Treatment for torn ligament

[batteryturkey]

I wonder if anyone has any experience of this? A week ago my cat came in limping - so off to the vet we went.A week later after xrays, injections, etc and £325 later I have been told she more than likely has a torn ligament in her back leg. The treatment for this is rest or surgery. The vet thinks surgey is the best option but she will have to go to a specialist practice miles away. My cat is 10 years old and has a heart murmer. She has never ailed a day in her life since now. She is insured but I still have to pay a 20% of the bill. I am concerned re the stress on her with the travelling and anaesthetic with her heart. Has anyone had this with their cat and rest and tlc has worked?Many thanks xx

Do you know which ligament in the back leg it is that is damaged, also what weight is your cat - very important in ligament injuries.

It is the cruciate ligament.She weighs 5.5kg - the vet is not concerned about her weight as she is a big furry cat. I think I am going towards surgery as she is unstable on it.. I just hope her heart holds out!

Sorry for delay in getting back. Our orthopaedic surgeon recommends with normal weight cats which yours is 6 weeks rest and anti-inflammatories only if that fails will he do surgery. The only time he goes straight for surgery in a cats knee is if they have a global knee injury. Personally if it was my own cat I would always rest it first I have only had one cat in 12 and half years with an uncomplicated cruciate ligament injury where rest did not work.
All the studies also show that regardless what you do the level of degenerative joint disease is the same in later life so no one choice is going to give you a better long term out come.
Hope this helps.

Thanks for your reply - I am resting her as much as possible- she is not a very active cat - preferring a warm lap and lots of cuddles to going out. I am having issues trying to get pain killers down her though - the fur is flying!

Are you using metacam if so I would use a small amount of something tasty like tuna or pate before the majority of her meal. Though I have to say my old girl waits for her metacam to be put on her food now.

Hi- i was using metcam and was putting it on her food which she was eating ok. But the vet thinks she may have a kidney infection so doesn't want her to have metcam anymore, so she prescribed tramadol tablets - which my cat refuses to have anything to do with. So now I have a liquid alternative which I can syringe straight under her tongue. She still hates it but there is less fur flying, and less stress about it all!She is still limping and sore, but seems to be more relaxed witht the pain killer. I now just have to wait for her to wee to get a urine test!