Links Broken Leg.... still

[Kieka]

It seems like a never ending saga.

Link broken his leg late September.
Pins put in and house rest until late November.
Noticable problem with leg early December. Pins failed and were coming out.
Surgery early December to remove pins.
Cage rest with cast for a week until cast was twisted and removed.
Two more weeks cage rest.
One more week house rest.
Mid January Link goes back outside.

Now what? He is still limping which isn't suprising. He runs and jumps but he limps with normal walking (video on Instagram @rockettrouble if curious). He also seems to prefer keeping it slightly off the ground sitting. But today I noticed he is licking the fur off the base of his tail which was the sign of the pin failure. So back to the vet we go.

I really don't know what can be done at this point. It was the lower leg bone and just one of them that broke. I honestly think his leg has healed slightly crooked. But the last xrays in late December showed it was healing exactly as expected.

Does anyone know what can be done at this point?

He doesn't handle pain medications well (extremely grumpy and hissy) so I don't want to put him on regular pain medications. I have started him on cat joint vitamins recently. I am fully prepared for the vet to say anything from a specialist and surgery to amputation at this point. I am more concerned about doing whatever it takes for my baby boy not to be in pain.

 

[1CatOverTheLine]

Sounds like it might be time for a consultation with the Veterinary Orthopedic Surgery Services at the U.C. Davis.  No disrespect intended your general Veterinarian, but I'd want a serious opinion at this point, and only an feline orthopedic specialist can really offer that.

.

 

[Kieka]

That was what I was thinking too. But all the specialist require a referral to make an appointment. X-rays tomorrow and ask for referral if the x-rays show anything. I know right now some of it may be me overreacting. This is the spot he has licked so far. You can see the darker regrowth from last time when the pin failed around his tail.

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• Kieka
• Mar 3, 2017

UC Davis is across the state (6.5 hour drive) so a smidgen too far. But there are two surgical specialists about an hour away that I can get him to.

 

[1CatOverTheLine]

UC Davis is across the state (6.5 hour drive) so a smidgen too far. But there are two surgical specialists about an hour away that I can get him to.

That's much better than across the State.  I can't imaging your Vet not offering you a referral.

.

 

[Kieka]

I don't think there will be any problems with a referral. I am just worried about Link. There aren't many options at this point and with his history so far I am worried that further surgery won't help.

 

[Kieka]

The x-rays looked exactly as they should for a healing broken leg at the point he is at.

My vets theory is that he broke his leg by wedging it between branches or stuck somewhere and in the twisting to get free might have torn a ligament or damaged nerves. Which would be why he holds it oddly at times even now. Since he was missing for 4 days and came home with the broken leg that means that his treatment was delayed (and no food or water during that time) so that could contribute to it being stubborn to heal. She is more concerned with the bug bite he got earlier that cause the skin problem and think that may be related to his over grooming. So we are going to treat for fleas (even though there are none apparent) and see how it looks in a week. If there is more fur loss at that point reevaluate.

I am okay with waiting on a referral for right now. Only because there is nothing apparent on the x-rays. It could be two separate issues of internal damage to the hip joint that isn't apparent and just needs time to heal on the leg. And an unrelated flea allergy on the skin that means I need to be more diligent with his flea medicine. But if I see a specialist for his leg right now they likely will have me pursue the flea allergy possibility first as a cause for discomfort.

I do want to say I love my vet. She is really good with Link. She has learned his warning signs and knows exactly how far she can push him on the exam. She calls him a trouble maker with no boundaries.... and it is true.

 

[cat nap]

@Kieka...How is Link doing, now?

I watched one of the videos you mentioned, and to me, it just looked like he stretched his leg out a bit, while walking on the paving stones.

He is still gingerly walking on the back right leg, and putting more weight on the back left one, but I figure it's to protect the sore leg, and that the leg is still healing.

He looked good to me,..but you see Link on a daily basis, so would be able to tell any slight differences.

I would think that if he still needs to heal ligaments and soft tissue...that it would take more than six months for that...but idk.

 

[Kieka]

He seems to be doing much better lately. My Mom just saw him for the first time in a month and she said she can see major improvements. He runs. He jumps. He chases his sister. It doesn't slow him down any.

It could be the warmer weather we have been having here. Or it could be the joint supplement I have been adding in. Either way I am much less worried about him.

He is also doing better with his fur and overgrooming so we are assuming that was flea allergu and unrelated to leg pain. Yay! He just needs to regrow the hair that was shaved (still) so the shave line goes away on his hip.

He does still sit like an odd ball when he can hang his leg out. But I think that is a habit he has developed at this point.

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• Kieka
• Mar 25, 2017

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• Kieka
• Mar 25, 2017

 

[cat nap]

Hopefully, the joint supplement is helping to support and promote faster leg healing.

I did notice the rather 'unique'...as you call it odd...way that Link is sitting in the photo. But hey, it must feel good for him stretched out that way.

He seems to balance rather well on the other stronger legs, and allows for the sore leg to heal more.

Remember, cats are much smarter than us. (Even if they do somewhat dangerous looking jumps.)

Warm weather does indeed help with sore or stiff muscles and joints,...so it must feel good, too, versus damp or rainy weather.

(I do remember that I felt the weather and barometer changing, in my elbow, that I had previously dislocated,...so perhaps with cats...they can feel all the weather changes, too.)

They do say that animals pick up on subtle changes in weather far ahead of when people do.

There was a thread about using laser therapy for older arthritic cats, but there was no update, so I don't know if it really works.

I'm hoping that with time, Link's leg heals up well, and with the joint supplements, it strengthens his leg.

Since you live in a warmer climate, does that mean that you have to give flea treatment on a monthly basis?

We use Revolution, here, but only in the summer months. Fleas, ticks, and mites seem to love warm weather.

(ps. love the photo of Link sitting on that tree stump.)

 

 

[PushPurrCatPaws]

I just saw this thread, as it was bumped it into view today with a recent comment.

cat nap is right, that ligaments and soft tissue could take 6 months or longer to heal and strengthen. My cat had a humdinger of a surgery on her back knee in August, and approx two-three months after that, she was still sitting at times with her leg stuck out, just like your kitty Link.

Milly-10OCT2016-a.jpg

• PushPurrCatPaws
• Mar 26, 2017

. . .

Milly-10Oct2016-b.jpg

• PushPurrCatPaws
• Mar 26, 2017

As each month of more and gradual exercise has passed, my cat has gotten more and more nimble... but still with some leg shakes and leg extensions every now and then. It wasn't too long that she could start pulling her leg in more normally when sitting or when hunching down.

If your cat had a 2nd leg surgery circa December, and not a ton of cage rest (being as active as he is ), he could still be healing w/ his ligaments and etc. If your vet thinks Link may have twisted something extra in the lower leg during the initial break, it's possible he might always have a little tightness or weakness in a couple of areas. But he's probably healing quite nicely!

 

[Kieka]

@cat nap  Looks like we will have to do it every month, even in winter. We had been just doing it summer months but that probably won't work with him reacting like he did when we couldn't find any fleas on him. We use Advantage. There isn't much need for any of the extra control points in the area we are.

@PushPurrCatPaws  It really is reassuring to see someone else with the leg held off to the side, thank you for sharing. The break was below the knee so it he hasn't had any loss in movement to the knee itself, thankfully. He will sit fairly normal at first and then pick up the foot and swing it to the side. If he is sitting long enough (which isn't often) he will end up with that leg at probably a 45 degree angle from his body. If he is on something raised or laying down he stretches it out.

 

[cat nap]

 
@cat nap  Looks like we will have to do it every month, even in winter. We had been just doing it summer months but that probably won't work with him reacting like he did when we couldn't find any fleas on him. We use Advantage. There isn't much need for any of the extra control points in the area we are.

@PushPurrCatPaws  It really is reassuring to see someone else with the leg held off to the side, thank you for sharing. The break was below the knee so it he hasn't had any loss in movement to the knee itself, thankfully. He will sit fairly normal at first and then pick up the foot and swing it to the side. If he is sitting long enough (which isn't often) he will end up with that leg at probably a 45 degree angle from his body. If he is on something raised or laying down he stretches it out.

@Kieka ...someone on this Site mentioned using food-grade Diatomaceous Earth in the yard to kill fleas,...but I have not read enough about it, or how safe it is.

I wonder if it works, at least for the yard.

http://homeguides.sfgate.com/diatomaceous-earth-fleas-yard-53053.html

@PushPurrCatPaws...Sending vibes for a good recovery for your girl cat, as well.

Could I ask what type of knee surgery it was on your cat? Did she need to have plates, or pins, installed, as well?

And how old is she?

(a little hi-jacking of this thread is okay, since it's not a real hi-jack...we're still talking about cats and legs. I'm sure Kieka won't mind. )

Both of your cats, now have me slightly worried...@Kieka and @PushPurrCatPaws,..since I only thought that I had to worry about my huge boy cat, that likes to climb anything, and everything.

I thought that female cats were more sensible, but my female is smaller and lighter...so I'll have my fingers crossed.

Wishing both your cats the best in their recoveries. May they get back to their usual selves, but just a little more careful.

  

 

 

[PushPurrCatPaws]

...

@PushPurrCatPaws
 It really is reassuring to see someone else with the leg held off to the side, thank you for sharing. The break was below the knee so it he hasn't had any loss in movement to the knee itself, thankfully. He will sit fairly normal at first and then pick up the foot and swing it to the side. If he is sitting long enough (which isn't often) he will end up with that leg at probably a 45 degree angle from his body. If he is on something raised or laying down he stretches it out.

Hi Kieka . Milly does this (sit with the leg out at an angle) after she has been too rambunctious with her play and her Zoomies. It just means she pushed her ligaments and muscles a bit too far, may have tweaked them, and needs a day or three of relative calmness to recover.

She also did that a lot during the first two-to-four months post-surgery. (She was still limping a lot 2-4 months after her surgery. When I look back at those videos of her bravely limping around, my heart does loop-de-loops!) She is doing so much better now at 7 months post-surgery and barely limps at all. She had a well-check with the veterinary orthopedic surgeon a week ago, and he said all the permanent sutures are still in place and so far, so good. Whew! We've done four months of daily 10-20 minute walks, plus all of her gradual increase in playtime and jumping and zoomies -- it has paid off.

I would think you will see less and less of this "odd" leg bending with your Link by the time May rolls around.
:cross:

 

[PushPurrCatPaws]

...

@PushPurrCatPaws
...Sending vibes for a good recovery for your girl cat, as well.
Could I ask what type of knee surgery it was on your cat? Did she need to have plates, or pins, installed, as well?
And how old is she?
(a little hi-jacking of this thread is okay, since it's not a real hi-jack...we're still talking about cats and legs. I'm sure Kieka won't mind. )

Both of your cats, now have me slightly worried...@Kieka
and @PushPurrCatPaws,..since I only thought that I had to worry about my huge boy cat, that likes to climb anything, and everything.
I thought that female cats were more sensible, but my female is smaller and lighter...so I'll have my fingers crossed.

Wishing both your cats the best in their recoveries. May they get back to their usual selves, but just a little more careful.    aw:  

Thank you very much for your vibes for Milly, cat nap ! :rub: That is so nice of you.

Milly had surgery for a luxated patella in her back right knee. It was congenital with her. Turns out her trochlear groove was very narrow and shallow, and her knee cap was overly wide. When her leg got extended, her knee would basically just "float" over the groove, pop out of place, and she would be unable to mechanically use that leg until it moved back into place. There are four Grades of patella luxation, from Grade 1 (least serious) up to Grade 4 (most serious). She was shifting between Grades 2 and 3 over a period of 4-5 weeks, and so we gladly decided on surgery. (Her left knee LUCKILY is still at a Grade 1 and we hope it never gets worse -- cross fingers.)

Most cats seem to finish growing by the time they are two. She will be two on April 3rd. When we got Milly at approx age 11 weeks, she did seem to walk a bit oddly at times. But it never seemed to cause any issues and, back then, we knew absolutely zero about luxated patellas. We didn't really know what to watch for! She kept growing and playing and being a kitten, then when she was about 12-14 months, we gradually noticed she seemed to stumble sometimes when jumping onto things and by 15 mos old, she had some more serious and obvious issues & "accidents" and we quickly learned what was going on after a vet visit. Yikes! We had thought at first she had injured her knee or leg, but we found out it was congenital in her case and that, as she went through her various bone growth spurts as a kitten and young cat, her knee(s) got worse.

We were referred to a great orthopedic surgeon, and he performed "Excisional trochleoplasty, partial lateral joint capsulectomy, narrowing of patella, and medial joint capsule imbrication."

She had a grueling 8 weeks of solid crate-rest, and then gradual rehab back to a stronger state. (Again, SO FAR, her left knee is not showing huge issues... so I hope that continues! This hasn't been an easy experience whatsoever!)

 

[cat nap]

Thank you so much @PushPurrCatPaws for your above, informative and detailed post.

And also for the links that you inserted.

They are very helpful in understanding more about the knee issue, and 'crate rest' with the various crates that can be used.

I also appreciate the photo, in the second link, where Milly is using her scratching post.

I find it amazing that both Link and Milly, continue on with their cat activities, and have nothing stop them from what they want to do.

Even with sore, or painful muscles, tendons, ligaments,...they carry on, and do whatever they choose.

Of course, I am sure that they both employed certain 'meow sounds' to get both of their guardians to help them out, too.

Thank you, @Kieka, as well, for this thread, where I am learning a lot.

I find people posting information, exchanging ideas, and learning, to be the best on this Site.

 

[Kieka]

Link isn't one to ask for help. He just powers right through any obstacles. That one is Trouble and Mischief rolled up into a fluffy cute package. He is too confident and self assured for his own good. Unless he is "asking" when he gets bossy and starts telling everyone where to go and what to do.... hmmm. This is the "it is 2 minutes past bed time. You are late." stare down that will progress to yelling and herding the human if I don't comply soon. Bossy boy.

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• Kieka
• Mar 27, 2017

Hearing about Millys medical problems really does make me feel less paranoid about everything with Link. Although it also makes me want to keep him in a box so he doesn't hurt himself further. I know my vet said some of it was ligament and muscle damage but hearing it from someone else who is there grounds it more. Less theoretical if that makes sense. I really do appreciate you sharing. If sitting like that means too active then Link is daily pushing the limit. Looking back I wish I had crate rested longer but he tolerated it as long as he could (and it being Christmas didn't help, he missed his tree for those three weeks). Once he was out he was off. We tried to limit him but he really doesn't know limits. He is very all or nothing in everything he does.

 

[PushPurrCatPaws]

I think Link is a lot older than Milly. How old is he?

When you have a kitten or young cat, there is still some level of human control and containment you can sneak by them that they may not notice, lol -- they haven't yet learned just how bossy they can be. You know?



(LOVE that photo of Link!)

More crate rest during the initial months does help a lot. However, as our surgeon kept telling us, cats will be cats and they will do what they will do. So, for the most part, you have to let them just be cats after the first couple of months and see what happens. If they have overdone it, they normally limit themselves as a matter of course. He told us that if tweaked muscles don't seem to be improving in 3 or 4 days, if our cat seems really lame, then bring her in for a check. That's about all you can do after a certain point!

If Milly were to have this type of thing happen with her left knee now, it would be much harder than it was when she was younger. She is definitely more bossy now! aye yii yiii

 

[Kieka]

Link was 2.5 when he broke it, he just celebrated his 3rd birthday this month. If he still fits in the young cat category with attitude I am in serious trouble.

He does seem to improve very slowly still so it hopefully is still getting better. The hard part in judging is that he was a klutz before and if anything is better coordinated now. Part of that could be he is on the smaller end of a large breed and just stopped growing when everything happened. He is 13 pounds but very leggy. The cat door in the one photo is the right height for our other two cats and Link can't walk under standard size dining room chairs without ducking his head down. To be fair I have a little tiny girl so Link looks huge next to her. He is only slightly bigger then Nightfury who is your standard average cat size. Link is just really heavily muscled; to the point that he usually gets the startled "he is very strong" from vets who haven't seen him. The emergency vet had to sedate him because they couldn't restrain him without someone getting hurt.

 

[PushPurrCatPaws]

He is still pretty young... lots of cattitude, ruh roh!

Over time, he should be pulling his leg in more normally and not sitting with it out at an angle. It's possible that since he really did not have a ton of cage rest, with very little movement for at least a solid 4-6 weeks after his 2nd surgery --no jumping, no running, also no twisting motions with his back legs, that kind of thing--, he is maybe reactivating some soft tissue injuries and/or the bones and pins in his leg have not had enough "quiet time" to mend together just yet. Anytime he seems to overdo it, you might have to intentionally rest him up and limit his activity. What does your vet say?

I believe MRIs are better for viewing soft tissue structures, and CT scans are better for viewing bone structures rather than specializing in soft tissues. But I think you can get an idea of some soft tissue issues via a CT scan. (I think MRIs are more expensive than CT scans.) Maybe your vet can refer you to a good person who can look at both Link's bones and his soft tissues/ligaments/muscles via a CT scan, to get a better sense of things than if viewing an x-ray. That is, if he doesn't seem to be improving.

 

[PushPurrCatPaws]

I'm going to add a little bit more...

This was Milly last week, after a particularly excited bout of WILD ZOOMIES (remember, she is 7 months post-surgery)-

Milly-21MAR2017.jpg

• PushPurrCatPaws
• Mar 28, 2017

She favored her leg for a day or so only, a few times sitting or hunching this way with her leg at a gentle angle. Her hip was close to her body but the lower leg angled a bit. She had only the tiniest sign of a limp. It will likely look a bit familiar to you, Kieka . Right?


The main point would be... this should be more of a rarity once you are past the fourth month or so after a surgery, and it should disappear within a day or so after the wild exercise which may have caused it. Also, if the upper leg and hip are really set out apart from the body when sitting or hunching, and at more of an angle, there is likely more tightness and/or discomfort going on.

I can pretty much tell when Milly is overdoing it, and she's an indoor kitty so it is easier for me to limit her activity than for you to do the same with Link, if he likes to be outside.

~~~

I remember back in August, the orthopedic surgeon wrote out in Milly's discharge instructions, in part:

"Limit activity to no running or jumping for the first 8 weeks. Your diligence in restricting Milly's post-operative activity plays a major role in ensuring a successful surgical recovery."


That pretty much said to me, If you don't want us to have to redo this surgery, do what you can to limit her movements for two months at least! yikes.