My cat is limping. Waiting to call the vet.

[ToffeeOwnsTheSausage]

We noticed he was limping last night when we put him to bed. We checked for obvious wounds and there were none. Last time he limped it turned out our other cat had bitten him. He needed antibiotics and house arrest for a few days but was okay in the end. As he had been sleeping on DS2's bed all night we thought he might be stiff but this morning he is still limping .

He is only 2.

Does anyone have any ideas so I can prepare myself and what if the vet is fully booked for today? I think he does need to be seen but quite happy to be told I am over reacting.



We lost FABCat last year and two Guinea Pigs late last year, and while I am sure we are not about to lose BoyCat, I am still worrying. I love the great big ball of fluff.

[smearedinfood]

They usually have emergency slots. They'll probably shave the leg to have a proper look.

What's your cat flap like? We got a micro chip one and it seems to have sorted out any fights as my cats run inside when danger is looming.

[ToffeeOwnsTheSausage]

We have a cat flap where the cats needs a key to get in but BoyCat keeps taking his collars off so we have had to disable it. No other cats come in the house though and we haven't had any in the garden for months. He goes off to other gardens though but wasn't limping until bedtime as far as we know. His sister is a bit bow legged and I thought he was looking a bit wonky but I thought that was me being over protective as I don't like it when he goes out all morning and I don't know what he is doing. He usually comes home with a mouse so I assume he is having a great time.

[timtam23]

Give the vet a ring - even if my vet was fully booked for routine appointments they would still say to bring him down at the end of surgery & they'd take a look, they wouldn't turn a sick animal away. Hope you get seen and he's ok.

[cozietoesie]

I think I'd be getting a chip flap on general principle - a new cat could move into the area any day and you wouldn't realize until there was trouble.

Best of luck this morning. The vet will likely fit you in fairly quickly - and if they just can't for some reason, they'll give you options.

[ToffeeOwnsTheSausage]

Appointment at 2.40pm.

cozietoesie - what do you mean? We can't have the cat flap set to only let our two in as he doesn't keep the collars on and wouldn't be able to get back in the house if we aren't sat by the door all day to let him in.

I always do my best for my cat and would never put them at risk.

[cozietoesie]

Of course you wouldn't.

You can get catflaps which are activated by their microchips - so only 'authorized' cats are allowed in. (And if they're not chipped, it's an extremely good idea ti have it done, especially if they go outside.) No collars needed.

Many posters here use the Sureflap. It's not cheap (about £70 online - although someone found it on Zooplus (if I recall) for £60 (I don't know what the shipping would be.) People seem to like them very much and consider them a good investment.

\link{http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/cats/cat_flaps_nets/microchip_cat_flaps/138700\Here's}the one from Zooplus so that ypu can have a read of the specification.

[ToffeeOwnsTheSausage]

Of course they are both micro chipped. I will bear the new cat flap in mind. Will need to see what happens today first.

[cozietoesie]

Good luck.

[ToffeeOwnsTheSausage]

Vet feels he has been bitten by a prey animal. Maybe a mouse who got away and decided to leave a parting shot.

BoyCat has had 2 or three jabs and seems to be walking a bit better. He isn't quite back to himself, likes to hide in the wardrobe, but he did tell GirlCat off when she was playing with her toys.

[cozietoesie]

So not completely sunk into himself. Sounds as if he'll be fine.

Is he grounded for a couple of days?

[ToffeeOwnsTheSausage]

Kind of. The vet said he could go out as long as we could get him back so I will let him out if he asks but maybe not give him carte blanche to explore. I will see how brave I am. This is his third visit to the vet and only one was to meet the vet, say hello and for the vet to see him well so he would notice any changes. BoyCat has lost a bit of weight too but the vet said he is perfect .

[cozietoesie]

Many cats these days are overweight - in fact many other pets as well - to the point that I'm not sure that people always know what a healthy cat should look like. If the vet's weighed him and thinks he's fine, good on him.

[ToffeeOwnsTheSausage]

We're talking ounces so he wasn't fat before.