cat limping when she walks

My one cat Odessa started limping last night. She's mostly sedentary and has never been able to jump (so I know its not from falling off anything). How long should I give this before calling my vet? She's still eating and using box. She's not coming out from under the couch as much but that quite possibly could be unrelated (she goes into a 'black mood' when it first begins to become warm in the summer).

Is she a little overweight? It sounds that way if she is sedentary and doesn't like the heat. Even if she doesn't  jump, I assume she gets up on sofas and chairs. Getting down she could have landed badly and jarred her foot.  That can take a few days to show any improvement.
 

Simka said:

Is she a little overweight? It sounds that way if she is sedentary and doesn't like the heat. Even if she doesn't  jump, I assume she gets up on sofas and chairs. Getting down she could have landed badly and jarred her foot.  That can take a few days to show any improvement.
 

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nope not over weight at all, just right for her size. she mostly sleeps through the day (more so than the other 2), coming out to greet us when we get home and to eat. She then finds somewhere to sleep the remainder of the day and comes out to play when we are about to go to bed. She can climb up to get on sofas/chairs and she has stairs so she can get to the window sill. 

How old is she? Even my 18-year-old Raven can jump up onto a windowsill from the floor. Does your vet know she's never been able to jump more than a few feet? When she plays, is it really energetic, and is she still playing now or mostly hiding?
 

Simka said:

How old is she? Even my 18-year-old Raven can jump up onto a windowsill from the floor. Does your vet know she's never been able to jump more than a few feet? When she plays, is it really energetic, and is she still playing now or mostly hiding?
 

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She will be 5 this year. I adopted her from the Humane Society when she was about a year old. She has never been able to jump and even though her jumping ability its better than it used to be, it still takes her some enough to get on the couch. When she plays its very energetic, she meows and knocks her mouse around and carries it around in her mouth proudly

I haven't heard her play in a few days but her favorite toy is temporarily out of commission (vacuum cleaner ran it over so I have to fix it). To answer your question no she hasn't been playing. Like I said though she's still grooming, eating, using litter box...

Regarding her inability to jump, I've tried looking it up every so often but the only problem I ever find is people talking about how their cat's jumping ability getting worse with age.

She is so gorgeous!!

Since you adopted her from the humane society and don't really know about her background, it could be that she just never learned how to jump.  If she was raised in a cage or taught not to jump, that may be the reason.  It's weird, but you just never know.
 

Have you checked her paws for swelling, tenderness, foreign objects in her paw, or maybe an ingrown claw or something else to do with her claws?  It's also very possible that she hurt herself while playing, especially if she plays a bit rambunctiously.  I would keep an eye on her and if the limping continues, take her to the vet.

stephanietx said:

She is so gorgeous!!

Since you adopted her from the humane society and don't really know about her background, it could be that she just never learned how to jump.  If she was raised in a cage or taught not to jump, that may be the reason.  It's weird, but you just never know.
 

Have you checked her paws for swelling, tenderness, foreign objects in her paw, or maybe an ingrown claw or something else to do with her claws?  It's also very possible that she hurt herself while playing, especially if she plays a bit rambunctiously.  I would keep an eye on her and if the limping continues, take her to the vet.

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is jumping a learned behavior? I thought it was innate. You're right, I don't know anything about her background, I do know this though-- she was found wandering around Spirit Lake, ID and these people just coaxed her near them, then they brought her to Humane Society. Upon her arrival, it was observed that she had a spay scar. She was there two weeks when I brought her home. I love her dearly. First cat. 

I did finally figure out which leg she's not walking on (causing her to limp). It's the back right. I'll take a look at it when she wakes tonight. She doesn't like people touching her legs or pads though, so how will I know if I'm hurting a sensitive paw or if she's just being herself?

Growling, trying to nip you are good indications that there's pain.  Jumping is probably innate, but if you never have the opportunity to do it, then you don't.  Also, even though she's young, she may have arthritis.
 

I think I've seen evidence that kittens that don't live in a normal environment can't process visual stuff properly which might possibly be the case with her.

However I agree, the growling and so on sounds like pain and a vet visit is probably a good idea.

the nipping is normal behavior (for her anyway). I've NEVER been able to touch her legs or paws or pads and ive had her since 2008. Thats what I'm saying-- how do I differentiate between her normal nipping and biting behavior (because I'm not allowed to touch/inspect those areas) and nipping due to pain/injury?

If you can look away from saving your hands from nips long enough to look at her face you should see the difference between annoyance and fear. Also, I think the tone of her complaining and abruptness of her actions will tell you if it's pain or not. You could take her to the vet and save your fingers.