It should be noted that cats are generally very good at hiding pain, and sometimes purr while in pain--they do this because purring produces endorphins, which are natural painkillers. You should never give your pet Tylenol, Advil or other human painkillers without consulting a veterinarian, as they can be toxic to animals, even in small doses.
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Skin Problems
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Skin problems that can affect a cat's hind leg include a rash or abrasion (this could be an allergic reaction, caused by skin irritation or a symptom of an illness), an insect sting or bite, spider bite, snake bite and general cuts or scrapes. Most of these are fairly simple problems and will go away given enough time, but a snake bite or spider bite should always be seen by a vet immediately. A recurring rash could be a sign of an allergic reaction and should also be seen by a vet.
Muscle or Tissue Problems
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Muscle or tissue problems can also cause pain and limping in a feline's hind leg. These can include a deep cut (which should be obvious to the pet owner and should be treated by a vet to prevent infection), a sprained or strained muscle, torn ligaments or arthritis. A sprained or strained muscle isn't necessarily a big deal and if this is the case, the cat will probably only limp intermittently over one or two days and then be fine again. A torn ligament is a bigger problem, but can look like a less serious one, as the cat might go back and forth between limping and not limping. If the cat has been limping, even intermittently, for more than three or four days, it should probably be taken to a vet, as a torn ligament might require surgery to fix. Arthritis tends to occur as felines get older and can be noticed by stiffness, an odd gait or slow movement. It might be worse in the mornings or on cold days. Limping because of arthritis usually involves both hind legs and gets worse over time.
Bone Problems
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Bone problems can include a broken bone, hip dysplasia and dislocation. A broken bone needs to be treated by a vet, and can cause limping, as well as extreme redness and swelling. Hip dysplasia is an inherited disease, which isn't that common in cats but can occur. If the cat appears to have severe difficulties walking and the problem has gradually appeared, then it might be hip dysplasia. This can best be diagnosed by an x-ray of the hip joint. A dislocated joint will appear to dangle or not be aligned correctly, and the cat will probably try not to put weight on it. In the case of a dislocated joint or a suspected fracture, the limb should be splinted if possible and then the cat should be taken to the vet. In the case of a compound fracture (a fracture that involves the bone sticking out of the skin), the bone should not be touched or tampered with, and the cat should be taken to the vet immediately.
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