Signs that a Cat's Leg Is Infected

Cats are naturally curious animals, and that curiosity can lead to injury and infection. An infection can be caused by a number of things, including bee stings and insect bites. If you think your cat's leg is infected, take him to the veterinarian for an examination. The infection may not heal on its own and require antibiotics.

  1. Overall Discomfort

    • An infected leg is often tender to the touch. Something may be lodged in the cat's leg or paw, causing the area to become inflamed. When a cat is in discomfort, he won't let you touch the sore area. The cat may be favoring the infected leg and walking funny. If the leg appears swollen, it may be infected. Swelling is the body's natural defense to fight off an infection and is a sign of excess fluid buildup or inflammation. The entire leg does not have to be bloated or distended to be infected. If your cat's leg is infected, you may also notice he's not acting like himself and seems more lethargic than usual.

    Lumps

    • A new lump on your cat's leg may be the result of an infection. A lump is a reaction to some sort of trauma. It's not uncommon for an infection to turn into an abscess, which is a collection of puss. The lump will be hard to the touch. If it's draining, have your cat examined by a veterinarian right away. An untreated abscess can result in death, as toxic puss is circulating throughout the cat's blood stream.

    Smell

    • An infection often smells bad. The smell is coming from the puss inside the infection. The discharge may look white or yellow and be mixed with blood and come oozing from the site of the infection. Puss typically smells and is a strong, distinct odor. Your cat may be licking the puss as a way of cleaning herself and tending to her wound. You may also notice that her breath smells different after licking her infection.

    Heat

    • Touch your cat's leg, and if you feel a particular spot that is warm to the touch, it may be a sign of an infection. In addition, your cat may be running a fever, which is the body's normal response to an infection. You won't know if he's running a fever unless you take his temperature using a feline thermometer. Touching his nose and feeling for a cold, wet surface is not an indicator that your cat is healthy and without a fever.