My Muffin is limping

msaimee

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I ask for your prayers and vibes for my beautiful feral boy, Muffin. He's been walking slowly the past week and today I noticed a definite limp. I don't see any obvious injury on his feet or legs. He took off into a brief jog when I startled him, but it was an odd moving jog and he was clearly having some discomfort. I've been caring for him for over three and a half years and he still won't allow me to touch him, pick him up, and he's trap savvy so I can't get him to a vet. I'm always nervous to try to catch him when he's ill or injured because then he keeps his distance from me for several days. I don't know if he strained a muscle, if he stepped on something sharp or got an insect sting, so I don't know how to help him. I will try to take a video of him walking with my phone and post it for your opinions if I can. Please say a prayer or send vibes to him to heal quickly! He's about 5-6 years old now and I worry about him all the time.

 

mani

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I'm so sorry that he's going through this.  I do wish he'd let you do something for him...

Sending lots of
 
 
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shadowsrescue

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Oh poor Muffin.  My feral, Patches showed up limping a few times.  I gave him Arnica ( homeopathic remedy) in his wet food for a few days.  With rest, he was able to recover pretty quickly.  I hope it's just a simple strain and he doesn't have anything stuck.  Keep a close eye on him and if it gets worse you might have to see about a drop trap or see if you can just get a blanket over him and into a carrier. 

Ferals are so worrisome.  Is he still eating ok?  I will keep Muffin and you in my thoughts.
 

Columbine

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I hope Muffin heals quickly. Arnica is a great idea, and it can't hurt to try it. It's awful when a feral gets injured - you can end up feeling so powerless about them. Get better soon Muffin :vibes:
 
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msaimee

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I haven't heard of Arnica. I'll google it and see where I can purchase some, thanks for the info.

I didn't see Muffin at all yesterday, but he was on my porch at daybreak today and had a good appetite. He was walking slowly and deliberately, but putting weight on all fours, and I think the limp is less. I still didn't see any wounds, but I didn't get a look at the bottom of both of his feet, only one. Could it be a wasp sting? There are a lot of wasps and yellow jackets in my yard this year. I hope he heals quickly, because there are raccoons and other cats passing through now and he needs to be able to run. Thanks for your prayers and good vibes!
 
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msaimee

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How do I upload a video I took of Muffin walking to this page? I've spent a half hour trying to get it from my phone to email to jump drive to here with no success. 
 

shadowsrescue

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When you go to reply to this post and the reply screen comes up, there is an icon that looks like two windows ( it is next to the picture icon).  You can insert a video there.
 
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msaimee

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I have it on FB and am trying out how to post the video without my entire FB info showing.
 
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raysmyheart

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Best wishes from Speedy and Marianne.  Muffin is in my prayers for a quick recovery.  He looks like a sweet and gentle boy.  
 
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msaimee

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Hi there. Muffin was AWOL yesterday, but returned this morning quite hungry, tired, and still moving with a little limp. My neighbor and I think it's his hip rather than a paw since he's putting weight on the paws. Maybe he strained a muscle in his hip or thigh area. He can still move quickly in a trot, but it's not a normal trot. I'm hoping this will improve. His offspring, Mia, survived a broken leg as a feral, and she's got his genes, so hopefully Muffin will heal up soon. Thanks for the good thoughts
 
 

shadowsrescue

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Hopefully he is on the mend.  You might want to get some Arnica to keep on hand.  It works so well with joint injuries.  It's so easy to put into their food as well.  The pellets are tiny and will dissolve in wet food or water. 
 
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msaimee

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Is there a store where I can purchase Arnica, or do I need to order it online?
 

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shadowsrescue

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Is there a store where I can purchase Arnica, or do I need to order it online?
You can find the pellets at any health food store.  Arnica is a homeopathic remedy it is not applied to the skin.  I have used it for years with my ferals with no adverse affects.  I have also used it myself and on my entire family with excellent results.  It is used to help reduce swelling and bruising in humans.  I had dental surgery 3 years ago.  I used arnica orally and topically.  I had absolutely no bruising and minimal swelling.  My periodontist could not believe it.  My surgery was not minor.  Arnica is amazing and works very well.  The only precaution is not to use if  you suspect a broken bone as it will start to heal the bone which may have needed to be put back into place.

Of course do your research. 
 

betsygee

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You can find the pellets at any health food store.  Arnica is a homeopathic remedy it is not applied to the skin.  I have used it for years with my ferals with no adverse affects.  I have also used it myself and on my entire family with excellent results.  It is used to help reduce swelling and bruising in humans.  I had dental surgery 3 years ago.  I used arnica orally and topically.  I had absolutely no bruising and minimal swelling.  My periodontist could not believe it.  My surgery was not minor.  Arnica is amazing and works very well.  The only precaution is not to use if  you suspect a broken bone as it will start to heal the bone which may have needed to be put back into place.

Of course do your research. 
I've never used the homeopathic version and I've never used it on cats, so I can't speak to that--but I always have a tube of arnica at home.  I use it on my thumb joints when arthritis flares up.  

As @ShadowsRescue  says, do your research.  I'm sorry you can't get him to a vet to get checked out.  
 
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msaimee

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Muffin didn't come around yesterday, so of course I worried. When I awoke at 2:30am, he was waiting on my porch to be fed, and ate a bunch again at daybreak. His limp is worse. It appears to be around the back left leg area.  I'm trying to book an ASAP session with an animal communicator, but so far have to wait a week.

Drop traps are expensive, and none of the shelters in my area have any to loan. I would spend the money to purchase one, but I don't think a drop trap will work with Muffin, he is very trap savvy. Also I would have the problem of getting him from the drop trap into a regular trap. I don't want to cause further injury to him. My neighbor who sometimes feeds him in the AM when I'm at work thinks she may be able to grab him and get him into a carrier one morning--she's 20 years younger than I am, and her reflexes are probably better, so we may give this a try. But again, I don't want him to get injured more in the process.

I am also very stressed now with the starling situation. They keep devouring his food that I leave out during the day. I've spent the last week purchasing and experimenting with super magnets, which are supposed to disrupt their brain activity and deter them. The magnets bother them for sure, but they still manage to eat the food, though it takes them longer. And they defecate all over my porch, which is not healthy for me or Muffin. Then as soon as it gets dark, the raccoons come out. I feel as though I'm fighting a losing battle. In the past Muffin was on more of a schedule with me, but since the weather got warm, and since my work schedule is all over the place, it's been hit-and-miss. I really want to make food available to him as much as possible.

I have to admit that the entire situation with the limp and the food is really stressing me out. I'm stressed at work, and now I'm stressed at home. If any of you have animal communication abilities out there, please send Muffin healing vibes and tell him to trust me and allow me to catch him so I can help him. Thanks!  
 
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