Cat still limping at 2 week mark

[soddingkitten]

Sodding (not his real name) started limping over Easter. He had a thorough check up at the vets on 22nd April. The vet couldn’t find any sign of a break or swelling so diagnosed a soft tissue injury and prescribed 5 days’ pain relief which finished on 26th.

He’s very active, behaving normally and eating well but still has a noticeable limp and is guarding his paw when sitting or at rest. I’ve booked a follow up appointment but the earliest available slot was next week.

Has anyone experienced this with their own cat? How long does it take for a soft tissue injury to settle? Did you have this and a more significant injury was picked up at later follow up?

It can take a good few weeks - even longer sometimes as it’s basically impossible to rest a cat.

This is true. I’ll ring the vet surgery to see if the follow up is needed. They may be ableto dispense more painkiller without seeing him.

We've usually had metacam prescribed when one of our cats gets a limp.
I'd ask the vet if that would help.

The receptionist asked the vet for advice yesterday. She advised xrays, which require a GA. He’s booked in next week. 😕

I think x-rays are a good idea. Cats are very good at masking pain so you need to be sure there isn’t something more significant going on.

At least an x-ray will rule out any major issues.

How old is sodding?

One of my cats had a limp a few years ago. Vet prescribed metacam and asked us to come back in 5 days. Cat was still limping and the vet immediately suggested possible bone cancer and recommended £750 of tests and x-rays.
We got a second opinion from another vet (not one tied into the scummy venture capitalist vet groups), who couldn't believe what the previous vet had suggested.
Two weeks of further metacam to allow it time to act and the cat was right as rain.
Not saying your cat doesn't need x--rays but I'd definitely get a second opinion before embarking on those expensive tests.

Five. He’s extremely active - even now with his limp - and spends a lot of time outdoors scaling trees and walls at this time of year.

Can you keep him inside so he can rest (I know easier said than done)? Maybe also see if the vet can prescribe more painkilller to continue until your next appointment - the limp might go away before the xray is required. I'm a vet

Thanks for this insight. He is insured, but I take your point about unnecessary treatment. All the vets near us are owned by scummy venture capitalists now. 😕 He’s such an active cat I wouldn’t want to leave a fracture untreated.

Our cat has a limp at the moment, first started two weeks ago, vet said he doesn't think it's dislocated or broken as it didn't feel 'crunchy'! He's on metacam and it is starting to reduce, he's very active and vet said don't keep him in if it's distressing him (he was meowing like crazy) he's still bounding around and climbing things. Vet booked for the 18th for a follow up and if still limping then they will x ray. I wouldn't panic yet, muscle/soft tissue takes time to heal especially when they won't rest

Thank you - this is a good suggestion (and sorry for being rude about the venture capitalists, the actual vets in our surgery are lovely and caring but clearly under pressure from the owners).

We’re on day 17. I was hopeful it would settle but nope.