Clicking noise when my cat walks

[michigloz]

My cat is making a clicking sound when he walks. Nothing wrong on the xray, doesn't seem like he's in any pain, no inflammation. Vet showed the xray to an orthopedic specialist and they didn't see anything wrong either. They said this is extremely uncommon and they don't recommend a CT scan unless there is limping involved. Vet recommended a chiropractor as my possible next step.

Any ideas or suggestions?

 

[FeebysOwner]

I know it sounds way too obvious, but any chance it's one of his nails hitting the floor?

You might want to consider having the orthopedic specialist perform a physical exam on him instead of relying solely on looking at the x-ray. What all body parts did they x-ray? The clicking might be coming from a location that wasn't included on the x-rays they took.

I suppose you could elicit an opinion from a vet chiropractor by sharing the x-ray with them before an actual appointment is made.

 

[michigloz]

I know it sounds way too obvious, but any chance it's one of his nails hitting the floor?

You might want to consider having the orthopedic specialist perform a physical exam on him instead of relying solely on looking at the x-ray. What all body parts did they x-ray? The clicking might be coming from a location that wasn't included on the x-rays they took.

I suppose you could elicit an opinion from a vet chiropractor by sharing the x-ray with them before an actual appointment is made.

Thank you for the advice! I trimmed his claws and felt around and it's not them, especially since the sound happens just as loudly on carpet. But I am a bit worried that they didn't x-ray the right spot. The vet took my word for which leg was making the sound and only x-rayed that specific leg. She claims that he got mad at her when she felt his elbow so it must be in pain, but I think he was just fed up with her manhandling him lol. I also felt the same elbow later and he didn't even flinch.
All she could offer me as a next step was the chiropractor which is not ideal. I may ask her about ways to see the Orthopedic specialist or see about additional x-rays. At least my cat is showing absolutely no signs of pain or decrease in activity and this has been going on for over a month. So this gives me hope it isn't anything serious, but I can't be sure without answers.

 

[FeebysOwner]

Personally, if it were me, I would go to the orthopedic specialist and let them have a look. Additional x-rays might be an option, and they may be cheaper through your vet than with the specialist. But I have also found out that some of the specialty groups want to take 'their own' x-rays because they 'know better' what they are looking for.