| Lameness and Problems of Mobility A bone is dislocated when it comes out of his place. We talk about a sprain or about an expansion when ligaments, tendons and related blood vessels have been distended or are partially dissolved. Twisting which are slightly habitual in cat s happen when the muscles that surround the joints are distended or crushed. All these injuries produce lameness and problems of mobility. The traumatism is a more common reason. Is lameness joined to some of these symptoms? : Pain, discomfort, sudden weakness. Visible bone or leg doubled in an abnormal angle. The cat spits when he moves. Previous traumatism (falls, kicks, car accidents, etc.) hemorrhage, loss of control of the sphincter. Possibility that a bone rubs against another one. YES
Go to the veterinary NOW. Has he a warm, swollen or aching joint? Is he very tense, specially in the loin? YES Go to the veterinarian the same day Has he a swollen leg, tar in a paw, a broken nail or grazes in some pad? YES
Go to the veterinarian within 24 hours Monitor a Possible Shock - Pale or whitish gums
- Agitated breathing
- Weak and intense pulse
- Coldness of the extremities
- General weakness.
- Immobilize the cat if it is necessary and, in any case, try to move him the least possible
- If one doesn't find fractures and the animal can walk, do not try to bind up the leg.
- If he has an acute pain or swelling, put him in his basket of transport and take him immediately to the veterinarian
- Keep up well fastened the loin of the cat if he shows that he is hurt. Support the vertebral straight column by taking it from the shoulders and behind the hips.
- If there is no need for immediate attention, apply a cold compress (a bag of frozen vegetables will serve) to the inflamed joint. (If the swelling continues more than 24 hours, apply him a warm compress).
- Take recognition of the affected part of the body to determine the reason of lameness. Give him first aids or take him to the veterinarian
- Always submit a limping cat to absolute rest –no exercises. Although one should not allow it for long. The cat should continue going out while in this condition
Lameness does not indicate what is wrong, it only shows the presence of injuries that produce pain. Maintain the necessary rest for at least 24 hours after the lameness has disappeared. Cat Coma: When a cat is in coma it seems as though it were deeply asleep, but without any response to pain. The coma is often present in diabetic cats, but it can also be caused by the exposition of extreme temperatures, by drugs and poisons, by a strong infection or by a shock. - Does the cat seem to be asleep?
- Does he breathe?
- Does he not answer to your call?
- Does he not react when you touch him? YES
- Go to the veterinarian NOW
- Make sure that the respiratory tract is free
- Eliminate the specific reason of the coma if you know it .
- Monitor the breathing and the heart.
- Give artificial breathing or CPR if necessary.
- Go to the veterinarian immediately
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