Suspected broken hip in cat

[Barmaid]

Had to rush my 19 year old boy to the vets this morning. He was dragging his rear leg around. Vet is reluctant to do an x ray because that requires anaesthesia so for now we are treating it as a soft tissue injury with pain relief and confinement (vet's advice). if no better by Monday we will have to think again. He's a really fit and healthy cat so if he is no better, I want him x rayed to see if they can fix it. Does anyone know what the pronosis is for mending broken hips in old boys? Obviously I shall talk to the vet on monday, but I am going to worry about him all weekend. If he was a poorly cat or showing signs of age, I make take a different view, but he has so much life in him I am finding it quite difficult to compute what I think the vet was hinting at.

[ladybirder]

Oh dear BM so sorry to hear this, poor chap. I understand the vet's dilemma as mine has told me he won't anaesthetize my Maggie aged 19 again after she had one of her thyroid glands removed. They really are so reluctant to do it unless there is no choice. Sorry I have no idea about the prognosis for a broken hip in an old cat. Is he at home with you or staying at the vets?

[Barmaid]

He is at home, in one of the spare rooms (now known as "the Hospital Wing") with his food, water, litter tray and a big fat duvet.

[carrot99]

no information BM but will be thinking of you both until you update us xxx

[LoftyLottie]

Oh dear Barmaid. Keeping my fingers crossed it is not broken. Can they do replacement hip joints for cats? I know how much you love him and don't blame you for wanting him xrayed and fixed if possible. I suppose you could say the same for animals as for humans. Some humans are fit and healthy and fine with ops in their 90's - other's are frail and elderly in their 70's.

Keep hopeful and try not to worry.

Love Lottie

xx

[carolegif]

My cat Fudge was found dragging her leg around a few years ago so we took her to the ver who decided that at her age (19) he would wait a couple of days or so to see if it went on its own. It did, after 3 or 4 days the limp went and we thought that she had falled badly whilst chasing a squirrel up a tree!
Sadly, Fudge had to be put to sleep this week at the grand old age of 22 because she had lots of mouth abcesses and her kidneys and liver were failing.
I'll keep my fingers crossed that your old boy has a few years in him yet!

[B00]

Fingers crossed BM. Hope all goes well :-)

Carolgif, so sorry to hear that.

[ummmm]

Yes, fingers crossed BM xx

[paddywak]

I know what you're going through Barmaid, as you may recall Max my GSD has just gone through some problems and the six days between the initial diagnosis and the operation seemed endless. Fortunately every thing turned out OK so I'll have my fingers crossed for a similar result for you and your boy

[ruthann58]

have you thought of getting a puppy cage and confining him in that , he will have to rest then, we had to cage lisa when she got hit by a car and vet wanted to acall it a day as she was paralysed on her rear end and could not pee or poo , broken front leg ,and various other cuts and scrapes but after 6 weeks in the pup cage with only coming out when i was with her and gentle exercising her back legs by hand the feeling in her rear end returned ,she was never a 100% again but still able to scamper about in the garden and catch the odd mouse and bring in , sadly we lost her just before xmas to liver disease but see had an extra 11 years after being hit by the car , hope your boy recovers xxx

[Barmaid]

Well I have just returned from the Hospital Wing. The patient has not improved at all. :( On the plus side he has eaten and drank well over night and used his litter tray. He scoffed down his very special breakfast of tuna (with added medication) and had a good drink and a gentle cuddle with Mummy Slave this morning. I'll go up and give him his elevenses later.

Thank you all for your good wishes, I will keep you posted.

[Prudie]

Sorry to hear that BM, really sympathise and hope all goes well, it's so worrying isn't it. I'm going through exactly the same thing, but different cause, with one of my cats and have to go back to vets tmrw. My boy has all his glands up, has lost loads of weight in the last week and I can't tempt him with anything. 10 days ago he was a full of life big fluffy alpha boy. It's been a black cloud hanging over me all week and can't see a positive solution. I'm dreading the vets visit. How we love our fluff balls don't we ;-(

[Barmaid]

Oh Prudie, I wish you and your boy the best for tomorrow and I hope they can find out what is wrong and fix it. When my old lady was like that I got her to eat by putting tuna on my hands and rubbing it on her gums, it stimulates the salivation glands and makes them hungry. Tuna is the poorly cat slave's best friend!!!

And yes, we do all love our fluff balls. I wouldn't be without any of mine. Fingers crossed for you both.

[Prudie]

Thank you, you too

[LoftyLottie]

Best wishes for both your boys Barmaid and Prudie. I will be thinking of you tomorrow. xx

[LoftyLottie]

My animals get better care than Mr LL when they are ill!! ;o/

[boxtops]

Thinking of you both, from all the furry people here x

[Barmaid]

Well there is some really good news and some not so good news. My dear old boy had an anaesthetic this morning and an x ray. Turns out he has torn every ligament in his left hind knee. He came out of the anaesthetic with no problems. Vet has advised that we try treating with painkillers and antibiotics and several weeks' cage rest. He has to be reviewed every week (not least because he has slightly elevated urea levels). If there is no improvement in 4 weeks, we will review matters, with amputation being the likely outcome. His age is against him, but if anyone will come out the other side of it, this old boy will.

His leg is completely shaved. He also has three other shaved patches. He's stuck in a cage, he's constipated and he is jolly miserable right now. But he's home and having deliciously tempting morsels hand fed by his adoring slaves with gentle cuddles on demand. Fingers crossed.

Now, Prudie, what about your kitty cat?

[LoftyLottie]

The elevated urea levels are not surprising in cat of his age Barmaid. Don't worry too much about that. And if he has to have his leg amputated you will be very surprised how quickly he can cope. A broken hip would have been far more of a problem. I think he will be OK. He seems like a strong fellow and he has a lovely Mum to look after him.

Hopefully, he will improve and amputation won't be necessary. Ligaments take ages to heal.

Thanks for letting us know x

[ttfn]

Barmaid, I wish him well with it and paws crossed for a success without an op x

[rockyracoon]

Just seen this thread BM, hope your lad gets better. Prudie, thinking of you too, it's awful when the animals are ill.