Soft Tissue Trauma in Cats

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.

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

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)

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.

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.

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.