Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My cat, Toots, (indoor/outdoor) recently came home after being gone for a day. She looked like she had either been hit by a car or gotten into a serious fight with another animal. She was limping badly and dragging her left front paw. The vet took x-rays and no fractures were found. Toots will still jump up and down off of couches, is very loving, eats normally, etc. but is still limping and dragging the front left paw. Could she have sprained the paw/leg, torn a tendon/ligament, or could it be something neurological? Please help!

It is more likely to be muscle/ligament than neurological since she seems otherwise OK. She really does need a follow-up visit to the vet just to be sure there is nothing serious going on - maybe an abscessed bite or something.
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Smile, it will make them wonder what you are up to!

Thank you so much for your response. I will bring her back to the vet to make sure there is nothing else going on.

Hi There,

This injury can be almost anything, even a fracture, although x-rays were taken. Sometimes a broken bone will just not show up on the first set of x-rays, especially a hairline-type fracture. Once the bones shift a bit, a fracture would be easier to see. If this were my kitty, I would want a second set of x-rays taken.

If your cat's nails are frayed, then she was most likely hit by a car. When a cat is hit, they spread their toes out and this can cause the nails to fray. If the paw is kind of folded over, the injury may be neurological, and will hopefully heal itself over time. If the injury is to the knee or hip, there is an off chance that surgery may be needed.

Does your cat have feeling in the paw? Try pinching the toes gently to see how she reacts. I would also check to make sure that this paw feels as warm as the others. Just to rule out circulatory problems secondary to the injury.

Please let us know what the vet says.

Regards,
PHKitkat