How to know if a cat has a broken paw

If multiple fractures.If it's multiple, open, depressed, or otherwise severe, you'll need a veterinary surgeon. He performs osteosynthesis – fusing the bones together and holding them in place. After they are fused, the special spokes are removed and a normal cast is put on, if it is required.

What to do if a cat breaks a paw

Cats are so good at tolerating injuries and illnesses that even after getting a fracture, they look normal immediately after the incident. Sometimes street cats look graceful even when they have a broken paw. But if a cat has a broken paw, it won't heal on its own. These animals are great at hiding pain, so it's important to detect in time that the pet is not feeling well. How do you know if a cat's paw is broken?

A person in such a case will be tied to the bed for weeks, but four-legged friends genetically have not gone so far from their wild ancestors. They still have the appropriate biological tools to manage pain. This explains why a cat after a paw fracture will continue to hunt and play as if nothing had happened. The recovery process can go virtually unnoticed and without any treatment.

Causes of Paw Fractures in Cats

As cliché as it may sound, trauma is the main cause of limb fractures in cats. Common types of injuries include:

• Collision with a car.: This is perhaps the most common cause of fractures in outdoor cats and pets who are used to running off to find adventure often.
• Bite wounds.: Dog and other animal bites are also a common cause of limb fractures.
• Injuries from bullets and arrows, slingshot or shotgun shells: A blow from a flying object can cause a limb fracture.
• Altitude syndrome.: This term is used to describe cats falling from heights, usually from windows, balconies, and rooftops. Falls from heights often result in broken limbs.
• Domestic Injuries.: The presence of lots of appliances and furniture can lead to fractures. For example, reclining chairs are a common cause of limb fractures in cats.

There are also non-traumatic reasons why a closed or open paw fracture in a cat can happen:

• Poor nutrition.: A cat with a nutrient deficiency that weakens bones may be more susceptible to limb fractures.
• Infections: Certain infections can affect joint integrity or limb strength, increasing the likelihood of fractures.
• Metabolic disorders.: Problems such as diabetes and being overweight are risk factors for fractures.
• Parathyroid disorders: The hormone that regulates minerals such as calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D in the cat's body, which play a role in bone formation, is called parathyroid hormone. Deficiencies in these minerals can lead to bone abnormalities and increase the risk of fractures.
• Cancer: Bones affected by cancer are more prone to fractures.

Classification of fractures common in cats

Feline fractures (fractures) are classified in many ways. In general, they are divided into congenital and acquired. Depending on the localization, fractures are differentiated:

According to the degree of damage, fractures are classified into partial, when the bone is not completely broken but only cracked, and complete, in which the fragments are not in contact with each other. Such injuries also come in the form of:

• Transverse – the bone is broken perpendicularly;
• oblique – the bone is broken at an angle;
• Longitudinal – the bone is broken longitudinally;
• spiral – debris shifted and twisted;
• splintered – splinters are separated;
• fractured – the bone breaks in several places with the formation of splinters.

Causes of feline fractures

• intense labor and delivery activity;
• Osteoporosis, rickets or osteomalacia in the expectant mother;
• Various abdominal traumas of the nursing cat;
• irregularities committed during childbirth;
• a fall from a height;
• collision with a vehicle;
• fighting with other animals;
• osteosarcoma;
• rickets;
• pinching of the pet's paw (e.g., by a door, rock, log, etc.).

Read also: Causes of kitten vomiting and help for the pet at home: what to do if the baby vomits and vomits?

The main symptoms

With fractures and dislocations, the animal has common clinical signs: pain syndrome, impaired motor function (lameness), swelling of the injured place.

There are three types of fractures – closed, open, and displaced. Serious injuries also include fractures.

A closed fracture without displacement is characterized by the following symptoms: the broken bone is in its usual position, the skin and tissues are swollen, bluish, and red. With a fracture with displacement, the bone diverges in different directions, and the soft tissues are partially damaged. There is a danger of internal bleeding.

A fracture can easily be confused with a contusion. The bone remains intact, its edges do not separate and is held intact. The cat can move around gingerly while in pain.

Complex dislocation, accompanied by tearing of ligaments and tendons, is characterized by the appearance of hematomas in the injured area.

Diagnosis at the veterinary clinic

The fact that the pet has been injured is evident at once, but a visit to a veterinary clinic is still necessary. After examining the pet and performing a number of diagnostic tests, the veterinarian will determine the extent of damage, prescribe the appropriate treatment.

Necessary diagnostic methods include general and biochemical blood tests, X-rays in two projections, ECHO of the heart. In some cases an abdominal ultrasound is required.

Conservative therapy

Conservative treatment is prescribed for closed and uncomplicated fractures. The first stage is local anesthesia, the second stage is the extraction of bone fragments. The procedure is completed by applying a plaster bandage to prevent disturbance of the injured area.
The veterinarian makes sure that the bandage fixes all the surrounding joints, but does not put pressure on the limb or internal organs. At the veterinary clinic in Moscow they use light polymeric plasters, which are applied for 15 to 40 days.
To prevent inflammation the doctor may prescribe corticosteroids. If necessary, painkillers and sedatives are prescribed. They will help your pet's body to recover faster and help accelerate bone growth.
Additionally, physiotherapeutic techniques can be used to ensure that the pet's recovery is accelerated. On average, about 75-80% of cats recover with non-surgical treatment and without going to a surgeon.

Complicated fractures (such as splinter and depressed fractures) require urgent help from a veterinary surgeon. He operates on the animal to fuse the bone fragments together and fix them securely. After the bone tissue has fused, all the material used for fusion (threads, pins) is removed.
Among the main osteosynthesis techniques are:
• Intramedullary .. Bone fragments are connected using a secure rod fixator, which is inserted into the intramedullary canal. This technique is used successfully in more than 35% of fracture referrals;
• Extramedullary (lamellar). Plates are placed on the damaged bone and then fixed with screws. The main advantage of the method is the firm fixation. It is usually used for comminuted as well as oblique fractures;
• Extrafocal. External fixation with the use of spokes is used: they are fixed above and below the fracture. Its advantage is minimal trauma and the possibility of physical activity, which reduces the likelihood of muscle atrophy.
The choice of surgical method depends on the condition of the pet and the nature of the paw fracture. Keep in mind that recovery from surgery takes 5 to 7 weeks.

How can I tell if a cat's leg is broken? Please write the first symptoms of a cat's leg (fracture)!

Symptoms of fractures in cats:
Bones sticking out through the fur.
Bones connected at the wrong angle
Inability to move or eat
Lameness
Painfulness when touching
Complete or partial paralysis
What to do when fractures occur in cats:
Call the vet as soon as possible or take the cat to the vet, being careful not to change its body position if possible.
If the cat is bleeding heavily, stop the bleeding with a tampon or dressing. If it is bleeding from the mouth, put the animal's head with its face down (to prevent it from choking); the head should be lower than the body. If the wound on the body is bleeding, the head should be higher. The doctor will restore the correct position of the bones at the site of the fracture and apply a cast or bandage if necessary.

The cat screams in pain, won't step on the broken paw, won't let you touch it. This should be enough to take the cat to the vet IMMEDIATELY!

First, she will scream a lot, and second, her paw will be very swollen. And the cat won't let you look and feel the paw.

why snot on the "answers" live? >___< go to the vet *_=
It is enough if she paws in case of what, and if she screams and / or swollen paw, I do not know what else you have here.

If you know how to palpate correctly, you'll know right away if there's a fracture – crepitations, swelling, painful symptoms

Our cat once broke his front paw, went meowing, not stepping on it. We took it to a neighbor's vet, he gave us painkillers, put a bandage on it and secured it. The cat's name was Tyson (he was black-black), he looked so martial in bandages! We took him for bandages afterwards.

Carefully feel for the cat's leg, if it is broken, then one part of the leg at the fracture point will be detached from the other. If the bone is intact this will not be the case. Such palpation will help identify the location of the fracture.

Fractured paw in a cat: types and classification

Fracture of the paw in a cat can be divided into two large categories, which are then divided into other categories:

1 Congenital. Sometimes newborn kittens are born already with a fracture. It can be due to improper development inside the womb. This can be both a physiological feature and an external cause, such as a fall, a bump, children hurt the mother-cat, etc. It is also worth mentioning a pathology that has been acquired since birth. With this pathology and a systemic failure of bone physiology, it can break at any age from minor pressure.

2 Acquired. These are all other types of injuries. A kitten can get a paw fracture because of an improper delivery. Adults, as already mentioned, very often walk on their own, find adventures and often suffer because of it. Cats are too curious and this can be devastating to them.

In both cases, the bone can break in one place or in several. It all depends on the cause. For example, if a pet has fallen out of a window, there is a chance of multiple fractures because it may have hit trees or eaves in flight.

Fractured paw in a cat: signs

Detecting a fractured paw in a cat is not difficult. The cat simply stops stepping on the paw, jumping on three. If the hip bone is broken, then the cat can not stand on its feet at all. If you palpate the site of the injury, you can detect unnatural bone mobility activity, you can also hear the bones crunching. Also the place will swell within a few hours or after 24 hours. The cat will show his pain in every way possible, whining, meowing and complaining.

Fractured paw in a cat: treatment

Many online resources give advice on transporting a cat with a fracture. However, we Strongly recommend not moving the animal in principle. If it is closed, no one knows what's inside. For example, if there are multiple splinters, moving it may be too painful for the pet.

Our veterinary center "Ya-VET" is represented in several reference points in the city of Moscow. Experienced veterinarians are ready to leave on an emergency call to your home and in less than 40 minutes they will be there. The presence of professional equipment, necessary certificates and diplomas will show the seriousness and professionalism of our staff. If surgery is required, doctors will conduct on-site quartseration of the room for its sterility. The main thing is to take the necessary steps in time to save your pet's life, not only its leg.

There are two methods of treatment for such injuries, let's consider in more detail.

Conservative treatment – cat's paw fracture

Under conservative treatment refers to the treatment in which there is no surgical intervention in the animal's body. Most often the procedure begins with an anesthetic, after which the bone is collected and folded by palpation (if necessary), and then a splint or cast is applied. The bandage and cast should fix the nearby joints. Modern medicine uses a new kind of plasterwhich is lighter and more durable. If the fracture is minor and consists of a fracture, the cast is put on for 15-20 days. If it is more serious, for a month or a little longer, depending on the situation.

To make the animal suffer less, a painkiller may be prescribed for the first few days. Some ointments and medications may also be prescribed to avoid inflammation or infection, in the case of an open fracture. From there, it's simple – you just have to wait and occasionally get injections that speed up the growth and repair of bone tissue.

Fractures in cats: types

Veterinary science has an extensive classification of fractures: according to the nature and extent of bone damage, the number of fractures, the location.

1 Closed – Characterized by damage to the bone tissue, but the skin over the fracture site is preserved.

2 Open – A fragment of bone cuts the skin and becomes visible in the wound, injuring the muscles, blood vessels, and there is a risk of infection of the wound with dirt.

3 Cracked bone – it is not completely broken, and there are small lesions that do not affect the base of the bone.

4 In young animals, there is an occurrence of epiphyseal fracture at the ends of large bones. These growth areas are composed of young cells that form the spongy structure of the bone. Mostly the femur and humerus break.

For many dog owners, the day when their beloved dog gives birth is filled with joy and a host of experiences. We describe in this article, to.

Cats break bones, usually as a result of serious trauma, so you need to seek veterinary help and accurately diagnose the type of fracture, the degree of damage in it, as internal bleeding, injuries to the pelvic organs, intestines, lungs may be revealed in passing. The cat may be in a lot of pain and needs to be given medication to eliminate the onset of shock. What should you do if your cat shows signs of this injury and what is the right course of action?

Fractures in cats: signs of fractures

Suspect A cat's paw fracture is worthwhile when she tries to take care of the sore paw, it quickly develops swelling and soreness. An open fracture is visible, as the damaged bone is white in the wound or comes out of it.

First aid measures – fractures in cats

While waiting for the vet. Move the animal to a flat surface and create motor rest. Immobilize the broken limb without attempting to set it back. Do not use any anesthetics or Use painkillers or other medications to avoid harming the cat. It is better to wait for a veterinarian. Ya-VET Veterinary Emergency Center will come to you within 40 minutes in case of an emergency call. In a free telephone consultation prior to the visit, the doctor will make recommendations for adequate care for the injured animal.

Below are some prices from Ya-Vet Veterinary Center for cat fracture treatment:

Fractures in cats: treatment of bone fractures in cats

To diagnose a fracture and its type, the veterinarian performs an examination and palpation, sends for x-rays, if necessary, a CT scan or MRI. Depending on the diagnosis, the doctor will choose a method of treatment, but more often it is a complex treatment.

Fractures in cats: a conservative method of treatment

First, the cat must be anesthetized and sedated, then the bone is set back or its fragments are folded correctly. Next, a cast, a splint, a collar to immobilize the injured limb or other part of the body is applied. The plaster bandage should also fix the joints near the injured bone, and the bandage should not squeeze the soft tissues and organs of the cat. For fractures it will take 2-3 weeks to heal, and up to 1.5 months in the case of complete bone damage. In the case of an open fracture, antibiotics are prescribed to prevent complications. Anti-inflammatory, analgesic and sedative drugs and physical therapy treatments are also used. Three-quarters of fracture victims are cured by nonsurgical treatment, and only a quarter require surgical assistance from a surgeon.

The degrees_ that a bruised paw in a kitten or adult cat can take

Mechanical injuries to a limb such as paw contusion in cats Is divided into four degrees:

1 Grade 1. A characteristic feature of contusions becomes damage to the inner skin layers and subcutaneous tissue. The contusion may be accompanied by the formation of a shallow wound such as an abrasion, scratch. Swelling of the bruise area and pain syndrome are probable. Painfulness is not pronounced and may be completely absent. On examination, you may notice signs of burst blood vessels on the surface of the animal's skin. First-degree bruises heal quickly and do not require complex treatment. Often a first-degree contusion will not cause the cat to limp.

2 2nd degree. Contusions of this type are accompanied by the formation of hematomas, splitting and tearing of muscles. A common sign of injury is swelling caused by an inflammatory process. The animal has an increased temperature, increased pulse and breathing, the cat limps for a long time.

Grade 3 3. Such bruises pose a real threat not only to the health but also to the life of the cat. Third-degree injuries are accompanied by changes in the appearance of the skin. The concept of contusion in this case implies damage to muscle tissues, tendons, the formation of fractures and bone fractures. At the same time as a contusion of the 3rd degree there is often a dislocation of the joints. In case of a contusion the animal goes into shock. If qualified care is not provided within the first day of injury, there is a risk of tissue necrosis.

4 Grade 4. Mechanical limb injuries of the 4th degree are the most dangerous for a cat. Injuries of this complexity are accompanied by bone crushing and tissue crushing. Through external injuries to the skin, infection enters the animal's body. Thus, inflammatory and purulent-rotting processes occur. The consequence of trauma often becomes abscess, sepsis and related negative processes.

Kitten's bruised paw: why contacting our veterinary center "Ya-VET" is the right decision?

Any mechanical damage, regardless of the cause, and bruised kitten's paw is a stress for the animal, and often becomes the cause of serious problems in the future. In some cases, even a slight bruise of the first and second degree will not pass away for a cat.

If a kitten or an adult cat has injured a paw and is limping, a timely visit to the veterinary emergency center "Ya-VET" will help to as soon as possible to cope with the injury without consequences and costly treatment. Proper diagnosis and qualified help from veterinarians with extensive experience with cats of all ages ensures that trauma will pass in the shortest possible time, and the pet will enjoy excellent health and former activity!

We have everything necessary to make sure that a mechanical limb injury will pass with the least risk. The specialists at the veterinary center will find out why the animal limps and prescribe an effective treatment for the particular case. Veterinarians have modern diagnostic equipment, a full-fledged hospital, and an in-house laboratory at their disposal.

Call us to find out how much the emergency veterinary care costs to order the departure of the specialists without any overpayment!

How do you know if a kitten's leg is broken or bruised?

If a cat treads on it, it means there is no fracture.
When walking with a fracture, cats don't step on the broken paw at all. They lift or drag it if possible.
Only a 182-ruble X-ray will tell you about the state of your bones.
Do you need it? Do you need to irradiate your cat unnecessarily?
After all, he walks.
And on the paw HAPPENS.
Wait a few days, the limp will pass by itself.
Even fractures and young cats heal well on their own,
without the intervention of the vets.
Your cat has a slight limp.
No need to worry, everything will be fine.

When my wife (then just a longtime acquaintance) had a concern if the cat ate Christmas tinsel – she lived in the country, and the only vet clinic nearby, of course, had no X-rays – they were sent to a regular human trauma clinic.
The radiologist on duty was sympathetic to the situation, and shouted at the patient in line who tried to be indignant: "And you, drunkard, sit quietly and wait to be called! It's your own fault you got hurt, and the cat's in trouble!"
Fortunately, the alarm turned out to be false.

In some cities there are no x-ray units in animal clinics and they have agreements with some trauma clinics, so go to the doctor and they will look there and give you the address where to go for the x-ray if you need it.

Try to feel the paw (the main thing is not to pull or squeeze). If you feel a bump or something then it's a bruise, it's a bump. Try to rub the paw directly on the bruise, if you can feel the bones and what they are. Ummm. So to speak. Not in their places, so it's a fracture. I advise you to go not only to the local clinic for an X-ray, but also to another place where there is one. And feed the cat by all means. Just hold her by her front paws above her elbow and put the bowl up. In general, I advise you to feed her and take her to the hospital. Let the X-ray be broken, but the doctors should think of the paw. If there is nothing, then go to another clinic. They don't all break at once)