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- Jul 12, 2016
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Hello,
I live in Iran and facing the problem I'm writing about I need to make sure that what I've been told is a standard vet procedure. It would be very helpful to me and my cat’s life if you can give me any consultations and pieces of advice. I’d really appreciate your time and help. Here’s what happened:
Two weeks ago I had my 8 month old -DSH/mixed breed- cat fell from the third floor. I took her to the regular vet, and x-rays were taken which indicated her right leg was broken. Then they prescribed some painkillers and injected antibiotics to her broken leg and told me to bring her the next day as she needed a surgery. The next day the surgeon, initially having doubts about whether doing the operation by the time or waiting a few more days, confirmed the safety of doing the surgery. I've attached the x-rays before surgery and the ones right after it.
(Before Surgery)
(After Surgery)
The surgeon didn’t explain to us what exactly is going to happen during the surgery and only said: “We’ll see.” Anyway we had to trust the surgeon since he’s well-known here and the vet reassured his skill and experience. X-rays were taken right away after the surgery, and as apparent in the pictures they used a plate and wires to fix the fracture. The vet said the surgery was operated very well and leaving the plate in her body for the rest of her life could absolutely cause no further problem. I assume the healing process went ok. She’s eaten (at first day she had only chicken soup) well and has been able to use the litter on her own except the first night after surgery. She didn’t stand on the leg for the first few days and then started to slightly put some pressure on it. I'd add that my cat has been spayed a month before this accident.
Yesterday, after 14 days we took her to the vet to have the stitches removed. The vet asked me if she uses her leg properly. “Well, she has kind of used her leg but not 'properly'. She's been walking with a limp. She's been trying to get around on her leg but also avoiding to put real pressure on it. She’s not tried to fold the legs under her even once, avoiding this sphinx position she's rather laid stretched out on her sides.” I replied and I know it was a bit long and complicated answer but that’s the way it’s really been. She can jump/climb the bed (of 30 cm height) and she's been running before me whenever I want to give her and her littermate their meals. Though she hasn’t been walking normally and she’s rather limping, which I have thought is probably normal. Although yesterday the vet just looked at her and immediately said bring her next week to remove the plate. When I asked for the precise reason of this, he said the plate brakes her walking! He didn’t see her really walking or anything and examined her still in her place. He said we’d rather reserve sooner since the surgeon is busy next week. I did reserve but I am not sure if it’s the best decision at least for now. I searched the internet for vet advice and articles about bone fractures in cats, they all mentioned that removing the plates will be done at least some months after the surgery if necessary. So I’m going to consult more and acknowledge the goodness of doing so. I am really worried, a little part of me is stressed of going through the whole process of another operation this soon but the other big part of me is so concerned to make a good decision and hopefully the right one for my cat’s quality of life whom I wish to be back to its normal state. I've also uploaded a video of Patu walking to show how she really walks with a limp.
One more time, I thank you for giving me your time to read this.
I live in Iran and facing the problem I'm writing about I need to make sure that what I've been told is a standard vet procedure. It would be very helpful to me and my cat’s life if you can give me any consultations and pieces of advice. I’d really appreciate your time and help. Here’s what happened:
Two weeks ago I had my 8 month old -DSH/mixed breed- cat fell from the third floor. I took her to the regular vet, and x-rays were taken which indicated her right leg was broken. Then they prescribed some painkillers and injected antibiotics to her broken leg and told me to bring her the next day as she needed a surgery. The next day the surgeon, initially having doubts about whether doing the operation by the time or waiting a few more days, confirmed the safety of doing the surgery. I've attached the x-rays before surgery and the ones right after it.
(Before Surgery)
(After Surgery)
The surgeon didn’t explain to us what exactly is going to happen during the surgery and only said: “We’ll see.” Anyway we had to trust the surgeon since he’s well-known here and the vet reassured his skill and experience. X-rays were taken right away after the surgery, and as apparent in the pictures they used a plate and wires to fix the fracture. The vet said the surgery was operated very well and leaving the plate in her body for the rest of her life could absolutely cause no further problem. I assume the healing process went ok. She’s eaten (at first day she had only chicken soup) well and has been able to use the litter on her own except the first night after surgery. She didn’t stand on the leg for the first few days and then started to slightly put some pressure on it. I'd add that my cat has been spayed a month before this accident.
Yesterday, after 14 days we took her to the vet to have the stitches removed. The vet asked me if she uses her leg properly. “Well, she has kind of used her leg but not 'properly'. She's been walking with a limp. She's been trying to get around on her leg but also avoiding to put real pressure on it. She’s not tried to fold the legs under her even once, avoiding this sphinx position she's rather laid stretched out on her sides.” I replied and I know it was a bit long and complicated answer but that’s the way it’s really been. She can jump/climb the bed (of 30 cm height) and she's been running before me whenever I want to give her and her littermate their meals. Though she hasn’t been walking normally and she’s rather limping, which I have thought is probably normal. Although yesterday the vet just looked at her and immediately said bring her next week to remove the plate. When I asked for the precise reason of this, he said the plate brakes her walking! He didn’t see her really walking or anything and examined her still in her place. He said we’d rather reserve sooner since the surgeon is busy next week. I did reserve but I am not sure if it’s the best decision at least for now. I searched the internet for vet advice and articles about bone fractures in cats, they all mentioned that removing the plates will be done at least some months after the surgery if necessary. So I’m going to consult more and acknowledge the goodness of doing so. I am really worried, a little part of me is stressed of going through the whole process of another operation this soon but the other big part of me is so concerned to make a good decision and hopefully the right one for my cat’s quality of life whom I wish to be back to its normal state. I've also uploaded a video of Patu walking to show how she really walks with a limp.
One more time, I thank you for giving me your time to read this.
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