My cat is lethargic and dragging her back legs after coming home. What to do?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 8 years and 1 month old | 20 lbs
My cat went outside yesterday and did not come back until 3 in the morning. She is now very lethargic, and seems to have hurt her back legs. She cannot jump and has to drag herself up to get somewhere
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on April 15th, 2017
This is an emergency, as your cat could be suffering from a riding thrombus, which is a blood clot that keeps blood flowing from the aorta into the femoral arteries. This is a very painful and life threatening condition. She could also have been a victim of a traffic accident hurting her spinal cord. Please take her to a veterinarian or an emergency room right away. The vet will want to do radiographs and a blood test and your kitty will need treatment depending on the diagnosis today.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on April 17th, 2017
This is an emergency and you will need to take your cat to a veterinarian/emergency service right away. There may be nerve damage or the infection travelled up the spinal cord or he may have developed a blood clot shutting off blood flow to his hind legs. Please take him to a veterinarian right now. Call your veterinarian, and there should be emergency information on the answering machine.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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