-ray taken.

Two common problems can cause weakness of your cat's hind legs. The first is pelvic fracture, which is generally seen in cats that have been hit by cars. The second is called arterial thromboses. This sudden block-age of the artery that supplies blood to both hind legs is being recognized more often in cats of all ages. The syndrome usually occurs suddenly: the cat exhibits severe pain and weakness or paralysis of both hind legs, which are cool to the touch because no warm bloodies reaching them. No femoral pulse can be felt. Clots can develop in the lung,brain, or other organs, and shock and death can occur suddenly. It occurs most frequently with a heart condition called cardiologist causes clots to be carried from the heart to distant blood vessels in the body.

Besides these two major causes, there are other reasons for lameness. Tar, paint, and thorns can stick to your cat's footpad and be-teen the digits. When your cat tries to chew off these substances, its paws can get irritated.The irritation. in turn, makes your pet tender on the paw and then lame. This is a frequent occurrence. Many cats are brought to the doc-t or with a "broken leg," which is actually lameness caused by an abscess.

Tissues that connect the bones of joint and give it stability during movement are called ligaments. Sometimes these are stretched (strained), slightly torn (sprained),or completely torn. The most common ligament sprain or complete tear is seen in the knee of the cat. The anterior coruscate ligament

prevents the knee bones from rubbing to-g ether, so a partial or complete tear will cause severe pain. Your doctor will be able to deter-mine the degree of tearing.

Something else that should be mentioned here is paper bone disease (osteoporosis),which can be seen in growing kittens that are fed a diet with the wrong balance of calcium and phosphorus (an all-meat diet) and not enough vitamin D5. In this case calcium is lost from the bones. The kitten is reluctant to walk,has pain in the legs, and may stand with its paws turned inward. Its bones are fragile and fracture easily.

Osteopathic (bony changes in the joint)is the result of joint instabilities that were motor cannot be corrected satisfactorily, of joint injuries, or of the aging process (one old fellow called it "older-its"). After sleeping or lying down, your cat is stiff and feels pain that seems to disappear as it moves around.

Dislocations of the hip joint are occasionally seen in cats that have been hit by cars. The hip joint is a snug "ball-and-socket" arrange-met. Trauma can tear the muscles and ten-dons over the hip and pop the ball out of the socket, causing a dislocation, or a taxation, of the hip joint. If the hip is dislocated, the cat may not be able to place the leg on the ground. Fractures of the pelvis may accompany traumatic injury to the hips.

Cat Lameness Home Remedies

Activity restriction (home confinement)can be tried for a few days. Remember: Cats cannot be given aspirin to decrease the pain and inflammation.

If tar or paint is the problem, soak the paw in mineral or vegetable oil for twelve to twenty-four hours and then bandage it for an-other twelve to twenty-four hours. Wash the paw with soap and water after removing the bandage. Thorns or other foreign objects can be removed from the paw with your fingers or tweezers.

Any lameness that gets worse or lasts longer than three days should be checked by your veterinarian.

Cat Lameness Treatment

If the fragments are in adequate align-met, a pelvic fracture needs only confinement for four to six weeks for good healing. If the yare not in good alignment, pins or plates maybe necessary.

The chances for recovery from an arterial thromboembolism are not good, and recurrences (usually severe) are frequent. Surgery to remove the clot may be necessary and should be done as soon as possible after you notice the signs. Drugs to decrease clot formation will also be tried. X-rays of the chest are usually taken to see the health of the heartland lungs, because cardiologist and heart failure may accompany the clots. An electro-cardiogram and echocardiogram are needed.

If you suspect a dislocated hip, see a veterinarian within twenty-four hours, because re-cent hip dislocations are easier to replace in the socket. A radiograph (X-ray) will confirm the dislocation and may reveal other hip in-jury, such as fractures of the pelvis. A general anesthesia is given to relax the muscles, and by firm manipulation, the hip bone is replaced .A splint may be needed for ten days to prevent unnecessary movement in the joint. Occasion-ally, the dislocation can be corrected only by open reduction (surgically entering the hip area).