How to tell if a cat has a fracture or a sprain?

Jan 28,2024
2Min

To determine whether a cat has a fracture or a sprain, you need to see whether the cat's foot touches the ground when walking. If it does not touch the ground, it is a fracture. If it touches the ground, it is a sprain. A cat cannot exert force on a broken foot.

How to determine whether a cat has a sprain or a fracture

Look at the pain level when a cat’s leg is broken

When a fracture occurs, there will be varying degrees of pain and tenderness, with the pain at the fracture site being the most obvious. Because the tip of the fracture can puncture the blood vessels and nerves of the surrounding tissue, the pain worsens during movement.

Look at the skin color of a cat’s broken leg

Fractures often cause surrounding tissue damage, swelling and blood stasis, and purple ecchymoses may appear on the skin. However, for deep fractures, such as femoral neck fractures, local swelling is not obvious.

Tactile reaction of cat with broken leg

Due to the influence of external force, muscle pulling, and the weight of the limb or bone itself, the fracture end may be significantly displaced, causing corresponding deformity of the injured limb. If you touch it with your hands, you will often feel unevenness, and severe pain will occur if you press it.

Look at the walking status of a cat with a broken leg

Due to interruption of the normal continuity of bones, soft tissue damage, swelling and pain, and obvious functional impairment. If any part of the leg is broken, it will be difficult to move around, and the activities will be significantly limited.

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