Post-surgery Siamese needs total crate confinement- not happy!! Tips/help?

Hi all, I apologize for the long read here. If it's too much to read all this right now, I'll bold the important bits. I've got a bit of an issue lately and I'm hoping someone has had a similar experience and can give me any tips. I recently rescued a Siamese cat who had a broken leg and needed sugery. The original owners were going to euthanize him since they could not afford any diagnostics or treatment. They surrendered him, and a friend who works at this particular hospital took him until she could find him a permanent home. I agreed to take him, cover his bills, and help him recover (ultimately adopting him). So please, before you say "Siamese cats are noisy- you should not have gotten one if you can't handle it" etc, please hear me out! 

He had a badly broken hind limb and therefore had to undergo an extensive orthopedic surgery with a metal plate, screws, and wires. He was sent home with us with his leg bandaged, and with strict confinement/no activity instructions. Luckily we have a very large dog crate for when one of our cats is sick, traveling, etc. I knew that he was probably not going to like it, but I know that in order for the leg to heal properly and avoid infection/amputation due to complications, he has to be confined and not weight bearing. Well, he is obviously not happy with this at all. Anyway, that was 11/1/16, so it's been about three weeks now. He was doing okay, lots of extreme vocalizing, but otherwise okay.

Well, at his last bandage change, one of the newer technicians where I work (and usually take my cats) was the only one working that night, and did his bandage change. He had a small pressure sore, and I feel that the way she bandaged it ended up causing more complications. I noticed two days ago that his leg seemed not quite right and brought him into the emergency hospital to have him seen. They determined that the pressure sore was worse, but that otherwise his leg seemed to be healing okay. They decided that we would keep his bandage off and give him a cone, and just ensure that he had absolutely no activity. I expressed that this was going to be difficult for me, and asked if they could give me some type of sedative. Previously he had been on buprenex for his pain, but he has been so upset and bored in the cage that he screams endlessly, and so my doctor had given him some valium. He didn't seem to respond to this at all. This doctor said that we could try xanax and sent us home. Very early the next morning I noticed something not right, and it seemed he was having a bad reaction to the xanax. I rushed him to the emergency hospital again and they said that he was indeed having a dysphoric reaction to the alprazolam/xanax. I asked if they could keep him for a few hours and try and get him to settle down, since at the time I found him he was very very frantic and I was extremely worried- I also worried that in this state, he would do damage to his now unbandaged leg. They kept him overnight and said they'd call me the next day.

By this point, because of my Siamese's issues, my other cat's current skin issues, and several upcoming exams, I had not slept more than 2 hours in the past 2-3 days and I was really a mess. I don't have kids, but I definitely have a newfound appreciation and sympathy for mothers who have fussy babies (or newborn babies at all, honestly) and are not getting enough sleep. In addition to the sleep deprivation, I am always very upset whenever my kitties are uncomfortable and happy. I just have this tendency to suck up their stress like a sponge. I'm trying to not even worry about finances right now in addition to all this, but I did also have to quit my job about a week ago because with all of this going on and lots of work in my difficult biology courses, I had to make the decision that right now I do not have time to have a job so I can hopefully save my grades. Anyway (ranting here), I picked up my kitty (named Yao by the way, after the favorite buffet that me and his original rescuer love to go to, and also because that's exactly what his meows sound like) around noon on Sunday and brought him home with a good prognosis and some Gabapentin to try in addition to his clavamox. He did not seem to react well to benzodiazepines and hopefully the gabapentin was going to keep him calm so that he did not damage his now much more vulnerable leg, and was calm enough to stay crated. I also really hoped that it would help his excessive meowing. Don't get me wrong- I know that Siamese cats are extremely vocal. I have had cats all my life and I have never mined chatty cats- in fact, I love them. But his cries are extremely urgent sounding, almost surely because he is so bored in that damn cage most of the day, and we have neighbors with very thin walls. He meows relentlessly at maximum volume pretty much anytime he is in his cage.

I ended up having to return to the emergency hospital a THIRD time within two days when his pressure sores seemed to be getting worse. Keep in mind that each time I have to get him in the carrier, he becomes even more frantic and loud, which I'm sure my neighbors do not appreciate So finally, I took him in around midnight last night and just brought him home. The surgeon who performed his surgery took a look and said that the leg looks fine, and the pressure sores are not serious and should resolve now that he's not wearing a bandage anymore, but that it is absolutely critical he stays 100% crate confined. The gabapentin is helping slightly, but not entirely.

Main point: he is a very difficult case per doctors, we have been in and out of the hospital multiple times, and I don't know how to console him. He has no benefit from or bad reactions to several different sedatives we've attempted. What I've been doing is just keeping him in my arms as much time is possible. He is very happy with this, for the most part, but I don't know what to do about the times he needs to be in his crate. My fiance and I both are students and when we have to go to class, go grocery shopping, etc., he must be in his cage. I feel so terrible for him because I know he hates it. The vet and technicians have told me that I just need to give him tough love. I understand that this is necessary, but It's really hard when he cries so loud and so frequently. Right now I have a makeshift papoose on with him snuggled against me. After I finish this post, I have to get back to work on a very long takehome exam that I have due tomorrow. I'm just having a really hard time managing all of this, and I think it would make things much easier if he didn't do so horribly when he has to be crated. We have tried playing music for him, putting videos of birds/fish/etc. on my laptop for him, several different medications, giving him toys to play with, pretty much everything. He must be crated for at least another 4 weeks and I'm a bit at wits end. Has anyone had a problem like this? Do you have any tips, holistic calming supplements you know of, tips, etc. for me? I really appreciate it. I just want the best for my newly rescued baby, and for my other kitties as well who are getting stressed out from all of this. Thanks so much.

Once I can get pics on my computer, I'll upload them so you can see what a beautiful little sweetheart he is.

Wow - I really feel for you and what you're going through with Yao (and so sorry that you haven't had a reply sooner, btw ). My greyhound was in this exact position not long after I got him (plated and pinned leg, weeks of cage rest etc), so I have some idea of just how hard it is - I used to resort to climbing into his crate with him, as he was just way too excitable when he was out of it.

How is Yao doing now? A couple of ideas come to mind, though I obviously can't guarantee they'll help. Firstly, have you tried him on Composure? It's a natural, food based calmer, so is less likely to cause negative reactions than psychiatric meds. It can't hurt to have Feliway diffusers running either, so that's worth a go if you've not tried them already. Spraying the inside of the carrier - and maybe even the car - with Feliway spray before vet trips is well worth a go too, as it can really help the cat to stay calmer during the journey.

As he gets so upset when he's put down, but is ok when you're holding him, he might be comforted by having a cat sized soft toy to snuggle up to - rather like one would use when hand rearing an orphaned kitten. He might find heat pads comforting too, or an unwashed shirt of yours (preferably something you've slept in or worked out in - the smellier the better) to snuggle up to.

Thank you for taking this boy in. I'm sure he appreciates it. Mega for his speedy recovery. I'm only sorry I can't be of more help.

Link recently broke his leg and had a pin put in it. Because his break was fairly clean I had the option of putting him on a strict no movement for 8 weeks to heal or the surgery. Link is part Siamese and can be vocal along with highly active and inquisitive so I knew confinement wouldn't work. So we did the surgery.

Not knowing your whole situation and the severity of Yaos broken leg, I find it odd that with the reinforcement and pins/plates that he has to be immobile. Not only because of my experience with Link but also years ago I had a cat shatter his tubular and fibula. He had screws put in and wire wrapped around them. He stayed at the vets for 48 hours after and came home with a cast. But there were no confinement orders for him either. At that time the vet said his leg was so wired together that once the incision healed he basically had a stronger than bone bionic leg.

With Link, he was at the vets for 5 days before his surgery (they had to order the pin for his surgery, small practice) because I work all day and he had to be confined until the surgery. I didn't want him home alone and caged. He had his surgery and they sent him home with no bandages (it was a small incision at the knee). My vet said that the pin stabilized it enough that he could move around without risking damaging it further. She isn't a fan or bandages or casts saying that it agitates the cats more cause them to shake it to dislodge it causing more harm or stresses them prolonging recovery. She also said to trust Link to know when he could put weight on it. Try to limit his running and jumping for a few weeks but otherwise let him move around. She said the movement and weight bearing as he felt able would help stimulate regrowth and healing at the break. It's been 8 weeks and Link limps at the end of the day but otherwise he is good. He just got clearance to go outside again and my Dad built him a little ladder and platform in his favorite tree to make sure Link didn't slip and fall going up with his leg still healing.

The whole point of this is, why do you have to confine Yao? He had surgery. He should be recovered from the initial repair enough at this point for some exercise and movement to start rebuilding muscle and regaining mobility of the leg. I can understand a few weeks to allow the surgery to heal but cats are really good at babying injury. Link kept his foot off the ground for a good two weeks after his surgery except for some toe touching to balance(but he is a klutz). I understand it's the direction from your vet but I would think that the surgery would have stabilized the break enough to at least let Yao out to move around supervised when your home.

Personally, I'd get a second opinion from another vet. Or just let him out to walk around lightly when I was there. Nothing crazy, no running or jumping. Just read a book while he walks around in a confined space (bathroom maybe). He is probably going stir crazy.

Thanks for your reply, Kieka. We did get a second opinion, but that doctor said the same thing, and said that at least until recheck x-rays were done that he should be immobile. However, when speaking unofficially with another doctor about it, she said that she felt it would be good for him to get some activity to keep the muscles strong and help support the bone, which I agreed with more than just having him completely confined. I realize it's been a while since I posted this originally! We have been letting him walk around supervised, and he's doing great. We discontinued his gabapentin, as he does not seem to be uncomfortable anymore. Now he is just in his cage at bedtime, since we don't want him walking around without supervision.

We have a cat with a femur break (broken in multiple places with floating bone) who had surgery 3 weeks ago. (Pin and wires put in.) She too is on strict crate confinement.

We also have a dog recovering from CCL surgery which requires the bone to be cut just below the knee joint. She has plates/screws to hold the leg together. She is on strict crate confinement and can only be leash walked on a short leash to potty.

As a note, both had surgery done by a board-certified surgeon who specializes in orthopedic procedures.

I would personally adhere to your surgeon's advice to keep crated as it's possible to the bone to shift and not heal properly, even with the pin/plate in place. The hardware to to help with stability while healing, not actually firmly hold everything together. A wrong jump can cause the bone to break, possibly in a different place.

I understand having an unhappy kitty on your hands. I've been thru this with an 8 wk old Siamese mix who had to be crated for 8 wks, as well as about a half dozen other cats/kittens.

Where do you have Yao crated? Have you tried covering the crate, using calming supplements or playing harp/classical music in the room with him?

Hi CatPack. You have two recovering pets? That sounds like a handful!! I hope they're doing well.

Our kitty (we actually switched him back to his original name, Henri, since we realized he responds to it) had his surgery a bit over a month ago, and we have had his crate in several spots to try and see where he feels most comfortable. Right now it is in our living room. I have tried several different types of music for him and they all just seem to encourage his yowling. I am most likely going to schedule some recheck x-rays for next week so we can see if it's possible to end his crate time! I hope your pets recover smoothly and quickly.

growlithe66 , I help run a rescue, so almost always have someone recovering from one thing or another!

I have had the best luck with setting animals up in a bedroom or other area of the house that is quiet and furthest away from household noises. I only go in to check on them to do meds and to feed/scoop litter boxes and try to keep any stimulation to a minimum.

i definitely think it is a good idea to recheck x-rays before allowing him to engage in any further activity. 6 weeks is the quickest you can expect a bone to mend and this is for a young kitten. It will take longer the older the cat is.

If Buprenex seemed to help him relax, I'd really try to get the vet to give you more until Henri can come out of confinement.

I know it is hard to ignore the yowls, but I promise the time will go by quicker than you think and then Henri can make up for lost time and run and romp to his heart's content.

BTW, we love pics here and would love to see this sweet boy if you want to share!

Don't listen to me. My boy decided to land wrong on his leg with a pin and he cracked the bone. The pin is now slipping and I will be joining you in the Siamese in cage for 8 weeks club. *sigh*

Kieka said:

Don't listen to me. My boy decided to land wrong on his leg with a pin and he cracked the bone. The pin is now slipping and I will be joining you in the Siamese in cage for 8 weeks club. *sigh

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I'm so sorry that this happened! But, yes, this is why it is so important for them to be on strict confinement. After the first two weeks post-op they start feeling better and think they can do normal activity.

Did Link's pin puncture through the skin of his foot?

Ugh! I feel for both you and Link! Hoping he heals without further complication! Sending lots of good vibes your way!!

CatPack said:

I'm so sorry that this happened! But, yes, this is why it is so important for them to be on strict confinement. After the first two weeks post-op they start feeling better and think they can do normal activity.

Did Link's pin puncture through the skin of his foot?

Ugh! I feel for both you and Link! Hoping he heals without further complication! Sending lots of good vibes your way!!

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Not to hijack, I started a thread for him. But no, it didn't go through skin. I noticed something was off soon enough. Link was 13 weeks post op so he had been cleared for activity after 8 weeks of light activity.

Kieka said:

Not to hijack, I started a thread for him. But no, it didn't go through skin. I noticed something was off soon enough. Link was 13 weeks post op so he had been cleared for activity after 8 weeks of light activity.

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Oh no!! Sorry to hear that this happened to you. It's such a tough situation, you want them to heal up but then you feel bad keeping them confined I wish for a speedy recovery for your Link. How does he respond to soothing music, toys in the cage, etc?

Link threw his toys out of the crate, tipped his litter box, tipped his food and his water dish (both food and water are heavy duty supposed nontipping ones) all within 12 hours of being crated. Thats my gentle giant throwing a tantrum. *sigh*

We can't take him out and hold him until after his surgery and casting because he is still too mobile and will bolt. Even then he doesn't like cuddling so we will see how that goes over time. He is right next to a computer so I can try playing music tomorrow.

These bowls are great for animals when they have to be confined. They attach to the crate and make it way less likely for messes.

https://www.chewy.com/midwest-stainless-steel-snapy-fit/dp/50142

CatPack said:

These bowls are great for animals when they have to be confined. They attach to the crate and make it way less likely for messes.

https://www.chewy.com/midwest-stainless-steel-snapy-fit/dp/50142

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Pretty .... want....

I also have one of those locking bowls for the side of the crate, they work great. I have found them at both walmart and petsmart. Kieka, have you asked your vet about any type of sedative medications for your Link? I know most of us never want to have to medicate our pets unless necessary. I felt bad to have to put Henry through a few different types of meds, but once we tried the Gabapentin it worked wonders for him and helped him stay calm so that he wouldn't re-injure himself. Otherwise he was completely inconsolable, he was going nuts and making us nuts in the process. After about two weeks of the med he no longer needed it, and had gotten through the worst part of the healing without hurting himself.

I don't have to crate my Siamese, who is recovering from spaying, just keep her in the cone of shame (which, generally, she's tolerating fairly well, now that she can't remove it), but the one factor in keeping her from yeowling is access to humans ( mostly me, but to a lesser degree my housemate.)  Even in the car, her ability to see me or not pretty much determines if she meows all trip or if she settles down and enjoys he ride (I'm lucky in having a cat who generally tolerates the carrier and car trips well)

So my suggestion is to maybe get a pair of good sound dampening earmuffs (they make some that reduce about 30 decibels that are intended for use with shooting sports, which should help dampen the yeowling and are around 20 bucks on amazon)  and see if you can concentrate well enough to do homework like that in view of the cat.    You also might try setting up a tv/laptop/etc with some cat tv (and since you mentioned money may be tight, youtube has a number of videos of a similar nature you can show instead), to give your ailing cat some visual. auditory, and mental simulation.

My cat is generally quite quiet for a Siamese, but if she's really upset I still describe her meowing as her "calling on 100 generations of Siamese cat ancestors" to lend strength to her voice, or "reminiscent of a baby being boiled alive", so I suspect your cat wont' entirely stop yeowling, but maybe more of you and more simulation will at least reduce it.

Also, try turning on a fan in your bedroom or some such for whiet noise to help you sleep.   That much sleep deprivation is rough on a person, and if you can get a few more hours, you'll feel more able to both handle your life in general, and to care for your convalescing cat in specific.

Sargon said:

 
I don't have to crate my Siamese, who is recovering from spaying, just keep her in the cone of shame (which, generally, she's tolerating fairly well, now that she can't remove it), but the one factor in keeping her from yeowling is access to humans ( mostly me, but to a lesser degree my housemate.)  Even in the car, her ability to see me or not pretty much determines if she meows all trip or if she settles down and enjoys he ride (I'm lucky in having a cat who generally tolerates the carrier and car trips well)

So my suggestion is to maybe get a pair of good sound dampening earmuffs (they make some that reduce about 30 decibels that are intended for use with shooting sports, which should help dampen the yeowling and are around 20 bucks on amazon)  and see if you can concentrate well enough to do homework like that in view of the cat.    You also might try setting up a tv/laptop/etc with some cat tv (and since you mentioned money may be tight, youtube has a number of videos of a similar nature you can show instead), to give your ailing cat some visual. auditory, and mental simulation.

My cat is generally quite quiet for a Siamese, but if she's really upset I still describe her meowing as her "calling on 100 generations of Siamese cat ancestors" to lend strength to her voice, or "reminiscent of a baby being boiled alive", so I suspect your cat wont' entirely stop yeowling, but maybe more of you and more simulation will at least reduce it.

Also, try turning on a fan in your bedroom or some such for whiet noise to help you sleep.   That much sleep deprivation is rough on a person, and if you can get a few more hours, you'll feel more able to both handle your life in general, and to care for your convalescing cat in specific.

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LOL, I really like your analogies for your kitty's meowing! Does she meow more when you're in her line of sight? Sometimes Henry will finally settle down, but as soon as he catches someone glancing at him, he starts right back up with renewed vigor.

Freya is actually very quiet by Siamese standards, as long as I am around.  She'll trill "hello" (in English), or sometimes just a general greeting trill when she first sees some one, but otherwise, she only meows when unhappy, and  since she's a spoiled little princes cat (it says so on her collar ), that's not all that often.   Of course, if she wants to get to me and can't, that's when she avails herself of her super power and meows with terrifying force.