Wild Cat with Injured Leg

by Susan
(Ohio)

I have been feeding a wild cat in my garage over the winter. About 2 months ago, in December, I noticed his leg and foot were bloody and some of the skin was torn. I tried several times to get him inside but he was too wild. Now, his skin has healed but he still has a limp and doesn't seem to use it.

I got him inside today, as he was by my back door and I caught him off guard. I put him in the bathroom for now. I cannot afford to pay a veterinarian, but I looked at it and it looked healthy enough and felt warm. There is shorter hair growing back. However, he bumped it and 1 or 2 drops of blood came out. If I take him to a shelter they will just euthanize him.

Do you know what it could be? Or what I could do?

Thank you very much, Susan


Dear Susan,

If you hadn't mentioned the blood at the end, then I would have just said that this cat likely had some sort of traumatic injury, such as an injury to a tendon, muscle, or even a fracture, that has healed on its own. However, the bleeding concerns me, and I would need more information to really be able to help.

If he is limping but otherwise using the leg, and it seems healthy and he is eating and acting normally, then it is likely that he injured the leg and it healed in a way that he may always have a limp. For this, there is really nothing that could be done. If he is not using the leg, which is very different from limping on it, then the same may be true. Not using the leg, however, could indicate that something more serious is going on, and I would urge you to bring him to a veterinarian soon.

What concerns me most, however, is that you indicated that there was still blood. The fact that you saw blood while he was in your bathroom suggests that there may be a more active problem going on. Where was the blood coming from (the pad of the foot, the leg, the paw, etc.)? Is there a lump or abscess anywhere on the leg? Where or how did he bump it?

Ultimately, the best thing for this cat would be for him to be examined by a veterinarian. However, if you cannot afford to pay for a vet visit, and would like to write back to provide more information about the injury and his current symptoms, you are welcome to do so. A picture of the leg or injured area might be helpful as well.

Best wishes,
Dr. Neely