I'm hoping that the cat-wise people on this site can give me some information and advice. This is my new kitten Henry. I'm fostering him with the intent to adopt. He was brought into our city shelter on Sunday, June 26, approximate age 4 weeks, with a broken left front leg. It isn't known how the leg was broken.
The shelter examined him and splinted it, gave him pain meds and antibiotics. There was a puncture wound on that leg and the foot was very swollen. They also gave him a Capstar because he was covered in fleas. So he didn't seem well cared for, but was/is very social so seems to have been handled.
I emailed the shelter about fostering him on 6/27, and they told me the leg might need to be amputated and that he wasn't ready to leave. Due to other obligations, I wasn't able to pick him up until 7/4. That day, they told me that he was healing well and would probably keep his leg. They called me back later that evening to let me know that actually, the vet didn't really expect it to heal in the splint and they might still need to amputate, and I should bring him in for X-Rays on 7/17.
After only 24 hours, my husband and were both totally in love with Henry and committed to giving him a permanent home. My husband (bless him!) suggested that we go ahead and take Henry to our own vet (paying ourselves rather than relying on the free vet services from the shelter.) But we trust our vet, who is an excellent surgeon, and really want to give Henry the best possible medical care. Here's what our vet says:
1) Henry is too young and his bones are too soft for surgery right now - pins or plates wouldn't take. If he were a month or two older, it would be much easier to repair this injury.
2) X-rays showed that the radius and ulna were both "badly" broken (fully fractured). Humerus is intact.
3) The bones were somewhat overlapping, not well aligned. He put Henry under anesthesia on 7/6 and reset the bones. He says they are still not perfect but are better aligned than they were. He re-splinted the leg.
4) I'll take Henry back weekly until either A) the bones heal by themselves; B) he's old enough for surgery/pins/whatever; or C) our doctor tells us that amputation is the best option (which he thinks is unlikely).
I'd like to save his leg if at all possible, but am totally fine with having a 3-legged cat if that's what's best for him. I just don't want him to be in any pain. I want him to be able to jump and play with my other cats and have a normal (indoor-only) life.
Right now, Henry is on cage rest. He doesn't seem to be in any pain - in fact, he really wants to explore and play, but I can't let him, and that's sad. He's eating well (Royal Canin Babycat wet and dry) and using his box like a big boy. He's a sweet, sweet loud-purring, nose-booping, cuddle-loving kitten.
Everything I’ve ready online confirms that he’s had the right treatment at both the shelter and my vet’s office. But I’d like to hear from people here. Has anyone been through something similar? How did it turn out? Any advice? Is there anything else that I could or should do?
Thank you all in advance for your responses. I realize I probably sound like a crazy lady, but well...guilty as charged. :-)
The shelter examined him and splinted it, gave him pain meds and antibiotics. There was a puncture wound on that leg and the foot was very swollen. They also gave him a Capstar because he was covered in fleas. So he didn't seem well cared for, but was/is very social so seems to have been handled.
I emailed the shelter about fostering him on 6/27, and they told me the leg might need to be amputated and that he wasn't ready to leave. Due to other obligations, I wasn't able to pick him up until 7/4. That day, they told me that he was healing well and would probably keep his leg. They called me back later that evening to let me know that actually, the vet didn't really expect it to heal in the splint and they might still need to amputate, and I should bring him in for X-Rays on 7/17.
After only 24 hours, my husband and were both totally in love with Henry and committed to giving him a permanent home. My husband (bless him!) suggested that we go ahead and take Henry to our own vet (paying ourselves rather than relying on the free vet services from the shelter.) But we trust our vet, who is an excellent surgeon, and really want to give Henry the best possible medical care. Here's what our vet says:
1) Henry is too young and his bones are too soft for surgery right now - pins or plates wouldn't take. If he were a month or two older, it would be much easier to repair this injury.
2) X-rays showed that the radius and ulna were both "badly" broken (fully fractured). Humerus is intact.
3) The bones were somewhat overlapping, not well aligned. He put Henry under anesthesia on 7/6 and reset the bones. He says they are still not perfect but are better aligned than they were. He re-splinted the leg.
4) I'll take Henry back weekly until either A) the bones heal by themselves; B) he's old enough for surgery/pins/whatever; or C) our doctor tells us that amputation is the best option (which he thinks is unlikely).
I'd like to save his leg if at all possible, but am totally fine with having a 3-legged cat if that's what's best for him. I just don't want him to be in any pain. I want him to be able to jump and play with my other cats and have a normal (indoor-only) life.
Right now, Henry is on cage rest. He doesn't seem to be in any pain - in fact, he really wants to explore and play, but I can't let him, and that's sad. He's eating well (Royal Canin Babycat wet and dry) and using his box like a big boy. He's a sweet, sweet loud-purring, nose-booping, cuddle-loving kitten.
Everything I’ve ready online confirms that he’s had the right treatment at both the shelter and my vet’s office. But I’d like to hear from people here. Has anyone been through something similar? How did it turn out? Any advice? Is there anything else that I could or should do?
Thank you all in advance for your responses. I realize I probably sound like a crazy lady, but well...guilty as charged. :-)