Declawing cat is now limping
Dear Dr. Lillian - I had my male himalayan cat neutered and declawed nearly four weeks ago. After the surgery, he limped for one week and then seemed to stop for the most part. Now, two weeks later, he's limping again, and fairly severely. I've taken him to my vet several times and they can find nothing wrong with him. I have a three month old himalayan, and she and my declawed male play constantly, running and wrestling. My vet thought my cat may have irritated or bruised the area around some of the incisions during this play - again, he found nothing blatant or obvious wrong with his feet. I read on several vet sites that some cats limp for months, or may suffer from "phantom" pain. I'm sick about this and need some advise or reassurance. I will take him back to the vet this week if no improvement, but wanted another perspective. Is this unusual? Will he stop limping eventually? Could there be something else wrong? By the way, I will NOT be de-clawing my new kitty - never again will I put one of my "children" through such cruelty. I learned a hard lesson this go-around. Thank you much for your time and expertise. I look forward to your response. |
Ask a vet plans available
- Ask the online vet a question for just $8.95; or
- Sign up for a one month membership for just $19.95 and ask the online vet unlimited questions about your pet.
- Find answers to common pet health and behavior questions $3.95/article
- Read up on previous ask the vet pet health questions for just $3.95
Vet question of the day
Add to
Dog with problems walking
When I came home from work yesterday, Sparrow(6yo female neutered mix breed), who stays in my basement with access to the crawl space under the house, was having trouble going up the stairs. She seemed sick - hot nose & depressed. She has a knot midway up her tail about the size of a quarter. Her hindquarters are slightly swollen and tender. Her behind was dirty with dust, some fecal matter, and little black dots that looked like flea eggs (she doesn't have fleas - she's on med from the vet.) It seemed she had been dragging her bottom on the ground. My gut feeling is that she may have been bitten by a spider or god forbid a snake (in my basement?!!) but I'm also worried that she's hurt her back. She can still walk - even jump on the bed - but she is not moving correctly. She is still eating and drinking. She's not any worse this morning, but no better. She's not limping, but she acts stiff - is not moving her hind legs with ease, but I don't see where they look out of whack. For example, when she goes up steps, she just goes one step at a time, very slowly and carefully when she usually bounds & skips steps. It doesn't look like she's knuckling over, and her feet and legs look normal. Another thought after babying her this morning - she has had trouble in the past with her anal glands being blocked. Usually I try to massage & expel them when I bathe her. I haven't noticed her dragging her butt, which usually happens when her glands are filled and need expelling, but is it possible this could be the problem? Or constipation?
- Click
here to read the answer
More
pet
health questions
Pet Care Articles and Pet Supplies Deals
| Dogs - dog care | 
Sign
up for the Ask the Vet newsletter
- Click
hereWe're in the news! Read full article here. |
