Cat shoulder pain

[Compash]

So my little madam (10 year old moggie of quiet habits and small territory) woke from her afternoon nap on Wednesday with a limp. No apparent accident or injury. She was holding her front right paw, but the next morning seemed loads better - was hobbling a little, but able to strop her claws on a tree, dig a latrine, jump on beds and go upstairs.

So we held off going to the vet (which really distresses her) (and our vet always says to give them 24 hours anyway). This morning she was still limping, but let me feel her leg and foot without reacting. We figured she was getting better.

Until the very hour that the vets closed for the weekend today, when she began limping piteously again... The very hour! I checked her again and the leg and foot were fine, but she objected when I got to her shoulder - I know cats have funny little floating clavicles... She has full movement and articulation in her paw, can clean it, can pick the sofas as usual... she just winces and squeaks when she lands on it.

Is she playing us, or should I take her to the emergency vet this weekend?

She probably has arthritis - I read somewhere that something like 80% of cats over a certain age have it, and that age was surprisingly young. One of mine is on arthritis medication and he's only eight.

I wouldn't leave her all weekend if she's struggling, but maybe see how she is today and monitor her? It doesn't seem like an immediate emergency but equally if she's sore you probably don't want to leave it too long.

Mine is on daily Metacam and the difference in him is incredible - we never realised how much he was struggling until he went on it.

Thanks for that - I did wonder about arthritis - just on one side baffled me, but could be because of a prior injury (I have it in my hand from falling on a glass ten years back!)

She's looking rather better this morning (and just as well as Virgin are digging up our road and have blocked us in, grr... 😤). But I might take her on Monday anyway for a check up.

We did have some metacam from my poor old boy's final illness last year, but I seem to have thrown it out.

Bless her, if she seems better this morning I would just keep an eye on her.

Mine is worst on his back left leg - mainly first thing in the morning, when it's cold or when he's been asleep for ages.

Yes! Stiffer after sleep.You may be onto something... 🙂

(But then, when aren't they asleep for ages...? It still amazes me sometimes how very much they can sleep...) 😍😻

Haha you're not wrong! My arthritic boy likes to squeeze himself into the tiniest spaces possible then wonders why he comes out all wonky

🤣😾