My cat has a bruised, swollen leg. Does he need to see a vet?

This is most likely an infection, a parasite under the skin or a cancer. These conditions all need medical care. I recommend to have your kitty examined by the veterinarian for appropriate diagnosis and treatment. She will need antibiotics, the area cleaned, possibly pain medication, possibly antiparasitics and an elizabethan collar. The vet may also recommend additional treatment. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Oh no, poor Belis! It is certainly possible that her leg is broken, but it could also be sprained or infected from an animal bite if she's allowed outside. She has to see a vet for this, so I would bring her into one right away. Given that it's really swollen and she's been walking around with a limp limb for three to four days, medical attention is required now. Please bring her into an ER vet or find a vet on call to see her now.

Hello. Without any additional information, it is impossible to make a diagnosis, but is it possible that Dexter may have gotten into a fight with another cat & was bitten? Abscesses on the leg are very common & will often blow up like this before rupturing. If you can have Dexter seen by your veterinarian, they can determine if this is an abscess & will put him on antibiotics. Until you can have him see, you can apply warm compresses to the swelling to help with the healing. 5-10 minutes a couple of times a day is sufficient. Thanks for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Poor kitty! I would have him seen by a vet immediately. This could be related to his liver cancer in that it can lead to poor flow of blood and/or lymphatics. It could also be related to his heart and poor circulation, low protein levels, or lymphatic drainage issues. It certainly isn't normal to have this leg so swollen, and it does require immediate veterinary attention. The vet can diagnose what exactly is causing the swelling, and can discuss if there are treatment options. I would have him seen by an ER vet or a vet on call now.

If Max is allowed outside, he could have gotten into a fight leading to this swelling. Bites from cats can be hard to find sometimes. He also could have injured the leg. I would have this checked out by a vet today.

Poor Spooky! I would be very concerned that he has done something serious to his leg if he has been limping for a couple of days, there's swelling, and jumps on three legs. Cats can be very good at hiding their pain, so he is likely in more pain than he lets on. He could have a broken bone, but he could also have a sprain or a torn ligament. He does have to see a vet for this as soon as possible, so take Spooky in first thing Tuesday. Keep him as quiet as possible, and do NOT give him any human pain medications. Many are toxic to cats and are fatal if given. The vet can prescribe him safe pain medications as needed.

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. It sounds like there is severe swelling of the soft tissues along the injured leg. If the swelling is great-often times it is harder to feel the specific structures below the skin. It would be best to have an x ray of the limb to make sure there are no fractures inducing more swelling. Hope this helps