My Cat luxated a few of her digits at the tarso-metatarsal joints.

Hello,

My cat luxated a few of her digits at the tarso-metatarsal joints... The surgery is pretty expensive, and I'm unsure if we can afford it. The doctor has suggested an alternative of putting her under, reseting her leg, and then casting.

I've read about this being unsuccessful, as its hard to keep everything in place. Does anyone have experience with this?

My cat is 14 years old, and also having other health problems the last few months (almost identical to this post actually...http://www.thecatsite.com/t/243465/toby-vomiting-and-losing-weight-fine-otherwise  I should have had them xray her body while they were doing her leg today!!!)

xrays here if anyone wants to take a look:


Any input appreciated..

kcr

I don't think anyone has responded because no one has experience with this. Sorry that you are going through this.

The closest that I came to an issue like this was with a greyhound, who had to have his wrist and attached long bones reworked because of a malnourishment issue as a puppy. A speciality vet would have cost me about $5000 to have the surgery done, as it requires special equipment and unique skills. My vet wanted to buy the equipment to perform this surgery and had no experience with it. I agreed to use my dog as his first attempt at the surgery and he reduced what he charged me to his cost ($250). What I'm trying to say here is that some vets may be willing to work with you to reduce the cost of the surgery. You might want to call around to vets in your area, and perhaps even vetrinary colleges, as they sometimes want experience for the students there at reduced rates.

Thanks for your reply. We ended up trying a cast ($140), since the surgery is out of our price range. Dr. said he was able to reset the bones, which is often a problem, so that was good. She has been putting weight on it, which is frustrating, we are trying to keep her off of it.. she's also been trying to get the cast/bandage off, and has half succeeded.

Aside from that though, she seems like she is doing well - she is getting along well and back to her usual self for the most part. I don't like the thought of her being in pain, long term, so I'm hoping the joint will heal up enough that it won't be agony for her to get around.

Dr. Said he had a similar dog issue, where the cast worked - he wants us to keep it on for several months.

My greyhound had a cast on his leg for a year. Considering he is a breed that lives to run, he did very well with it. If you can keep the cast stable, a little weight on it isn't all that bad. My grey moderated himself by necessity and I suspect your girl will too.

thanks, that is good to hear!