If you’re a new kitten owner, you may have no idea how to tell if your little furball has broken its leg.
Fortunately, there are some key signs that can help you figure out whether or not your cat needs professional veterinary care. (A vet visit isn’t always necessary; sometimes it’s just a sprain or other injury that can be treated at home.)
Here are some tips on how to recognize the symptoms of different types of feline fractures so that you’ll know what to watch out for:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Identifying if a kitten has a broken leg can be challenging, but there are signs to look out for, such as limping, swelling, and reluctance to use the leg. |
| It’s essential to seek veterinary care if you suspect your kitten has a broken leg to obtain an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. |
| Treatment options for a kitten with a broken leg may include splinting, casting, or surgery, depending on the severity of the fracture. |
| The recovery process for a kitten with a broken leg involves strict confinement, pain management, and gradual reintroduction to normal activity. |
| Consulting with a veterinarian is crucial for proper diagnosis, treatment, and guidance throughout the healing process. |
1. Sudden Lameness
If you see your kitten limping or struggling to walk, it could be because of a broken leg. While this isn’t always the case, sudden lameness can be an indicator that there is something wrong with the leg—whether it’s broken or sprained.
If your kitten has a broken leg, it is important to take them to the vet as soon as possible so they can assess any damage and ensure proper treatment.
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2. Painful, Swollen Leg
While some kittens have a broken leg naturally, others will have broken it due to an accident.
The most common scenario is when the kitten jumps off a high surface and lands wrong or in an awkward position. If the cat landed on its paw, this could result in a fracture that causes a lot of pain and swelling.
You’ll know for sure if your kitten has broken their leg by looking at the area closely to see what’s happened; you’ll need to compare it with their other legs as well as compared to other cats of similar size and weight – otherwise you might mistake bruising for a break!
3. Difficulty Walking Or Hopping
The third sign of a broken leg is the kitten’s difficulty walking or hopping. If the kitten is favoring an injured leg, you may start to notice it limping on that side. This is usually caused by pain from the broken bone.
Additionally, if your kitten can’t put any weight on its injured leg, it may be unable to walk at all and instead try to hop around like a penguin with one foot stuck in ice (or maybe just “like a penguin” if you don’t know what that looks like).
If your kitten has broken its leg but hasn’t been diagnosed yet, this could be an indication that it has something wrong with its back end – not just its front!
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4. Excessive Mewing/Crying
Excessive mewing/crying is a sign of pain and distress. If you notice that your kitten cries more than usual, this could be a sign that something is wrong with its leg.
If you are worried about your kitten’s behavior, contact your veterinarian immediately for further examination and care.
5. Decreased Appetite
Your kitten may stop eating or drinking. This could be because she’s in pain, or it could just be that she’s feeling sick.
If your kitten is unable to move food from her mouth to the stomach, this is another sign of a bone injury in cats. The inability to swallow is called dysphagia and can cause problems with nutrition and hydration for your cat if left untreated.
If you notice any of these symptoms in your kitten, see a veterinarian immediately!
| Symptoms |
|---|
| Decreased appetite |
| Reduced food intake |
| Loss of appetite |
6. Tendency To Hide Or Be Less Active Than Normal
A kitten with a broken leg may be reluctant to move or play, particularly if it has been startled. If your kitten becomes less active than normal and hides from you, it could be hiding its pain.
If your kitten is normally an outgoing and playful cat, do not be alarmed if it doesn’t want to play for a few days after being injured. This is normal; however, if the lack of interest in playing continues for longer than three days then you should seek veterinary attention immediately.
7. Licking The Wound Frequently Or Trying To Lick It If It Is Bandaged Up
- Licking the wound
This is a sign that your kitten is in pain, because they will be trying to lick their broken leg or bandaged up foot. The licking can be extremely painful and cause more injury, so you should try to keep them away from the area if possible.
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8. Keeps Its Injured Leg Up In The Air
You should be able to see whether or not your cat is in pain. If it keeps its injured leg up in the air, bent straight out, or bent at a 90-degree angle (if it’s a hind leg), then that’s a sign of discomfort.
However, if your cat keeps its injured leg down and tucked underneath its body when it walks (if this is a hind leg injury), then there may be something else going on here.
A vet can tell you for sure by examining the injury in person, but if this happens for any reason other than getting hit by another animal or falling off of something high above ground level (like an outdoor cat fence)
Then you should probably get them checked out right away as well because they could have damaged bones/muscles elsewhere on their body too—and those could cause serious problems if left untreated!
| Behaviors |
|---|
| Leg held up |
| Airborne leg |
| Limb elevated |
9. Refusing To Move The Leg At All
If the leg is broken, it’s going to hurt. This can be somewhat difficult for humans to understand; after all, we do not feel pain in the same way cats do.
If a cat tries to move a broken leg or even just a wound near their leg and it causes them pain, they won’t want to keep moving that body part.
In fact, they will probably try as hard as possible not to move it at all! If your kitten is refusing to walk on her injured foot (or limping with her bad leg), she may have suffered some kind of injury that requires medical attention from an expert veterinarian.
Another sign of pain while walking is irritability—cats who are in discomfort may bite or scratch at themselves more often than usual and become aggressive towards others around them as well as their owners when touched or approached by strangers or other pets nearby
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10. Irritability And Hissing When You Try To Move The Injured Limb
Kittens are very sensitive to pain, so if your kitten is being irritable or hisses at you, it’s a sign that they are in pain or discomfort.
Don’t try to move the limb if you can’t do so without causing the kitten pain—you may have to wait until they get older before they can tolerate any kind of manipulation of their leg or paw.
If your kitten will tolerate it, gently move their leg around in different directions; if there is no reaction or he seems unbothered by this movement (other than some hissing), then you know that everything is fine for now.
| Symptoms |
|---|
| Irritability |
| Hissing |
| Difficulty moving |
11. Refusing To Put Weight On The Injured Limb Or Dragging It Behind While Walking
This can be a sign that your kitten is in pain and/or has fear about moving. The cat may not have enough strength or balance to put weight on the injured limb.
It’s also possible that your kitten simply doesn’t know how to walk with only three legs, so it drags its injured leg along behind it instead of putting any pressure on it at all.
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Conclusion
If you notice any of these signs, it is best to consult a veterinarian as soon as possible. If your kitten does have a broken leg, there are a few things you can do at home to help with their recovery.
Always remember that your vet is the best person to give advice on how best to care for an injured pet!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources for further reading on treating and identifying broken legs in cats:
What Are the Options for Treating Broken Legs in Cats?: This informative blog post discusses various treatment options available for cats with broken legs, providing insights into surgical and non-surgical approaches.
Does My Cat Have a Broken Leg? How Can I Tell If It’s Serious?: This vet blog post addresses concerns about identifying the severity of a cat’s leg injury and provides guidance on when to seek immediate veterinary care.
Cat Fractured Bones: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment: This comprehensive article covers the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for cat fractured bones, offering valuable insights into understanding and managing such injuries.
FAQs
How do I know if my cat has a broken leg?
A cat with a broken leg may exhibit symptoms such as limping, swelling, pain, reluctance to bear weight on the leg, or an abnormal leg position. If you suspect a broken leg, it’s essential to seek veterinary attention for an accurate diagnosis.
What should I do if I think my cat has a broken leg?
If you suspect your cat has a broken leg, it’s important to keep them calm and restrict their movement. Avoid touching or attempting to manipulate the injured leg. Contact your veterinarian immediately for guidance on how to proceed and to schedule an appointment for a thorough examination.
Can cats’ broken legs heal on their own?
While some minor fractures in cats may heal on their own with proper rest and care, most broken legs require veterinary intervention. Your veterinarian will assess the severity of the fracture and recommend the appropriate treatment, which may involve surgery, splinting, or casting.
How are broken legs in cats treated?
Treatment options for broken legs in cats depend on factors such as the type and location of the fracture. Depending on the severity, surgical intervention, including pinning, plating, or external fixation, may be necessary. Non-surgical treatments like splinting or casting can also be effective for certain fractures.
What is the recovery process for a cat with a broken leg?
The recovery process for a cat with a broken leg varies depending on the type and severity of the fracture and the chosen treatment. It typically involves strict confinement, pain management, follow-up veterinary visits, and gradual reintroduction to normal activity. Your veterinarian will provide specific instructions and monitor your cat’s progress throughout the healing process.
I’m Dr. Hellen James, a professional veterinarian with a deep interest in the ways that litter size affects the health of animals. I’ve spent years studying this subject and performing research on reproduction in many different kinds of creatures.
