Hi Mona: Thank you for your post. Regarding your kitty's luxating patellar (sp?), what did they do and how traumatic for her was it? Casey also has that problem with BOTH hind legs (knee caps). We didn't notice it til last year when a lot of jumping up and down of our new high bed aggravated the condition and caused pain.....the pain eventually subsided, but it's left her with a chronic condition--you can see her slip (stumble slightly) when she makes quick turns now. The vet didn't mention surgery--because of Casey's age, I guess--and I'm just curious as to what all it entailed. Thanks!
I'm glad your kitty's been taken care of early on......it might've made her aging a little more difficult.
Pictures? Are you kidding After 15 years, Casey has had more pictures taken of her than anyone else in the familiy (we have no kids--just so you don't think we're not good parents!). But, I don't know how to post them.
My Vest had one hind leg operated on. It was a success. He was and is young though. If you do it, just make sure the cat stays overnight in the ER and is watched very closely and given the proper pain meds.
Sara and her 6 kitties. Clover , Saharan, Mona, Negrito, Nando and Silvestre (Vest/The Vest).
I will tell you that it is very painful if not corrected. Honeybun's leg was collapsing so we immediately had it xrayed. The left leg was a stage 4-5 so had to be done, and the right one was only a little off at a stage 1-2.
The operation is very painful, and I would recommend having a pain patch done before hand. We did not, and the surgeon although successful, did not think about the pain afterwards and neither did we. Needless to say we rushed her to an ER vet in shock and they gave her warming fluids and pain medication and kept her overnight. I raised @#@$% with the surgeon and will not use him again.
I wanted you to know not to scare you but so that you will ask a lot of questions and if you decide on the surgery have bloodwork done in advance for the anesthesia. I have already researched different animal hospitals in this area and talked wiht them about surgeries and pain meds, so I am prepared in case we need another operation.
HOneybun also became constipated because due to pain in her leg she did not want to use her litterbox, which was another clue to use. She now can use it fine and it has been almost one year since her operation.
You must confine them and not let them jump at all for about 4 weeks, which is tough, we used a large bathroom.
Gosh, poor Honeybun......she definitely needed that operation, didn't she? I'm glad it worked out okay in the end, but it's terrible the pain she had to endure. I think we're lucky in that we live near a school of veterinary medicine. We've been pleased with each of her two visits there and are considering making it her primary care from now on. Thankfully Casey isn't quite so bad.....doesn't seem to be causing the pain that it did last year (when her hind legs would tremble from the pain). She doesn't let it limit her. The vet commented on it yesterday ("yep, her little knees just slip right now"), but didn't mention anything about correcting it. So, it must not be too bad. Thank goodness, I'd hate for her to go through all that.....esp. since you two ladies have told me how painful it can be! Glad Vest was okay too. At least I know that something can be done.....but at her age, I just hope it's manageable such as it is. Thanks again
Tracey
Both Sara and I experienced surgeons who did not care about pain after surgery.
I am sure that if it would have been done right, no pain would have endured. You are very lucky to have the Vet school, but I would recommend you get xrays done of her legs, it may be more painful than thought. See if anything can be done. We had the xrays done and it tells the story.
It is easy to post a picture once you have a provider on the internet. I am using Kodak Ofoto and upload them there.
Tracey, at Casey's age, I don't know if I'd recommend surgery, unless in last case resort. Even then, recovery for her would be lengthy and stressful.
However, as Mona suggested, do get regular followup x-rays done to ensure that degenerative joint disease is not a problem (might do this at 6 month intervals at the same time you monitor that lump). In any event, you might ask your vet about Cosequin to help minimize signs of arthritis or pain/inflammation. Of course, anti-inflammatories might be used in extreme cases, but this needs to be determined by your vet according to her specific condition.
Thanks, Traci......I tend to agree that her age is a HUGE consideration. Besides, in discussing the problem at both her visits to the Vet School, surgery was never mentioned by them. I figured if they didn't consider it, then I probably shouldn't either.
Mona.......I remembered that I do have a pic of Casey online from my short experience with digital cameras and a message forum where I wanted to show a picture (only one I ever did, and of course it was of Casey). It's just a "face" picture......was trying to capture her beautiful marble green/gold eyes. Don't know if this'll work or not, but thought I'd try:
Yes I could see and she is gorgeous. Her age is a factor in this leg problem. Even for HOneybun is was very critical, and she was 4 1/2 years old at the time of the operation.
I do give my Honeybun Cosequin for Cats and it seems to help with mobility.I try not to forget a day to mix it in her food.
After 15 years, Casey has had more pictures taken of her than anyone else in the familiy (we have no kids--just so you don't think we're not good parents!). But, I don't know how to post them.
