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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Need a handhold please

87 replies

JaceLancs · 13/12/2023 19:00

Came home from work tonight and no sign of Finlay
Then found him in his basket with blood on face - we think he may have been hit by a car - tried not to move him unnecessarily and rang emergency vets
We’ve just returned home to wait anxiously for X-rays and scans - main concern is he cannot weight bear on back legs at all
Ive asked for them not to PTS without letting us say goodbye
I don’t know whether to think the worst and hope to be proved wrong or or be hopeful and feel worse if it doesn’t work out for him
I am beyond devastated for those who remember me we lost Reuben and Evie back in May and have only had Finlay a few short months

Need a handhold please
OP posts:
Thread gallery
10
beccahamlet · 13/12/2023 19:03

He might be fixable. Sounds like he's damaged his pelvis/back legs. They can do wonders with surgery.

hartof · 13/12/2023 19:16

I'm so sorry you're going through this. Fingers crossed for Finlay, and here for a hand hold Flowers

Treesinmygarden · 13/12/2023 19:17

So sad for you! Hopefully Finlay will pull through. Another handhold xx

beccahamlet · 13/12/2023 19:19

I have PM Ed you

lovelyjubbly888 · 13/12/2023 19:21

Oh what a wee darling. I am hoping and praying your wee boy will be alright. Please update us x

Toddlerteaplease · 13/12/2023 20:32

Paws crossed. Hopefully he's fixable.

Original poster
JaceLancs · 13/12/2023 20:35

Vet just rang - broken pelvis and smashed hip - may need pins and plates and/or new hip joint - best case scenario is he will recover but may have arthritis earlier in that area
worst case scenario is there is also nerve damage and even with surgery they may need to amputate as he would adjust better with 3 legs than one dead one
They are referring him to a specialist hospital in next county and op may be tomorrow or Friday
Thankfully I did petplan gold cover so hopefully most of costs will be covered
thank you for holding my hand - I’m here with DS and on my 2nd gin

OP posts:
Logoplanter · 13/12/2023 20:41

So sorry to hear about what has happened 💐

He's in the best place and will be well looked after I'm sure. The update you've given sounds promising. Fingers crossed he recovers on his own but there are lots of cats who manage well on 3 legs.

LostCats · 13/12/2023 20:41

Oh baby Finlay!! Very very best wishes for the best possible outcome.
Petplan saved our bacon this time last year when my precious boy needed lots of investigations.
Arthritis can be hugely helped with solensia injections but if it comes to it, the Litter Tray has wonderful stories of cats living their best lives with 3 legs and caring no foxes whatsoever that they are missing one.
Please do let us know how he gets on as we will all be wishing him well and waiting on news xxxxxxx

Original poster
JaceLancs · 13/12/2023 21:12

Thank you all
3rd gin and am even considering eating something
He is so young (5 months) but maybe that’s better as he would adapt
Does anyone have experience of cats recovering from major joint surgery? A friend has just suggested he may need to be caged whilst recovering to restrict movement whilst we are not around to look out for him

OP posts:
lovelyjubbly888 · 13/12/2023 21:51

I can’t provide any advice there but I’m sure your vet will be very helpful in preparing you for exactly how to best support your little boy.
I’m really so glad to hear it’s not the worst case scenario and that he will be ok. Sending him love and best fishes!

Treesinmygarden · 13/12/2023 21:54

Sounds like there's every reason to be hopeful. As he's so young, he will probably heal and adjust much better than an older cat.

Cats seem to adapt very well to three legs - but would you keep him indoors then? I know it's different but when our ancient boy lost sight in one eye we didn't let him out unless supervised. He was old enough that he didn't really care that much.

Potentialmadcatlady · 13/12/2023 21:57

Very likely to need to be caged. Basically you use a largish dog crate with bed one end, low opening litter tray ( like a kitten one) with puppy pads the other end, coop cup for water and a food bowl. Cover the crate with a big blanket as it makes them feel more secure. Recovery from amputation would be much quicker than fixation etc but vet will advise you about that.
Then you need to think about indoor/outdoor life.. It’s going to take a while so he might be happy becoming indoor cat only

Greezynogreasy · 13/12/2023 22:02

Love sent to Finlay and hope he recovers well.

Hugs you you ! 💐
Good decision to get him well insured ! 😊

Datafan55 · 14/12/2023 07:48

Yes to caging. Or a big pen. Otherwise they try and start jumping on and off things as usual!

twobluechickens · 14/12/2023 07:54

Poor Finlay, and poor you OP. What a shock. I hope the vets are able to get everything back in place and he recovers well.

Defiantlynot41 · 14/12/2023 08:10

So sorry to hear this news. Love to Finlay and fingers crossed the surgery goes well

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 14/12/2023 08:28

Very sorry about Finlay's accident. Keeping my fingers crossed that you get a positive outcome. 💐

Igmum · 14/12/2023 08:29

Love to Finlay and to you and fingers firmly crossed Flowers

Original poster
JaceLancs · 14/12/2023 10:56

Vet rang this morning with positive update - he’s eaten and used litter tray so they are no longer concerned about other internal damage - I’m taking him to specialist orthopaedic veterinary hospital this afternoon - op may be today or tomorrow but they are hopeful that amputation may not be necessary
Thank you for being here for me - it really helps x

OP posts:
TheShellBeach · 14/12/2023 11:11

What a worry for you!
I'm glad there's better news this morning.

LostCats · 14/12/2023 11:29

Oh that is good news! I hope his op goes really well. Many paws crossed here for him

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 14/12/2023 11:30

Sounds positive - hope he continues to make good progress.

beccahamlet · 14/12/2023 14:27

That's good news. My cat has just recovered from major orthopedic surgery. She had to be crated for 8 weeks. As previous poster said large dog crate is what's needed. I got mine out for short very closely supervised sessions. Keep him where there is stuff going on so keep him occupied. Mine liked watching TV! :-)

CatChant · 14/12/2023 14:42

Poor boy and poor you. What a horrible shock. Good to hear he’s doing well and thank goodness you have insurance.