3 year old cat has a limp

[dove3053]

Hi,

I'm new here. My 3 year old cat Bootsie has had a limp. Sometimes it's worse than others. I read in a book it might be a tendon problem so I have noticed that she has it after she stretches or claws. She is an indoor cat only

I just got divorced and my funds are low. I would take her to a vet but I think this may pass.

Any thoughts about this??

Dove

[dove3053]

I know how to use the clippers, but this is the first time she ever had a limp or any trouble with clipping them. I think I will call a family meeting to decide if to continue to clip their nails. I'm not sure which way the vote will go on this :)

Dove

[Savas]

There isn't much you can do but let it grow out and make sure it doesn't get infected. Since you have the tool I'm assuming you know how to do it properly, not cutting into the quick?

Unfortunately, even with the tool, there's always a chance of splitting/crushing a claw, even the pro's do it. It's possible this is he cause of the limp. I used to clip our cats nails but kept having the kind of limp your describing happen. I finally gave up after causing an infection and just prayed they'd use the scratching post. :)

[dove3053]

I do use a special nail cutter for cats. I will take a closer look tonight, her nails did seem brittle.

What do you do for a split nail other than let it grow out?

Dove

[Savas]

Well, if you know how to check for a split nail, then I'd check that. Are you using a special nail cutter? Even with that, it's easy to cause a split nail and not always obvious.

Otherwise it could be an early sign of some for of joint disease. But the less serious choice is either tendonitious or a tendon injury that is only partially healed and still bothering her. If it's that, it's a hard thing to deal with. Usually you can trust the animal to do what's right and not keep re-injuring it.

The only other thing I can think of is early stage arthritis. Have there been any severe changes in the weather lately? Usually this starts in the rear hip area and it can show signs at a young age.

Keep an eye for if her claws seem strong and healthy. If they seem to break or split easily, it could also be a sign of vitamin deficiency which could point to a joint/bone problem.

[dove3053]

She has had the limp for about 3 weeks. Sometimes she doesn't limp then others times she does. It is her front left paw and I have checked her paw pads and nails. I even trimmed her nails last week thinking maybe something was stuck in one of her claws so I got a good look at them and nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Her limp is worse after she stretches or claws on something. So I have checked her entire leg, paw pads and claws and don't see anything wrong and she lets me do this without reacting like she is in pain.

Any help would be appreciated.

Dove

[Savas]

How long has she had this limp (rear or front leg)? And have you checked the pad area for a partially torn or fully ripped out claw? (Push on the center of the pad with your thumb to distend the claws. If she reacts badly (other than the usual cat p.o'd ness, then it's localized to the paw region).

Let me know and perhaps we can narrow it down.