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Why is my outdoor cat lethargic, limping, and has a wound?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | American Shorthair | Male | neutered | 16 lbs

My cat recently has not been acting the same. My cat Snowball is 8 years old and is a primarily outdoor cat. Recently Snowball developed a limp which happens usually due to him being a scrapper. Over the last two days he has been very lethargic not leaving his bed in our garage until we bring him inside. He had a wound on his front leg that was kind of deep but didn't look like a bite. We squeezed some puss out and the wound has now scabbed over. We are very worried please help us!

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Karly Macon, DVM, MS, CVA Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

Veterinarian

Published on April 4th, 2017

Snowball sounds like he has a nasty infected wound from the bite and the bacteria in the wound often makes cats feel very sick. Hot compress the bite area with a warm water/epsom salt solution as often as you can to keep the wound draining and open until you can get to the veterinarian for some antibiotics and pain medication. Not an emergency, but he'll feel much better if you can get the abscess open and draining and get some medication into him from the veterinarian!

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on October 22nd, 2018

    He may have a cat bite abscess in addition to the wound. THe limp is a sign of pain. You should try to catch him and take him to a veterinarian for an exam. The fact that he is lethargic is a sign that he may have a fever and/or infection He will likely need antibiotics and pain medicine.

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