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

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

"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

"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

"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

"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

"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

"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

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

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

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