14 yr old cat with broken leg, pts or amputation

[Pets123]

My cat was hit by a car on Thursday. It was found out she has a broken femur in her hind leg. Due to the age pins were not an option. At the moment she has been given 2 weeks rest to see if it starts to heal if not the only options are either pts or amputation. My question is whether amputation will be worth it bearing in mind her age? As first of all the surgery is risky and I'm not sure if she will adjust well to three legs after. She has had a full bloods and is healthy in every other aspect. Any advice or own stories would be great.

[cozietoesie]

My own boy came to me at about 14 and is still a happy and going concern some 7 years later - although he has arthritis which requires meds. I wouldn't say that the age of 14 - by itself - is a barrier.

What did your vet say?

(I've not had a tripod myself but I understand that cats generally manage very well indeed after losing a leg.)

[Floralnomad]

If she's a healthy 14 I'd go ahead with the op , cats manage very well in 3 legs .

[Mincepies76]

My cat was 3 legged. He was pts at age 14...nothing to do with his legs, he was fine on his 3 legs. I would give her a go on 3

[Lonecatwithkitten]

The oldest cat I have ever amputated a leg from was 17, he lived another 4 years. We did bloods first to check there was no kidney disease etc.
At 14 I would say absolutely as the vast majority of cats are living to at least 16 now, 20/21 is not that unusual.

[3boys3dogshelp]

I would go for the amputation. Cats manage really well on three legs as a rule, he isn't that old and they tend to heal much faster (or at least get back to their normal routine) after an amputation than a fracture repair.

[Miloarmadillo1]

Have you had a specialist opinion on if the fracture is fixable (from an orthopaedic surgeon, not a first opinion vet)? Pins are not the only option, there are many ways of fixing a fracture ( plates, K-wires, external fixator). Amputation is usually only necessary if the bone is completely smashed to smithereens or if tissue viability is compromised due to damage to blood supply or tissue loss, neither of which sounds likely if they are going to see if it heals by itself. Ask if the Xrays can be emailed somewhere for another opinion, you don't need to transport your cat.
But to answer the question if the cat is otherwise well they do v well on 3 legs.

[gleam]

Would it be worth contacting the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals for an opinion?

[cozietoesie]

Is she covered by insurance by the way?

[Pets123]

Shes not covered by insurance but we have the money to afford the operation.
They suggested not to try and fix the leg as the operation is big and they don't want to risk it.
She has had bloods to check for kidney disease and she came back clear so otherwise is completely healthy.
She was a lot quieter today but the swelling has only fully come out today and in the first couple of days she continually walked and balanced on her bad leg so we are hoping she isn't giving up but just feeling a bit sore, she is on pain medication and antiinflammatories.

[cozietoesie]

I'd go with the vet's advice in this instance I think.

[TheoriginalLEM]

definitely amputation if she is otherwise healthy. My cat had her leg amputated and was home the next day. like she always had three legs. They really do amazingly well with just three legs. id choose amputation over the surgery anyday and she isn't that old.

[timtam23]

Sorry to hear about your cat. I think if she is otherwise healthy I would be inclined to go for the amputation. 14 is not so old these days.

[Pets123]

Thank you all for your suggestions, she went in for her operation this morning and is now hopping around her cage.

[cozietoesie]

I'm glad she's come through the op OK.

[situatedknowledge]

Hope she is fully recovered soon.

[IlPorcupinoNilSodomyEst]

Bless her, hope she's doing OK! The fastest cat in our neighbourhood is a three legged Siamese, who is always up our tallest tree chasing birds.