Broken leg questions

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.

I'd call the vet back and ask for a different option and/or call other vets for a different option. I don't have much experience with broken legs but I had a cat when I was little who broke his leg and he was just ordered to rest. Unfortunately the leg didn't heal properly and he was not able to bend it but he ran and jumped around just fine and lived for another 18 years.
I've known a dog that had a broken leg which was treated with a screw/pin in it to hold it together and the dog was still able to walk on it while it healed. I would think that the same would be possible with a cat although probably more expensive. I agree that it doesn't sound like the cat is going to work though. This is not a workable situation especially if it stresses him out so much that he can't eat.

Check out this site, it may be a better option for the cat: http://handicappedpets.com/www/index...g-splints.html

Thanks for your response. Tiger is better and adapting. Talked to the VET, gave suggestions for making this a success and they changed the cast and did some things differently (cut down the sides of the catbox, etc).
He's still @ the Vets but with the smaller cast he can now stand, move a little and most of all pee in the new box.
What an experience! I know more than I need to know about broken legs! Visited Tiger today and he was really happy! I'll have him stay a few more days then home!! Hooray!

Thanks!