Cat is Limping after Collar was Wrapped Around Leg

by Joanna
(Essex)

My 9 month old cat went missing for a month and was found a week ago with her collar wrapped around her back leg. After taking the collar off, I discovered that she kept limping and took her to a veterinarian. The vet examined the leg and could not see anything wrong with it. After a while, he found some thick tissue around her muscle. He gave my kitty an anti-inflammatory for a week to see how she's getting on.

The week just passed and she is still limping. However, she is very active and playful and is eating well. I have phoned the vet to ask what to do next and he advised me to leave it for next week or, if I want to investigate it further, to get x-rays done for 300£, which is a high price for me as I am student. Should I get the x-ray done? Or should I wait?

What sort of injury could this be and would it heal on its own? My cat does not appear to be in any pain, and I would prefer to not pay 300£ just to be told to leave it to heal on its own.


Dear Joanna,

I am sorry to hear that your kitty returned after such a long time with an injury, but so glad she came home to you and is back in your loving care.

The limping could be the result of a soft tissue injury, affecting the tendons, ligaments, muscles or other tissues in the area. If the issue is not soft tissue, the other possibility is that there is a fracture, which would be diagnosed with the x-rays.

Your veterinarian has informed you of your best options. As long as your kitty is eating, drinking, and acting normally, I would say it is really your decision whether to pursue the x-rays or continue to watch your kitty for a week. If you choose to wait, you should confine your cat to a small room or even a large crate with access to her food, water, and litter box. If you can eliminate things for her to jump on and limit her movements, it could help her heal.

If there is any change in her eating, drinking, or behavior, however, please bring your cat to the veterinarian right away. And, if the symptoms do not improve with time and a restricted environment, I would advise you to follow-up with your veterinarian and discuss x-rays.

All the best,
Dr. Neely