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.

[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

[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!!