Hi: My father's 11-12 month old cat broke his back leg (tibia-clean break), no other problems like infection, open wounds, etc. Straight, clean break. Took him to the Vet and they put a gigantic cast on the leg which is causing stress to the cat.
This cast is not proportional to the cat's other legs so he cannot stand or slightly move. He also is wearing a collar so he won't bite the cast. This "cast" protudes out longer than his other legs so he cannot balance. When he attempts to stand, he falls over and starts freaking out (twisting, flopping), which can't be good for the leg. Before he was put in a cast, he just laid down and slept. He didn't want to move. This cast is like an anchor not allowing the cat to obtain balance to stand or even go to the bathroom. He cannot get up to use a liner pad and pees on himself. He is not eating either and has to be fed with a syringe. This system is truly stressing him out which makes me wonder if this "cast" is not overkill and something better could be done to achieve the same result.
I know the leg probably needs to be set after a break, but part of me is wondering if this huge cast is really necessary since it's causing the cat major stress. If a smaller brace was put on so the cat could stand, use the potty, I feel it would be better for him. I would still keep the cat confined for movement/healing sake and give necessary meds, but wouldn't this be just as good? I can't imagine him enduring this for 6 weeks! It just won't work! Animals out in the wild heal just fine! HELP! Has anyone experienced this before?? Need advice ASAP.
This cast is not proportional to the cat's other legs so he cannot stand or slightly move. He also is wearing a collar so he won't bite the cast. This "cast" protudes out longer than his other legs so he cannot balance. When he attempts to stand, he falls over and starts freaking out (twisting, flopping), which can't be good for the leg. Before he was put in a cast, he just laid down and slept. He didn't want to move. This cast is like an anchor not allowing the cat to obtain balance to stand or even go to the bathroom. He cannot get up to use a liner pad and pees on himself. He is not eating either and has to be fed with a syringe. This system is truly stressing him out which makes me wonder if this "cast" is not overkill and something better could be done to achieve the same result.
I know the leg probably needs to be set after a break, but part of me is wondering if this huge cast is really necessary since it's causing the cat major stress. If a smaller brace was put on so the cat could stand, use the potty, I feel it would be better for him. I would still keep the cat confined for movement/healing sake and give necessary meds, but wouldn't this be just as good? I can't imagine him enduring this for 6 weeks! It just won't work! Animals out in the wild heal just fine! HELP! Has anyone experienced this before?? Need advice ASAP.
