Long shot- Any Veterinary Orthopaedic Specialists here?

[SugaryBits]

Who would be willing to give an opinion and possibly look at X-rays for me?

My cat was hit by a car last night and has fractured his pelvis, dislocated his femur and fractured his left ilium. I have been offered a couple of options, including orthopaedic surgery but have been told this will cost a minimum of £3000. I really cannot afford this, 2K I might have been able to borrow but not 3+.

The other option seems to be to wait until pelvis heals slightly, put the right leg back into place, then amputate the left.

Would really appreciate any advice. Thanks

god can't type, emerg consult £67.55!

I just hate that money is such a big issue in all this and I am starting to resent my DH because of it, yet I do understand where he is coming from. He is being so bloody insensitive which is not helping. I want to sell my car, which would allow me to go with the surgery if that is the best course of action but as he bought the car... I know he loves Jasper but just not in the same way I do.

that is bloody cheap actually

(infact just to put it in perspective the 'call out' before parts or labour on a glazier tonight in leeds in £95 before parts or labour)

i do really feel for you sugary

I was luck I got there before 11pm as after that the emerg consult fee is 150!

My cat is called Maisy (came from rspca with this name). Dh calls her Misery because she is but we still love her!!!I totally understand how you feel

Thanks Butterfly. I just want what is best for Jasper. While they tell me he has a good chance of recovery & decent quality of life I will do whatever I can to give him the best treatment I can. If things change and they don't think his recovery and quality of life will be good, I will have o let him go. I won't keep him alive if he is suffering but can't bear to think of that at the moment.
We lost his brother 2 years ago, also a RTA but he died instantly. Don't want to go theough that again.

Glad Maisy is having a good life now shouldbe. x

I know it's not the same injury, but our neighbours cat had a nasty accident 2 years ago and self healed whilst lying in a ditch for a few weeks!! Whole story here if it gives you any hope....

Ahh that is a lovely story & does give me hope Milliways.

I am going to bed now- didn't sleep at all last night so feeling pretty knackered now. Missing my baby though, won't be the same without him in bed. DS1 has been asking where he is today. Have told him he is at vets with poorly leg. I am hopefully going to visit Jasper in the morning so will post an update.

Again, thank you so much everyone for your time and advice. It has been most appreciated.

Message withdrawn

sugary bits. We paid 2k to save Charlie our cat who had fractured pelvis and tail base plus internal injuries.
He healed fine but got run over again and died.
so...
wasted cost and would never have a cat without insurance again.

Oops, I live in Surrey.

Piffle, thats sad about your cat. How long after he recovered until he died? The way I see it is that even if you only had another couple of years it wouldn't be a wasted cost iykwim.
I won't have another pet until I am working and able to pay for insurance or Vets bills myself!
I went to See Jasp this morning and he seems OK. They are going to try and put right leg back into place on tues and go from there.

I am a vet too, although again not an orthopaedic specialist. I have only just read this thread and am really sorry to hear about Jasper. I can't add a lot to what IAR and beautifulgirls have already said about the options for treatment. But I just wanted to say please make sure you know what is going on with his bladder function before you give consent for any surgical procedures. Lots of cats with pelvic injuries have damage to the nerves that control urination and it is really important to take that into consideration.

well it depends on affordability when I say waste. I really did not mean waste as he had another happy 18mths catching mice and being tickled
but when we moved house and dd needed speech therapy and special diet, the cost in hindsight was "costly"
but that's where insurance comes in.
Charlie retained full bladder and mobility. He lost his tail but adapted ok.
tis all hindsight tbh st the time I would have paid more.

Completely agree Piffle. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.
emiliadaniel, thanks for your reply. Jasper is able to pass urine and faeces now and is eating well so I am feeling a bit more positive than I did yesterday. They said that a few years down the line, constipation may be an issue as his pelvis canal is narrowed so eventually he may need part of his colon removed but I will cross that bridge when I come to it.
IAR- I am picking up the disc with the Xrays tomorrow so will try to E-mail them to you if you are still happy to take a look for me.
Thanks for your replies everyone x

Message withdrawn

Really delighted to hear that he's managing to pass urine and faeces, SB - that's a good start.

I have to say that in my practice we'd work something out (ie payment by installment agreements) for the majority of cases with financial limitations. However, I am forever bemoaning my boss and his lack of business acumen, so I guess this isn't the norm!

Glad you're feeling more positive, keep us posted

Hi Oops, thanks for your opinion. It is actually good to get some different opinions, helps me to understand what is going on a bit better and good to know there are a few options.

I am pretty sure we would not qualify as low income. Although we haven't got 3k available, we do have a good standard of living. The problem with the money is that if it was completely down to me, I would find a way to get hold of the money- sell the car & replace with a cheaper one, take a loan or remortgage- whatever needed. Unfortunately my husband does not agree, he thinks it is too much money to spend on an animal. I can see his point, borrowing the money would put a strain on us but I think Jasper is worth it.

The vet has quoted around 1k for the work they will do so for the time being I can manage that- I am going to sell my wedding dress and borrow the extra from my mum.
The Vets website says that all bills must be settled at time of treatment but goes on to say that payment plans must be agreed by both the partners so I'm hoping they will be able to work something out for me.

I am going to pick up the Xrays tomorrow so will E-mail them to anyone willing to take a look! I am happy to progress as Vet has suggested but other professional opinions would be welcomed. Thank you to everyone who has given their time and support.

I have put a picture of my gorgeous Jasper on my profile.

Awww he's a handsome dude!

Thank you beautifulgirls, he is gorgeous, even if I do say so myself!

Quick question- when he comes home he will need cage rest for 8-12 weeks. What size cage would be best? IL's have one about 3ft long by 2 1/2 ft wide- will this be ok?

He looks like a real mellow chap

I'd be happy with that size of cage, but no larger. Room for a litter tray, food and water and a cat is all you need.

what a lovely boy he is!

What a beautiful cat. !!

Thank you all for admiring my boy!

IAR, I have saved the X rays as Jpegs and E-mailed them to you....not sure how well you will be able to see them but worth a try!
Thanks again.