Teaching her from a young age to use stairs instead of jumping, and keeping her off counters and other high places, can help prevent major injuries. And if your cat seems accident-prone, you may want to limit the amount of jumping and leaping she does at home. Kittens, more so than adults, are very curious and adventurous. Prevention of Sprains and Strains in Cats Should limping recur or persist past the timeframe of recovery, return to the vet for additional care and diagnostics, because something else may be the cause. Be sure to follow all your veterinarian’s recommendations, including finishing the course of medication prescribed. Ensuring that she is confined to a limited space for this time is paramount to a speedy recovery. When pain medications and treatment begin, your cat will begin to feel better and can be more likely to reinjure herself by running or playing before the injury has fully healed. The good news is that for most sprains and strains, your cat should be back to normal in a matter of days or weeks. Recovery and Management of Sprains and Strains in Cats ![]() In rare and severe cases, surgery may be required. Non-medication alternatives to treat sprains include laser therapy, acupuncture, and physical therapy. Do not give your cat any medication without authorization, because many human medications such as Tylenol are toxic to cats. Not all cases of sprains require medical intervention-just like in humans-so talk with your veterinarian to determine the best treatment plan for your cat. If your cat is an outdoor cat, be sure to keep her inside while she heals. They can be gradually reintroduced to activity and exercise after several weeks of confinement. Sprains and strains can occur in any ligament, tendon, and muscle, but the most common occurrences are often seen in those associated with the limbs themselves, including:Ĭruciate ligaments-those that hold the knee togetherĬarpal (wrist) joint-known as palmar carpal breakdown, often attributed to a hyperextension injury when cats “catch” themselves when jumping downįor most sprains and strains, medications such as NSAIDs ( Onsior, meloxicam) or pain medications ( gabapentin, tramadol, buprenorphine) are prescribed to treat the discomfort and pain, and they also help speed up the recovery process by easing inflammation.Ĭage rest and limited activity (most often by isolating the cat in a room such as a bathroom) while healing is extremely helpful to ensure that your cat recuperates and heals appropriately, and to make sure they don’t reinjure themselves. Grade 3: severe sprain/strain-a rupture has occurred often requiring surgical repair Grade 2: moderate sprain/strain-more extensive damage, but ligament/tendon hasn’t been ruptured or torn in two Grade 1: mild sprain/strain-tearing of the ligament or muscle fibers ![]() Sprains and strains can be classified by the following grades: Sprains and strains are words often used interchangeably, but they are not the same type of traumatic event.Ī sprain occurs in ligaments (a band of tissue that connects two bones together, such as the cruciate ligaments that hold the knee together) when they’ve been stretched or torn beyond limits.Ī strain happens similarly but in tendons (a band of tissue that connects a muscle to bone, like those seen in the calf muscles attaching to the ankle-i.e., Achilles tendon) or in muscles themselves.īoth types of injuries are often referred to as “soft tissue” injuries, and these injuries are commonly seen in cats.
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