Why is my young cat's leg suddenly swollen and causing him to limp?

Question

My cat Harley is barely a year old and his arm is suddenly very swollen and he's limping bad. I checked for bite marks but I'm not too skilled and unsure of what to look for. Please help me? Pet's info: Cat | American Shorthair | Male | unneutered | 1 year old | 5 lbs

Lauren Jones VMD · Accepted Answer

Poor Harley! You are correct in suspecting an abscessed wound from possible bites as a likely cause of Harley's sudden swelling. Bite wounds can be very difficult to identify, even to a trained eye at times. In most cases, look for a small scab or tiny hole in the region of the swelling. That said, avoid direct contact with an open wound caused from an unknown source to prevent disease to yourself. Other possible causes of a very sudden swelling include a fracture or severe soft tissue injury to the leg. In any case, Harley needs to be seen by his vet. If the swelling is due to an abscess, the wound will need to be lanced/drained, flushed, and prescribed a course of antibiotics. X-rays may be needed to rule out a fracture.

Why is my young cat's leg suddenly swollen and causing him to limp?

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