Assume nothing, particularly his behavior right now, he's awfully scared and frightened, probably never been handled/transported/cared for so much in any 24 hour period ever. Give him time to settle down, acclimate, feel safe, just continue to visit him, talk in calm, smooth tones, give him good kitty food and attention, just sit with him and earn his trust. Please don't let hubby persuade you to put him back out again, you have him now, and all your efforts are in vain if you were never able to catch him again, he might not ever trust you again, not to mention the pain in that leg each time he's handled.
You will not know the status of the leg until xrays are done and your vet determines his surgery level of expertise/experience. Personally I would rather you see a more qualified vet surgeon for total assessment and the actual surgical procedure, but I don't know the availability for you. In any case, the leg definately needs to be addressed, it's definately a compound fracture, but MAY be able to be corrected and stabilized with pins/rods. Nonetheless, surgery will afford him the chance to recouperate, acclimate, time well spent on you getting aquainted and more time for him to get used to being indoors, etc.
Tripod ~ Just an Update ~ Dec 16, 2008
Re: Catching the Broken Leg Feral ~ Updated with Pictures
..........Traci
Re: Catching the Broken Leg Feral ~ Updated with Pictures
I think after they BOTH settled down lastngiht....all was good and hubby is fine with him in here...they sat on the floor today and Tripod was actually resting against hubby's leg...
the local vet might look at it tomorrow and then send us to the one in the city....but at least at the local level we can get the basics taken care of and he can determine what he can do....there is a new vet just out of Iowa State University...not sure how much SURGERY he has done...but at least he will be more up to date on current protocols, etc than the other vets there...so I am comfortable with that....
Do you think after so many MONTHS that pins and rods might still work?...from the way he has been walking on it...his entire back and shoulder has become deformed due to misalignments...I can see it...and I can feel it when I am petting him...he was very docile this morning after we got him from behind the toilet, as you can see in the photos...
I can just imagine the pain that leg causes every time he steps down on it....I cringe every step he takes...even though HE seems not to...maybe nerves are dead...I don't know...but it hurts ME and that is enough to want to do something....
I will let you know what the vet says tomorrow...I am really hoping the younger guy will be the initial one to see him...
the local vet might look at it tomorrow and then send us to the one in the city....but at least at the local level we can get the basics taken care of and he can determine what he can do....there is a new vet just out of Iowa State University...not sure how much SURGERY he has done...but at least he will be more up to date on current protocols, etc than the other vets there...so I am comfortable with that....
Do you think after so many MONTHS that pins and rods might still work?...from the way he has been walking on it...his entire back and shoulder has become deformed due to misalignments...I can see it...and I can feel it when I am petting him...he was very docile this morning after we got him from behind the toilet, as you can see in the photos...
I can just imagine the pain that leg causes every time he steps down on it....I cringe every step he takes...even though HE seems not to...maybe nerves are dead...I don't know...but it hurts ME and that is enough to want to do something....
I will let you know what the vet says tomorrow...I am really hoping the younger guy will be the initial one to see him...
Re: Catching the Broken Leg Feral ~ Updated with Pictures
It depends on the extent of damage to the bone and whether or not it can even be melded together with pins. Since it is a compound fracture, it had no chance at melding because it isn't aligned and has nowhere to go but outward. If it protruded through skin, the bone could be infected as well and would probably require amputation. If the fracture had been found near the onset of the trauma, it might have been able to be stabilized with casting, strict confinement, but may still have needed surgery anyway for complete stabilization. There might be joint/cartilage/nerve damage as well and that will have to be addressed during surgery.
Get FELV/FIV and bloodwork done first, if negative for FELV/FIV, vet will have to assess his overall health status, get bloodwork done to determine his anesthesia candidacy etc before you proceed. If surgery is warranted, be sure whatever vet is doing it, has a good, safe pain management protocol.
Get FELV/FIV and bloodwork done first, if negative for FELV/FIV, vet will have to assess his overall health status, get bloodwork done to determine his anesthesia candidacy etc before you proceed. If surgery is warranted, be sure whatever vet is doing it, has a good, safe pain management protocol.
..........Traci
Re: Catching the Broken Leg Feral ~ Updated with Pictures
Unfortunately, when we first saw him last fall, we could not get within 10-15 feet of him....and he NEVER came to our house...it is only in the last couple months that he started to come here ot eat with the others and we realized he DID make it through the winter after all....
I was just in the bathroom...startled him when I went in....he was in the bathroom window....but he hurriedly jumped to the toilet...came over and rubbed against my legs, before retreating behind the toilet once again...
I took up fresh canned food for him....he DID use the litterbox...so that is good...I will remove all food and water after 9pm tonight, so as to take him in tomorrow morning....
oh definitely, whatever the vet does as far as surgery, there WILL be pain management involved...I am NOT bringing him home without some sort of pain medications...that would be CRAZY!!!
I was just in the bathroom...startled him when I went in....he was in the bathroom window....but he hurriedly jumped to the toilet...came over and rubbed against my legs, before retreating behind the toilet once again...
I took up fresh canned food for him....he DID use the litterbox...so that is good...I will remove all food and water after 9pm tonight, so as to take him in tomorrow morning....
oh definitely, whatever the vet does as far as surgery, there WILL be pain management involved...I am NOT bringing him home without some sort of pain medications...that would be CRAZY!!!
Re: Catching the Broken Leg Feral ~ Updated with Pictures
Did you call the vet and the vet tell you to withhold food and water? If not, don't withhold it, he doesn't have to fast for bloodwork. If you have surgery scheduled already, then yes, withhold, but if surgery isn't scheduled, don't.
As for entering the door, just knock gently first and say something calm to him so he knows you're coming in.
As for entering the door, just knock gently first and say something calm to him so he knows you're coming in.
..........Traci
Re: Catching the Broken Leg Feral ~ Updated with Pictures
oh okay....I just figured I would need to withhold....but once he goes there, they will be keeping him for a few days, unless they determine he needs to go to the larger hospital...
however, I do know the retired vet has done amputations on cats legs....he did one for a friend of ours who's son "let" her cat out...she was MAD....it was gone for over a week and when it came home, it looked like it had chewed its front left leg out of a trap...she did NOT have alot of $$$ and NO vet in the city would help her...our vet up here did...Sunday night emergency...he removed the leg...kept the cat for 2 or 3 days and then sent her home with meds and cleaning instructions....I ended up having to go do it because she could not stomach it...and he did do a very good job with it...with how he removed the entire leg and folded the skinflap to heal right so the cat would still have some shoulder movement for balance when jumping...
our bathroom door is tight right now with the humidity, so it sticks....it takes a few taps to get it open, so he does hear us coming....and then when we walk in, we talk to him...and go find him if he is not in plain sight....let him know we are going to be using the thing he is hiding behind....then before we flush....we put the lid down and bend down to talk to him....poor guy flinches every time we do that...I can imagine the NOISE....
He has been resting in the windowsill.....but actually, I noticed it is cooler down behind the toilet because of the cool "sweating"
he ate ALL of the canned salmon in gravy I took to him earlier
and he peed on the newspaper that had been left on the floor
PHEW!!!!!!! and it was ALOT too....so that was good...I guess it being on the floor/newspaper, I could see just how much it was 
however, I do know the retired vet has done amputations on cats legs....he did one for a friend of ours who's son "let" her cat out...she was MAD....it was gone for over a week and when it came home, it looked like it had chewed its front left leg out of a trap...she did NOT have alot of $$$ and NO vet in the city would help her...our vet up here did...Sunday night emergency...he removed the leg...kept the cat for 2 or 3 days and then sent her home with meds and cleaning instructions....I ended up having to go do it because she could not stomach it...and he did do a very good job with it...with how he removed the entire leg and folded the skinflap to heal right so the cat would still have some shoulder movement for balance when jumping...
our bathroom door is tight right now with the humidity, so it sticks....it takes a few taps to get it open, so he does hear us coming....and then when we walk in, we talk to him...and go find him if he is not in plain sight....let him know we are going to be using the thing he is hiding behind....then before we flush....we put the lid down and bend down to talk to him....poor guy flinches every time we do that...I can imagine the NOISE....
He has been resting in the windowsill.....but actually, I noticed it is cooler down behind the toilet because of the cool "sweating"
he ate ALL of the canned salmon in gravy I took to him earlier
and he peed on the newspaper that had been left on the floor
PHEW!!!!!!! and it was ALOT too....so that was good...I guess it being on the floor/newspaper, I could see just how much it was Re: Catching the Broken Leg Feral ~ Updated with Pictures
Well....he sat and let us pet him while he purrrred lastnight.....this morning he is hiding behind the toilet again....of course....I need to get him to the vet's.....
I just set the carrier in the bathroom for now....let him get used to it....I will go in later and see...he is not actually scheduled for surgery....they said they will prep and see how he is today, and if all checks out okay, depending on the time, he may still go in today....if not, tomorrow...
When I called to let them know I was bringing him in today....they said there was no big rush....they had 14 surgeries scheduled already... but his is NOT routine like the spay/neuters they have set up... his they will need to study for a while and determine a best course of action....
I just keep watching him....he does not wince when he steps on that foot...he jumps up and down from the window....if nerves are dead and he has no PAIN.....if I keep him indoors from now on....and just keep watch on the leg, to make sure there is no open wounds from rubbing bones....would it NEED to come off?!...If it is not causing pain...and the skin has healed....and there is no infection.....maybe they can just go in and smooth off some rough edges on the broken parts of the bones and then leave the leg be? Do you think that is an option I could mention?
Of course.....it will all depend on what they see on x-rays and when they get in there too...I just hate to think of removing his leg if he IS getting along okay and it is NOT causing him pain...
I just set the carrier in the bathroom for now....let him get used to it....I will go in later and see...he is not actually scheduled for surgery....they said they will prep and see how he is today, and if all checks out okay, depending on the time, he may still go in today....if not, tomorrow...
When I called to let them know I was bringing him in today....they said there was no big rush....they had 14 surgeries scheduled already... but his is NOT routine like the spay/neuters they have set up... his they will need to study for a while and determine a best course of action....
I just keep watching him....he does not wince when he steps on that foot...he jumps up and down from the window....if nerves are dead and he has no PAIN.....if I keep him indoors from now on....and just keep watch on the leg, to make sure there is no open wounds from rubbing bones....would it NEED to come off?!...If it is not causing pain...and the skin has healed....and there is no infection.....maybe they can just go in and smooth off some rough edges on the broken parts of the bones and then leave the leg be? Do you think that is an option I could mention?
Of course.....it will all depend on what they see on x-rays and when they get in there too...I just hate to think of removing his leg if he IS getting along okay and it is NOT causing him pain...
Re: Catching the Broken Leg Feral ~ Updated with Pictures
No, you can't just leave the leg like that, not only does it weaken the bone to further risk more fractures, but it causes scar tissue, joint/cartilage degradation, and later on, potential DJD and severe arthritis. It will also affect the paw and shoulder and nerves and muscle.
If after assessment and xrays and the vet isn't confident in surgery, see the one who is.
Don't assume this isn't painful for him, he can be masking the pain or has become so accustomed to it that he isn't showing outward signs of pain. The bone and joint and cartilage surely are painful with each movement or pressure on it. Even if it weren't painful, damage is continuing.
If after assessment and xrays and the vet isn't confident in surgery, see the one who is.
Don't assume this isn't painful for him, he can be masking the pain or has become so accustomed to it that he isn't showing outward signs of pain. The bone and joint and cartilage surely are painful with each movement or pressure on it. Even if it weren't painful, damage is continuing.
..........Traci
Re: Catching the Broken Leg Feral ~ Updated with Pictures
Thanks...I guess I did not think of arthritis etc in the future....I was just thinking of how he is now...watching him walking on it...
we are going in tomorrow...I have given up today trying to get him into the carrier...not to mention that I am lucky I have any skin covering the knuckle on one of the fingers on the hand that I would grasp him with to get him into the carrier....I got is slammed in a storm window that I did not realize was NOT secured....between the metal frame pieces so I cannot get a good hold of him....
He is in hiding behind the toilet....and the way our bathroom is set up...the toilet is in an alcove that is all of JUST wide enough for a toilet and about 2 inches on either side...it is a matter of waiting for him to come out on his own...
I did get some sardines in oil to work on enticing him out with...but it is too late in the day now to take him in and make him stay in a cage there overnight...hubby and I will just get him first thing tomorrow when he is more lovey and get him in....
we are going in tomorrow...I have given up today trying to get him into the carrier...not to mention that I am lucky I have any skin covering the knuckle on one of the fingers on the hand that I would grasp him with to get him into the carrier....I got is slammed in a storm window that I did not realize was NOT secured....between the metal frame pieces
so I cannot get a good hold of him....He is in hiding behind the toilet....and the way our bathroom is set up...the toilet is in an alcove that is all of JUST wide enough for a toilet and about 2 inches on either side...it is a matter of waiting for him to come out on his own...
I did get some sardines in oil to work on enticing him out with...but it is too late in the day now to take him in and make him stay in a cage there overnight...hubby and I will just get him first thing tomorrow when he is more lovey and get him in....
Re: Catching the Broken Leg Feral ~ Updated with Pictures
I take that last post back...hubby walked in the door and we got him in the carrier and to the vet....
The vet did NOT want to touch the leg....said he was not even going to bother with x-ray, knowing that he was not going to do it....
He WILL do bloodwork, neuter, check teeth, ears, treat for fleas...everything BUT the leg.....
Soooo....we will save a bit more $$$ and go to the city hospital as soon as we can....
He DID manipulate the leg, and was quite firm with it....and Tripod did NOT growl, hiss or anything...just let him do whatever he wanted to with it...the vet said there was no bone movement or fragments just from palpating....but as he said...HE was not comfortable doing anything with it....
At least he was honest rather than risking a botched job...
The vet did NOT want to touch the leg....said he was not even going to bother with x-ray, knowing that he was not going to do it....
He WILL do bloodwork, neuter, check teeth, ears, treat for fleas...everything BUT the leg.....
Soooo....we will save a bit more $$$ and go to the city hospital as soon as we can....
He DID manipulate the leg, and was quite firm with it....and Tripod did NOT growl, hiss or anything...just let him do whatever he wanted to with it...the vet said there was no bone movement or fragments just from palpating....but as he said...HE was not comfortable doing anything with it....
At least he was honest rather than risking a botched job...