Hi folks.
My 2 1/2 year old cat, Sweet Potato, broke 3 bones (metatarsals, I think) in his left front paw about 3 weeks ago. He had a splint put on immediately, and we've been changing it and following up regularly with the vet. During his visit today, they redid his x-ray, and things did not look much different than when he first broke the bones. The vet told me that he wasn't worried too much about the most interior break because the fragments were touching and generally, they will heal.
However, the other two fractures were worrisome because they are not touching each other and didn't appear to be forming calluses (because the bones are so small and there are multiple fractures, the vets who have looked at him have only done cautious sets to make sure they don't make the separation worse). He's going to share the x-ray with an orthopedic vet before we go back on Friday, to see what he has to say. He said that the orthopedic could say it's too early to tell. Another possibility is pins, which could be mildly difficult because of the size of the bones and their location.
I know that I'll have an answer relatively soon, but I was wondering if anyone here had had experience with this sort of injury? I'm the type of person who will obsessively worry about this until I'm sitting in front of the vet Friday afternoon. I'm concerned about the healing, and I'm also worried about what might happen if the bones won't heal on their own and pins aren't an option. Sweet Potato is my baby, and I've been worried sick about him for weeks now.
Thanks.
My 2 1/2 year old cat, Sweet Potato, broke 3 bones (metatarsals, I think) in his left front paw about 3 weeks ago. He had a splint put on immediately, and we've been changing it and following up regularly with the vet. During his visit today, they redid his x-ray, and things did not look much different than when he first broke the bones. The vet told me that he wasn't worried too much about the most interior break because the fragments were touching and generally, they will heal.
However, the other two fractures were worrisome because they are not touching each other and didn't appear to be forming calluses (because the bones are so small and there are multiple fractures, the vets who have looked at him have only done cautious sets to make sure they don't make the separation worse). He's going to share the x-ray with an orthopedic vet before we go back on Friday, to see what he has to say. He said that the orthopedic could say it's too early to tell. Another possibility is pins, which could be mildly difficult because of the size of the bones and their location.
I know that I'll have an answer relatively soon, but I was wondering if anyone here had had experience with this sort of injury? I'm the type of person who will obsessively worry about this until I'm sitting in front of the vet Friday afternoon. I'm concerned about the healing, and I'm also worried about what might happen if the bones won't heal on their own and pins aren't an option. Sweet Potato is my baby, and I've been worried sick about him for weeks now.
Thanks.
