Sad limping cat

[Diplobrat]

My poor cat had a trip to the emergency vet just over 3 weeks ago with a burst abscess on his front leg (bite wound we think). Completed a course of antibiotics and anti-inflammotories but started limping again a few days later. I took him back to the vet who thought the leg was still a bit swollen and gave him another course of antibiotics which he completed at the weekend.

Unfortunately the poor guy started limping again badly yesterday and I can't get a vet appointment again until the 9th of September! Apparently there is a major vet shortage in my area and mine are very short staffed, none of the other practices are accepting new patients.

I'm unsure whether to call the vet hospital again and push for him to be seen as an emergency. He won't put weight in his leg and is hobbling around like crazy. Alternatively should I be pushing for a painkiller prescription for the period to 9 September? Here are some pictures of him hobbling around (I appreciate there is an unflattering reflection of me in the back door!)

I was going to suggest asking for some painkillers for him. That's a good idea. Is there a vet somewhere else you could take him to? Hope he gets better soon and you can rest easy

I think you may need to phone around to vets further afield. He’s a lovely cat and you obviously care about him, I’m sure he’ll be absolutely fine in a few weeks. I wonder if the vet needs to do an x-ray? The bite may have caused a small fracture.
Lots of cuddles and dreamies for now, sending love x

Poor guy. I don't know what to recommend, but good luck. How does the wound look? Does it look swollen still? Is it hot to the touch?

Where are you? I'm just curious to know how widespread this vet shortage is. We are down to around 20 per cent of the number of vets we normally have and are having to cancel just about everything and we are unable to do most of our rescue work. Vets all over London are short staffed, some have closed altogether. I just want to cry (and strangle anyone who voted for sodding Brexit).

I’d second the suggestion of getting an X ray. My DKitty had a long lasting limp after a bite on his foot. 3 weeks and 2 lots of antibiotics later (with wound completely healed, not swollen or weepy) vets x rayed and he had a small fracture. They can also have damaged a tendon rather than a fracture. He had to rest for 6 weeks (confined to a small area where he wasn’t able to jump up or climb stairs). (He did escape out of the area once to pee in my wardrobe such was his disgust at his confinement 😂). He’s back to fit as a flea now!

Thank you all so much for your kind words and advice. I think I'll have to try further away vets as suggested and try to get painkillers for him in the meantime.

The leg doesn't feel hot but I think there is a new swelling over the joint - obviously if that worsens I'll reassess. The vet did mention an x Ray if no improvement so I think that may be where we end up (thank god for insurance!).

@thecatneuterer North East London - all of the receptionists I have spoken to have been so apologetic - it must be incredibly tough for them right now. Obviously I don't want to over-bother them if I'm just being precious but also don't want him to suffer needlessly!

If you can get out to Essex then I recommend Riverside Vets in Grays. And they seem to have availability. We (Celia Hammonds) have been taking some of our rescue cases there since this crisis started.

Oh brilliant thank you for the recommendation! We can indeed get to Grays so will give them a ring in the morning

Is sepsis a potential risk? I'd be wary of leaving it tbh.

Poor Sausage. Reiterate advice from Catneuterer. If your cat’s amenable - could you possibly bathe affected area with warm, salt water solution?

My cat had the same a few years ago, also caused by a bite. In the end they took some fluid from the joint in his leg and it turned out the infection was in the bone. They changed the type of antibiotics he was on a and even said he might always have a limp but luckily after another couple of weeks he was able to weight bear on his leg again. Luckily we had insurance as it cost about £800 in vet bills in the end.

Update - I have managed to get him in with someone tomorrow morning which is a big relief! Hopefully it isn't as serious as an infection in the bone but something is clearly still going on so I'm glad it'll be checked.

That's good news. Hope all goes well.

That's good. Are you going to Grays?

How did it go?

Hi all - tentatively good news! The vet we saw today thinks the previous courses of antibiotics might not have been long enough, so he gave an antibiotic injection that lasts for 2 weeks and we will go back in 2 weeks to see whether he needs an X-ray. The vet also (very kindly) pointed our that he could do with losing a little more weight....

Interestly he seems much happier this afternoon and has been outside hunting things / snoozing under a bush (which is back to normal service).

I managed to find somewhere a little nearer than Grays in the end but thank you so much again for the recommendation

Sounds good. Hope he has a lovely, restful weekend under his bush