Scat's right leg and paw are suddenly all swole up.

[Are_grits_groceries]

I notice her front legs because of how she sits in her places. It had to have happened recently.
I see no open wounds or discharge. The claws are not cutting into the pad.
It doesn't hurt her and she walks fine on it.
She eats and drinks just fine.

I will be taking her to the vet Monday.
Wonder if she has gout?

[shenmue]

1. Awwww

Poor sweetie. Time for extra snuggles!

[csziggy]

2. Has she been where she could have gotten in a fight?

I'm assuming Scat is a cat? Cats can get in fights and get puncture wounds from bites or claws. The punctures will often seal over on the surface and be nearly invisible, then abscess causing the area to swell before it either opens and drains or heals without draining.

The same thing happens with horses - they'll step on a nail and get abscesses from punctures. With horses, we soak the affected leg in hot water and Epson salts. I haven't tried to soak a cat's leg.

If she'll let you, see if you can part the hair on that leg and look for a tiny mark that might indicate a puncture.

[Are_grits_groceries]

3. Moonpie or Tater could have zinged her with a claw.

They usually leave her alone, but every now and then when she walks by, Tater can't resist a swat.

[csziggy]

5. It doesn't take much to make a place for an abscess

As long as she's eating, I wouldn't worry too much. A vet will likely check for an abscess, maybe shave the leg to look, and put her on antibiotics. If the abscess starts draining, clean the area with hydrogen peroxide. If it does drain, she'll probably start feeling better right away.

With my cats, I usually notice the drainage before I notice anything else is going on so they've usually not gone to the vet to be treated for abscesses. With my current cat, it would be useless to go unless the vet would give him a long lasting antibiotic by injection. I can't give this cat any medication - I'd be getting treated for abscesses from the injuries he'd give me!

I hope Scat feels better soon!

[Are_grits_groceries]

6. I checked her leg and paw up and down.

She was very patient with me.
I felt no lumps or other anomalies. I could see nothing through her fur when I ruffled it.
Nothing made her growl or jump.

I know I could easily miss something.
Sigh....

[csziggy]

7. Lots of times until the infection is almost coming to a head, it can't be found

I'd take her to the vet Monday and get her on antibiotics if they think she needs them. That will probably take out an infection without it ever coming to a head.

If it isn't an infection, she could have strained the leg, but usually a cat will react when you start poking at the sore spots. Unless it's like my husband's old Rag Doll cat that never reacted to anything other than to purr louder!

[nomorenomore08]

18. My late Siamese, Bob, had a couple of nasty bites in his life, presumably from fighting other cats.

He didn't swell up or seem to be in much pain, but it did wind up costing us a couple hundred in vet bills each time.

[catbyte]

4. Check closely for an abscess. Those things can really hide. Get well Scat!

I love reading about Tater, Moonpie & Scat. Please keep it coming! Let us know how Scat is.

[freeplessinseattle]

8. Yes, smell her leg, my tomcat used to get abscesses near his ear I couldn't see but could smell

It's an evident funky odor-but my mom couldn't smell it because of sinus issues so if I hadn't still been living at home a tragedy could have happened. If you have allergies or a poor sense of smell try to get someone else to smell her leg-even another pet! You can tell by how they react if there's something different.

[bettyellen]

9. get another pet to smell it- funny and smart advice!

[freeplessinseattle]

11. lol, you know how they are!:) n/t

[bettyellen]

12. totally right. I just love the idea of borrowing a pet to examine this one...

there are great comedic possibilities in this brilliant suggestion! Win-win.

[myrna minx]

10. Aw. Poor kitty. All of my best to you two.

[cali]

13. ack. I read that as "Scalia's right foot..."

[IDemo]

14. Why shouldn't it join his brain in all-swole-up-itness? n/t

[IDemo]

15. I don't know if you have foxtails where you live

But if cats suffer from these the way dogs do, foxtails can get in-between the paw pads and cause inflammation which can be accompanied with soreness. If you've been able to look and feel there already, probably not though.

[greatlaurel]

16. Lots of good advice on this thread.

Good luck to Scat, hope she is on the mend very soon. Take care.

[StarryNite]

17. Bug bite or sting?

Perhaps?

[Are_grits_groceries]

19. I thought of that.

Some weird insects can get into this apartment every now and then.

It is not as swole up this am. She still walks on it and has no pain.
I can't find anything weird yet.