Cat keeps holding up paw - any ideas?

[Madmog]

By way of background, my boy clearly hurt himself somewhere in his shoulder/leg/paw area in June - he was holding up his paw and really grumpy. The vet couldn't find anything wrong and an anti-inflammatory made all the difference.

At the beginning of September, he had a week of holding up his paw again and it stopped. He's been doing it again for about 10 days now. He seems happy enough this time, as far as I can tell his paw seems okay and he doesn't seem stiff. Still climbing up/jumping off fences, coming through cat flap etc. Just wondered if anyone had any other ideas. Originally I thought of a problem with his claws or arthritis, but I would expect stiffness if the latter.

The little monster has gone neighbour visiting today (a regular occurence with a couple of neighbours and they welcome him!), but if he's still bad tomorrow will phone for a vet's appointment.

[PiedWagtail]

When my cat did this, he had managed to get one toe twisted over the next one - all we had to do was put them back in the right place, and he was ok! Not sure if this helps as your cat has a history of this, though...

[cozietoesie]

Good idea. It may just be a habit he's developed but as well to get him checked out. I take it you've checked that his claws and pads are OK?

[Madmog]

As far as I can tell his claws and pads are okay. Been trying to have a good look at them while he's sleeping and touching them while he's relaxed. Have also felt down his shoulder and leg but can't find anything obvious. I know he needs to go to the vet, but putting off the trauma for both of us lol.

[cozietoesie]

Get it over with, then. And good luck.

[cozietoesie]

A cat trying to manipulate humans? I'm shocked!