Need advice

Hey everyone,
I adopted a cat named Ringo in February 2009 from a high kill shelter. When I brought him to my vet for his first check-up, we noticed he walked with a limp. The vet took a couple of x-rays and stated that it seemed that he broke his hind leg in the past but it healed. However, she strongly suggested that Ringo see an orthopedic surgeon in order to correct the limp. She wants them to break the bone and put a pin inside, which can cost up to $1500. She made it sound like it was a mandatory procedure. Well, I never did do the surgery because I am broke. I spent $10,000 last year to help my beloved Buster when he was diagnosed with bladder cancer but he passed away anyway.

My question is how mandatory is this surgery? Ringo seems perfectly fine to me. He does everything like my other cats do including jumping on high surfaces and rapidly zipping around the room. He never seems to complain or cry. I don't know if the vet is trying to get me to spend more money. If it's a dire situation, then I'll spend the money on the surgery.

Thanks!

I HIGHLY suggest a second opinion since no one on here is a vet . Nor would a good vet give advice online without having seen the cat or at least it records

I'd also vote for a second opinion. Maybe you could discuss long-term health regarding the surgery vs. not having the surgery. Another viewpoint on the situation might bring alternatives or at least more insight.

Absolutely get a second opinion, and ask around until you find a vet that your wisest cat-owning friends trust.

If it's not causing Ringo any problems now, you need to ask about future issues — will he face a greater chance of arthritis, for example? Or will being asymmetrical affect his back or his other leg later in life?

And what are the risks of surgery? It doesn't sound like your vet discussed that with you, which worries me.

You need to explore this fully with someone whose approach is to help you make an informed decision, not just tell you what to do.

Good luck! I wouldn't worry too much in the meantime. Ringo seems to be over the worst of it and enjoying life.

I would urge you to take Ringo to a board certified orthopedic surgeon for an evaluation. The reason: a fracture that healed but possibly didn't heal correctly and is now causing a limp, can cause serious complications later. Arthritis and even disc degeneration. Both of which can become very painful and debilitating in later years.
In a younger cat these complications can be prevented. In an old cat, no matter how painful the condition, the time comes when surgery is no longer an option. So the cat has to be treated with pain medications, supplements, injections and acupuncture to deal with the constant pain and increasing difficulty to move around.
Hopefully the orthopedic surgeon will be able to tell you whether or not Ringo's injury can lead to such serious complications and whether surgery is indeed necessary.
Make sure you go to a board certified surgeon. This is very, very important.

Originally Posted by Bunnelina

Absolutely get a second opinion, and ask around until you find a vet that your wisest cat-owning friends trust.

If it's not causing Ringo any problems now, you need to ask about future issues — will he face a greater chance of arthritis, for example? Or will being asymmetrical affect his back or his other leg later in life?

And what are the risks of surgery? It doesn't sound like your vet discussed that with you, which worries me.

You need to explore this fully with someone whose approach is to help you make an informed decision, not just tell you what to do.

Good luck! I wouldn't worry too much in the meantime. Ringo seems to be over the worst of it and enjoying life.

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From start to finish, with an emphasis on finding a veterinarian who will actually discuss the situation fully with you.

I would discuss this with another vet. They should palpate for any pain. And perhaps take some X-Rays to see how it effects Ringo. Asking for a second opinion when you doubt your vet's is essential.


I have some experience with something similar to you. My neighbor's dog broke his hip while he was a puppy. It healed on his own, but one hind leg is shorter than the other and he walks with a limp. When he runs, he will often not place the leg on the ground at all out of convenience. Other than that he's a happy, healthy dog that feels no pain in that region. They could pay to fix the limp, but he's happy and they don't have a gratuitous amount of funds to pay for surgery, and their vet said he was perfectly fine after carefully examining him.

Ringo's case may be similar, or it may not. AFTER A VET MAKES A DECISION, and finds that if he is indeed in no pain and a surgery to fix it would be mainly to just fix the limp, then the decision is mainly up to you. If it comes to that, he'll have a good quality of life with or without the limp.

I would get a 2nd opinion.
Is this the vet in San Leandro that told you that or another vet?

Thank you for all your replies. The vet was not planning to do the surgery; she wants me to consult with a board certified orthopedic surgeon. I guess I'll call the specialty hospital in San Leandro for a consultation. I'll keep you updated.

Okay. We have a cat up for adoption at our clinic (Bandit) that has two healed broken legs, his right front and his left back. No idea how it happened since we didn't get him until he was around 7 months and both had already formed calcifications. He does walk with a limp and always will. Yes, rebreaking and pinning is an option, but with him (he goes NUTS in a cage) it would most likely require multiple surgeries. So we have opted against it. His pain is controlled with a 2 day on 4 day off LOW LOW LOW metacam dose. I still hate hate hate that he has to be on metacam at all...but. He gets dasuquin everyday which does seem to be helping. We're weening him off the metacam slowly. Otherwise, besides the occasional pain when he's picked up wrong or when he's overdone it, he is a healthy happy boy. Loves giving hugs and kisses, loves being carried around like a spoiled brat. He even runs and plays with our other clinic cats and does just fine.

So there are pros and cons to both options. But it is possibly for them to live a mostly normal life without the surgery. Just know that that $1,500 bill is only if things go completely as planned, which is about a half and half chance with that kind of injury.