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Limping kitten

Species: Cat
Breed: Tabby Cat
Age: 3-6 months
my kitten has started losing alot of weight and he is limping. his back left paw is hurting him a lot and ive checked his temperture and its 38.9. I live in a town where there is no vet and the closest vet is four hours away we plan to take him there in the next few days if there is no change in his condition, but i have to wait until my car is fixed. what could be wrong with him and what is your suggestion.


Online vet, Dr. Marie

Dr. Marie replied:

Sorry to hear that Hurricane is having problems.

I don't like it when a kitten is losing weight. This may be a sign that something serious is going on.

Limping could be caused by an infection somewhere in the leg. Is it possible that he has been bitten by another kitten or cat? However, usually if there is an infection he will have a fever. 38.9 is a very normal temperature for a cat.

It is also possible that he has injured himself. Even indoor kittens can fall and break a leg or fracture a hip. This shouldn't cause weight loss but if it has been like this for a while the pain could cause him to not want to eat.

Does Hurricane have any upper respiratory symptoms such as runny eyes or sneezing? I'd like you to look inside of his mouth and see if you can see any ulcers or lesions on his tongue at all. Some cats can get a virus called calicivirus which can cause these symptoms. Calcivirus can sometimes cause something called "limping kitten syndrome". If this is the case, the limp usually is better within a week or so.

If he is not improved by now a vet visit is unfortunately necessary. I hope he does ok!

Dr. Marie.

---This question was asked in our Ask A Vet For Free section.---


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Disclaimer: Although Dr. Marie is a qualified veterinarian, the information found on this site is not meant to replace the advice of your own veterinarian. AskAVetQuestion.com and Dr. Marie do not accept any responsibility for any loss, damage, injury, death, or disease which may arise from reliance on information contained on this site. Do not use information found on this site for diagnosing or treating your pet. Anything you read here is for information only.

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Dr. MarieDr. Marie is a veterinarian who practices in a busy animal hospital in Ottawa, Ontario. She created Ask A Vet Question as a resource for good, accurate veterinary advice online. Dr. Marie treats dogs, cats, hamsters, guinea pigs, and rats. She has been a vet since 1999.

Is an online vet visit just as good as a trip to your veterinarian? No! But, many times, asking an online veterinarian a question can help save you money. While Dr. Marie can't officially diagnose your pet or prescribe medications, she can often advise you on whether a vet visit is necessary. You can also ask Dr. Marie for a second opinion on your pet's condition.