bloodwork "normal"...negative for feline leukemia ...WHEW!!!...teeth and ears cleaned and okay....treated for fleas (found a few while neutering)...and he is neutered....
he will get to sleep there overnight and come home tomorrow....
from there.....I will contact the city hospital and see what they might have for an estimate on costs and payment plans...but I think they only hold checks for a 10 day max, which will not help us much....our vet here does 6 months....
soooo....I will save what I can where I can and get him there as soon as possible....in the meantime....he will become and indoor kitty, or at least we will give it a good try and see how well he adjusts to it all....
Tripod ~ Just an Update ~ Dec 16, 2008
Re: Catching the Broken Leg Feral ~ Updated with Pictures
Glad to hear he's in otherwise good health!
Hope you can get him into the surgeon ASAP.
Hope you can get him into the surgeon ASAP.
..........Traci
Re: Catching the Broken Leg Feral ~ Updated with Pictures
He is home and not too happy...I left him still hiding in the carrier which I left sitting on the bathroom floor...
the vet however was left yesterday with a scratched thumb, and today it is quite swollen
the vet however was left yesterday with a scratched thumb, and today it is quite swollen
Re: Catching the Broken Leg Feral ~ Updated with Pictures
Tripod went for surgery this morning 
The bone broke through again....my mom is going to help pay and I can make payments back to her....
He will stay at the hospital through Saturday since I have to work all day Thursday and Friday (and Saturday) and no one will be home with him...I will go in tomorrow and visit him and learn how to care for his wound...my husband will bring him home Saturday morning....
The surgeon was not in the office at the time I left him with the tech, so I am not sure if they were going to remove at the "elbow" or all the way to the shoulder...I will leave that up to him....I figure he knows best and will know what to do once he sees everything....
she said I can call this afternoon about 4:30, if I do not get a call from them before then, as he should be done by then and we will know how things went...
I went today and got a pillow to stuff behind the toilet as this seems to be his preferred sleeping place, so I may as well make it comfortable for him...I also got a box of moist whiskas packets in fish flavours to help entice him to eat the dry kibble, and I am sure I will get something from the vet as well for a few days....
I also got the Yesterday's News pellet litter to try....I do not want to use clumping since I am sure his balance will not be good and I do not want any of that in the wound...and I figured even clay might be yucky...and that Yesterday's News looks like it might be nice....we will see what he thinks of it....
I saw at the vet's that they have bottles of ear cleaning solution...I did NOT notice if it was for cats or dogs...but I was thinking....Tripod will have a hard time cleaning his ears and face with his front leg gone...should I get something to help do this for him, until he figures out a way to do it on his own....
How can I help him adapt and do things in the meantime?
Pain meds/control....they had better be sending him home with something!!!!....
How many days?...what is recommended?....What can I do to help him?....
Thanks
The bone broke through again....my mom is going to help pay and I can make payments back to her....He will stay at the hospital through Saturday since I have to work all day Thursday and Friday (and Saturday) and no one will be home with him...I will go in tomorrow and visit him and learn how to care for his wound...my husband will bring him home Saturday morning....
The surgeon was not in the office at the time I left him with the tech, so I am not sure if they were going to remove at the "elbow" or all the way to the shoulder...I will leave that up to him....I figure he knows best and will know what to do once he sees everything....
she said I can call this afternoon about 4:30, if I do not get a call from them before then, as he should be done by then and we will know how things went...
I went today and got a pillow to stuff behind the toilet as this seems to be his preferred sleeping place, so I may as well make it comfortable for him...I also got a box of moist whiskas packets in fish flavours to help entice him to eat the dry kibble, and I am sure I will get something from the vet as well for a few days....
I also got the Yesterday's News pellet litter to try....I do not want to use clumping since I am sure his balance will not be good and I do not want any of that in the wound...and I figured even clay might be yucky...and that Yesterday's News looks like it might be nice....we will see what he thinks of it....
I saw at the vet's that they have bottles of ear cleaning solution...I did NOT notice if it was for cats or dogs...but I was thinking....Tripod will have a hard time cleaning his ears and face with his front leg gone...should I get something to help do this for him, until he figures out a way to do it on his own....
How can I help him adapt and do things in the meantime?
Pain meds/control....they had better be sending him home with something!!!!....
How many days?...what is recommended?....What can I do to help him?....
Thanks
Re: Catching the Broken Leg Feral ~ Updated with Pictures
aww, he is so cute- poor little thing...does he act like it is painful or has it "healed" like that.... 
Re: Catching the Broken Leg Feral ~ Updated with Pictures
His leg had healed like that...and he was walking on it sometimes...with is all crooked.....but it would keep breaking through the skin....
the local vet here did not want to touch it....and I was hoping to save up money to get him to the hospital in the city at a later date.....the bone broke through again yesterday, so he went in this morning to have the leg amputated.....my mom will help pay and I can pay her back.....
He was just getting to where he would come out from behind the toilet when we were IN the bathroom with him....now I am sure we will have to work on that trust all over again....I will HAVE to get him our from behind there to clean the wound and check his suture site each day, whether he likes it or not!!
the local vet here did not want to touch it....and I was hoping to save up money to get him to the hospital in the city at a later date.....the bone broke through again yesterday, so he went in this morning to have the leg amputated.....my mom will help pay and I can pay her back.....
He was just getting to where he would come out from behind the toilet when we were IN the bathroom with him....now I am sure we will have to work on that trust all over again....I will HAVE to get him our from behind there to clean the wound and check his suture site each day, whether he likes it or not!!
Re: Catching the Broken Leg Feral ~ Updated with Pictures
I'd recommend using a flat soda case box instead of the litterbox and new litter. You can line it with a trash bag folded over once, then just use folded paper towels or puppy piddle pads on top, change when soiled. If you see him trying to dig the first or second day, then by all means, go ahead and try the litterbox and new litter, but keep the soda box handy if he appears to be having difficulty getting into the litterbox.
He should have a flat pillow or flat heavy SOFT and fluffy blanket to lay on, one that is big enough for him to stretch his legs out with comfort. You could prop a pillow up against the wall for him to lay against and he may use it to help prop himself up when needed the first couple days. He will surprise you and be quite resilient, but the most important thing is keeping him comfortable, activity restricted at all costs, get an e-collar from the vet and try to keep it on him at all times until the suture site appears to be healing. The surgeon will probably use sutures that will need to be removed in 10-14 days or so, depending on how well the incision site is healing. It's important that you keep the e-collar on to prevent him from licking or scratching at the incision site. You can take it off when you are right there to supervise, when he eats etc, but be sure to put it back on when he's resting. If the e-collar has a gauze string around it, you need to have at least two of your fingers between his neck and the e-collar before you tie it.
I'd recommend getting a few cans of A/D as opposed to making him eat dry food. Surgery, pain meds, less mobility can all cause slight constipation in the first week post-op, so he should be eating canned food, and drinking plenty of water to aid digestion and stool production. The A/D is a good recovery diet, is palatable for most cats, and has the calories and protein he needs for recovery. I'd feed it for at least 3-4 days, then slowly graduate him onto the dry a couple days or so after that.
Don't worry about ear-cleaining solution. If he's been properly examined, the vet should have cleaned his ears already anyway, if necessary. Once properly cleaned, they should stay that way as long as he didn't have a heavy burden of ear mites or any infections. And, he'll be able to keep his ears cleaned well, eventually. It would be a good idea however, to periodically check the ear on the side of the amputation.
As for pain control and management, they might place a fentanyl patch on prior to surgery, which is a constant (but measured) pain control method used prior to and after surgery. Additional pain meds might include butorphenol given sub-q or orally as needed (or buprenorphine IV) as the vet and staff monitor him. If Tripod is staying until Saturday, the fentanyl patch will probably be removed by Thursday if not sooner. When Tripod is released, the vet should send home with you either butorphenol or buprenorphine or metacam given orally, so be sure to ask for LIQUID suspension of whatever he prescribes, and needle-less syringes to administer with. Any pain meds the vet sends home with you should only be given for about 3 or 4 days, especially any morphine-class drugs because they are addictive (yes even for pets) and some are not without risks if given for too long (kidney and liver problems). Metacam is given in very small doses, usually only once a day for three days, but your vet will determine the best pain management protocol. He'll also send home antibiotics, so be sure to give them as instructed. The vet will most likely give him injectable antibiotics post-surgery, twice a day.
Also ask for a baggy of nolvalsan-soaked gauze pads so you can use these to gently dab at the incision site to keep it clean (once or twice a day or as instructed by your vet). You will need to watch the incision site very carefully for any signs of redness, swelling, bruising, oozing of blood or pus, etc which would all demand an immediate re-check/assessment by your vet. You should expect a little redness and bruising, but this should dissapate within a few days post-op. Periodically place your hand gently on the skin surrounding the incision and make sure it is NOT hot or warm to the touch, which could indicate infection or reaction to the sutures and again, would demand immediate care by the vet to re-assess. You don't have to worry about involved wound-care, only keeping it clean twice a day with the gauze pads, monitoring it for the above mentioned problems, and getting him rechecked immediately if anything unusual is occuring.
Depending on the pain management protocol your vet sends home with you, expect Tripod to be alittle mellow and slightly sedated for lengthy periods in the day/night, this is good because it keeps his activity limited, and he won't get too rambunctious to move around. It's not that the meds will completely sedate him, they just take the edge off of the pain and keep it controlled. Follow the schedule of pain meds and antibiotics exactly as instructed and do not miss doses.
By Saturday, he should be well on the mend, since he will have had a few days of observation, monitorization and pain control, the vet can monitor his urine/defecation function etc and take his vitals twice a day etc. If hubby is picking up Tripod, make sure he knows in advance to get Tripod's care instruction sheet, pain meds, antibiotics, the canned A/D and anything else the vet needs him to have before checkout. You don't want to be without necessary meds or explicit instructions etc on a weekend!
The main thing is keeping Tripod comfy, activity limited, monitor his urine/stool production, ensure he is eating/drinking, incision site is healing as expected, and that he isn't displaying signs of pain. Your vet will require a followup exam within 5-7 days or sooner if anything unusual occurs. Sutures will need to be removed in 10 days or so.
On or about the 4th or 5th day at home, Tripod may be getting anxious or wanting activity....small amounts of activity at a time, and NO jumping. Depending on how well the incision site is healing will depend on how long the e-collar needs to be on, etc. Be sure your vet is available for phone calls/questions, during nights and weekends.
Keep us updated, K?
He should have a flat pillow or flat heavy SOFT and fluffy blanket to lay on, one that is big enough for him to stretch his legs out with comfort. You could prop a pillow up against the wall for him to lay against and he may use it to help prop himself up when needed the first couple days. He will surprise you and be quite resilient, but the most important thing is keeping him comfortable, activity restricted at all costs, get an e-collar from the vet and try to keep it on him at all times until the suture site appears to be healing. The surgeon will probably use sutures that will need to be removed in 10-14 days or so, depending on how well the incision site is healing. It's important that you keep the e-collar on to prevent him from licking or scratching at the incision site. You can take it off when you are right there to supervise, when he eats etc, but be sure to put it back on when he's resting. If the e-collar has a gauze string around it, you need to have at least two of your fingers between his neck and the e-collar before you tie it.
I'd recommend getting a few cans of A/D as opposed to making him eat dry food. Surgery, pain meds, less mobility can all cause slight constipation in the first week post-op, so he should be eating canned food, and drinking plenty of water to aid digestion and stool production. The A/D is a good recovery diet, is palatable for most cats, and has the calories and protein he needs for recovery. I'd feed it for at least 3-4 days, then slowly graduate him onto the dry a couple days or so after that.
Don't worry about ear-cleaining solution. If he's been properly examined, the vet should have cleaned his ears already anyway, if necessary. Once properly cleaned, they should stay that way as long as he didn't have a heavy burden of ear mites or any infections. And, he'll be able to keep his ears cleaned well, eventually. It would be a good idea however, to periodically check the ear on the side of the amputation.
As for pain control and management, they might place a fentanyl patch on prior to surgery, which is a constant (but measured) pain control method used prior to and after surgery. Additional pain meds might include butorphenol given sub-q or orally as needed (or buprenorphine IV) as the vet and staff monitor him. If Tripod is staying until Saturday, the fentanyl patch will probably be removed by Thursday if not sooner. When Tripod is released, the vet should send home with you either butorphenol or buprenorphine or metacam given orally, so be sure to ask for LIQUID suspension of whatever he prescribes, and needle-less syringes to administer with. Any pain meds the vet sends home with you should only be given for about 3 or 4 days, especially any morphine-class drugs because they are addictive (yes even for pets) and some are not without risks if given for too long (kidney and liver problems). Metacam is given in very small doses, usually only once a day for three days, but your vet will determine the best pain management protocol. He'll also send home antibiotics, so be sure to give them as instructed. The vet will most likely give him injectable antibiotics post-surgery, twice a day.
Also ask for a baggy of nolvalsan-soaked gauze pads so you can use these to gently dab at the incision site to keep it clean (once or twice a day or as instructed by your vet). You will need to watch the incision site very carefully for any signs of redness, swelling, bruising, oozing of blood or pus, etc which would all demand an immediate re-check/assessment by your vet. You should expect a little redness and bruising, but this should dissapate within a few days post-op. Periodically place your hand gently on the skin surrounding the incision and make sure it is NOT hot or warm to the touch, which could indicate infection or reaction to the sutures and again, would demand immediate care by the vet to re-assess. You don't have to worry about involved wound-care, only keeping it clean twice a day with the gauze pads, monitoring it for the above mentioned problems, and getting him rechecked immediately if anything unusual is occuring.
Depending on the pain management protocol your vet sends home with you, expect Tripod to be alittle mellow and slightly sedated for lengthy periods in the day/night, this is good because it keeps his activity limited, and he won't get too rambunctious to move around. It's not that the meds will completely sedate him, they just take the edge off of the pain and keep it controlled. Follow the schedule of pain meds and antibiotics exactly as instructed and do not miss doses.
By Saturday, he should be well on the mend, since he will have had a few days of observation, monitorization and pain control, the vet can monitor his urine/defecation function etc and take his vitals twice a day etc. If hubby is picking up Tripod, make sure he knows in advance to get Tripod's care instruction sheet, pain meds, antibiotics, the canned A/D and anything else the vet needs him to have before checkout. You don't want to be without necessary meds or explicit instructions etc on a weekend!
The main thing is keeping Tripod comfy, activity limited, monitor his urine/stool production, ensure he is eating/drinking, incision site is healing as expected, and that he isn't displaying signs of pain. Your vet will require a followup exam within 5-7 days or sooner if anything unusual occurs. Sutures will need to be removed in 10 days or so.
On or about the 4th or 5th day at home, Tripod may be getting anxious or wanting activity....small amounts of activity at a time, and NO jumping. Depending on how well the incision site is healing will depend on how long the e-collar needs to be on, etc. Be sure your vet is available for phone calls/questions, during nights and weekends.
Keep us updated, K?
..........Traci
Re: Catching the Broken Leg Feral ~ Updated with Pictures
Thanks Traci....I will print this out and highlight the parts that hubby will need to be sure to bring home with him....and when I go tomorrow, I will also be sure to ask about making sure they have these lined up for him on Saturday....
Nice thing is as well....we have a key to the vets office since hubby is their computer tech, so we can go visit him even Thursday and Friday after I get off work....even if only for a few minutes, just so he does not think we forgot about him.....
I have to think....I may still have some piddle pads around here somewhere.....hhhmmmmm....if not, I can pick some up
When he was neutered, dewormed, defleaed, etc last week, the vet said surprisingly his ears were totally clean and mite free....and his teeth, minus a couple, were in good condition....
Nice thing is as well....we have a key to the vets office since hubby is their computer tech, so we can go visit him even Thursday and Friday after I get off work....even if only for a few minutes, just so he does not think we forgot about him.....
I have to think....I may still have some piddle pads around here somewhere.....hhhmmmmm....if not, I can pick some up
When he was neutered, dewormed, defleaed, etc last week, the vet said surprisingly his ears were totally clean and mite free....and his teeth, minus a couple, were in good condition....
Re: Catching the Broken Leg Feral ~ Updated with Pictures
I really do like to encourage owners to visit, visit, visit, because it really does encourage the pet to heal quicker, and of course, they really do enjoy it when their owners are there to comfort them and help reduce the stress. I'm sure he will appreciate that, despite the surgery, pain, sedated on meds, etc. Plus, it gives you yet another opportunity to show him you care about him so much and when he's home, he'll be familiar with the environment and quite likely, very happy to be home!
..........Traci
Re: Catching the Broken Leg Feral ~ Updated with Pictures
yes....many years ago, my mom had a german shepherd who was hit by a car and had to have her hind leg amputated...the vet tried for WEEKS to pin and plate it in place, to no avail....
Anyways, when the accident happened, Mom was in hospital herself, and since Sheba was always an outside farm dog who (normally) stayed ON the farm, we just went and made sure there was food and water in her dish....
Mom got home and Sheba did NOT come to greet her....Mom went looking and found her laying in the greenhouse....smelling very badly...at first the vet was not sure he could save her...
The first day there, as soon as Mom was done with work, she ran out saying she had to get to the vet's to visit Sheba, one of the ladies said, "you are going to go all the way over there just to visit a DOG?" Mom said, "Of course!" and ran out....she got there, went in and the vet said, "I am so glad to see you...you need to come back right away, she is not wanting to do anything!"
Mom went back to the observation area, where SHeba was laying there in bandages and IV tubes, with her eyes closed....Mom talked to her...an eye opened....MOm called her name again...her tail wagged...the vet said this is the FIRST reacation he had seen from her all day long and he was afraid she would not live the day....but as soon as Sheba KNEW that Mom was going to be there....she responded very well to treatment....
Anyways, when the accident happened, Mom was in hospital herself, and since Sheba was always an outside farm dog who (normally) stayed ON the farm, we just went and made sure there was food and water in her dish....
Mom got home and Sheba did NOT come to greet her....Mom went looking and found her laying in the greenhouse....smelling very badly...at first the vet was not sure he could save her...
The first day there, as soon as Mom was done with work, she ran out saying she had to get to the vet's to visit Sheba, one of the ladies said, "you are going to go all the way over there just to visit a DOG?" Mom said, "Of course!" and ran out....she got there, went in and the vet said, "I am so glad to see you...you need to come back right away, she is not wanting to do anything!"
Mom went back to the observation area, where SHeba was laying there in bandages and IV tubes, with her eyes closed....Mom talked to her...an eye opened....MOm called her name again...her tail wagged...the vet said this is the FIRST reacation he had seen from her all day long and he was afraid she would not live the day....but as soon as Sheba KNEW that Mom was going to be there....she responded very well to treatment....