Post by rob on Feb 1, 2007 3:58:18 GMT
I think this thread is more to let you know what to expect from your vet if you find yourself in this situation but so far it all seems to have been drama, I feel like I could write a screenplay about it lol.
;D
At the beginning of December Martin cat, it was very quickly discovered, could not walk on or lift his back left leg. It was instantly and obviously serious when we got home one evening after work and all we could do was dose him up on metacam until the vet could see him the next day.
The xrays showed that his thigh had not only completely broken in two but shards from the bone had also splintered into the muscle around the break. The vet sent me straight away, that afternoon, to a specialist fracture and break vet 40 miles away in Northampton. all good of course, I didnt mind doing this for martin.
;D
The new vet was very good and lots more info was gathered. I looked at the xrays an one thing stood out straight away and I mentioned it just as the vet was about to. He was suspicious straight away because the break rather than being on the thin part of the bone near Martins knee, was near the top close to his pelvis. Yup, where the bone is thicker and more chunky. He said Martin was possibly kicked or even run over but there was no way to be sure (a disclaimer for him I guess).
So then came our options....
Not many of them either, two!! Amputate the leg, easy and clean and only £300 or, to my disbelief having seen the xrays, have the leg repaired for £1600. Well it was easy wasn't it, there is no way the leg could come off if there was a chance of saving it. I told this to the vet and he said its a good choice to give the cat a chance but the operation and recovery were not without complications and that pending how well Martin recovered, further surgery might be needed at similar prices. We decided that we would give Martin a fair chance but kinda held our breath at the fact that one day he might still need amputation. Above everything else, we had to try and save his leg because his sister already has one missing leg and we wouldnt want the other cats laughing at the cripples.
;D
The poor little guy now has a pin in his thigh and a metal plate surrounding the bone. Sadly (for him lol) he has to be confined to a cage because without the bone healing properly, the pin and plate will not be strong enough but the op went well and Martin came back home. His fur grew back, he kinda got used to his leg being 8mm shorter and it was soon time for his first follow up tests. When examining, this is now about 4 or 5 weeks after his operation, the vet became very displeased at the way Martin was limping on the broken leg. I hadn't paid much attention at home simply through not knowing how long he would limp for and of course... The poor bugger just had his leg cut open from his hip to his knee and major surgery that I personally wouldnt want lol.
A further xray showed that one of the screws holding the surrounding metal plate in place had gone in too far and was rubbing on Martin's knee joint as he walked. To be honest I was pretty shocked at having to pay for this one but I did. A month after his operation, the leg was open again and the screw was corrected.
That was 3 weeks ago and the recovery process is going well now. He hasn't been for any more follow up tests, the next is in February so I will let you know how that goes. An undefined number of follow up inspections by the vet will tell us when he is ok for normal kitty life again. Also going to pop back later and post some pics of the black ninja moggy.
;D
;D
At the beginning of December Martin cat, it was very quickly discovered, could not walk on or lift his back left leg. It was instantly and obviously serious when we got home one evening after work and all we could do was dose him up on metacam until the vet could see him the next day.
The xrays showed that his thigh had not only completely broken in two but shards from the bone had also splintered into the muscle around the break. The vet sent me straight away, that afternoon, to a specialist fracture and break vet 40 miles away in Northampton. all good of course, I didnt mind doing this for martin.
;D
The new vet was very good and lots more info was gathered. I looked at the xrays an one thing stood out straight away and I mentioned it just as the vet was about to. He was suspicious straight away because the break rather than being on the thin part of the bone near Martins knee, was near the top close to his pelvis. Yup, where the bone is thicker and more chunky. He said Martin was possibly kicked or even run over but there was no way to be sure (a disclaimer for him I guess).
So then came our options....
Not many of them either, two!! Amputate the leg, easy and clean and only £300 or, to my disbelief having seen the xrays, have the leg repaired for £1600. Well it was easy wasn't it, there is no way the leg could come off if there was a chance of saving it. I told this to the vet and he said its a good choice to give the cat a chance but the operation and recovery were not without complications and that pending how well Martin recovered, further surgery might be needed at similar prices. We decided that we would give Martin a fair chance but kinda held our breath at the fact that one day he might still need amputation. Above everything else, we had to try and save his leg because his sister already has one missing leg and we wouldnt want the other cats laughing at the cripples.
;D
The poor little guy now has a pin in his thigh and a metal plate surrounding the bone. Sadly (for him lol) he has to be confined to a cage because without the bone healing properly, the pin and plate will not be strong enough but the op went well and Martin came back home. His fur grew back, he kinda got used to his leg being 8mm shorter and it was soon time for his first follow up tests. When examining, this is now about 4 or 5 weeks after his operation, the vet became very displeased at the way Martin was limping on the broken leg. I hadn't paid much attention at home simply through not knowing how long he would limp for and of course... The poor bugger just had his leg cut open from his hip to his knee and major surgery that I personally wouldnt want lol.
A further xray showed that one of the screws holding the surrounding metal plate in place had gone in too far and was rubbing on Martin's knee joint as he walked. To be honest I was pretty shocked at having to pay for this one but I did. A month after his operation, the leg was open again and the screw was corrected.
That was 3 weeks ago and the recovery process is going well now. He hasn't been for any more follow up tests, the next is in February so I will let you know how that goes. An undefined number of follow up inspections by the vet will tell us when he is ok for normal kitty life again. Also going to pop back later and post some pics of the black ninja moggy.
;D
