Again....

Long story short. Link went missing for 4 days. Came back with broken leg below,

Link had surgey to put two pins in the leg to stabilize it and was confined to the home for 8 weeks. He was let back outside (daytime only) just before Thanksgiving. Yesterday I started getting worried because he seemed to be getting worse. Vet appointment today and the pin has broken the lower half of the bone and is working its way out.


So now he will be having another surgery. A cast on the leg that wraps around his hips so he can't get it off and cage rest for 8-10 weeks. We were trying to avoid the cage with the pin because he is hyperactive.

This is mostly directed to @geoffrey (and yes, I know human doctor not vet so different) but does anyone know what his chances are for recovery. I am fully expecting lifelong limp and arthritis as he gets older. But I am concenered about the bone healing enough for him to be able to play and run around. He already is a klutz and can't climb worth beans so that isn't huge. I am fine with him being stuck in our yard because he can't climb the fence. I am worried that the bone won't heal at all I guess is my root fear.

Help.

G Geoffrey

I think your tag didn't work. Trying again.

Thank you. Hate the mobile version sometimes.

Thank you, I had a good look at the X-Ray and was about to write you until I understood that you were going to the vet about it.  

The pin is very unsatisfactorily placed as it is in the soft tissue, not the bony medulla, of the lower part of the femur.  Also, if  Link were to weight bear it would only be a matter of time before the pin penetrates the skin of the foot.  This could convert the fracture to a compound one (with increased risk of infection).   However I understand that the pin will be removed before the vet places a plaster on the leg.

After the pin has been removed, I believe that immobilisation of the femur with a full plaster should allow the fracture to heal satisfactorily - with no more problems except those of not being allowed to weight bear....

I know what trouble this will cause you, as my dear old Siamese, Simon, was hit by a car many years ago and fractured his shoulder and I had to make a cage out of chicken wire for him to be nursed on the veranda.  Being Siamese, he refused to drink in the Australian summer and I had to keep him hydrated with a 20 mil. syringe of saline subcutaneously for a week.  Happily he made a full recovery and lived until he was twenty.

With all best wishes to you and Link,

Geoffrey

Thank you!

These next few months will be interesting. He managed to tip his litter box, food and water last night. This morning he looked very smug about it before I cleaned up. I am hoping that once he gets off the pain medication again and has the cast on he will settle down.