Leo could use some major get well vibes. Leo has been our only cat that is allowed to go outdoors. We live way out in the country and he never strays far, so we thought it was safe enough for him. I check on him frequently when he's out and he comes in at night or when the weather is bad... or just if he wants to come inside.
He was fine yesterday morning and didn't want to come inside. I figured I'd let him stay out for awhile because they're forecasting a big winter storm for this weekend and yesterday was a pretty nice day. I went out to check on him around noon and couldn't find him, and he didn't come when I called. That worried me but I thought maybe he was just in the field hunting. I kept checking for him throughout the afternoon and couldn't find him.
Finally, very late last night I opened the door and Leo was laying on the porch. I was relieved, but only for a second. I told him to come on inside and he didn't move. I thought he was just really asleep so I poked him gently. He just looked at me but wouldn't stand up. So I picked him up and that's when I noticed that his leg was just kind of dangling.
Got him to the vet this morning (no ER vet nearby unfortunately), he has a fracture between the knee and hip. He has feeling in it, and luckily it wasn't a full break. So the treatment for now is cage rest and then take him back in a couple weeks to see how it's healing.
I set him up in a large dog crate with a litter box and a giant soft bed. He's eating but will only eat canned or pouched food now, he refuses to eat the dry food. It's very unlike him, but I guess as long as he's eating something that's the most important thing.
As for what happened, we really have no clue. He has no other injuries, no cuts, no missing hair, nothing.
But he could definitely use some vibes today, and if anyone has any advice for caring for him it would be greatly appreciated!
He was fine yesterday morning and didn't want to come inside. I figured I'd let him stay out for awhile because they're forecasting a big winter storm for this weekend and yesterday was a pretty nice day. I went out to check on him around noon and couldn't find him, and he didn't come when I called. That worried me but I thought maybe he was just in the field hunting. I kept checking for him throughout the afternoon and couldn't find him.
Finally, very late last night I opened the door and Leo was laying on the porch. I was relieved, but only for a second. I told him to come on inside and he didn't move. I thought he was just really asleep so I poked him gently. He just looked at me but wouldn't stand up. So I picked him up and that's when I noticed that his leg was just kind of dangling.
Got him to the vet this morning (no ER vet nearby unfortunately), he has a fracture between the knee and hip. He has feeling in it, and luckily it wasn't a full break. So the treatment for now is cage rest and then take him back in a couple weeks to see how it's healing.
I set him up in a large dog crate with a litter box and a giant soft bed. He's eating but will only eat canned or pouched food now, he refuses to eat the dry food. It's very unlike him, but I guess as long as he's eating something that's the most important thing.
As for what happened, we really have no clue. He has no other injuries, no cuts, no missing hair, nothing.
But he could definitely use some vibes today, and if anyone has any advice for caring for him it would be greatly appreciated!
