Terrible dilemma

[RayWinstone]

Hi all,

I've name changed because I've spoken to hundreds of people IRL about this. I was hoping for some Litter Tray wisdom and honesty (to balance the advice from friends /family who don't want to upset me).

Our lovely 1.5 year old ginger boy was found by our neighbour this morning with a broken leg. He must have been hit by a car. It was an horrific break - the bone was completely severed and poking out of the wound. The vet said he'd definitely have to amputate the leg but was fairly confident about the prognosis. The xray showed he'd broken his other hip, though, so it looked like we'd have to PTS.

We told the kids he 'hadn't made it' when we picked them up and then went to the vets to do the deed. When we got there, the vet suddenly seemed fairly positive that he could do something to the other hip (taking out the joint or something) so that he'd be OK - he'd be left with only one, slightly gammy back leg, he 'wouldn't be able to climb trees' but could live pretty happily. Vet couldn't be certain about outcome of operation obviously but was quite confident. He said he's certain he wouldn't be in pain once the initial convalescence was over - the question mark is over quality of life (again - he says if things go well, he's pretty sure he'll live well and long).

We don't have insurance but the extra element of the operation on the hip is likely to be about 500-1000 more than what we were expecting to pay just for the amputation (so 2500ish total).

So now we're in a total headfuck of a dilemma. I'm usually fairly pragmatic in situations like these but I suppose I've never had to make a decision like this about such a young and vivacious cat.

We've left him at the vets (he was very comfortable) because we couldn't make the decision either way (the vet encouraged this). We're genuinely quite traumatised by the roller-coaster we've been on today, and so upset so decision making was even harder. He's an absolutely wonderful cat and we all adore him. But we can't decide whether the risk is worth it or fair.

Brutally honest perspectives from Internet strangers encouraged!

[Autumn1990]

We had a cat that was hit by a car at a similar age. Hip joint was smashed up but they managed to pin it back together again. She died recently aged 11 of cancer. We choose to call a halt to treatment as it was returning.
I think though you could decide either way and both would be good decisions. Animals aren’t humans.

[KnittedCardi]

I had a similar dilemma, and I decided to pts. Merlin was a darling, but he was also a runner, jumper, hunter. His quality of life would not have been the same. I didn't have insurance either, the vet was very shitty to me about that. My brother had previously had a three legged cat, who subsequently fell off a fence and broke his back....... So......

In the end our bill was still about £500 for x-rays, anaesthetic, and putting to sleep.

[winnybella]

I would definitely have the op. I had a three-legged cat and she had a long and happy life. I'm not sure why would you even consider PTS if the vet seems confident about the chance of success?
I'm definitely against keeping animals alive at all costs if it means low quality of life but that's not the case here, is it?

[Stickytreacle]

If the vet is confident then Id give it a go, for the cost of the surgery it could buy your cat another 10-15 + years of life, I understand that if money is short that it is more difficult.
Cats are remarkably resilient, provided he has good pain relief and will tolerate the restricted movement then I'd do it.

[RayWinstone]

@Autumn1990

We had a cat that was hit by a car at a similar age. Hip joint was smashed up but they managed to pin it back together again. She died recently aged 11 of cancer. We choose to call a halt to treatment as it was returning.
I think though you could decide either way and both would be good decisions. Animals aren’t humans.

Agreed. This is what the vet kept saying 'both decisions are valid'. This is the problem really.
Sorry about your cat.

[PutASpellOnYou]

My friend has a three legged cat, he gets around fine, bounds around, goes outdoors, manages absolutely fine and seems really happy and content. He has no problem jumping up on things, cats adapt well to 3 legs.

[sleekcat]

Personally I would have the op without question, but I understand your dilemma. He could go on to have a really happy life with three legs and I'd want to give him that chance.

[RayWinstone]

@winnybella

I would definitely have the op. I had a three-legged cat and she had a long and happy life. I'm not sure why would you even consider PTS if the vet seems confident about the chance of success?
I'm definitely against keeping animals alive at all costs if it means low quality of life but that's not the case here, is it?

I probably didn't explain it very well in my OP. When the vet rang us to give us the bad news about the hip being broken too, he was fairly clear that PTS was the right way to go. When we got there he seemed to be sitting on the fence more. He's absolutely not saying 'you should do the op', he's just saying 'there's a chance he might be OK if we do'.

If I'm honest, I wouldn't normally consider this kind of thing. It's a lot of money and the risk of it not working is very real. But I'm really struggling.

[swooshes]

Poor puss and poor you. If I'm reading it correctly, it wouldn't just be a case of a 3 legged cat, but one of those three legs wouldn't function properly? I think that would sway my opinion towards PTS to be honest, it really doesn't sound like the best quality of life. I am sorry you're in this awful position 💗

[Grumpyoldpersonwithcats]

If you have the money personally I would give your young cat the chance. Cats can recover and adapt very well to being tripods.
I wouldn't judge you though if you decide to PTS.
I'm sorry you are in this position.

[RayWinstone]

Just to say, it's not the three legs that worry us at all... When we left him at the vets this morning, we were absolutely happy with this (as happy as you can be with a cat with a horrific broken leg).

It's the fact that the other hip is also broken so, if the op works, he will be left with one back leg that doesn't work very well at all. At best.

[RayWinstone]

@swooshes

Poor puss and poor you. If I'm reading it correctly, it wouldn't just be a case of a 3 legged cat, but one of those three legs wouldn't function properly? I think that would sway my opinion towards PTS to be honest, it really doesn't sound like the best quality of life. I am sorry you're in this awful position 💗

Yes, this is it. Thank you.

[hollyandivyknickers]

As a non cat person I think it would be quite cruel to have the op. Doesn’t sound great at all that the other hip is damaged.

Personally sounds like the vet is thinking of ££££.

[swooshes]

In that case OP, I'm really sorry but I don't think I would want my cats to live that way, I think they would be miserable.

[Halloumicheeseislife]

Before making any decisions I'd want to know if he can still pee. Bladder paralysis is a common issue in cats with hip or pelvic fractures. Have they mentioned this at all?

[Grumpyoldpersonwithcats]

@Halloumicheeseislife

Before making any decisions I'd want to know if he can still pee. Bladder paralysis is a common issue in cats with hip or pelvic fractures. Have they mentioned this at all?

Really good point.

[Scampuss]

@swooshes

Poor puss and poor you. If I'm reading it correctly, it wouldn't just be a case of a 3 legged cat, but one of those three legs wouldn't function properly? I think that would sway my opinion towards PTS to be honest, it really doesn't sound like the best quality of life. I am sorry you're in this awful position 💗

Yes, I think I agree.

Three legged cats do well, but to be left with 2 good and 1 not so good leg, especially an only back leg, would concern me. Even just basics like toileting are potentially going to be quite tricky.

A horrible decision to make, and only you know him best and how he might cope @RayWinstone but I'm pretty sure I'd PTS in this situation

[Lavender14]

@Halloumicheeseislife

Before making any decisions I'd want to know if he can still pee. Bladder paralysis is a common issue in cats with hip or pelvic fractures. Have they mentioned this at all?

This for me would be a big deciding factor and how clear is the vet that this won't be an issue, equally is there potential for the cat to be left incontinent and needing extra care for that.

Could you contact the likes of pdsa to see if they can help with the vets costs op? I know it is what it is now but this is why insurance is so important. I never really was worried about it having always had pets that died from old age growing up, and then my wee cat got hit by a car but was seriously injured and alive in pain and needed pts. I couldn't have afforded treatment etc if I hadn't had that insurance and you just don't think about it happening to such a young cat.

Can you realistically afford this treatment op or will you be putting yourself into debt to do it? I think sleeping on it is a good thing and you're right to take your time with it if the vet can keep them comfortable. I'm so sorry this is happening to you it's a heartbreaking decision to have to make.

[Fartughtyred]

So sorry for you and puss and not an easy decision, but as he's such a young cat, I'd be more inclined to give him a chance. Cats are pretty resilient and at his age he will probably adapt much better at 18 months old, than if he were an older cat and more set in his ways.
Thinking ahead If all went well and you have a garden or outside space, perhaps a catio would then allow him to go outside safely,by limiting the opportunities for too many gymnastics!
Good luck x

[IsEveryUserNameBloodyTaken]

You would be surprised at the amount of three legged cats and they really really have no problem adjusting to three legs.

[CatChant]

He’s young and cats are amazingly adaptable creatures. I’ve known a couple of tripods who’ve gone on to lead long, happy lives.

The issue here is that third leg is going to be a little bit wonky. But if your vet is confident he won’t be in pain and he can have a decent quality of life, and if you trust your vet, then my inclination would be to go ahead with the operation, if you have the funds.

I have an old-ish book, Uncle Whiskers by Philip Brown, which is an account of a ginger cat he owned who had to have one leg amputated and was left with one “semi-paralysed foreleg”, after being struck by a van. He was quite a young cat and amazingly, he adapted so well that he was still able to be an outdoor cat and lived until he was 14.

I wish you well. It’s a hard choice with such a young, otherwise healthy animal.

[hilariousnamehere]

I'm so sorry OP this sounds awful. For me it would depend on the cat - my black cat is a climber and an explorer and I've known since she first came to me that she would cope without one leg but not without two, and to be happy she needs to jump so I'd make different decisions depending on the affected legs. My fluffy cat is much calmer and would adapt better, and my decision ultimately would be based on each of them and their quality of life both in and after recovery from the op.

They are 11, but I am neurotic and considered this when they first arrived at 6 months and made it very clear they were not indoor only cats!

I'd definitely check the peeing issue a pp mentioned before making any definite decisions, and I guess try and weigh up how he would cope more than how you and your family would in each situation?

Sending unmumsnetty hugs x

[RIPMullet]

I’m so sorry OP, what a dreadful thing to happen.

I would want to know why the vet seemingly changed his mind.

However, hour cat is so young, the vet is quite confident, the cat won’t be in pain and if it goes well he can have a long happy life. I’d definitely be giving my cat a chance in your circumstances.

[wonderstuff]

Personally I’d not go for the operation, it’s a massive risk and money aside it sounds like there’s a good chance that after a complex operation you may still have to PTS.

[canttellyouwhereorwhatido]

Mine was hit by a car at 2 yrs old.. same amputated leg and broken hip .. he is now 11 and sitting on my lap purring away as I type .. added to this he was missing for 28 days after the accident .. which was beyond horrible..

He brings so much love to our family .. that £3k was incredibly difficult for our family to sustain . I told the kids there would be no holiday or days out for six months .. in fact it was a year ..

There was and never was any moaning they just wanted him .. and he pays it back in spades ..