[Magan10]

I bought a kitten from the pet store last week. She has adjusted well and is a well behaved kitten. She was perfectly fine physically until last night, when she began walking with a limp in her left leg. I thought maybe she had broken her leg, but this morning when I let her out of her cage, her left leg was fine and she has now began to limp on her right leg. Could she have a physical disability that causes this to happen, or could it just be pulled muscles?

[tickle]

Firstly, never buy a pet from a pet store. Okay. How old is the kitten ? Is she walking low to the ground, sneezing, her eyes are mattery, or anything like that. I am thinking distemper. So let me know if she has any other odd symptoms, magan.

Tick

[hheath541]

I don't know rather or not there's a feline equivalent of cerebral palsy. I doubt a vet would know. There just isn't enough research into feline genetics to know if some of the issues seen in cats are actually just feline versions of diseases and disorders seen in humans.

Your best bet would be to take the baby to the vet. It's a good idea, regardless. Pet stores almost always get their animals from breeders who do very little to vet their animals, then overbreed them to make as much money as possible. The animals generally go from one cage at the breeders to another at the store. There's no guarantee that they have ever been seen by a vet (unless you have papers that say otherwise and can verify the information with the vet listed) or what kind of conditions they were living in.

The little guy should get a general check-up and any shots appropriate for his age. He should also be checked for ailments that could be passed on to any other animals you have in your house.

[GeorgeLeigh50]

Since you are for some reason keeping her in a cage, I'm thinking she just twisted a toe or limb reaching through or sleeping on the bars of her cell...
Anyhow cerebral palsy is present at birth, it doesn't suddenly develop in a previously healthy kitten. Did you maybe douse her with some over the counter treatment or shampoo or something she might be allergic to?

[tickle]

, but this morning when I let her out of her cage,

Why a cage. Entirely not necessary to keep a kitten in a cage. A box maybe. Kittens grow and prosper by playing in their environment and need room to do this.

Tick

[Magan10]

She is better now. And she only sleeps in the cage and stays in one while I'm at work because I live in an apartment at college so she isn't free to just roam around. Also, my kitten along with the others at the pet store weren't from breeders, they were from the animal rescue in our county. But she is back to her normal self, so I assume she just pulled or twisted something. Thank you all for your help!

[morgaine300]

I know this isn't what you asked, but if she has to stay in a cage while you're at work, that isn't the greatest environment for a cat. If this is temporary for some reason, that's OK. But if that's a long-term situation, that isn't how a cat should be living.