![]() Your cat will likely need cage rest to start off with, in a cage that is large enough for food, water, litter tray and bed. Once your vet is happy with progress, your cat will be discharged home! Fractures generally take 4 – 6 weeks to heal, so prepare for a long convalescence and a lot of TLC! Aftercareīroken bones take time and rest to heal. They will be given pain relief, antibiotics if needed and careful monitoring of the affected limb to make sure the fracture remains stable, comfortable and not infected. Your cat will usually remain at the vets for a few days once the broken bone has been mended, especially if surgery was required. Cats often do extremely well on three limbs, and the recovery from surgery is generally quicker than with a fracture repair. But if this is not possible or there are other factors to consider, there is a further option. Severe fractures will certainly need surgery. External fixator: several short metal pins are pushed through the skin into the fragments of bone, and are connected on the outside of the leg by bars and clamps.Plating: the bone is placed in position and a thin metal plate is screwed to the pieces to hold them together.Pinning: a strong metal pin is placed down the centre of the bone (the marrow) and holds the broken pieces of bone together.More complicated, and open fractures will require surgery. Your cat usually will need to rest (indoors, usually in a pen or cage) and be checked regularly by the veterinary team to ensure good healing. This will keep the limb in the correct and stable position whilst the bone heals. Plaster casts are not commonly used in cats, but a splint and heavy bandage may be applied. Uncomplicated, closed and stable fractures may not require surgery. The equipment your vet has available: some fractures may require a specialist.Other injuries or illnesses may make a difference to which procedures are suitable.The type of fracture obtained by your cat is the biggest deciding factor as to which type of fix is needed. ![]() All cats with broken limbs will require pain relief and rest, but the specific nature of the treatment will depend on various factors. The aim of treating a broken leg is to help the body heal the fracture as quickly as possible, and to return your cat to being able to use their limbs naturally and painlessly as before. This tells you if the bones have maintained their alignment or been knocked out of their usual orientation. The fracture can also be ‘open’, where there is a wound that exposes the bone to the outside, or ‘closed’. Fractures can be uncomplicated, with a clean fracture line, to complicated comminuted breaks where there are multiple pieces of bone. Not at all! Broken bones are all different, and range from small hairline, stable fractures to complete open breaks. Your cat may require pain relief and intravenous fluids to stabilise them before an x-ray can be taken, especially if there are any other injuries, or if your cat is in shock. ![]() This determines if a fracture is present, what type of break it is and to decide on the best treatment plan. Once your cat has been assessed, the vet will talk to you about options. This will include looking for any other injuries, signs of shock or internal bleeding as well as examining the affected leg. The veterinary surgeon will give an initial examination. Try to keep your cat contained in a room or cage and as still as possible whilst you get an appointment. As with most illnesses or injuries, the more prompt the treatment for broken limbs, the better the outcome often is. If you notice any of these symptoms, or are concerned that your cat is not acting normally or is in pain, seek veterinary attention. Unwillingness to be touched, or reacting badly to you approaching. ![]()
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