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Why is my 8-week old kitten not walking on her back leg and crying?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | 2 months and 25 days old

I have a 8week old kitten. I camw home from work and i noticed she's not using one of her back legs. I tried to touch it and she cried loudly. She's not walking on it either. What could be wrong

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1 Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on August 26th, 2017

Poor Gracie! She could have fallen and broken her leg. She also could strained or torn a ligament. It's quite serious that she isn't walking on it and won't let you touch it. I would take her into a vet immediately for a lameness exam and x-rays. These tests will help diagnose what is causing this problem so she can be treated. In young kittens, it's important to get these problems checked out promptly to prevent any disruption to normal growth. This will also be very painful to her, and the vet can give her pain medications. Please do not give her any human pain medications, many are toxic to cats and are fatal if given. Only the vet can prescribe safe ones. Please take her into an ER vet clinic; if there isn't one in your area, there will be a vet on call for emergencies. The information to reach that vet is found on a clinic's answering machine or website.

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