Is my 2-year-old cat's activity level normal after a sprain?

Hello, and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. While it's *possible* that Ernie has a mild injury like a sprain, in all truthfulness a minor sprain wouldn't usually cause a cat to act as lethargic as you described with Ernie. Cats are pretty good at getting around on 3 legs, so usually with a sprain or similar minor injury, they're just as active as ever but simply put less weight on the sore leg. If he's sleeping an unusually large amount, and eating less than usual, that sounds to me like he's feeling ill. My biggest concern in a kitty who spends time outside and is now lethargic and has a sore leg, would be a bite wound, usually from another cat - they can be very sneaky and hard to find until the resulting infection flares up. It would be worth having Ernie seen by your vet if he doesn't seem back to his usual self tomorrow. Hope this helps!

Restrict Spaghetti's activity as much as you can. No excessive running, jumping or rough play. If the lameness does not begin to resolve in the next 24-48 hours, have her seen by your vet. Go sooner if you notice any swelling or if the lameness worsens.

If the lameness has persisted for 3 weeks and you notice that there is a difference in the shape of the shoulder area and leg position, I fear that the injury could be more serious than a sprain. Muscle injuries normally recover in 4-5 days of rest and antinflammatories. I would recommend to have him reassessed, there is a medication that can be given at home prior to the visit to help with the stress, I would ask your vet. Hope this helps !

The chance that there is a blood clot contributing to these clinical signs is very unlikely. Typically, when something like this happens, your cat would be in absolutely uncontrollable pain, screaming and crying like nothing you have every heard. You might also notice that the feet and limbs are noticeable cold. This doesn't sound like the case. In all likelihood, Autumn simply sprained or strained something and is now experiencing some discomfort as a result. One other cause of shifting or sporadic lameness in the limbs are tick borne diseases such as Lyme disease. While these are far more common in dogs, they can definitely occur in cats as well. Depending on your geographic region, the type of tick borne diseases that are most common will vary considerably. Hope this makes sense. Get Autumn into the vet for some examination if the symptoms don't subside in the next day or so. Just don't try and give any over the counter pain medication at home as there are none that are safe for cats.

I'm sorry that Lilly isn't her normal self lately! You are correct that if she fell hard, that could be the reason why she isn't as active lately. She could be painful, even though she is still running and walking normally as cats can be good at hiding their pain. Lethargy can also be caused by a medical problem, such as systemic illness, infection, or inflammation. Given this has been going on for a week now, I'd recommend having Lilly seen by a vet for a health check. It's also way good to have a cat checked out by a vet when they are acting differently than normal. The vet can let you know if she is in pain or if there is a medical cause behind her change in behavior, and how best to treat it. Please do not give her any human pain medications, as many are toxic to cats and are fatal if given. The vet can prescribe safe medications as needed. Good luck, I hope this helps!

It is normal that a kitten will be quieter than usual after a spay. It is an abdominal surgery, and it's important that she does stay as quiet as possible so she can heal correctly. Wearing an Ecollar can also lead them to be quieter than normal, as cats do not like them and act resigned to wearing them. As long as she eating and drinking normally, I wouldn't be too concerned about her but you can mention your concern with your vet at the appointment tomorrow. I hope this helps!

Poor Oreo! It sounds like she has injured herself, and it could be due to a strain. I recommend resting her for the next 48 hours. No running, jumping, or playing. Keep her confined to a small room to limit movement, and do not allow her outside if she is allowed outdoors. If she still appears painful after this time, then I would take her into the vet for an exam. The vet can diagnose where the pain is coming from, and can dictate a treatment plan for it. She may also benefit from some pain medications, which the vet can prescribe. Please do not give him any human pain medications, as many are toxic to cats and are fatal if given.