Trapped kitten's leg in the door :(

My poor little kitten was poking around me without me knowing while I was putting something in my hall closet, and when I went to close the door his front leg was in between the door frame and the door (by the hinges). He absolutely SCREAMED and hissed and because it was stuck there it was there (with him screaming) for at least 5 seconds. When I freed him he took off and would not let me near him until I finally grabbed him and fed him a treat. I sat for a good 10 minutes with him running my hand up and down the leg, squeezing quite firmly, but no yelps or screams. He's running around with my other cat playing now, and is trying to get the other cat to wrestle with him. I picked him up again after and he cried but it seemed like his normal "put me down so I can pounce on the other cat" cry.

Can I safely assume he's okay? It seemed squished so badly in the door that at the time I thought there was no way that it couldn't be seriously injured, but I'm watching him leap from the cat post to the kitchen counters and back multiple times right now.

I felt so awful. I nearly passed out after I finally caught him because his screaming had upset me so badly. I'm normally so careful when he's around but he sneaks up sometimes! I just want to be sure I don't assume he's fine and not call a vet if I actually should.

I winced just reading about that. If he's playing normally I wouldn't do anything right now. Watch him and see if it swells or if he has any limping. It might take a little while for any inflammation to come up. Pick him up when you can and see if you can touch his leg without him showing signs of pain. Only later, if he appears to be in any pain or shows any swelling or limping, would I call the vet. Young kittens are pretty resilient. Unexpected things like this are bound to be happen. It's goes to show how they get into some surprising places. I like to think of things like this as a lucky escape and a sign to watch out more carefully.

Oh you poor thing!! I can only imagine what you felt while he screamed....been there okay?!

Believe it or not, he is probably fine. I know it's hard to believe and I will tell you one of my kitty paw stories...

As I was pulling in to a parking lot one evening at one of my 12 feeding colony spots, this particular spot has cats that run right up to my car and sort of follow me until I stop and park. So one night here I am, creeping in as always, I mean barely rolling, one of the kids Teddy has a tendency to be so comfortable around my car that he walks right in front of it, like almost under the front bumper.

Anyway, I suddenly felt this bump, and yep, it was Teddy's paw, as soon as I felt it I immediately stopped, unbeknownst to me I stopped on top of his foot. He screams and I had to back up off of it, it happened so fast, and when he got his paw free he shot screaming and running wildly with his 3 good paws.

I called and searched, then the next day, walking the rr tracks, calling and calling, I was just sick, as I could only imagine I had crushed his front paw like flat as a pancake.

I had visions of him going off and dying from the severe injury, gangrene, you name it.

It was a good 2 weeks later ( and that is alooong time for him, he is always there faithfully waiting) until he popped out one night, just as nothing had happened.

It still amazes me to this very day. Paw is perfect. (go figure)

Kittens especially, while so fragile and tiny, are pretty flexible too. Softer bones are still immature.

It may have a bit of swelling in the am, and he may even favor it, but when you inspect it and gently squeeze, he would cry out in pain if it were broken.

Give it 3 days and it will magically be all better. Cats, adults as well as kittens, have an amazing way of healing their paws and legs.

Thank you both! Luckily this morning he is running and playing just fine, no swelling and not tender to the touch at all. I'm so relieved and still feel awful but will try to be more aware of where the little monkey is.

And catwoman - that's such a scary story!! I know how you felt, I really thought I must have injured him for sure.

I closed the closet door(hinged) it felt stuck then a loud scream.  Tyler had his foot in the door trying to play with something in side.  He ran off and under the couch.  He was fine but it was sore for a day.  He was 3 months old or less when that happened. They can handle alot more when so young.  He has also fallen off the washer dryer stacked unit that was quite tall and got wedged behind, no idea how he got up there in first place.  Two other kittens shortly after having him never did any of that in same apartment.  He is just one of those cats who got into it all when he was little.