dislocated leg, 12m/40ft fall, to have surgery or not...?

[MM]

We are still upset and shocked. Fifi, our 3 year old chinchilla, fell
out of our kitchen window on the 4th floor. She landed badly, and
dislocated her right back leg at the hip joint and also broke her
right foot.

It was 1am when she slipped. Luckily, we have a 24hour vet at the pet
shop we bought her from, we rushed her there, stayed with her all
night, x-ray and pain killers. The real doc in the morning suggested
we take her home for 3 days rest/calm down before surgery.

She's home now, breathing fast and occasionally crying out.

The vet plans to: Open up the leg, Shave a bit of the leg bone down,
the ball end looking femur, check the leg nerve and keep her there for
10 days. Afterwards, she should have a limp if all is well.

The late night attendant recommended: take her home, lot's of love but
no surgery. She'll recover eventually.

We know she is in agony. But we are distressed and don't know which
course is the best. I want to take her in for surgery in a few days.

Any thoughts, experience and recommendations would be great

Mike

[MaryL]

"MM" > wrote in message
m...
> We are still upset and shocked. Fifi, our 3 year old chinchilla, fell
> out of our kitchen window on the 4th floor. She landed badly, and
> dislocated her right back leg at the hip joint and also broke her
> right foot.
>
> It was 1am when she slipped. Luckily, we have a 24hour vet at the pet
> shop we bought her from, we rushed her there, stayed with her all
> night, x-ray and pain killers. The real doc in the morning suggested
> we take her home for 3 days rest/calm down before surgery.
>
> She's home now, breathing fast and occasionally crying out.
>
> The vet plans to: Open up the leg, Shave a bit of the leg bone down,
> the ball end looking femur, check the leg nerve and keep her there for
> 10 days. Afterwards, she should have a limp if all is well.
>
> The late night attendant recommended: take her home, lot's of love but
> no surgery. She'll recover eventually.
>
> We know she is in agony. But we are distressed and don't know which
> course is the best. I want to take her in for surgery in a few days.
>
> Any thoughts, experience and recommendations would be great
>
> Mike

I don't have any experience, but my reaction would be to follow the advice
of your regular vet if you feel that he/she is well qualified in this area.
Otherwise, I would seek a third opinion since there has been so much
difference of opinion between the first few vets -- preferably an orthopedic
specialist (possibly at a veterinary teaching hospital, if that is
feasible).

MaryL

[MaryL]

"MM" > wrote in message
m...
> We are still upset and shocked. Fifi, our 3 year old chinchilla, fell
> out of our kitchen window on the 4th floor. She landed badly, and
> dislocated her right back leg at the hip joint and also broke her
> right foot.
>
> It was 1am when she slipped. Luckily, we have a 24hour vet at the pet
> shop we bought her from, we rushed her there, stayed with her all
> night, x-ray and pain killers. The real doc in the morning suggested
> we take her home for 3 days rest/calm down before surgery.
>
> She's home now, breathing fast and occasionally crying out.
>
> The vet plans to: Open up the leg, Shave a bit of the leg bone down,
> the ball end looking femur, check the leg nerve and keep her there for
> 10 days. Afterwards, she should have a limp if all is well.
>
> The late night attendant recommended: take her home, lot's of love but
> no surgery. She'll recover eventually.
>
> We know she is in agony. But we are distressed and don't know which
> course is the best. I want to take her in for surgery in a few days.
>
> Any thoughts, experience and recommendations would be great
>
> Mike

I don't have any experience, but my reaction would be to follow the advice
of your regular vet if you feel that he/she is well qualified in this area.
Otherwise, I would seek a third opinion since there has been so much
difference of opinion between the first few vets -- preferably an orthopedic
specialist (possibly at a veterinary teaching hospital, if that is
feasible).

MaryL

[MaryL]

"MM" > wrote in message
m...
> We are still upset and shocked. Fifi, our 3 year old chinchilla, fell
> out of our kitchen window on the 4th floor. She landed badly, and
> dislocated her right back leg at the hip joint and also broke her
> right foot.
>
> It was 1am when she slipped. Luckily, we have a 24hour vet at the pet
> shop we bought her from, we rushed her there, stayed with her all
> night, x-ray and pain killers. The real doc in the morning suggested
> we take her home for 3 days rest/calm down before surgery.
>
> She's home now, breathing fast and occasionally crying out.
>
> The vet plans to: Open up the leg, Shave a bit of the leg bone down,
> the ball end looking femur, check the leg nerve and keep her there for
> 10 days. Afterwards, she should have a limp if all is well.
>
> The late night attendant recommended: take her home, lot's of love but
> no surgery. She'll recover eventually.
>
> We know she is in agony. But we are distressed and don't know which
> course is the best. I want to take her in for surgery in a few days.
>
> Any thoughts, experience and recommendations would be great
>
> Mike

I don't have any experience, but my reaction would be to follow the advice
of your regular vet if you feel that he/she is well qualified in this area.
Otherwise, I would seek a third opinion since there has been so much
difference of opinion between the first few vets -- preferably an orthopedic
specialist (possibly at a veterinary teaching hospital, if that is
feasible).

MaryL

[MaryL]

"MM" > wrote in message
m...
> We are still upset and shocked. Fifi, our 3 year old chinchilla, fell
> out of our kitchen window on the 4th floor. She landed badly, and
> dislocated her right back leg at the hip joint and also broke her
> right foot.
>
> She's home now, breathing fast and occasionally crying out.
>
> Mike

Follow-up to my first message: I know you mentioned pain killers at the
clinic. Did they also give you some pain killers to administer at home? If
not, please call and seek advice. Your cat could suffer greatly in the 3
days (or more, depending on final decision) before surgery. Cats usually
don't show pain, so the pain is probably significant if it is crying out, as
you described.

MaryL

[MaryL]

"MM" > wrote in message
m...
> We are still upset and shocked. Fifi, our 3 year old chinchilla, fell
> out of our kitchen window on the 4th floor. She landed badly, and
> dislocated her right back leg at the hip joint and also broke her
> right foot.
>
> She's home now, breathing fast and occasionally crying out.
>
> Mike

Follow-up to my first message: I know you mentioned pain killers at the
clinic. Did they also give you some pain killers to administer at home? If
not, please call and seek advice. Your cat could suffer greatly in the 3
days (or more, depending on final decision) before surgery. Cats usually
don't show pain, so the pain is probably significant if it is crying out, as
you described.

MaryL

[MaryL]

"MM" > wrote in message
m...
> We are still upset and shocked. Fifi, our 3 year old chinchilla, fell
> out of our kitchen window on the 4th floor. She landed badly, and
> dislocated her right back leg at the hip joint and also broke her
> right foot.
>
> She's home now, breathing fast and occasionally crying out.
>
> Mike

Follow-up to my first message: I know you mentioned pain killers at the
clinic. Did they also give you some pain killers to administer at home? If
not, please call and seek advice. Your cat could suffer greatly in the 3
days (or more, depending on final decision) before surgery. Cats usually
don't show pain, so the pain is probably significant if it is crying out, as
you described.

MaryL

[[email protected]]

>The real doc in the morning suggested
>we take her home for 3 days rest/calm
>down before surgery.
>She's home now, breathing fast and
>occasionally crying out.

Please find another vet NOW. No vet worth going to would make your cat
wait three days in agony to "calm down." That's beyond ridiculous! Your
cat is clearly in pain and distress and needs help right away, but
definitely not from the vet you saw.

Megan



"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do
nothing."

-Edmund Burke

Learn The TRUTH About Declawing
http://www.stopdeclaw.com

Zuzu's Cats Photo Album:
http://www.PictureTrail.com/zuzu22

"Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one
elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and
splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then
providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision,
raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and
material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his
way."

- W.H. Murray

[[email protected]]

>The real doc in the morning suggested
>we take her home for 3 days rest/calm
>down before surgery.
>She's home now, breathing fast and
>occasionally crying out.

Please find another vet NOW. No vet worth going to would make your cat
wait three days in agony to "calm down." That's beyond ridiculous! Your
cat is clearly in pain and distress and needs help right away, but
definitely not from the vet you saw.

Megan



"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do
nothing."

-Edmund Burke

Learn The TRUTH About Declawing
http://www.stopdeclaw.com

Zuzu's Cats Photo Album:
http://www.PictureTrail.com/zuzu22

"Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one
elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and
splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then
providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision,
raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and
material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his
way."

- W.H. Murray

[[email protected]]

>The real doc in the morning suggested
>we take her home for 3 days rest/calm
>down before surgery.
>She's home now, breathing fast and
>occasionally crying out.

Please find another vet NOW. No vet worth going to would make your cat
wait three days in agony to "calm down." That's beyond ridiculous! Your
cat is clearly in pain and distress and needs help right away, but
definitely not from the vet you saw.

Megan



"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do
nothing."

-Edmund Burke

Learn The TRUTH About Declawing
http://www.stopdeclaw.com

Zuzu's Cats Photo Album:
http://www.PictureTrail.com/zuzu22

"Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one
elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and
splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then
providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision,
raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and
material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his
way."

- W.H. Murray

[Mary]

> She landed badly, and
>dislocated her right back leg at the hip joint and also broke her
>right foot.

Why not just put the leg back in place and put a cast on it? Did a piece break
off the bone? A friend of mind had a cat who had a compound fracture,
disclocate. They just set it and put a cast on it. Cat walks fine. It was a 9
month old cat.

[Mary]

> She landed badly, and
>dislocated her right back leg at the hip joint and also broke her
>right foot.

Why not just put the leg back in place and put a cast on it? Did a piece break
off the bone? A friend of mind had a cat who had a compound fracture,
disclocate. They just set it and put a cast on it. Cat walks fine. It was a 9
month old cat.

[Mary]

> She landed badly, and
>dislocated her right back leg at the hip joint and also broke her
>right foot.

Why not just put the leg back in place and put a cast on it? Did a piece break
off the bone? A friend of mind had a cat who had a compound fracture,
disclocate. They just set it and put a cast on it. Cat walks fine. It was a 9
month old cat.

[Pauline Williams]

On 18 Sep 2003 03:15:06 -0700, (MM) wrote:

>We are still upset and shocked. Fifi, our 3 year old chinchilla, fell
>out of our kitchen window on the 4th floor. She landed badly, and
>dislocated her right back leg at the hip joint and also broke her
>right foot.
>
>It was 1am when she slipped. Luckily, we have a 24hour vet at the pet
>shop we bought her from, we rushed her there, stayed with her all
>night, x-ray and pain killers. The real doc in the morning suggested
>we take her home for 3 days rest/calm down before surgery.
>
>She's home now, breathing fast and occasionally crying out.
>
>The vet plans to: Open up the leg, Shave a bit of the leg bone down,
>the ball end looking femur, check the leg nerve and keep her there for
>10 days. Afterwards, she should have a limp if all is well.
>
>The late night attendant recommended: take her home, lot's of love but
>no surgery. She'll recover eventually.
>
>We know she is in agony. But we are distressed and don't know which
>course is the best. I want to take her in for surgery in a few days.
>
>Any thoughts, experience and recommendations would be great
>
>Mike

I'm very sorry to hear about Fifi's accident. Exactly the same thing
happened a couple of months ago to our tortie, Squeak when she fell
out of our bedroom window while trying to get to the house martins
that nest under our eaves.

She dislocated her back left "knee" and was in some considerable pain.
Our vet could feel the joint grating & said the joint had gone back,
but wanted her in for x-ray to make sure there were no ruptures or
fractures. She was given a pain killing shot & we were told to give
her pain killing drops (Metacam) until we brought her back in for the
xray in 3 days time when some of the swelling would had gone down.

As there was no internal damage or fracture, no op was necessary &
time would help the cruciate ligament go back to it's original length.
We were told to continue the drops & also to give Synoquin capsules
(like glucosamine I believe) to thicken the synovial fluid & help the
joint repair. The crying out in pain stopped after the first day and
she walked awkwardly for a while. Some weeks on she limps very little
but when sitting she'll stick the leg out at right angles to her body
as if it eases it for her. Obviously she will now be prone to
arthritis in the joint also.

It sounds as if Fifi's undergoing the same procedure as our cat did
initially. We were told the crucial thing was to assess the damage
done which can only be properly determined by the x-ray. That way the
cat wouldn't have to undergo surgery needlessly. If you have been
given pain killers, then you sound as if you've done all you can to
help her for now. Keep her quiet & as immobile as possible (tricky!)
and give her lots of love & treats. We gave Squeak as much treat food
as she would eat and she lapped up the attention.

Good luck with your kitty. I hope all goes well for her and for you
too. You sound as if you are suffering almost as much as she is.

Pauline. ;-}

[Pauline Williams]

On 18 Sep 2003 03:15:06 -0700, (MM) wrote:

>We are still upset and shocked. Fifi, our 3 year old chinchilla, fell
>out of our kitchen window on the 4th floor. She landed badly, and
>dislocated her right back leg at the hip joint and also broke her
>right foot.
>
>It was 1am when she slipped. Luckily, we have a 24hour vet at the pet
>shop we bought her from, we rushed her there, stayed with her all
>night, x-ray and pain killers. The real doc in the morning suggested
>we take her home for 3 days rest/calm down before surgery.
>
>She's home now, breathing fast and occasionally crying out.
>
>The vet plans to: Open up the leg, Shave a bit of the leg bone down,
>the ball end looking femur, check the leg nerve and keep her there for
>10 days. Afterwards, she should have a limp if all is well.
>
>The late night attendant recommended: take her home, lot's of love but
>no surgery. She'll recover eventually.
>
>We know she is in agony. But we are distressed and don't know which
>course is the best. I want to take her in for surgery in a few days.
>
>Any thoughts, experience and recommendations would be great
>
>Mike

I'm very sorry to hear about Fifi's accident. Exactly the same thing
happened a couple of months ago to our tortie, Squeak when she fell
out of our bedroom window while trying to get to the house martins
that nest under our eaves.

She dislocated her back left "knee" and was in some considerable pain.
Our vet could feel the joint grating & said the joint had gone back,
but wanted her in for x-ray to make sure there were no ruptures or
fractures. She was given a pain killing shot & we were told to give
her pain killing drops (Metacam) until we brought her back in for the
xray in 3 days time when some of the swelling would had gone down.

As there was no internal damage or fracture, no op was necessary &
time would help the cruciate ligament go back to it's original length.
We were told to continue the drops & also to give Synoquin capsules
(like glucosamine I believe) to thicken the synovial fluid & help the
joint repair. The crying out in pain stopped after the first day and
she walked awkwardly for a while. Some weeks on she limps very little
but when sitting she'll stick the leg out at right angles to her body
as if it eases it for her. Obviously she will now be prone to
arthritis in the joint also.

It sounds as if Fifi's undergoing the same procedure as our cat did
initially. We were told the crucial thing was to assess the damage
done which can only be properly determined by the x-ray. That way the
cat wouldn't have to undergo surgery needlessly. If you have been
given pain killers, then you sound as if you've done all you can to
help her for now. Keep her quiet & as immobile as possible (tricky!)
and give her lots of love & treats. We gave Squeak as much treat food
as she would eat and she lapped up the attention.

Good luck with your kitty. I hope all goes well for her and for you
too. You sound as if you are suffering almost as much as she is.

Pauline. ;-}

[Pauline Williams]

On 18 Sep 2003 03:15:06 -0700, (MM) wrote:

>We are still upset and shocked. Fifi, our 3 year old chinchilla, fell
>out of our kitchen window on the 4th floor. She landed badly, and
>dislocated her right back leg at the hip joint and also broke her
>right foot.
>
>It was 1am when she slipped. Luckily, we have a 24hour vet at the pet
>shop we bought her from, we rushed her there, stayed with her all
>night, x-ray and pain killers. The real doc in the morning suggested
>we take her home for 3 days rest/calm down before surgery.
>
>She's home now, breathing fast and occasionally crying out.
>
>The vet plans to: Open up the leg, Shave a bit of the leg bone down,
>the ball end looking femur, check the leg nerve and keep her there for
>10 days. Afterwards, she should have a limp if all is well.
>
>The late night attendant recommended: take her home, lot's of love but
>no surgery. She'll recover eventually.
>
>We know she is in agony. But we are distressed and don't know which
>course is the best. I want to take her in for surgery in a few days.
>
>Any thoughts, experience and recommendations would be great
>
>Mike

I'm very sorry to hear about Fifi's accident. Exactly the same thing
happened a couple of months ago to our tortie, Squeak when she fell
out of our bedroom window while trying to get to the house martins
that nest under our eaves.

She dislocated her back left "knee" and was in some considerable pain.
Our vet could feel the joint grating & said the joint had gone back,
but wanted her in for x-ray to make sure there were no ruptures or
fractures. She was given a pain killing shot & we were told to give
her pain killing drops (Metacam) until we brought her back in for the
xray in 3 days time when some of the swelling would had gone down.

As there was no internal damage or fracture, no op was necessary &
time would help the cruciate ligament go back to it's original length.
We were told to continue the drops & also to give Synoquin capsules
(like glucosamine I believe) to thicken the synovial fluid & help the
joint repair. The crying out in pain stopped after the first day and
she walked awkwardly for a while. Some weeks on she limps very little
but when sitting she'll stick the leg out at right angles to her body
as if it eases it for her. Obviously she will now be prone to
arthritis in the joint also.

It sounds as if Fifi's undergoing the same procedure as our cat did
initially. We were told the crucial thing was to assess the damage
done which can only be properly determined by the x-ray. That way the
cat wouldn't have to undergo surgery needlessly. If you have been
given pain killers, then you sound as if you've done all you can to
help her for now. Keep her quiet & as immobile as possible (tricky!)
and give her lots of love & treats. We gave Squeak as much treat food
as she would eat and she lapped up the attention.

Good luck with your kitty. I hope all goes well for her and for you
too. You sound as if you are suffering almost as much as she is.

Pauline. ;-}