Hi. I'm worried about my cat. I'm taking him to the vet tomorrow but just need some advice in the meantime. He is a young cat, new to going outside. Last night he came in with a limp, favouring his front left leg. Today, he is unable to walk. If he tries his whole left side gives way on him, he manages a few steps then falls forward. That was this morning. Since then he hasn't moved. He's slept all day, hasn't eaten or drunk anything nor used his litter tray. He doesn't seem to have a fever or any visible breaks, lumps or cuts. I've had to pick him up a couple of times to move him somewhere quieter away from the kids and he seems tender around the middle. Does anyone have any ideas what the problem could be. Thanks

Nope, but I imagine a vet would. He really should have been to one before now, he should have been taken today if he couldnt walk. If he was my cat he would be at the vet now, he has waited all day already I wouldnt have him waiting another night.

If you can tell he is in pain, he is in a LOT of pain are cats are very good at hiding it.

__________________

I would of taken cat to vet's today if it were one of mine. Does not sound at all good. I would ring the vet's tonight for advice and if need be take him in.

You need to take call the emergency vets now and take him in. This sounds potentially serious. He may have internal injuries from an RTA or such and I really wouldn't wait until morning.

Am really sorry to hear about your cat.

why hasn't he been to the emergency vet?

He could have been hit by a car or something.

My experience with this was naturally I thought the worst.. Cat had broken a leg or something horrendous. Except, fortunately, she hadn't!

About a year ago my cat was sleeping loads and loads. My mum was convinced there was a problem, because she wouldn't move... We put her out her bed and noticed that she could barely walk and was limping. Over the course of the weekend (We took her to an emergency who diagnosed her incorrectly!) she slowly became worse and ended up not walking on one of her legs at all.

Anyway, we took her to the vet on Monday and she looked at her pads/paws and there was an infection. Something had been trapped in between her pads and caused it to swell and pus.

She was given a good course of antibiotics and within about 3 days she was walking around like a normal cat again!

I'm not saying this is what is wrong with your cat as it really could be anything (and you are only going to think the worst like I did :P). Personally, I wouldn't be waiting until tomorrow, I'd be trying to get my cat to see an emergency vet... But I do understand that for some that this isn't an option because of the elevated costs.

Make sure that there is some strong smelling food out by his bed and access to water overnight if you can't see anyone tonight. But honestly.. I'd take him to the emergency..

Glad your cat wasnt severely injured Nimagraven but this cat has tenderness round the middle too apparently which wouldn't be caused by a paw/leg injury solely

__________________

Phone the emergency vet. Either look up your vet on the net or call their line which should have an answerphone message with the no on If it was your child you would take them to a&e.

the one time my cat was ill on a sunday i took to the ev. yes it cost more but that didnt matter! thats the commitment you make when you take animals on

__________________

I know . I did take mine the emergency. I really do think that's the best course of action... Plus young cats have a tendency to be more curious than my cat was because it was so old which could have led to wandering onto a busy road .

Thanks so much for all your "supportive" answers. I also have a child at home who had surgery last week. Tomorrow is the first child care I could find so yeah thanks for stating the obvious.