What are Ligament and Tendon Conditions?
Though ligament and tendon conditions are fairly common in cats, they require prompt care in order for full mobility to be restored.
The ligaments in a cat are a tough band that is composed of a white, slightly elastic, fibrous tissue that binds the ends of bones together. Ligaments prevent excessive movements that could cause dislocation or bone breakage. They are found throughout the cat's body where two bones meet. Tendons are composed of a fibrous tissue that connects the muscles to the bones. When conditions arise with the ligaments or tendons, the cat's mobility will suffer.
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Symptoms of Ligament and Tendon Conditions in Cats
Depending on the location of the ligament or tendon that is affected and the condition that occurred, symptoms may vary slightly. These symptoms include:
- Subtle lameness that worsens over time
- Inability or unwillingness to exercise
- Resting foreleg on floor rather than in an upright position
- Pain or tenderness in paws, forelegs or hind legs
- Swelling in joints
- Swelling around muscles
- Grating sounds when joints are moved
- Walking with heel placed on ground
- Non-weight bearing lameness
Types
There are several types of conditions that can affect the ligaments and tendons in cats. Some of these types include:
- Cranial cruciate ligament tear: a tearing of the ligament in the knee joint
- Palmar carpal ligament breakdown: tearing or wearing down of the ligaments in the wrist
- Bicipital tenosynovitis: inflammation of the tendon in the shoulder joint
- Brachii muscle rupture: rupture of the tendon in the upper limb
- Supraspinatus avulsion: rupture of the tendon that connects shoulder to upper limb
- Luxating patella: a condition in which the kneecap moves due to weakening or overextension of the ligaments and tendons
Causes of Ligament and Tendon Conditions in Cats
Most ligament and tendon problems occur due to a vehicular accident, trauma received from another animal, or injury from jumping from too high of a location. Vehicular accidents can cause fractures in the bones and hyperextend the tendons. A dog or other animal who attacks a cat may bite, causing the tendons or ligaments to become injured. When a cat lands on the ground incorrectly after jumping, the ligaments and tendons are at risk of tearing, rupturing or breaking down over time. Cats can also injure their tendons or ligaments slowly over time as a result of repetitive straining, overexertion, or fatigue.
Diagnosis of Ligament and Tendon Conditions in Cats
The veterinarian will need to know how long symptoms the have been present, any recent trauma or injuries that could have caused the ligament or tendon condition, and a complete list of symptoms. The veterinarian will gently examine the cat, feeling for signs of swelling and tenderness.
Radiography is the best way to determine what condition is affecting the cat. Radiography may include X-rays, which can eliminate fractured bones as the source of the problem; ultrasounds, which can identify swelling and tears in the ligaments and tendons; and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which can look for muscle injuries and tendon or ligament rupturing.
If the exact cause of the symptoms cannot be determined through radiography, the veterinarian may use an arthroscope to explore the affected ligaments and tendons. The arthroscope is a small endoscope that is inserted into the joint through a small incision. The veterinarian will use the arthroscope to explore the injured area and diagnose the problem. Samples of fluid or tissue may be removed using the arthroscope and sent to an outside lab for further analysis.
Treatment of Ligament and Tendon Conditions in Cats
Surgery
Depending on the severity of the injury, surgery may need to occur. The cat will be placed under general anesthesia and a small incision will be made in the skin by the affected tendon or ligament. The veterinarian will then repair the problem and use sutures to close the incision.
Splint or Cast
The veterinarian may need the ligaments or tendons to remain immobile while they heal on their own. In these cases, a splint or cast will be placed on the cat in order to prevent mobility and re-injury from occurring.
Physical Therapy
The veterinarian may recommend physical therapy in order to strengthen the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. During physical therapy, the cat will be put through a series of range-of-motion exercises and receive massages in order to promote healing.
Weight Reduction
The veterinarian may place the cat on a special diet in order for its weight to be reduced. Cats who are overweight place more pressure on their joints and tendons, which can cause injuries to occur.
Ice Packing
Cryotherapy, the placing of ice on the injured tendons or ligaments, may be recommended after surgery or splinting. Cryotherapy normally occurs for five to 10 minutes every eight hours over the course of several days. This procedure reduces swelling and decreases pain.
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Recovery of Ligament and Tendon Conditions in Cats
With proper rehabilitation and prompt care, most cats recover fully from their ligament or tendon condition. Recommendations for physical therapy will need to be followed in order for the cat to recover properly. If surgery occurred, the cat will need to wear an Elizabethan collar in order to prevent biting of the sutures. Follow-up appointments with the veterinarian to monitor progress and healing are recommended.
Ligament and Tendon Conditions Average Cost
From 458 quotes ranging from $200 - $5,000
Average Cost
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Top
Ligament and Tendon Conditions Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
American Short hair
Thirteen Years
12 found this helpful
12 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Muscle Spasms
My cat suffered a leg injury upon jumping on a dresser. He now is suffering leg spasms and has difficulty jumping. The vet has had us in rest for two weeks. I took him off rest yesterday to see how he is and he’s still having difficulty. Eating- litter box is as usual
July 26, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
12 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
If two weeks of rest has not improved the problem, he may need a couple of things. He may need an x-ray to see if there was more damage than what you're Veterinarian initially suspected. Or he may need some anti-inflammatory pain medications. Since all over the counter pain medications are quite toxic for cats, it would be best to call your veterinarian, let them know that things have not improved, and see what their recommendation is as the next step. I hope that all gets better for him and he feels better soon.
July 26, 2020
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domestic short hair
Smurf
9 Years
17 found this helpful
17 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Limping, In Pain At Times.
My 9 year old 6.5kg cat came in just over 2 weeks ago and laid on the floor. He then got himself into his radiator (not on) cradle. I went to lift him and he bit me which was unusual. I took him to the vet but they could not find anything wrong on palpation. He would not walk for them. They prescribed metacam. I have been back twice and it is thought he has a torn ligament. He sometimes cries, can hobble but limps. One vet wanted to x-ray but I did not want him given an anaesthetic when no bony injury was suspected. He spends most of his time lying down and I am carrying him up and down stairs. How long should a torn ligament take to heal and am I being stupid in not having the x ray?
Aug. 1, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
17 Recommendations
I think the x-ray might give more information about what is going on with Smurf, and if 2 weeks have gone by and he doesn't seem to be improving, you may need to have further diagnostics done. Depending on what ligament is torn (there are many), it can take weeks to months to fully heal. It seems that a recheck might be a good idea if he is still having the problems that you are describing.
Aug. 1, 2018
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domestic short hair
Tintin
10 Years
9 found this helpful
9 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Ruptured Ligaments
Limping, Not Eating, Not Relieving
Hi my cat injured himself last night. We took him to the vet today and they said the ligaments in his back leg are ruptured. They said that he would need surgery but because of his age it may not work. What would be the chance of recovery,he is 10 years old.
July 24, 2018
9 Recommendations
Unfortunately I cannot give you an indicator of recovery with surgery as there are many different factors to take into consideration, however the likelihood of any favourable recovery is small. Your Veterinarian would be able to give you more specifics but they may not know until they start the surgery. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 25, 2018
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Labrador
Sadie
8 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Pain
Torn Tendon
My dog ran into a barbwire fence and now has a small tendon hanging out of her leg. I don’t see this getting repaired, she still can flex her leg. It is at the first bend probably was connected to a toe? She is a black lab. The piece hanging out is about 3 inches. How long before the tendon dies? Should we wait until it dies to snip or should we snip now? I am keeping her comfortable with aspirin and benedryl. Any other advice?
July 15, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
If Sadie has a piece of tendon on the outside of her body, she may have a significant wound associated with that. Barbwire fences are dirty, contaminated objects to be injured by, and she may need further treatment. Whether the tendon needs to be repaired or not is something that I can't comment on without seeing her, unfortunately, but it would probably be a good idea to have her examined by a veterinarian. The tendon may not die, but may cause ongoing infection and pain, and cutting the tendon may be excruciating for her. Some things are best evaluated by a professional, and this seems like one of them. I hope that all goes well for her.
July 15, 2018
She seems to be recovering well. She is walking normally. The tendon has dried up and when the bandage is off, she is trying to remove it herself. It was very small, like cooked angel hair pasta sized. It has been 4 days and she is no longer on pain relievers. I called the vet and they said to keep it clean with antibacterial soap and keep it dry. I am watching for signs of infection. If no infection, then I’m not going to vet. Thank you anyways.
July 18, 2018
Sadie's Owner
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Sphynx
Hairless
11 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Lameness
Abnormal Gait
Discomfort, Limping, Paw Chewing
Paw Rolling
Walking Flat On Foot To Wrist
My cat is a sphynx cat. She will be 12 in December. She is in exceptional health and has great blood work. However, she has trouble walking and feeling comfortable. When she was a young cat when we took her to homes with tile or hardwood floors she sometimes would limp and pull up her right paw. I mentioned it to a vet during a visit asking if maybe she had an old injury. The vet said he didn't see anything wrong. We have lived in a home with wood floors for 3 years now, and I'm thinking this has been a contributing factor to the rapid decline. When she sits upright her front paws begin to roll outward. When she walks she flicks her paws and her paws roll. She walks on the heels of her paws now. When she sits she flicks her paws and pulls them up and tucks them under her chest. She chews her paw pads. She limps sometimes. Her gait is abnormal. I took her to the vet and then to an orthopedist surgeon. He said it looks like lax tendons and he has seen this in cats who have been declawed. She is not declawed and she has had no injuries that we know of. The orthopedist said there was nothing he could do to help her. I can tell she is going to get to a point where she can't walk. She is perfectly healthy in all other aspects of her life. I MUST find a way to intervene now. I don't know where to go or who to talk to.
July 10, 2018
0 Recommendations
Without examining Hairless it is difficult to weigh in especially when an Orthopaedic Specialist has examined her and said that there is nothing that can be done; seeking another opinion (after an examination) from either another Specialist or general Veterinarian would help in easing your mind that there is nothing else that can be done. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 11, 2018
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domestic short hair
Kitty
10 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Limping,
Lots Of Pain
Can'T Put Foot Down
My cat started limping for a few years (she is a little overweight) and today she couldn't walk normally at all. Every time she tried to put pressure on her back foot, she would growl loudly in pain and would try to lift it up, growling even more. We took her to the vet and they told us she had a torn ligament in her knee that needs to be fixed surgically. That surgery is between $2000-2500 and we really can't afford that. Is there other way to fix this? She is in a lot of pain, can't even move from it, and we're desperate.
I don't know if I should trust the vet as, here, they are known to only advise surgery in order to make more money.
Ligament and Tendon Conditions Average Cost
From 458 quotes ranging from $200 - $5,000
Average Cost
$550
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Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
