My pregnant cat has an old, badly broken leg. What can I do?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Three-legged cats do well. I see no reason why it would affect her giving birth and nursing. Ideally pain medications should be continued for a week or more based on how the cat is doing. There is some what of a risk to the unborn babies giving pain medications so care is warranted. Ultimately she will be fine! You guys saved her and her babies! Have a great day!

Hi and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Poor kitty. Without doing an exam there is no way to completely determine if surgery is an option. That said, even if surgery is an option, that is not surgery that most general practitioner or shelter veterinarians would be able to do or have the appropriate equipment for. If surgery was an option, typically MRI is first needed to assess the spinal cord, then surgery would be performed by a board certified surgeon. The cat would then need extensive physical therapy and even if everything goes perfectly, there is no guarantee of return to function. In most cases this scenario would cost many thousands of dollars. Many owners and shelters cannot afford that level of care, so alternatives such as cage rest and pain management may be tried or euthanasia may be needed in some cases. I'm sure it is not a case of the shelter vet being unwilling to help this cat, but that the resources are not available. In the case of limb fractures, often amputation is a quicker and more cost effective option to save an animals life than orthopedic repair. Many fractures require pins or plates and screws which needs an orthopedic surgeon and would cost thousands to repair and has a much longer recovery time (requiring foster homes willing to do physical therapy). Even with owned pets, many owners cannot afford a $5000 fracture repair or do the follow up care, but amputation can save their life. The majority of dogs and cats do well with 3 legs. Thank you for your interest in helping these pets. It sounds like the shelter vet is doing a good job for these animals.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Eevee! How do you know her leg is broken? Sadly cats are special, unique creatures that can not metabolize human medications like we can or even dogs (some medications). They are missing an enzyme needed to break down drugs like aspirin, Tylenol and advil. Giving them those drugs will cause them to become very sick and even die. There is no safe drug you can give Eevee that will not cause more harm than good. She needs to see a vet to be diagnosed with the fracture and be prescribed medications for pain that is safe to give a cat (onsior, buprenorphine or gabapentin). She needs to be crated in a large dog crate for 6-8 weeks for the fracture to heal. Letting her walk around and go outside will not allow for healing if her leg is broken. At a minimum confine her and see how she heals. Cats are amazing in that way. Good luck!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Leo! Which bone is broken in the hing leg? I would try again with a splint and Leo needs to be placed in a dog crate, with an E-collar and sedatives. The only bones in the hind leg that will heal with a splint is the tibia and fibula. The femur usually need surgery to fix and can't be splinted well. So if that is what the vet is trying to splint I would stop. You can try just strict crate rest for 6-8 weeks if it is the femur. Cats are amazing at healing. But if the bone is in multiple pieces I would just amputate. Cats do well with 3 legs. I wish you the best!

Hello, Depending on the extent of Chinnu's injuries, it may not be possible for her to deliver kittens on her own or walk again. It can take time to fully realize the extent of spinal cord damage. I recommend having her seen by her veterinarian again to ensure she is not in distress attempting to give birth. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Stitch! I think you are doing the right thing. If her bone density isn't normal then she will have a hard time healing and it will take her longer, could be more painful and put her through more. Amputating the leg will be uncomfortable for her for 5-7 days then she will do great. Cats do well on 3 legs! I wish you the best!

I am so sorry to hear Princess is in pain! Bones take 6-8 weeks to heal if they don’t move at all- like in a cast or splint. You cannot speed up healing. Without a cast or splint the bones will move and delay healing and keep her in constant pain. She also needs pain medication daily for the breaks. If you cannot afford the proper treatment, I would contact rescue groups to take over her care. I hope you can find her some relief soon. Kisses to Princess!