Dear whorlichan,

[Omeganitros]

I think my cat's hurt. He's a really great outside tabby, but he's starting to get older, and stays inside and sleeps more often. Yesterday we noticed that he has a really big limp, and avoids putting his front left paw down. Today it seems worse, because he can't jump on or off beds, and even getting up after napping makes him yowl a little. So something's obviously up with his left paw or arm or whatever. I was just wondering if there's something we can do about it (I made a little bed for him on the floor so he doesn't have to jump anywhere to sleep), if we need to take him to the vet ASAP, or if it'll heal on it's own, or whatever advise you can give.

Sincerely,
Omeganitros

[IAAW]

Re: Dear whorlichan,

Although I'm not whorlichan, the best thing to do when your pet is hurt, having problems, etc., is to bring your pet to a vet. Then do whatever the vet asks you to do.

[Tibs]

Re: Dear whorlichan,

Although I'm not whorlichan,

Or are you?

[180digi]

Re: Dear whorlichan,

Maybe your cat had an encounter with the girl in tibs' avatar, eh?

Anyway, I would take your cat to the vet. The sooner the better. If you put it off, the problem could escalate. It sounds like it only has a bruised or injured leg/paw but with illnesses, waiting can just make the thing worse. My last cat died of a parasite infection because my dad wouldn't take him to the vet until two days had gone by after he had started acting weird and it took them 3 days to try and figure out what was wrong. Only when he was at the point of no return did they figure out what the **** was happening. So just take the cat to the vet before something bad happens.

[whorlichan]

Re: Dear whorlichan,

Omega,

Best advice really is to take him to a vet. If it's a break or a fracture, it's not going to get any better without it. If it's some sort of bite wound, he might have some kind of infection or abcess building up inside. If it's a foreign object embedded in it that you can't see, again, infection and badness.

It's not something that you have to rush to the emergency vet with unless he's actively bleeding or loses mobility in any other limbs. I know they're expensive and if your family doesn't want to put up 2-3x the cost of a regular vet visit it can be problematic. I do recommend making an appointment at the regular vet ASAP though, and at least getting a physical exam and some x-rays done.

You said he's an outside cat--is he up to date on his vaccines? That can also be a problem, especially if it's a bite wound.

Things you can do at home until you see a vet: Don't let him outside until he's fully healed. Keep him confined as much as possible so that he moves the injured limb as little as possible. Don't let him jump off of anything or run too much. Make sure he is using the litter box (you can just use a cardboard box lid or something with some shredded newspaper if he doesn't have one) and make sure he eats and drinks.

Take him to the emergency vet immediately if he: vomits or has loose stool, stops eating or drinking, loses mobility in any other limbs, becomes lethargic (lays around and doesn't want to move, seems sluggish and/or unconscious), or if his gums turn pale or yellowish. They should be a nice pinkish color if he's healthy.

If you have any more questions you can IM me (I'll be here for a couple hours more) or call an emergency vet in your area. There's usually at least one or two in most big cities.

[Deaths_Melancholy]

Re: Dear whorlichan,

good luck with your cat man... I miss my old cat...
Go get it to a vet... Nice advice whorlichan.
I'm guessing you're a vet?

[whorlichan]

Re: Dear whorlichan,

No, I am not a vet. I am, however, a veterinary technician who works in a large emergency hospital, and I am studying to one day be a vet.

[Deaths_Melancholy]

Re: Dear whorlichan,

Alright... close enough >_<... Good luck with that... sound professional enough to me ^_^

[cC@Zz]

Re: Dear whorlichan,

you should take him to the vet

[Swoop]

Re: Dear whorlichan,

i would just take him to the vet to see what is wrong. Because it could be a simple as a spran(i think i spelled it right) or a serious as a deadly amputation needing disease(prolly isnt though). Goto the vet to see whats up with his paw.

[IAAW]

Re: Dear whorlichan,

spran = sprain.

And yes, taking your pet to the vet is a good bet.

OMG RHYMES!