Soft Tissue Trauma in Cats
Soft Tissue Trauma in Cats - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost
What is Soft Tissue Trauma?
Bruises are a contusion with bleeding of the soft tissue and are usually caused by blunt trauma but can be secondary to a strain or sprain. A strain, also known as a pulled or torn muscle depending on the severity, occurs when the muscle fibres are stretched or torn because they are strained beyond their capacity. A sprain is a strained ligament and can range from being a moderate to a severe injury. Tendons can also experience soft tissue trauma from tendonitis; an inflammation of tendons usually caused by repetitive strain. Although repetitive strain injuries are not particularly common in cats, muscle pulls and sprains are, as cats are prone to soft tissue injury from falls and accidents. It is important to clarify that soft tissue injury does not include broken bones or arthritis. 
Soft tissue trauma in cats involves injury to the muscles, tendons and ligaments that surround the cat's bones and joints. Understanding the functions of these soft tissues help us to understand how injury to these tissues affects your cat. Muscles aid posture and motion, tendons connect muscles to bones, and ligaments attach bones to other bones. Injuries that affect the functioning of these tissues include bruises, sprains, strains, and tears.
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Soft Tissue Trauma Average Cost
From 259 quotes ranging from $200 - $1,000
Average Cost
$500
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Symptoms of Soft Tissue Trauma in Cats
Symptoms of soft tissue injury include:
  • Bruising/hematoma (bleeding under the skin from burst capillaries)
  • Limping or lameness
  • Inflammation/swelling
  • Refusal or inability to bear weight
  • Inability to move joint (severe sprains)
  • Stiffness
  • Rapid breathing or other signs of stress
  • Pain/tenderness in affected area
  • Vocalization
  • Lack of appetite
  • Change in personality
  • Excessive licking of affected area
Causes of Soft Tissue Trauma in Cats
Soft tissue trauma is common in young active animals and kittens who are not aware of their limits and may attempt jumps that result in falls. Rough-housing or play with other animals can result in injury, as being underfoot can result in injuries.
The following can cause crushing, bruising, stretching, tearing or rupture to soft tissues in your cat. 
  • Obese animals who jump from a height or fall awkwardly - weight results in increased stress on muscles, tendons and ligaments
  • Car accidents
  • Falls
  • Abuse
  • Fights - animal attacks
  • Household accidents
  • Strain from over exercise or exertion
  • Repetitive strain (not common in cats)
Diagnosis of Soft Tissue Trauma in Cats
Your veterinarian will conduct a complete physical examination of your cat to determine the location and extent of the soft tissue injury. Your veterinarian will ask you about any trauma or incidents your cat has been involved in that may have caused the injury. Usually an X ray to rule out a fracture will be ordered. In older animals, your veterinarian will also want to rule out arthritis as a cause of your pet’s symptoms. In the absence of a fracture or arthritis, a diagnosis of soft tissue injury will most likely be made. However, other less common considerations would include e.g. a bone infection or tumor. On occasion, ultrasound or MRI can be used to support the diagnosis of soft tissue trauma and provide additional information.
Treatment of Soft Tissue Trauma in Cats
Your veterinarian will provide supportive care as necessary which may include anti inflammatories to reduce swelling and medication for pain. In addition, sedation to quiet a distressed cat with a severe soft tissue injury may be necessary to calm the cat and prevent aggravation of the injury.
Severe sprains involving ligaments or injury to tendons may require splinting. A tear to a ligament may require surgery to repair if severe. 
The treatment your veterinarian will prescribe for most soft tissue injuries is rest. Depending on the location and cooperativeness of your pet, ice packs may help decrease swelling and bruising. Bandaging may be effective in providing compression and support to a strained or sprained soft tissue injury. 
Most soft tissue injuries resolve themselves with time and prognosis is good. Your veterinarian may suggest physiotherapy in certain situations if needed to regain function.
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Recovery of Soft Tissue Trauma in Cats
In order for healing of soft tissue trauma to occur, you should ensure your cat rests and that you restrict their activity. If necessary, you may need to restrict your pet to cage rest to ensure this. Your cat should avoid playing, cat trees, stairs, outdoor activity and access to other animals that could cause your cat to re-injure themselves. It usually takes about one to two weeks for your cat to recover from a soft tissue injury, but you should restrict activity until several days after limping is gone. A sudden increase in inactivity can lead to relapse. Return to your veterinarian for follow up if the injury does not resolve. If limping ceases, no follow up is necessary.
Soft Tissue Trauma Average Cost
From 259 quotes ranging from $200 - $1,000
Average Cost
$500
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Soft Tissue Trauma Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
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feline
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Five Months
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Painful Urination
I haven't seen her pee in days but has pooped alot and it's really light and runny I can't hardly get her to drink any water and her belly between her back legs is swelling really bad and all the way down her left leg and feels like a bag of jello that just keeps getting bigger and bigger by the day
Oct. 22, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. Without being able to see her, unfortunately, I'm not sure why she is having this problem, but t would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get any testing or treatment taken care of that might be needed.
Oct. 22, 2020
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I don't know
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Twelve Months
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Possible Broken Arm
NA
Sept. 27, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them and see what might be going on, and get treatment if needed.
Oct. 12, 2020
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Unsure
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6-8 weeks
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Limping, Stiffness In Back Legs Along With Shaking Of Back Legs
Fell off couch and has been limping and not putting pressure on front right leg. She’s not crying anymore but whines when you try and lift her leg.
Sept. 26, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay, this venue is not set up for urgent emails. Since I cannot see her, It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get treatment for them.
Oct. 15, 2020
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Tabby
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6 weeks
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Very Sleepy
My kitten just fell about 9 feet from a banister.
Aug. 6, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. Your kitten may have injured herself. If she continues to be lethargic or 'sleepy', or doesn't want to move very much, it would be best to have her examined by a veterinarian. They will be able to see what might be going on, and if any treatment is needed. I hope that she is okay.
Aug. 8, 2020
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Tom cat
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6 months
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7 found this helpful

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My pet has the following symptoms:
Internal
I accidentally ran over the back half of my lil baby kitty ran away dragging his hind legs but is now walking but I can tell he's sore he's eating and drinking somewhat but he just tried to go potty in his box and nothing came out and he howelled a bit after and then laid back down is he going to be ok or ....
Aug. 3, 2020
Answered by Jessica N. DVM
7 Recommendations
Hello- I’m sorry your kitten was injured. He needs to see a veterinarian immediately. They will want to take some x-rays of his hind limbs and spinal column. They can also provide pain medication as it sounds like he’s very uncomfortable, and your vet will be able to tell you his prognosis. If he’s unable to go to the bathroom due to nerve damage he will become very ill. I hope he recovers.
Aug. 3, 2020
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Domestic shorthair
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Jack Black
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2 Years
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Back Legs Seem Paralized
My cat, Jack Black, fell off a mattress as I was trying to secure it for storage. He appeared to have no use of back legs. Vet x-rayed him and diagnosed soft tissue damage; 4 weeks ago. He has not improved other than appetite is back, etc. He's not crying in pain and was given Meloxicam in the beginning. He is now dragging his hind legs and from mid back down he's smaller. Vet is on vacation. I suspect nerve damage and need to know what to do please! I did talk to a tech at the vet; said to wait....I can't. He is using litter box, eating and gets around pretty good. Climbed on my bed last night but when getting off he just fell. I'm convinced he can't use back legs...
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Domestic shorthair
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Lilith
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5 Months
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Lump
Lilith my kitten jumped down from a cat tree and dislocated her shoulder, it popped right back in ,and never seemed to be in pain,was running around like nothing happened, but now,2 has a soft bump on the shoulder, taking her to the vet next week
Soft Tissue Trauma Average Cost
From 259 quotes ranging from $200 - $1,000
Average Cost
$500
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