aTailOf2Kitties
03-05-2009, 07:48 PM
Cliff's Notes below, here's the extended version:p
When I adopted my widdle Havoc kitty last month he had an injured leg that had been like that "a while" according to the Humane Society I got him from. Real humane to let him limp around for so long without treatment, huh? But I digress... He was such a sweetie I fell in love with him despite his gimpy leg. I figured worst case scenario, he loses his leg and becomes a happy, healthy tripod. I took him home on Feb 18th and got him and Toby to my regular vet on the 21st for a thorough checkup. Vet shot x-rays and said Havoc had a fracture and recommended FHO surgery to repair damage (I think she said leg was broken (not the hip) but they were busy and I didn't look at the x-rays). Havoc underwent surgery this past Monday and I picked him up the next day, but they didn't give me any instructions on what to do with him. I have seen conflicting accounts on the internet saying 1) keep cat confined, but manipulate the leg daily to ensure range of motion, and 2) let 'em resume normal activity to ensure range of motion, but try to prevent jumping, pouncing or any vertical movement.
Anyone had this surgery on their cat recently? I did a search but found results from 3 years ago and I don't know who is still a regular poster. I have found many online blogs saying people were happy with results, but I still worry about my little guy, since the injury was old enough that he had lost muscle tone in that leg. He did walk on it before surgery but with a pronounced limp and he'd holler if you really got to poking at it.
Any info and well wishes would be much appreciated! Toby likes to play rough so right now I have Havoc in a big cage with food, water, pillow and litterbox when I can't keep an eye on them. He seems comfy enough but need to know what to expect. 3 days post-op he does put the foot down occasionally for support but not really walking on it yet. He is on oral pain meds, plus antibiotics just in case.
Sorry for the novel, here's the Cliffs notes:
Adopted cat with injured leg
took cat to vet
vet recommended FHO
vet performed FHO
brought cat home
need to know what to expect
he's 9 months old if that makes a difference. My poor lil' guy!
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y77/DirtyRat/Toby%20and%20Havoc/kitties002.jpg
need to know what to expect
When I adopted my widdle Havoc kitty last month he had an injured leg that had been like that "a while" according to the Humane Society I got him from. Real humane to let him limp around for so long without treatment, huh? But I digress... He was such a sweetie I fell in love with him despite his gimpy leg. I figured worst case scenario, he loses his leg and becomes a happy, healthy tripod. I took him home on Feb 18th and got him and Toby to my regular vet on the 21st for a thorough checkup. Vet shot x-rays and said Havoc had a fracture and recommended FHO surgery to repair damage (I think she said leg was broken (not the hip) but they were busy and I didn't look at the x-rays). Havoc underwent surgery this past Monday and I picked him up the next day, but they didn't give me any instructions on what to do with him. I have seen conflicting accounts on the internet saying 1) keep cat confined, but manipulate the leg daily to ensure range of motion, and 2) let 'em resume normal activity to ensure range of motion, but try to prevent jumping, pouncing or any vertical movement.
Anyone had this surgery on their cat recently? I did a search but found results from 3 years ago and I don't know who is still a regular poster. I have found many online blogs saying people were happy with results, but I still worry about my little guy, since the injury was old enough that he had lost muscle tone in that leg. He did walk on it before surgery but with a pronounced limp and he'd holler if you really got to poking at it.
Any info and well wishes would be much appreciated! Toby likes to play rough so right now I have Havoc in a big cage with food, water, pillow and litterbox when I can't keep an eye on them. He seems comfy enough but need to know what to expect. 3 days post-op he does put the foot down occasionally for support but not really walking on it yet. He is on oral pain meds, plus antibiotics just in case.
Sorry for the novel, here's the Cliffs notes:
Adopted cat with injured leg
took cat to vet
vet recommended FHO
vet performed FHO
brought cat home
need to know what to expect
he's 9 months old if that makes a difference. My poor lil' guy!
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y77/DirtyRat/Toby%20and%20Havoc/kitties002.jpg
need to know what to expect