broken front leg

Hi all!

A friend of mine has a cat with a broken front leg. Cookies has been
in a cast for a few weeks, but the vet just checked her out again and
the leg isn't getting better. The vet says the problem is that
Cookies is still running and jumping around and putting weight on the
foot. The vet recommended surgury, but my friend can't afford it.

The vet's new advice is to keep Cookies in a cage 24 hours a day, so
she can't move around and damage her foot. All my friends and I think
this is cruel and very bad for the cat overall. I've been wondering
if there's some way to put the leg up in some sort of sling, so the
cat can't step on it or put weight on it. I'm sure she could get
along fine on three legs for a few weeks, and it would give the one
leg time to heal. At least her other legs would still be working and
getting exercise! Does anyone have advice on this? Has anyone done
anything like this before?

I'm thinking we could just pull her leg up to her side and maybe wrap
a bandage around her to keep the leg there. We can see how she does
while there are people around to watch her, and depending on how that
goes decide whether she should be confined when she's at home alone or
not. Even if she's in the cage part of the day, she's better off if
she can have some time running around enjoying herself.

Any advice? Thanks in advance for your help!

Siobhan :P

The vet's new advice is to keep Cookies in a cage 24 hours a day, so
she can't move around and damage her foot

I do squirrel rescue. I have to do the same thing for my injured squirrels. I
put them in a cat carrier so they can't climb or run around because their bones
must heal. Having her in a small cage for a few weeks is better than having to
amputate the leg if it doesn't heal. You can take her out and hold her and play
with her lying on her back. She can still be taken out for pets and lap
sitting. I'd follow the vet's advice.

The vet's new advice is to keep Cookies in a cage 24 hours a day, so
she can't move around and damage her foot

I do squirrel rescue. I have to do the same thing for my injured squirrels. I
put them in a cat carrier so they can't climb or run around because their bones
must heal. Having her in a small cage for a few weeks is better than having to
amputate the leg if it doesn't heal. You can take her out and hold her and play
with her lying on her back. She can still be taken out for pets and lap
sitting. I'd follow the vet's advice.

In article ,
pam enlightened us with...
The vet's new advice is to keep Cookies in a cage 24 hours a day, so
she can't move around and damage her foot

I do squirrel rescue. I have to do the same thing for my injured squirrels. I
put them in a cat carrier so they can't climb or run around because their bones
must heal. Having her in a small cage for a few weeks is better than having to
amputate the leg if it doesn't heal. You can take her out and hold her and play
with her lying on her back. She can still be taken out for pets and lap
sitting. I'd follow the vet's advice.


I agree.

I had my cats declawed when I was younger and didn't know any better.
One of them was so put out by it, he began pulling and eating at the
stitches or glue or whatever. The vet tried to bandage his legs, but he
just kept worrying at it until they came off. He wouldn't have his legs
bandanged. Just wouldn't stand for it.
Anyway, the point is, I don't think the cat would stand for her leg all
in a sling. It would probably stress her out and she would just find a
way to get her leg out. In the process, she might injure it more. If
you've ever tried to restrain a ****ed off cat, you know they can squirm
to the point of hurting themselves. She could easily re-break it or pull
out her shoulder twisting around. Also, keeping the shoulder and elbow
in one position like that might injure it in and of itself and would
probably be uncomfortable.

I would take the vet's advice or the cat might end up with 3 legs
permanently. Better a few weeks of confinement than a lifetime of
handicap.

-------------------------------------------------
~kaeli~
Jesus saves, Allah protects, and Cthulhu
thinks you'd make a nice sandwich.
http://www.ipwebdesign.net/wildAtHeart
http://www.ipwebdesign.net/kaelisSpace
-------------------------------------------------

In article ,
pam enlightened us with...
The vet's new advice is to keep Cookies in a cage 24 hours a day, so
she can't move around and damage her foot

I do squirrel rescue. I have to do the same thing for my injured squirrels. I
put them in a cat carrier so they can't climb or run around because their bones
must heal. Having her in a small cage for a few weeks is better than having to
amputate the leg if it doesn't heal. You can take her out and hold her and play
with her lying on her back. She can still be taken out for pets and lap
sitting. I'd follow the vet's advice.


I agree.

I had my cats declawed when I was younger and didn't know any better.
One of them was so put out by it, he began pulling and eating at the
stitches or glue or whatever. The vet tried to bandage his legs, but he
just kept worrying at it until they came off. He wouldn't have his legs
bandanged. Just wouldn't stand for it.
Anyway, the point is, I don't think the cat would stand for her leg all
in a sling. It would probably stress her out and she would just find a
way to get her leg out. In the process, she might injure it more. If
you've ever tried to restrain a ****ed off cat, you know they can squirm
to the point of hurting themselves. She could easily re-break it or pull
out her shoulder twisting around. Also, keeping the shoulder and elbow
in one position like that might injure it in and of itself and would
probably be uncomfortable.

I would take the vet's advice or the cat might end up with 3 legs
permanently. Better a few weeks of confinement than a lifetime of
handicap.

-------------------------------------------------
~kaeli~
Jesus saves, Allah protects, and Cthulhu
thinks you'd make a nice sandwich.
http://www.ipwebdesign.net/wildAtHeart
http://www.ipwebdesign.net/kaelisSpace
-------------------------------------------------

"Siobhan Nearey" wrote in message
om...
Hi all!

A friend of mine has a cat with a broken front leg. Cookies has been
in a cast for a few weeks, but the vet just checked her out again and
the leg isn't getting better. The vet says the problem is that
Cookies is still running and jumping around and putting weight on the
foot. The vet recommended surgury, but my friend can't afford it.

The vet's new advice is to keep Cookies in a cage 24 hours a day, so
she can't move around and damage her foot. All my friends and I think
this is cruel and very bad for the cat overall. I've been wondering
if there's some way to put the leg up in some sort of sling, so the
cat can't step on it or put weight on it. I'm sure she could get
along fine on three legs for a few weeks, and it would give the one
leg time to heal. At least her other legs would still be working and
getting exercise! Does anyone have advice on this? Has anyone done
anything like this before?

I'm thinking we could just pull her leg up to her side and maybe wrap
a bandage around her to keep the leg there. We can see how she does
while there are people around to watch her, and depending on how that
goes decide whether she should be confined when she's at home alone or
not. Even if she's in the cage part of the day, she's better off if
she can have some time running around enjoying herself.

Any advice? Thanks in advance for your help!

Siobhan :P

I would follow the vet's advice and keep her in a cage. This may sound
cruel, but it is the way feral cats are socialized -- it's a short-term
action to bring long-term comfort. I certainly would not try to fashion a
sling for the leg. You could cause the leg to heal in a completely
unnatural position, and in the long run could cause eveb more extensive
damage. Incidentally, you said that your friend cannot afford surgery. Has
she looked into the possibility of making payments over a period of time or
even using a credit card?

MaryL
(take out the litter to reply)

Photos of Duffy and Holly: 'o'
http://tinyurl.com/8y54 (Introducing Duffy to Holly)
http://tinyurl.com/8y56 (Duffy and Holly "settle in")

"Siobhan Nearey" wrote in message
om...
Hi all!

A friend of mine has a cat with a broken front leg. Cookies has been
in a cast for a few weeks, but the vet just checked her out again and
the leg isn't getting better. The vet says the problem is that
Cookies is still running and jumping around and putting weight on the
foot. The vet recommended surgury, but my friend can't afford it.

The vet's new advice is to keep Cookies in a cage 24 hours a day, so
she can't move around and damage her foot. All my friends and I think
this is cruel and very bad for the cat overall. I've been wondering
if there's some way to put the leg up in some sort of sling, so the
cat can't step on it or put weight on it. I'm sure she could get
along fine on three legs for a few weeks, and it would give the one
leg time to heal. At least her other legs would still be working and
getting exercise! Does anyone have advice on this? Has anyone done
anything like this before?

I'm thinking we could just pull her leg up to her side and maybe wrap
a bandage around her to keep the leg there. We can see how she does
while there are people around to watch her, and depending on how that
goes decide whether she should be confined when she's at home alone or
not. Even if she's in the cage part of the day, she's better off if
she can have some time running around enjoying herself.

Any advice? Thanks in advance for your help!

Siobhan :P

I would follow the vet's advice and keep her in a cage. This may sound
cruel, but it is the way feral cats are socialized -- it's a short-term
action to bring long-term comfort. I certainly would not try to fashion a
sling for the leg. You could cause the leg to heal in a completely
unnatural position, and in the long run could cause eveb more extensive
damage. Incidentally, you said that your friend cannot afford surgery. Has
she looked into the possibility of making payments over a period of time or
even using a credit card?

MaryL
(take out the litter to reply)

Photos of Duffy and Holly: 'o'
http://tinyurl.com/8y54 (Introducing Duffy to Holly)
http://tinyurl.com/8y56 (Duffy and Holly "settle in")

(Siobhan Nearey) wrote in message . com...
Hi all!

A friend of mine has a cat with a broken front leg. Cookies has been
in a cast for a few weeks, but the vet just checked her out again and
the leg isn't getting better. The vet says the problem is that
Cookies is still running and jumping around and putting weight on the
foot. The vet recommended surgury, but my friend can't afford it.

Well her choice may end up being amputation or euthanasia if she
doesn't get the cat treated properly.


The vet's new advice is to keep Cookies in a cage 24 hours a day, so
she can't move around and damage her foot. All my friends and I think
this is cruel and very bad for the cat overall. I've been wondering
if there's some way to put the leg up in some sort of sling, so the
cat can't step on it or put weight on it. I'm sure she could get
along fine on three legs for a few weeks, and it would give the one
leg time to heal. At least her other legs would still be working and
getting exercise! Does anyone have advice on this? Has anyone done
anything like this before?

I'm thinking we could just pull her leg up to her side and maybe wrap
a bandage around her to keep the leg there

I wouldn't. Putting undue stress on the leg will most likely make it
worse or cause the cat to throw a clot.

Call around for help in paying for the surgery. Extensive fractures
can cause blood clots which may cause devastating problems like
blindness or death. Don't screw around with a broken leg.

-L.

(Siobhan Nearey) wrote in message . com...
Hi all!

A friend of mine has a cat with a broken front leg. Cookies has been
in a cast for a few weeks, but the vet just checked her out again and
the leg isn't getting better. The vet says the problem is that
Cookies is still running and jumping around and putting weight on the
foot. The vet recommended surgury, but my friend can't afford it.

Well her choice may end up being amputation or euthanasia if she
doesn't get the cat treated properly.


The vet's new advice is to keep Cookies in a cage 24 hours a day, so
she can't move around and damage her foot. All my friends and I think
this is cruel and very bad for the cat overall. I've been wondering
if there's some way to put the leg up in some sort of sling, so the
cat can't step on it or put weight on it. I'm sure she could get
along fine on three legs for a few weeks, and it would give the one
leg time to heal. At least her other legs would still be working and
getting exercise! Does anyone have advice on this? Has anyone done
anything like this before?

I'm thinking we could just pull her leg up to her side and maybe wrap
a bandage around her to keep the leg there

I wouldn't. Putting undue stress on the leg will most likely make it
worse or cause the cat to throw a clot.

Call around for help in paying for the surgery. Extensive fractures
can cause blood clots which may cause devastating problems like
blindness or death. Don't screw around with a broken leg.

-L.

"Siobhan Nearey" wrote in message
om...
Hi all!
..

The vet's new advice is to keep Cookies in a cage 24 hours a day, so
she can't move around and damage her foot. All my friends and I
think
this is cruel and very bad for the cat overall.

Do what the vet says to do. It won't be for long, and the cat will not
be crippled for life this way, and your friend can avoid expensive
surgery.