Sudden Lameness in Back Leg of Kitten

Thank you all in advance for any helpful advice you can provide.

My cat Truffles is roughly 1.5 years old. She was an unwanted farm cat so I know nothing about her medical history, however, we did bring her home when she was about 7 weeks old.

Exactly a week ago she stopped acting like herself. Instead of being the curious and playful cat that is always following us around, she started finding hiding places and desired nothing but to be alone. As far as I can tell she also stopped eating and drinking normally.

A few days later we realized that she was unbalanced when she would walk down our stairs. She was also face planting every time she jumped from any height. We realized that her back right leg was not working properly.

It's not completely lame. In fact, she is able to walk normally on an even grade. She even stood on her back legs the other day with her front paws up on a couch. But as soon as she jumps, runs, or does anything active, it becomes clear that the leg is not working properly. I have squeezed and poked all over her leg and the rest of her and nothing seems to be wrong physically. She shows no signs of physical pain.

It also appears that she is not eating or drinking normally. When we give her treats, tuna, or milk she eats and drinks normally, but her normal food and water are of no interest. She has used the litter box once (solid) in the last 5 days, and she has urinated at least once under our couch (one of her hiding places).

She still does not come out on her own, but when we pull her out she lays with us and acts relatively normal (other than not moving around like she would if healthy). It has been a week now and there has been no improvement or decline in her condition.

I am baffled by what may be causing these issues. I do not have the resources to have a vet start running every test under the sun, so right now we are doing research on our own and looking for changes in her condition.

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated. An additional piece of information - she is an indoor cat exclusively.

Thank you again

I know you say money is tight, but I really think you need to get her seen by a vet. They may be able to offer likely diagnoses just from an examination. They could certainly tell you what is/isn't possible.

I can tell you for certain that she'll be in pain, and also that these things tend to be harder to treat the longer they're left. I know this isn't what you wanted to hear, but its really not fair to leave her in pain while you try to find a diagnosis online.

I agree with Columbine. This sounds concerning. The food situation worries me. It's possible it's not her leg at all but referred pain from her belly, just like what can happen with a person. Does she go outside? Eat mice etc? Just wondering...

Meanwhile, I would personally limit a cat with these symptoms to a room where she can't jump, at all, making sure litter box, food and water are available, until vet visit. Please do not give over the counter meds. It seems tempting and I know you haven't mentioned this, but they can kill a cat.

If there was even the slightest sign that she was in pain I would have already taken her to the vet. I have talked to two different vets and after listening to her symptoms neither one felt that I was being cruel or neglectful in not bringing Truffles in. To be frank, the implication that I would let an animal in my charge suffer is offensive.

As an update: Last night after putting up this post I moved her litter into a lower box so that she would be more likely to use it. In moving the litter I discovered she has been using the box more than I had thought. I don't know what her average use is because I've never kept track, but based on the amount I found I believe her litter box usage is in line with what she's been eating and drinking.

Thank you again to anyone taking the time to read this and give helpful thoughts.

We're just trying to help...please don't take offense. My cat injured a shoulder at 7 months old and I followed my vets guidelines which were to keep him limited jumping , ensure his eating habits didn't change, and bring him in if he was still in pain a few days later. He ate ok, I knew it was his shoulder, and if I'd had any doubts have brought him in. My vet only offered this advice because he had already been seen so they had a baseline. I don't know many vets who would hear of a cat not eating or drinking normally with a limp who would think its ok just watch. Cats hide pain very well...too well.

elrushjo said:

If there was even the slightest sign that she was in pain I would have already taken her to the vet. I have talked to two different vets and after listening to her symptoms neither one felt that I was being cruel or neglectful in not bringing Truffles in. To be frank, the implication that I would let an animal in my charge suffer is offensive.

As an update: Last night after putting up this post I moved her litter into a lower box so that she would be more likely to use it. In moving the litter I discovered she has been using the box more than I had thought. I don't know what her average use is because I've never kept track, but based on the amount I found I believe her litter box usage is in line with what she's been eating and drinking.

Thank you again to anyone taking the time to read this and give helpful thoughts.

Click to expand...

I'm truly sorry if you found my previous post offensive. It wasn't clear that you'd had any veterinary input at all, and suggesting that as a starting point is the only thing I can responsibly do. Do keep in mind that we can't see Truffles and, as a stranger, your OP makes for worrying reading.

I would also say that cats are amazingly good at concealing pain - so much so that it can be very difficult for even those closest to the cat to pick up on it at times.

The last thing I meant to do was cause offence.

Did the vets give any indication as to where they thought the problem might lie?