Broken paw but won't stop clawing the door!

katrinamichelle

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My kitten got a broken paw a few days ago and we took her to the emergency vet where they gave her a cone & a cast/splint. Of course the splint was off within an hour, despite the cone. 

Because of her age (9 months), intolerance of cones and casts, and the nature of the break (it is clean and not dislocated) the vet decided that we would let it heal cast free and she would be on some serious restricted movement for about 3 weeks. Surgery unfortunately will not be possible because her bones are as small as toothpicks in that area, and she keeps ripping off casts because she is so feisty! 

I have her confined to my bedroom now, the only thing she can jump on is my mattress which is now on the floor. All other furniture and interesting things have been removed save her letterbox and a couple of comfy blankets and kitty beds for her to lounge on all over the place. Originally a small table was in here and after a day or so of being home she jumped on and off of it before I could catch her, so her paw is a little swollen already. The doctor gave me sedatives to deal with her energy to hopefully keep her from moving so much, but when I leave the room she scratches at the door and I'm afraid she is going to hurt herself. I work around 7 hours a day and I'm worried that this is going to happen all day while I am gone. Not to mention I've already been stuck in a room with her for around 3 days and I'm going a little NUTS! I don't know if it will just take the sedative a few more doses to kick in or what.

Any tips on how to keep her from scratching at the door and going insane while I'm gone? I am afraid a crate would be the same situation but with metal for her to get her paws stuck on...

HELP!!!!!
 

Anne

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Welcome to TCS! 


Sounds like you have one very active little kitten there 
 We'd love to hear more about her and see some pictures. Maybe introduce both of you in the new members forum?

Well, a crate does come to mind when it's absolutely needed to limit a kitten's movement. I just wonder if it's not too stressful. Even limiting her to one room and preventing her from jumping for so long is stressful. She needs some playtime and stimulations, mentally as well as physically, especially with that level of energy. I have to say I'm not sure I'm too keen on the idea of sedating a kitten for so long because of a fracture. Can the vet try another cast? Maybe create some kind of a bandage around it that will go over her chest like a harness to stop her from taking it off? Possibly with adding some "kitty sweater" around for added protection? She may not like it but if it stays on, it could allow her to have her toys and playtime again?
 

mservant

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