My 2 year old Maine Coon boy is limping on rear leg , pics attached if this helps .

Hi,

My maine coon boy is limping on his rear right leg, it started last week and i am unsure if it is just because he likes to fling himself off the cat tree or jump off counters and he is not very graceful in doing so. I have gently squeezed his leg all over but he doesn't show any signs of pain. But when he walks his right back section seems to dip down but it has not stopped him doing anything he seems to be doing his usual routine although he has been lying around like a bit of a walrus more than usual. I checked his paws too incase there was any litter trapped but the only thing i have spotted is the picture below, i am unsure if it dry skin or maybe a fungal infection? Could this be causing him to limp? If so what is the best treatment for his paw? 

He is an indoor cat so its nothing he has stood on outside and my other cat has no symptoms of fungus on her paws. It is just this one rear right paw on the boy that has this kind of flaky skin. 

Hope to hear back, i am a bit worried.

Thanks

I'd get him to the vet sometime soon. With a limp in the rear legs in can signify quite a few things (and injury, kidney problems, etc.) and the easier it is discovered exactly what, the easier to treat. Plus if it is an infection, you'll need antibiotics to help clear it up.

How's his gait otherwise? Is he still jumping from higher places? Does he hide more?

Sorry I couldn't be of more help, but from what I've learn when it comes to limping the causes really range.

He is still jumping from the cat tree which is about 5ft tall, and still trying to jump up to places which he can't reach. He is a really clumsy boy who appears to be a bit stupid when it comes to knowing his limitations if you know what i mean. He doesn't hide at all, he is still doing everything the same apart from limping around, it seems to have gotten worse since last week i was hoping it would be just a small strain caused by him jumping down from somewhere he shouldn't have. 

The limp got better a few days ago but him and his sister chase and roll around with each other during the night, and today it seems worse so i think maybe he has pulled his leg again whilst playing.  I think you are right in what you say and to get him to a vet. I will take him monday, as the vets are closed now over the weekend. I hope its just a sprain and will heal over time but if not i have insurance for him so whatever he needs i will try and provide.

Thanks for your reply

UPDATE:

I gently felt all around his lower spine, and when i gently pressed the lower spine, slightly before where the tail begins and on the side of the right leg, he let out a painful yell. I will definitely need to get him to the vet . Hope he has just twisted himself when landing and its not a slipped disc. Can a slipped disc be fixed easily enough? My instinct tells me no, but i don't have any prior experience with spinal issues.

If you really suspect it's an injury, you can give him glucosamine. I'll have to look up the dosage for you, but it's fairly cheap (about $10 for 60 pills). I gave my cat 250 mg a day (she's a light weight though). I crushed up half a pull and snuck the medicine in her wet food.

I used to use glucosamine when i was bodybuilding, but just for joints. My worry is it is not directly hip joint related but maybe a slipped disc etc? 

MaineCoonMonty said:

I used to use glucosamine when i was bodybuilding, but just for joints. My worry is it is not directly hip joint related but maybe a slipped disc etc? 

Click to expand...

Understandable. That's why I recommended the vet visit. Knowledgeable hands and an X Ray should be able to tell you exactly where the injury is. Plus they'll be able to prescribe pain meds if necessary (although from what you described it sounds like he's holding up fairly well).

I was under the impression glucosamine also helps with injuries to bone in addition to joints. I could misinformed however...

If I press my healthy cat's spine at the base of the tail, he cries out in pain too. That seems to be a very sensitive place for cats, so I wouldn't worry about it. Can you clean the crusty stuff from the paw with a wet cloth to see what's underneath it?

Have you gone to the vet he/she might give you some professional advice but i think you should really clean the crusty stuff on his paw just to see if everything is okay underneath it.

I would get him to the vet asap.....so that if it is an orthopedic injury, it doesn't get worse.  That stuff on his paw looks like it might be a fungus and I think that the vet might want to look at that, too.

I think your cat has two issues: a fungal infection in his paw pad, and an injury in his leg - hopefully just a soft tissue injury that a cortisone shot and time will heal. Fungal infection may take more time. You may need to confine him to a smaller space during his convalescence so that he doesn't continue to jump and aggravate his injury, which may not show up in tests, since it's likely soft tissue. Fungal will require meds and possible topical. Update us after your vet visit! [emoji]128522[/emoji]

My cat Sam Adams had the same kind of limp last month. I took him to the vet and she gave him liquid motrin for 2 days Apparently he strained his spine and I had to keep hi, in his own room for 2 days. The Motrin was the easy part Keeping him away from his sisters was the hard part. After 2 days he was fine He needed the motrin and rest. GET him to the Vet

Hey guys,

My partner took him to the vets on Monday, She suspects soft tissue damage and a little play in his knee. She has given us Loxicom, a painkiller/anti inflamatory mediation to give him and he has been getting that for the past 5 days. I forgot to ask my partner what the vet said about the paw, but i will find out today and get that seen too as well. I have moved his food and water bowl onto the floor so he doesnt need to go up the cat tree for it. The reason it was up there is i have a cocker spaniel who has taken a liking to cat food so i need to keep it up there out of his way or he munches it all!

The vet said to finish the medicine and try to stop him from being as active, but it is difficult as we both work during the day and i cant lock him in any rooms because he tears up the carpet trying to "dig" under the doors to get out. He doesnt lie being locked in anywhere he is used to having the whole house to roam during the day. Thanks for all the replies, i will let you all know if the Loxicom and rest worked, and what is happening with his fungus foot!

It's good to hear that he was seen, and has been taking meds for his issues. You may need to leave the food and water at ground level, and keep your dog away during feeding time for your cat. I'm glad he's better, and would like to hear about his paw pad. [emoji]128522[/emoji]

Thanks for the update. Delighted to hear that he sounds well on his way to recovery!

Sounds like the same thing Sam Adams had. So glad to hear he is doing better. I know what you mean by keeping him confined. Cats hate it