My cat has been lethargic today which isn't that un-normal as it's been a wet day here.

I've just taken him his food and noticed he is limping and unable to put weight on one of his back legs.

I've had a look and it looks like he has cut his leg at the back just above his paw. It seems clean and is not wet though the bottom part of his leg is swollen.

He is washing himself though his breathing is quite shallow and rapid.

I'm unable to get to the out of hours vet at the moment - any advice?

Thanks

keep him quiet and calm and try to stop him putting weight on it. Is he an outside cat - if so also check his nails for scuffs to see if there is the possiblility of him having been hit by a car. Get him to a vet asap if his breathing gets any worse.

__________________
please look at my website - www.finesthourcats.webs.com - for gorgeous GCCF registered RagaMuffins

I can't really think of anything other than keep an extra good eye on him and keep him calm. Do you not have another vets you could take him to?
I hope he gets better soon xx

Sorry, misread the vets part! I thought you just couldn't get hold of them. My apologies!

The best thing for you to do is to keep him calm and in a quiet contained place. Small room, dog cage, or pen with room for a litter tray and food/water.

Check that there is no bleeding elsewhere. Are his ears hot to the touch, does he feel clammy? This can be a sign of a fever, if YES keep him calm and relaxed place him in a cool area. If YES and he's trembling, he has an extreme fever and may be going into shock. Keep him calm and still, talk to him and get him to a VET NO MATTER WHAT! If NO and he's trembling keep him warm.

Make note of what he eats and drinks. When you pinch his skin does it lay flat back quickly or does it seem stiff and stick, not go back to shape quickly? If the latter he may be dehydrated and also in shock.

Once you have answered these questions you need to call an out of hours vets, any vets should have an emergency contact for out of hours. You can speak to them on the phone for FREE! get some advice and give them the details about the cat and the above questions. They will then ask you questions to get a better idea of the situation and give you the best advice you could need, please don't rely solely on the advice you receive here. You need the advice of a vet or vet nurse.

Ideally you need to get him to a vets for care. Hope he's alright.

the swollen leg isn't much of a problem at all, and would also explain the lethargy. I would be far more concerned about what you say about his breathing - are you sure? Is he eating?

Liz

Have you taken care of the wound? Try to clean it if it's still open, there could be an infection from somewhere.
And, like others, you should take him to a vet if he doesn't seem to get better.

Thank you all for your replies. Sorry I didn't reply sooner.
My husband took him to the vets first thing this morning. He has quite a nasty cut which they say is from glass or wire as it is such a clean cut. They were unable to stitch it so it is bandaged. They gave him a painkiller jab and also an antibiotic jab. He has to go back on Tuesday but seems a little better already.