Cat seems to be in pain and lethargic

[shempdev]

I rescued a cat from a shelter about ten weeks ago. <br><br>

He is a domestic shorthair and is about 10 months old. He has been very energetic but is also quite the "Lap Cat". Until about 3 days ago.<br><br>

In the morning, he was doing his normal thing; chasing and playing with my other cat (about 8 months old). And all of a sudden, at about 3pm, after rising from a nap, he began limping, favoring his left hind leg. I thought he had just stepped on something so I took a look at his paw...it was fine. <br><br>

I later noticed that he favoring the entire leg. Like when he would stretch, he would stretch all 3 other legs, but not that one.<br>
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By the next afternoon, he had stopped limping. However he was walking around like he was on pins and needles. Like he was having trouble moving at all. For the past day and a half, he pretty much just lays around...no running or playing and he seems disinterested in everything. He is eating fairly well, still going to the litter pan, and is not acting the slightest bit angry or anything like that. <br>
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Although both cats are strictly indoor cats, I do live in the woods and plenty of bugs get in here. I mention this because, just now, as I am typing, I smelled a strong odor. I turned around and there was a long centipede or something crawling across the floor. My healthy cat was trying to eat it. It made me thing that he may have eaten something that made him sick...but why the limp??? <br>
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Anyway, don't let that last part throw you off track, I just thought I'd mention it...I figured it might be a sign or something. <br>
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Thank you in advance <br>
<br>
Matthew

[jason]

And all of a sudden, at about 3pm, after rising from a nap, he began limping, favoring his left hind leg. I thought he had just stepped on something so I took a look at his paw...it was fine.

I later noticed that he favoring the entire leg. Like when he would stretch, he would stretch all 3 other legs, but not that one.

By the next afternoon, he had stopped limping. However he was walking around like he was on pins and needles. Like he was having trouble moving at all. For the past day and a half, he pretty much just lays around...no running or playing and he seems disinterested in everything.

im at a loss on this one...i would ask you to feel his legs and look for a reaction of some kind but im not sure that your touch is what he needs right now. as they say, when in doubt call your vet...maybe someone else can offer a possible explanation. the lethargic behavior is quite troublesome and believe it to be a sure sign that you need to call your vet now...the situation is clearly getting worse and it's only been 3 days.

Although both cats are strictly indoor cats, I do live in the woods and plenty of bugs get in here. I mention this because, just now, as I am typing, I smelled a strong odor. I turned around and there was a long centipede or something crawling across the floor. My healthy cat was trying to eat it. It made me thing that he may have eaten something that made him sick...but why the limp???

centipedes have strong odors? i have alot of bugs around my house as well and spray every other month around the perimeter and some of the door jams to keep it under control.

[Traci]

It could be a bite from your other kitten...and turning into an abcess.....don't wait another minute on this, get your kitty seen by your vet immediately.