Need to vent. I Apologize in Advance.

[LuckyNumber7]

This past weekend, out of nowhere, our cat Maximus started limping really heavily on his hind legs. He hadn't been near the dogs, so I knew one of them didn't hurt him accidentally. He had been hanging out in the office with our new kitten and god knows all 3/4 of a pound of her didn't hurt him either.

So off to the vet we go with him. I kept saying to the vet "t looks like he's walking like something is out of place". Well it turns out I was right. Both of his back kneecaps were dislocated. Apparently the right one is way worse than the left, and the vet couldn't get it to STAY in place. Every time she popped it back in, it popped right back out. She showed us how to do it ourselves - but again, every time we do it, it pops right back out of place, we can't get it to stay :(

The vet said that they could start him on joint supplements, or do surgery. I am just beside myself, and I don't know what to do. It has me in tears, watching him limp around like this. He isn't crying like he's in pain or anything, but it obviously can't be comfortable.

Has anyone dealt with this before? Any suggestions? I'm sure surgery would cost a small fortune, and with what we've spent on vet bills lately I'm not sure we can afford it right now. I guess maybe we'll start him on joint supplements and see if it improves?

Sorry to vent - I am just so frustrated. It seems like one of my animals always has something wrong medically, and we try to take great care of them and keep them healthy and happy - I feel like we're failing miserably.

In other news, Linea's cold/upper respiratory infection seems to be going away. Her eyes are not goopy anymore and she's no longer sneezing.

Our puppy Molly's mange is going away too - she had her first negative skin scraping at the same vet appointment that Max got diagnosed with the knee thing.

While Max was on the table and the vet was screwing with his leg, he was yowling - I'm sure it didn't feel great. Molly got SO upset. She kept trying to jump up on the table to get to him, and was barking up a storm. When the vet finally put him down, Molly sniffed him and licked him all over making sure he was ok - I was so proud of her for being so protective of her little feline friend.

Anyways, I guess that's the end of my rant. If anyone has dealt with this issue or a similar issue, please feel free to send any advice my way.

Thanks,
Liz

[Laura's Babies]

I have no experience with anything like that but my thoughs are with you and your babies that all get well and stay well.... and give your nerves a break!

[smokey the elder]

Can't he splint it?

[LuckyNumber7]

I asked that, and the vet said no. They said that the knee joint moves so much that there is really no way to splint it without securing it to the BACK of the cat, which is kind of strange. :confused:

[Hellow]

Has he tried popping it back into place then pushing it up? Just a suggestion...

[LuckyNumber7]

It looked like the vet tried pretty much everything - I will try that with him today though, and see if it helps. The poor little guy :( It seems like he's still jumping ok and stuff....but he definitely isn't running around like he usually does, and his limp is very prominent :(

[kb2yjx]

Dear dear Liz!!!
First, thou shalt NOT beat up thy self!!! None of this is YOUR fault!!! You are NOT " failing miserably! " Things happpen and that is that. Sometimes they can be prevented, other times not. We love our cats and do all we can do for them. Sometimes you can miss a symptom, but in your case, you were right on top of things with Maximus. You took him to the vet right away, and YOU were right, there was something wrong! Perhaps, trying the supplements might be the best way to go for now, Maximus is still so young. It is not easy when these creatures we love so get sick, but we try our best, and you are doing just that!!! Be gentle to yourself!! Sandra

[Catty1]

I hope he outgrows this....I wish I had some ideas...maybe a homeopathic vet, or are there cat chiropractors/physio people that actually know about this condition and how to treat it?

If you ARE thinking of possible surgery (would it work well???), why not see if iMOM would cover it? Better to know ahead of time just in case...

www.imom.org

They cover non-routine surgeries.

PY Prayers for Maximus!

[critters]

FWIW, I don't think you'll be able to get away without surgery or a cart (wheelchair). It wouldn't hurt to start finding out what surgery involves, getting estimates, looking for funding, etc. Some financial ideas are at http://www.handicappedpets.net/viewtopic.php?t=8162 ; obviously, you'll have to pick and choose based on species, etc.

[catmandu]

Poor Maximus. I Know How Much You Love Him And How His Pain Is Your Pain. I Can Only Add To The List Of Pet Talkers Who Wish Maximus The Best And Pray That The White Coats Can Help Him.

[phesina]

Prayers and good wishes for little Maximus from us all.

Pat, Peony, Sydney, Poppy, Elmer, and Priscilla Angel

[jennielynn1970]

Awe... that poor little guy! Did the vet say that it may be a genetic thing? It sounds as though it may be something like that, and not just an injury.

Can you talk to a specialty vet hospital in your area and see if they can give a more precise diagnosis? We have Univ. of Penn here in eastern PA. Not sure what is in your area. They are sooooo good with the animals when they have these out of the ordinary kind of problems.

I wish you luck, and hope that Max will be ok. Give him some hugs and kisses from me.

[CultureJunky]

Oh Poor Maximus, please don't think that you're failing, this is just a bad time for you and your pets. You are obviously great owners and love your animals greatly. It seems that in life we go through stages like this, one thing after another that just gets on top of you.
I am sending my best wishes that Maximus gets better and that everything works out, just be strong, keep on going and you and the animals will all come through it. Good luck

Kate, Jack & Sunny

[LuckyNumber7]

kb2yjx - Thanks for your nice post. I know that this isn't "our fault" but I just feel like as hard as I try and as much as we do, our pets just keep having random things wrong with them, and it sucks! I'm sorry to sound like such a whiner - I'm just so bummed out for him.

Catty1, I may look in to IMOM if we do have to go the surgery route. Or we'll try to borrow money from family or something, we'll do whatever we have to do to make sure he gets it done if he needs it.

Critters, he's getting around just fine right now, jumping up onto things and everything, but he's walking very awkward, and his right kneecap simply will not stay in place no matter what we try. It doesn't seem like it HURTS him too much to walk, but I'm sure it's not exactly pleasant for him. I hope that as he grows, his muscles and tendons get stronger and he outgrows this condition - in the meantime we're going to try joint supplements. I don't think that we could have the surgery done until he's a little bigger anyways, since his bones are still growing and stuff - at least, I would assume not - but we will be looking more into that.

Catmandu - thank you for your kind post. Maximus sends head bumpies your way.
Phesina, same to you - thank you for your response. ((hugs))

Jenn_librarian, she didn't get in to what had caused this, but did say that it didn't seem to be an injury or anything. I don't know what suddenly caused him to start limping, it's strange. We have Angell Memorial animal hospital here, which is a great one - we brought Molly, our puppy there when she almost died, and they were able to save her. granted it cost a boatload of money, but that's besides the point - they're good at what they do, and if it comes down to having surgery done, we'll definitely be going to a specialist to make sure it is done right. I should have mentioned in my initial post - our regular vet who Max has seen at his previous appointments was on her honeymoon and we saw someone different this time. I'm going to bring her in when our regular vet is back and try to get some answers about what we can do to help him, and maybe get some exercise recommendations that we can do at home with him to strengthen the muscles in that area. Kitty physical therapy maybe?? :confused:

CultureJunky, thank you. I like to think that we're good pet owners and that we're responsible and take great care of them...it can just get so frustrating sometimes, when these things keep popping up :(

Thanks for all the kind words and advice folks. As usual, PT makes me feel better. (((Hugs)))

[Catty1]

I wonder - a splint, but like the stretchy ones for human knee support and stuff?

I Googled Orthotics for Pets/Cats - Knee braces for Cats....anyway, here is a link, though it is for dogs, which might give you some info. They may work with cats too!

http://www.orthopets.com/photo/index.html

AND a cat back leg brace....don't see no connections to the back of that cat here.

http://orthovet.com/catalog.php?category=Feline%20Splints

Edit for 3rd time - prices better here!

http://www.handicappedpets.com/splints/index.htm

Maybe print these off and show them to your vet?

HUGS!

[Medusa]

An ace bandage, maybe? I haven't had experience w/this sort of thing but it seems like that might keep the joint in place, poor baby.

[jennielynn1970]

Was it on here, or did I hear it where I volunteer, but someone had a kitty that had the hip pop out of place, and they had to have surgery to fix it?? I can't remember where I heard or read that one. I remember the story being that the cat had just out of no where started dragging his back leg, and they don't think he hurt it in any way, but they had to have surgery to fix it.

Did anyone else read that one here??? If not, then maybe it was one of the shelter volunteers. Too many people and cats to keep track of!

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm so sorry to hear about Maximus.:( I hope that the joint meds will do the trick and that he won't end up needing surgery. He'll be in my thoughts and prayers.

[critters]

Actually, Orthopet is a very good thought, and he might be able to help. The Orthovet/HP splint doesn't go up to the knee and is only a foot/hock drop splint. Orthopet is a custom product made by an orthotist from a cast of the extremity.

Good catch, Catty!!

[Freedom]

Oh Liz, poor Maxie!

It sounds like luxating patella, common in small dogs (like my bichons) and rare but occassional in cats. .01% occurrence in cats. And for some odd reason, when it does occur in cats it occurs on both sides.

It is genetic, and worsens over time. You will eventually need to have surgery for him. The sooner you have the surgery, the less permanent damage he will have.

Angell Memorial is the BEST animal hospital in your area. You need to start learning more about this condition, I'm afraid, and decide what to do and when.

Here are some sites to help get you started:
http://www.animalloverworld.com/cats/Luxating_patella.html

http://www.cpvh.com/Articles/78.html

http://www.maybeckvet.com/mediallyluxatingpatella.html

This is a doxie but may be of interest:
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Ask-Veterinarian-700/medially-luxating-patella.htm



Here is the link for Angell:
http://www.mspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=aamcappointment_pagewrapperbut ton

[LuckyNumber7]

I wonder - a splint, but like the stretchy ones for human knee support and stuff?

I Googled Orthotics for Pets/Cats - Knee braces for Cats....anyway, here is a link, though it is for dogs, which might give you some info. They may work with cats too!

http://www.orthopets.com/photo/index.html

AND a cat back leg brace....don't see no connections to the back of that cat here.

http://orthovet.com/catalog.php?category=Feline%20Splints

Edit for 3rd time - prices better here!

http://www.handicappedpets.com/splints/index.htm

Maybe print these off and show them to your vet?

HUGS!

Awesome, thank you Catty! We'll be looking in to that!

I'm looking forward to speaking with our regular vet about it and seeing what she recommends in terms of how to move forward on this.

Freedom - it would figure that one of our critters is in the .01% :rolleyes: lol

I hope he doesn't end up needing surgery and that it doesn't worsen, but from what i've been reading, you might be 100% right on that unfortunately. Sigh.

[Taz_Zoee]

I hope Maximus gets better soon. You've got lots of other kitties coming that he's gonna wanna play with so he doesn't need to be limping around. :)
Little Maximus will be in my thoughts. :D