Hurt Stray, Limping Back Leg- Help!!

juliagavin7

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There is a stray cat I have been feeding for the past few months. He likes to sleep on my porch furniture and hanging out in my little yard in the city so we became acquainted quickly. I usually feed him when he’s around so if he’s there in the morning (not often) and at night. I wasn’t home for breakfast so I went out to feed him around lunch time and I noticed him limping when he got up. He hovers his back right leg over the ground when standing and will only put SLIGHT pressure on it when walking. He can still hop up onto the chair (by ‘climbing’ the legs of the chair). I’ve been letting him rest as I can tell how tired he is. I placed food again later on the chair. He normally jumps off the chair and runs off the porch when I come out but he let me put it there and ate everything while still sitting. From what I saw, there is no open wound or clear broken bone, leading me to believe he strained it or a muscle tear. He raises the leg in the air while laying and it shakes :( He lets me pet him but would never let me pick him up. I dont want to just hand him over to a shelter but I’m a college student so I dont have a cat-carrier or a car to get him to a vet. What should I do? How expensive would a vet visit be if I could figure out a way to get him there? Is there any pain medication I could possibly give him?
 

Furballsmom

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Hi!
Oh goodness, poor baby! As I understand it, I don't think there is a pain med you can obtain without a prescription.

Can you contact a humane society or get on Nextdoor . com to see if you can borrow a carrier, and uber or lyft? Kentucky Fried Chicken might entice him into it.

You might be able to work something out with the vet - costs vary - or maybe there's something here;

(apologies for any dead links you may encounter);
Financial Assistance – Day By Day Caregiver Support Inc.

Financial Aid for Pets

No Money For Vet Care? How To Find Help And Save Your Cat's Life
 
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Furballsmom

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... or see if there are any TNR organizations in your area that might be able to help or lend you a carrier...
 
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juliagavin7

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Thank you for your help! Humane Society doesn’t open until 10am Tuesday, so I will continue checking on him all tomorrow.
 

Furballsmom

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Are there any TNR (groups who work with feral and stray cats, Trap Neuter Return) groups in your area? They might have carriers you could borrow, or if you can get registered with nextdoor . com, there might be a neighbor with a carrier.
 

msaimee

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If he is limping and in pain, you can likely wrap a towel around him and place him in a pet carrier. I doubt he will object or resist very much, especially since he's a stray and not a feral.

Do you know anyone who has a cat who can lend you a pet carrier? Anyone at your school, job, church etc? Anyone who can give you a ride to a vet?

Is it possible for you to bring the cat inside your house and keep him in your room? It could be that he just needs time to rest in a safe environment. I've seen a few cats on my block limp, and in both cases, it resolved on its own. Sometimes they step on a briar or thorn which can hurt them a few days. See if you can get a good look at the area.

Thanks for trying to help this cat and let us know how it goes.
 

surya

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In a pinch, I have used a tall laundry basket and zip tied something over the top to use as a carrier.
 
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