14 year old cat

[TheHoundOfWinchester]

So I'll begin by saying I am going to take my girl to the vet!
So my gorgeous moggy is 14 years old, I've had her since she was 8 weeks old and she is very much a loved part of the family. Today we have noticed that she isn't walking quite like she was, it's hard to describe but she almost swings her back right leg to the side as she walks. Almost like a limp but not quite she's in no obvious pain, let us look and feel for any obvious injury with not a peep.
I guess my question is has anyone else with an older cat been through the same thing, if so was it just old age creeping up or something more serious? Any help/advice gratefully received!

Take her to the vet!

As I said in op I am taking her to see the vet, I was just wondering if anyone has been through the same so I knew what to expect at the appointment.

Oops didn't realise that! Should have read it properly. Have you had a good look at her paws? Could she have trodden on something or have something stuck?

We had a good look all over and couldn't find any obvious injury or pain anywhere just an odd walk.

We had ours (also 14) checked out when her walk changed a bit, but she also had other symptoms - stiffer when getting up after sleeping, more tentative jumping up and down, not able to get all the way round to wash her lower back. As we expected, the vet diagnosed arthritis and prescribed a low-dose painkiller that she now has every evening. It has definitely made her happier and a bit more limber. I hope that it's nothing more serious than that with yours. It could also be an injury as a PP has suggested.

Can I ask what tests were ran to diagnose he arthritis?

Fairly simple mechanical test - nothing complex or invasive. Vet basically checked the mobility in her various joints (the bicycling around of her back legs was the cause of particular indignation) and assessed for stiffness/tenderness. Before prescribing the painkillers she also had a blood test to make sure her kidneys, etc. were OK to deal with the meds. She'll have yearly blood tests to make sure she's still tolerating them.

Thank you