How to Help a Cat with a Broken Shoulder

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A broken shoulder is relatively rare in cats, but when one does occur, it is a serious injury that requires the attention of a veterinarian as soon as possible. A shoulder injury, leg injury, and even a chest wall injury may present in similar ways, so you must have your cat examined by the vet, and radiographs will be needed to check for fractures and the full extent of the injury. You will need to keep your cat as immobile as possible until you can take her to the vet and provide appropriate follow-up care for eight weeks or more afterwards. With proper care, most cats will recover well from a broken shoulder.

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Recognizing Symptoms of a Broken Shoulder

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  1. Pain is the first indication that something is wrong with your cat. Cats will try to hide their pain, but you can tell your cat is hurting if you know what to look for: [1]
    • Crying, howling, moaning or growling, particularly when touched
    • Failure to eat
    • Failure to groom
    • Pale gums or rapid breathing (may indicate you cat is in shock) [2]
  2. When your cat sits, stands, or walks, she transfers her weight from the forelimb up through the shoulder. A cat with a broken shoulder is going to be very lame because her weight pushes up through the fracture site as she walks. Look for: [3]
    • Limping
    • Holding up the affected limb
    • Abnormal movement
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  3. If you see bone sticking through the skin, your cat has suffered a compound fracture and should be taken to the vet immediately to prevent infection of the bone. Other signs of injury to look for are: [4]
    • Bruises or abrasions around the injured shoulder (especially common after a car collision)
    • Scuffed nails (suggests trauma may have occurred)
    • Swelling of the shoulder and leg
    • Your cat holding her leg at a strange angle (may indicate a leg or shoulder injury)
  4. A bite to part of your cat’s leg can cause lameness and tissue swelling — similar symptoms to those that occur with a broken shoulder. Always check your cat for bite marks before determining that the shoulder is broken.
    • If you find a bite wound, wash it with saline water and disinfect it before putting a bandage over it. Take your cat to the vet after you have found the bite mark.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

Getting Your Cat to the Veterinarian

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  1. Shoulder injuries need urgent attention. While not life-threatening, your cat will be in severe pain and need relief. A shock powerful enough to break bones may have caused other damage that is not immediately obvious, such as internal bleeding, which can be fatal. Most shoulder breaks will require surgery to repair and immobilize the joint. Your goal should be to stabilize your cat so that you can take her to the vet as soon as possible. [5]
    • Compound fractures require surgery within eight hours. If there is bone sticking out from your cat’s fur, then she has sustained a compound, or open, fracture. [6] This is relatively rare.
    • Most closed fractures should be treated within two to four days, but as shoulder fractures are rare without associated trauma, you should try to get your cat in sooner. [7]
    • Treatment will depend on where the fracture is located. If the joint is fractured, it will need to be repaired to prevent poor healing and early arthritis. This may be done with orthopedic wire, screws, or a combination of both. If the shoulder blade is fractured, then your cat may need only to rest for one to two months.
    • If you cannot immediately take your cat to the vet, you should call to receive instructions. [8]
  2. Whether it is an open or closed fracture, movement will cause your cat pain and can aggravate the damage. You want to keep her as immobile as possible until you can get her to the vet. [9]
  3. Again, the goal is to keep your cat as immobile as possible. Put a towel in the box or carrier to help keep you cat comfortable during transport.
  4. Dressing (covering with a clean cloth or gauze) is necessary for a compound fracture, but you should not try to bandage your cat’s shoulder in order to immobilize it, whether the fracture is open or closed. Immobilizing shoulders is very difficult, and your injured cat is unlikely to be in a cooperative mood. The struggles during bandaging will likely do more harm than any good the bandage might do. [10]
  5. In the unlikely event that your cat's shoulder has a compound fracture, the goal is to cover the exposed end of the bone to prevent infection, not to create a perfect bandage. You can loosely wind sterile gauze around your cat to cover the bone, or simply drape the gauze or a clean cloth over it. Try to disturb the bone as little as possible. [11] [12]
    • Do not try to push the bone back under the skin.
    • Take your cat to the vet immediately after covering the wound. The bone and wound will need to be sterilized, surgically realigned, and stitched up.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Caring for Your Cat after Surgery

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  1. An infection at the surgical site can be more dangerous than the break itself. Even if your cat does not undergo surgery, you still need to pay careful attention to her. If she seems unusually tired, strangely agitated, or fails to eat or drink, contact your vet. Also call your vet within four to six hours if you find: [13]
    • Swelling of the limb or the surgical site
    • A skin rash near the site of injury
    • Leakage or a bad smell at the surgical site
    • The bandage over the surgical site gets wet
    • The bandage is slipping from its location
  2. Chewing or scratching at the wound may reopen or lead to infection. If your cat is disturbing the surgical site, talk to your vet about getting an Elizabethan collar (cone) to prevent her from reaching the area. [14]
  3. Your vet will likely prescribe a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug like meloxicam to deal with your cat’s pain, as well as perhaps an opioid for the immediate post-surgery period. Give the drugs as prescribed. [15]
    • WARNING : Never give human drugs to your cat, as many, such as Tylenol, are toxic to cats and may prove fatal. [16]
  4. Apply cold packs or bags of ice wrapped in cloth to the injured shoulder for the first week after the injury to reduce inflammation, swelling and pain. [17]
  5. Usually, this means “cage rest” – confining your cat to a crate with food and litter until the bone heals. Most shoulder breaks will take at least eight weeks to heal, though young cats may heal more quickly. Your cat will likely need to be confined to cage rest for at least a month, and usually for the full eight weeks. [18]
    • To keep your cat entertained, giver her plenty of toys and the occasional low-calorie treat. You can also take her out of the cage for daily grooming. [19]
    • Your cat will want to leave the cage to walk around before the time is up. You will want to let her. Don’t. Letting your cat use her injured limb before it is fully healed can delay healing, cause re-injury, or lead to a permanent limp. Continue to confine your cat as directed until healing is confirmed by x-ray.
  6. The cage you choose should be large enough that you cat has three to four inches above her head, and should be three to four inches longer than the cat when she is stretched out to her full length. These measurements will help to keep your cat comfortable while she recovers. However, the cage must not be so large that you cat can walk around, as this would defeat the purpose of the cage. [20]
    • The cage should also have enough space for a small litter tray, as well as food and water bowls.
  7. If your cat was sedated for surgery, you should feed her bland meat — fresh cooked chicken or white fish — for her next three meals. After that, choose tinned meats rich in protein to promote faster healing. Avoid jelly and gravy based cat foods, which are lower in protein, and which may upset your cat’s stomach.
    • Also be sure to cut back the amount of food your cat gets each day to prevent weight gain during cage rest. Giving her the same amount of food may cause her to gain weight.
  8. If your cat does not use her injured limb for several weeks, the muscles will atrophy and healing will be delayed. To optimize recovery, your cat will need physical therapy both with a veterinary therapist and at home. Some exercises you can do at home include: [21]
    • Range of motion therapy — For the first month after injury, you will want to flex and extend the joints of the injured leg to maintain joint health. Ask your vet to show you how. The goal is to exercise the joint without pain, so at first, these movements will be small. As your cat heals, you will be able to move the injured limb more and more.
    • Massage therapy — After the first week, when most of the inflammation has subsided, massage the skin and muscles around the injured bone to prevent the build-up of scar tissue and to reduce pain. Your vet will recommend how frequently to massage your cat.
  9. If your cat has had surgery, the vet may need to remove the sutures. At the very least, he or she will want to take x-rays to assess healing so that you will know when your cat can safely return to normal activities. [22]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How long does it take for a cat to recover from a sprain?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    Cats can recover from a sprain in around 5 - 14 days. However, this is dependent on the cat resting. If the cat remains active, this will considerably extend the recovery period.
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  • Question
    How long does it take for a cat's broken paw to heal?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    Young cats heal more quickly than old ones. A young, growing cat can heal in around 4 - 6 weeks, while an older cat can take at least 12 weeks.
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  • Question
    What can I give my cat for pain relief?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    Sadly, most human pain relievers are toxic to cats, which is why it is so important to see a vet. It's important to relieve the cat's pain, but to use a home medicine risks accidentally poisoning the cat.
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      Tips

      • A cat with any injury will be in pain. This can cause even the most placid cat to lash out when handled so always treat an injured cat gently and be prepared to stop immediately if she becomes agitated.
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      • Do not let your cat outside after the eight week healing period is up. Because your cat has been in a cage, she will be weak and will need to regain some of his strength. Let her run around your house for at least two weeks before letting her go outside.
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      • When she is able to move around with agility, let her outside (if he is an outdoor cat) but keep her under close supervision.
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      References

      1. ↑ http://www.petmd.com/cat/emergency/accidents-injuries/e_ct_broken_bones
      2. ↑ http://www.cat-world.com.au/Cat-Health-Collection/broken-bones-in-cats.html
      3. ↑ https://www.acvs.org/small-animal/fractured-limbs
      4. ↑ http://www.cat-world.com.au/Cat-Health-Collection/broken-leg-in-cats.html#sthash.5o5Lc6rH.dpuf
      5. ↑ http://www.petmd.com/cat/emergency/accidents-injuries/e_ct_broken_bones
      6. ↑ https://www.acvs.org/small-animal/fractured-limbs
      7. ↑ https://www.acvs.org/small-animal/fractured-limbs
      8. ↑ https://www.acvs.org/small-animal/fractured-limbs
      9. ↑ https://www.acvs.org/small-animal/fractured-limbs
      1. ↑ https://www.acvs.org/small-animal/fractured-limbs
      2. ↑ Feline Orthopedics. Scott & McLaughlin. CRC Press. 1st edition.
      3. ↑ http://www.petmd.com/cat/emergency/accidents-injuries/e_ct_broken_bones
      4. ↑ https://www.acvs.org/small-animal/fractured-limbs
      5. ↑ https://s3.amazonaws.com/assets.prod.vetlearn.com/85/878b40db0f11e090940050568d3693/file/CareGuide_GetYourCatBackOnItsFeet.pdf
      6. ↑ http://www.vcahospitals.com/main/pet-health-information/article/animal-health/pain-management-for-cats/6584
      7. ↑ http://www.vcahospitals.com/main/pet-health-information/article/animal-health/pain-management-for-cats/6584
      8. ↑ https://www.acvs.org/small-animal/fractured-limbs
      9. ↑ https://www.acvs.org/small-animal/fractured-limbs
      10. ↑ https://s3.amazonaws.com/assets.prod.vetlearn.com/85/878b40db0f11e090940050568d3693/file/CareGuide_GetYourCatBackOnItsFeet.pdf
      11. ↑ Feline Orthopedics. Scott & McLaughlin. CRC Press. 1st edition.
      12. ↑ https://www.acvs.org/small-animal/fractured-limbs
      13. ↑ https://s3.amazonaws.com/assets.prod.vetlearn.com/85/878b40db0f11e090940050568d3693/file/CareGuide_GetYourCatBackOnItsFeet.pdf

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      If you think your cat has a broken shoulder, try to keep it in a box or crate and keep it as immobile as possible, and take it to the vet right away. The impact that led to the broken shoulder might have led to other injuries, such as internal bleeding. Follow any care instructions that your vet gives you, including administering any medications, and try to keep your cat confined to a cage or a crate for about a month or as long as your vet says it’s necessary. Keep reading for tips from our Veterinary co-author on what to do if you can see the bone through your cat’s shoulder!

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