Expert: Jessica - 8/6/2010

Question
I went away for a day and it stormed while I was gone. When I arrived home and went to pet my cat she went nuts when I got to her butt area. Like her leg muscle is sore. She kinda favors it when she goes to lay down but doesn't appear to hurt when she sits. She is an indoor cat but likes to misbehave and play with bugs. So my question is, is it possible she pulled a muscle jumping or falling or something? I'm callin the vet tomorrow as well but figured it doesn't hurt for multiple opinions. Thanks so much

Answer
Cats can certainly pull muscles or suffer from sprains.  Depending on how old your kitty is, she may also be suffering from arthritis, which tends to be much worse in the rainy weather.  Your vet can try to isolate the location of the pain by palpating the leg and feeling for a tense reaction.  If your cat has arthritis, some grinding of the bones may be noticeable, but an x-ray is the best way to diagnose this.  In the case of arthritis or any of these injuries, a cat-safe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, such as Metacam, can be given to help with pain.  If arthritis is diagnosed, you can also give your cat an arthritis supplement, such as Cosequin for cats, Arthrimaxx, or my cats’ favorite, Zuke’s Hip Action treats for cats.

There are other reasons why cats may be sensitive and react strongly when touched in the hind quarters, including a condition called Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome.  This seems to be closely related to a seizure disorder in most cats and likely is strongly tied to anxiety in all cases.  It causes episodes of intense pain along the back toward the base of the tail, often several times a week.  Most cats are sensitive at all times if touched in that area too much.  Owners usually suspect something’s wrong with their cats because the cat will dash about the house as if scared, may bite at their backs, or seem to fall into a trance during the attacks, and some cats do even seem to have seizure activity.  Cats don’t typically seem to favor one leg, however.

Your vet will check for all sorts of ailments that might cause these symptoms, including a luxating patella (dislocated kneecap) and discolored paw pads, which can indicate a blood clot in the affected leg.  A physical exam and an x-ray or bloodwork, if necessary, should give you a good idea of what’s causing your kitty her discomfort.

Best wishes!

Jessica