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Original poster

Possible broken pelvis - 3 month old kitten :(

43 replies

RhondaRoo · 26/10/2011 22:13

Hi,

anybody any experience of this? My little man is currently at the vets, having pushed his luck with a broken cupboard door which fell on him this afternoon.

I'm distraught - it's my fault, it's been broken for a week or so and I'd fixed it once and then it broke again (the hinge) then hoovering this afternoon I caught the bottom of the door and it fell off completely. Before I'd managed to get a screwdriver I propped the door (under kitchen sink cupboard door) and carried on cleaning - planning to fix it afterwards. less than 5 mins later - crash and the kitten screamed. At first I thought he'd just shocked himself but he was meowing and crying in pain.

I took him to the vets hoping it was a broken leg (hoping!) and she said she was more concerned about a broken pelvis!!!! Sad Sad

He's being kept in overnight on strong painkillers and sedated and x-rayed in the morning.

I've Googled to see if it's recoverable (if it is his pelvis) and although it is life threatening it is something he can recover from, if there's no nerve damage - but he'd need to be on 'cage rest' for up to 3 months! He's very active and an outdoors kitten....I can barely keep him in! I wonder what would be the kindest thing to do.

I can't bear to think about having him put to sleep.....but I can't bear to think of him being caged for 3 months and then an indoor cat (as that's recommended). My head's a mess, I'm so upset.

Don't even know what I expect anybody to say - just need to get it out Sad

OP posts:
BlondeBatgirl · 26/10/2011 22:28

I had a kitten when i was younger (sorry cant remember many details, was about 12) he got shut in the back door, the wind slammed it shut had a problem with his pelvis. He made a full recovery and was a very active cat! (Although incredibly useless at hunting!! :) )
Dont know if this helps, hope your kitten gets better soon!!

GhoulishGlendaFestersAgain · 26/10/2011 22:29

Both the cats I had as a child were hit by cars (in separate incidents), both had a broken pelvis and both recovered fine. So it is certainly possible.

Hope he is ok.

Original poster
RhondaRoo · 26/10/2011 22:32

I like survival stories - thank you! I feel a bit sick, I know it's stupid - with people have 'real' problems, but my pets (and obviously my daughter!) are my life!

Luckily he's insured so at least I don't have to worry about cost. I just feel so sorry for him!

Thanks for your replies Thanks

OP posts:
ZombiesAteYourCervix · 26/10/2011 22:33

DCat smashed his pelvis when he was about a year old. Also smashed a leg and jaw (fight with a car) lay ouside in the rain for 48 hours before being found and is now 4 years later, still very well.

They'll be making sure it hasn't damaged any of his bladder or bowel nerves.

Poor kitten.

DCat spent about 8 weeks caged. He escaped a number of times and legged it around the house (on 3 legs) before being caught and recaged. Amazingly resiliant. Just didn't care about his broken and missing bits.

ZombiesAteYourCervix · 26/10/2011 22:34

He wasn't insured and I spent 3 years paying off the bank loan needed to fix him. But he was and is a lovely cat and I couldn't have not tried.

ColdSancerre · 26/10/2011 22:35

Poor baby. He's so young hopefully it will mean he will heal well. Fingers crossed.

Original poster
RhondaRoo · 26/10/2011 22:36

oh, poor thing - I suppose I was lucky I was in the house or Kitten would have probably hidden himself and I'd have been none-the-wiser!

You are all giving me hope ....... the vet said she'd call me tomorrow but I'll have to call first thing just to check he's ok.

Funny thing is he was dumped at the vets, flea ridden and underweight and lived there for 3 weeks before I rehomed him - so thankfully it isn't a scary place for him, all the nurses know him so will be making a fuss!

OP posts:
Joolyjoolyjoo · 26/10/2011 22:37

Hi Rhonda, sorry you have had such a trauma Sad

First off, kittens are pretty resilient, as their bones are still "soft", so they fracture less easily, or they suffer what we call "greenstick" fractures (like when you try to break a young twig and it doesn't break all the way through)

they also heal really quickly, and well. For most cats with pelvic fractures, as long as there is no nerve damage (and sometimes even if there is) they make a full recovery, so the odds are your wee guy will be fine Smile

I took in a kitten years ago who was brought to us having been found being used as a football Sad His hind leg was smashed to smithereens- it was like a bag of gravel! We put a plaster on it, thinking we may well have to amputate if it didn't heal, and he came to live with me until we knew the outcome. Three weeks later he did a bit of DIY stooky removal, and never looked back, although he did have a slightly bunny-hopping gait when he ran.

(and of course, he never moved out...!)

Original poster
RhondaRoo · 26/10/2011 22:38

Zombies - I took out the free pet insurance I got with his vaccinations, thankfully!! I had also just phoned Pet Plan to extend the free month, no idea if he'll be covered as it happened about an hour after I'd phoned....although his free insurance doesn't run out until the 2nd Nov, so the initial treatment will be covered.

OP posts:
Original poster
RhondaRoo · 26/10/2011 22:40

Jooly - thank you! I was feeling like 'this is it' but am so pleased I posted. I know it's not cut and dried that he will be ok, but so many positive stories - I think I may sleep a little easier.

Thank you so much!

OP posts:
Joolyjoolyjoo · 26/10/2011 22:51

You are very welcome Smile! Let us know how he gets on, won't you?

Original poster
RhondaRoo · 26/10/2011 22:55

I will do, fingers crossed and thank you Smile

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 27/10/2011 13:02

How is he today?

ColdSancerre · 27/10/2011 13:22

Yes, let us know he is. Hope you've had positive news today.

LovingChristmas · 27/10/2011 15:10

Just so you're not worried about the pet insurance either, my rabbits came home from the RSPCA and were insured under the free insurance with pet plan and had a sodding fight within 1 hour of being home, pet plan paid the £230 to fix both stupid rabbits and I ended up getting another hutch!!!

Original poster
RhondaRoo · 27/10/2011 18:12

Hi!

Well, I have a very very very grumpy little man, in a cage in the kitchen! Sad They didn't do any xrays as they didn't want to stress him out and he had improved since last night - he is now only limping on one leg (his left). He has also passed urine etc so no nerve damage (phew!)

He is on some strong painkillers and he needs them - he managed to escape from the cage when I went to clean out his litter tray (I would have left it...but oh my lord!) and he can walk but he cries a lot too.

I think if he's no better pain-wise in a couple of days I will call back and ask for advice.

The vet said that had they done an xray and seen a fracture, they would have put him on cage-rest with painkillers anyway, so they've cut out the middle man. She's seeing him next Thursday to see if there's an improvement.

So, fingers crossed he will start to mend, albeit grumpily!

Thanks for all your help last night - I really did panic!

x

OP posts:
ColdSancerre · 27/10/2011 19:23

Cage rest must be a nightmare to deal with, but glad he is home. I'm sure he'll improve quickly and great news that he can use his litter tray without problems. Not for you cleaning it though!

Joolyjoolyjoo · 27/10/2011 22:12

Aww, bless! Sounds v. promising Smile Good news that he is improving, and passing pee and poo- that is a really good sign. I bet he heals really quickly.

TalkinPeace2 · 28/10/2011 12:53

get a cage

old cat got hit by a car when he was 10 - pelvis broken in 4 places

we rented a labrador cage from a local breeder and it lived in the dining room
square of carpet, litter tray, food bowls
five weeks
first week he lay down most of the time
second week moving around in the cage
third week starting to get bored
fourth week allowed out when we were there to supervise
fifth week he could hang from the roof of the cage

within three months he was back scaling 6 foot fences

died 9 years later of old age

Original poster
RhondaRoo · 28/10/2011 21:48

ha, I think the hanging from the roof of the cage isn't far away - well, I imagine he's thinking about it anyway!

He is doing ok today, had to get some more painkillers as he is still very sore when he moves and crying.

Have let him out once to see how he's walking (vet said it was ok if he was kept calm, few steps, cuddle, back inside) and he's hobbling - he seems to be able to weight bear on both legs but it looks like his back is the problem, which is worrying as this lends to pelvis/spine injury.

Vet wants me to call with an update on Monday - I may just ask for an xray, I'm very concerned as I can't see how we can be sure there isn't a serious fracture, although he is ok in himself - trying to play (failing, but trying!).

Thanks again everyone :)

OP posts:
TalkinPeace2 · 28/10/2011 22:15

rhonda
with old cat we had NO xrays after the initial ones
messiest part was the vet having to insert her finger to "realign" his pelvis!!
it worked

keep the cage going for a week longer than you think
there should be NO wobbliness at all
the muscles will rebuild fast but they have to do so in the right order

Original poster
RhondaRoo · 28/10/2011 22:36

Bert hasn't had any xrays yet though - but yes, I think he'll be in the cage longer than a week. He mustn't be feeling great because although he does object, it's not often - most of the time he sleeps. It's heartbreaking, I know it's the right thing but he's just confused!!

as for the realigning of the pelvis.....ewww! Glad I'm not a vet [hgrin]!

OP posts:
Original poster
RhondaRoo · 10/11/2011 18:28

Update:

Bert has been on cage rest since 'the event'. He has perked up and didn't need his pain-killers as he was coping really well (ie trying to escape at any possible opportunity!)

So, vet suggested that as he was the correct weight/almost the right age for neutering they do the xray at the same time - make it less stressful than 2 lots of anesthetic. The result of the xray - a broken pelvis, on the right hand side just above his hip joint. In the words of the vet, possibly the worst/most awkward place to fix! She sought advice from an orthopedic surgeon and he agreed that 6 weeks cage rest and then re-xray. They can't pin it as he's too little and still growing. He isn't in pain, or if he is he's not showing it. He escaped when I cleaned his litter tray out and went mental, running around/attacking the dog/purring like mad as he did! Vet said she would normally prescribe some mild pain killer but feels he needs to know his limits to avoid him over-stretching himself.

So, I have a very unhappy kitten, very quiet, miserable - it's heartbreaking. We see the vet again on 21st Dec.

Any tips on keeping him entertained???

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 10/11/2011 20:12

Oh dear, your poor kitten!

Have you got any ping-pong balls? our cat still loves his. catnip mouse? never had this myself it's such a freak accident.

Maybe if he's bored he'll sleep and heal quicker?

You could always let him loose on the dog every so often! that seemed to cheer him up.

Original poster
RhondaRoo · 10/11/2011 20:56

I have some little mice which I dip in a bag of catnip - he likes it, doesn't get too frisky but quickly loses interest. I'm worried that he'd go absolutely ballistic if I dropped a ball in - more broken bones would ensue!

I just keep giving him hugs and kisses and apologising when I put him back - am trying to limit it to 3 hugs a day (as don't want to risk damaging him further). So morning at feeding time, when I get back from work/school at 3pm and then just before bed time.

He has stolen DD's flanel frog (??), quite likes it ha ha!

OP posts: