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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be worried about my cats limp

34 replies

Waitbytheriver · 16/01/2026 13:01

I have posted in the litter tray but I never seem to get a response on there so I’m really hoping that someone on here has previously had a cat with this and can let me know their experience (or maybe there’s some vets or vet nurses?)

Cat has had a limp for 7 days now. She’s been thoroughly examined and had an xray which hasn’t shown anything. She’s on gabapentin and meloxaid, but day 7 and her limp is still just as bad as day 1. She is confined to one room and I’m trying to make her rest but there’s been no improvement whatsoever. Vets are stumped, they just keep saying to carry on resting because the X-rays dont show anything.

Has anyone’s cat had a sprain before? How long did it take to get better? I am really worried because I feel like if it was a simple sprain, after a week I would at least see SOME improvement??

OP posts:
ArtTheClownIsNotAMime · 16/01/2026 13:07

If a vet hasn't thoroughly checked her paws, claws, and the whole limb, they are utterly incompetent.

FancyCatSlave · 16/01/2026 13:07

When one of mine did a soft tissue injury it took 2 weeks to see any improvement so it may just need more time.

InWithPeaceOutWithStress · 16/01/2026 13:06

surreygirly · 16/01/2026 13:06

fgs your pet is in pain
GO TO THE VET

She’s been to the vet, she said in her post “vet is stumped” after x rays were clear.

Itsseweasy · 16/01/2026 13:06

Apoligies - this is presumably one of the first things they checked and therefore a silly suggestion but, still - when this happened to one of ours it turned out it was a painful claw. He’s an older boy now and doesn’t go out as much and we hadn’t realised his claws were so long that one was growing back inside his paw pad. We now make sure they are regularly clipped as he wasn’t doing a good enough job on the scratching post!
But claw issues definitely make them limp too.

surreygirly · 16/01/2026 13:06

fgs your pet is in pain
GO TO THE VET

Gettingbysomehow · 16/01/2026 13:04

A non bony injury wont show up on xray shed have to have an ultrasound and maybe depending what it is some strapping. Check the paws for thorns and ingrowing nails. One of my cats claws curled right round into her foot and it wasnt i.mediately noticeable I felt so bad for her.

TeaRoseTallulah · 16/01/2026 13:03

Yes! Weirdly started limping every now and again not constantly. We presumed he'd just strained it while leaping off the roof ( don't ask! 🙄) he's totally fine now but took about a week to settle down.

ArtTheClownIsNotAMime · 16/01/2026 13:02

Take her to another vet for a second opinion if you don't believe the first one.

Dablab · 16/01/2026 13:02

Which leg? If a back leg, I assume they ruled out a cruciate injury?