My old cat's leg is swollen. Is it serious? What should I do?

Question

My 17 year old cat has been diagnosed with liver cancer. We've opted to keep him comfortable as long as possible. He's been taking prednisone daily for 2 weeks. I came home tonight to find him with one entire leg grossly swollen. What is going on and what should I do

Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS · Accepted Answer

Poor kitty! I would have him seen by a vet immediately. This could be related to his liver cancer in that it can lead to poor flow of blood and/or lymphatics. It could also be related to his heart and poor circulation, low protein levels, or lymphatic drainage issues. It certainly isn't normal to have this leg so swollen, and it does require immediate veterinary attention. The vet can diagnose what exactly is causing the swelling, and can discuss if there are treatment options. I would have him seen by an ER vet or a vet on call now.

My old cat's leg is swollen. Is it serious? What should I do?

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