My taffy has hurt his leg, ideas to help sooth the pain?

gaogier

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Hey, my taffy has hurt his back leg, and wanting to know any ideas of how to help sooth his pain?
 

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So sorry Taffy hurt his leg. Sometimes cats jump awkwardly and just have a sprain which resolves itself, sometimes it is more serious.

Any idea how he hurt it?

What are his symptoms - is he limping, won't put his paw to the ground, or ?

And how old is he and when did this happen?
 
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gaogier

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Hey, thanks for the reply, I hate seeing him in pain.

My sister came into my bedroom, where he was a sleep, which frightened him, and he jumped over me, I didn't see how he landed, but since then he has been limping. I think he landed on my bed. This all happened a few hours ago. I know about sprains myself due to having several per day due to a disability. I also know it just needs rest and it should heal on its own, but until then I just want him to be in less pain as possible. 
 

catapault

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It sounds as if it is most likely a sprain. Nothing much to do except take it easy and wait it out. Cats can NOT casually be given aspirin. Just try to keep him from jumping or running or chasing Da Bird kind of play.

Sorry to hear that you also have this type of problem. You and Taffy can cuddle and sympathize with each other.

Feel better, real soon.
 
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gaogier

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What about a hot water bottle, would that help?
 
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gaogier

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I spoke to my vet today who said that it sounds like a sprain.

She said exactly what my doctor tells me, to rest up, with either heat or cold on the leg until a few days when it should be getting better. 

The bit that gets me is my cat is going to be in pain for a few days at least.

So how long would a sprain normally take to heal?
 
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gaogier

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My taffys leg is still not right, He will sit with his leg dangling where he can, and will still limp on it.

When should I take him if I should take him to the vets - Vets told me he just needs to rest, as there isn't much they can do for sprains.

What are your thoughts?
 

kitty queen

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I would say if it seems unusually swollen, and continues for more than 3 days, then it would need to be checked by a vet to make sure nothing is dislocated.  I know it seems bad, but if the cat still tries to run and jump, you can get a big dog crate or confine to a room with little to climb on to force the cat to slow down and take it easy.  If the cat seems stressed because of it, try plugging in a comfort zone type plug in. 

Some people believe in burning incense and things like that for the essential oils to calm down pets naturally.  other than that, just try to keep him calm, quiet and comfortable for a few days. 

also, if you do end up thinking a vet trip is necessary, they can prescribe pain meds that are safe. 
 

kitty queen

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I just noticed the date on this.  This has been going on for almost two weeks now.  he needs to be seen by a vet.  It could be dislocated, torn muscle or fractured mildly.  if he has been in pain for two weeks he needs treatment. 

I highly suggest scheduling a vet appointment.  X-rays may be necessary and some pain meds for sure.
 
 
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gaogier

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Last time he done this, the vet said its just more comfortable for him to dangle his leg and its nothing to worry about.

He is not limping badly, can barely notice the limp. 

He does walk on it normally, without limping. I have believe that its fine after a nights rest, he then jumps around a little too much and by night time hes limping.
 

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My advice would be to pop him into the vets. He may not be able to do much for Taffy or he might be able to diagnose it.  Just knowing either way will put your mind at rest. Do you have any pet steps that he can use to get up and down from the bed/sofa without having to jump? We have a very high bed so we have some high steps and then a smaller set. Any of the bigger pet stores sell them. Even if Taffy isn't having to use them they also make great perches!
 
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gaogier

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He jumps off my 20+inch high bed, my sofa, and out my bedroom window down 2ft, to a porch roof, then down 2ft again to a fence, down to the floor.

He is a complete wimp, to be nice lol. He is scared of anything, and everything. Vet said he needs rest, and little action as possible - like you said I might get him a little stool to jump down from my bed and limit his access out my window.
 
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smitten4kittens

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You mentioned he has had this problem before and this time his pain hasn't gone away for 2 weeks. I would take him to the vet. Maybe an x-ray could tell what the problem is and get him pain medicine if he needs it.

I hope he's feeling better soon.
 
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gaogier

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The problem before didn't go away for months.

I will get pictures of what he was like, I have them somewhere.

Also vet said there is nothing they can do, its just a waiting game for him to heal.
 

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If you are not seeing improvement then an xray would be the next option to be sure. How old is Taffy? It could be arthritis in which there are medications. :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
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gaogier

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Based on this photo, where he sprained his leg before - it took a good 4 months to fully heal.


He has hurt his leg again, again it was a sprain, same leg. This time it took a few weeks to heal.

He has hurt the same leg again, according to the vet - who I spoke to when I took my other cat in for a checkup, there is nothing they can really do, just limit his jumping around, which I have done as much as possible - shame he doesn't know that.
 

feralvr

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What a VERY handsome boy! The picture does prove that the leg is not right. Most cats would not hang the leg like that being up on a fence. Still I would recommend an xray. Has your vet recommended an xray? After thinking about it overnight and seeing the photo, it is not arthritis because it would be bothering him in other areas as well. I wonder if there is a slight fracture that is not getting a chance to heal. :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
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gaogier

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When he first hurt his leg, he got an xray etc, however since its been happening over and over, the vet has put it down to a sprain. Its healing, slowly, every day its getting better. 

Thanks, for saying he is handsome, he has no confidence. 

This time, when he done sprained his leg, he leaped over a sitting down on my bed me, and landed on my bed, and must of pulled something jumping. He will run, allow me to pull, tug etc on his leg no pain, but he has a slight limp and got a pic of him now. I am just uploading it.

 
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gaogier

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I have just given the vets a call, who said that it could take weeks, it could take months, depending on how badly he injured his leg, but as he is now walking on it with a slight limp I will not be taking him down to the vets just to get a time frame on how long till it is fully healed. 

Taffy has been sitting like the above picture with his leg dangling nearly all his life, that does not bother me, my last vet said its just more comfortable for him. 
 
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gaogier

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Update on Taffy's leg - It seemed to healed well, no more limping and he is jumping around and onto the feeding table with ease (only have a feeding table due to dog eating cat food).

Only question is why has he gone back to sitting with his leg out, like the pictures above? and how do I get him to stop, if I should get him to stop?
 
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