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!

Just to add .. my boy is a farm cat .. he climbed and hunted and generally made his life fab on the farm .. I would say that it little difference .. he still climbs smaller trees .. an do hay bales .. but. not fast enough for birds . Win win ..

Gosh that's difficult, just down to three legs, no issue, go for it. But with the other back leg being badly damaged too, I'm really not sure what I'd do...

I love my cats but if this was one of mine, I think I would err towards PTS. There sounds like there is still a high chance of pain or limited life after the op. One leg amputated is one thing - we have a cat with a gammy leg I highly suspect he won’t keep all his life - but the potential for other issues with the broken hip…

But as others say, it feels a bit like there’s no right or wrong decision here. I’m sorry you have to make this call.

He’s so young I think I’d have to give it a shot , not much to lose but a lot to gain if it works out .

I think I would have to give him a chance with the op, especially as he’s only young. I feel like I would always wonder if he would’ve lived a good life for many more years. I appreciate it’s a very hard decision.

Thanks everyone.
A mixed bag of opinions, which very much mirror the state of our minds right now.
I think we're leaning towards PTS right now but going to try and get some sleep and hope real clarity comes in the morning.
Thanks again.

Just to add, the procedure that the vet is recommending for the hip is a Femoral Head Ostectomy (FHO). Just been googling and it seems it's a fairly common and often successful surgery that results in near to normal use of the affected leg. It's just the fact our boy would also have an amputated leg at the same time.

I would do the op but it depends on financials too
It might help to ask yourself
If he was insured, what would I do?
And also, this sounds really harsh but toss a coin. Not to decide but You know when the coin is in the air what you want

I have had cats all my life and am all for giving them every opportunity to live a happy life. My current cat is not a lap cat and he would totally struggle in the circumstances you describe. Cars are very good at hiding pain and discomfort but that doesn’t mean they don’t feel it. I think sad as it is I would pts @RayWinstone .

Thanks again everyone. Unfortunately the clarity I was hoping for after a night's sleep hasn't materialised.
It's sad to say but I suppose essentially it does come down to money... If the treatment were free I'm pretty sure I'd do it. We have the money (if it costs what he says it's going to) but it will impact us in terms of what we can do as a family (probs no holiday this year, less days out etc). Also, if it were guaranteed to work, I'd definitely do it. The risks are the thing (compounded by the money). It doesn't help that we're going into the Easter weekend - as the vet said, if we go ahead and our boy needs treatment over the long weekend then the bill from the emergency vet is going to be astronomical.

We were pretty settled on PTS last night and then we came across some success stories online for the procedure. One cat was an existing amputee and had the FHO and lived a fine and happy life afterwards.

This is so hard. I've had cats all my life and had to PTS before but this is without doubt the hardest decision I've had to make.

It’s ok that it’s about the money. It’s a lot of money.

Such a horrible situation to be in. You could have been describing my friend's cat... He was in a bad car accident and needed an amputation. Whilst he was recovering they discovered that a problem with his hip was worse than they thought, so he had to have that operated on too.
He has gone on to live a happy life. Goes outside to potter around, enjoys lap time etc..it's a more successful outcome than their vet thought.
My friend always says they would have made a different decision if they'd known about both issues from the start (they initially thought it was just an amputation), but that it's worked out OK.

If it were my cat, I'd be heavily influenced by the kind of life they enjoy. My cat is very happy to spend hours curled up asleep of course, but is most definitely at her happiest when outside, exploring. She likes being up high (shed roof, garage roof) and hoons around at some speed. Plus catches a LOT of mice, which requires some agility. She will not come when called, so has to have freedom to go in and out at will. If she wasn't able to do this, I don't think her quality of life would be good enough - she'd be frustrated and confused. So I don't think I'd put her through the op.

Cats can, and do, live very well with 3 legs and a compromised hip, but only you know if that would be right for YOUR cat.

Either way, I hope today goes smoothly for you.

Absolutely I'd have the OP.

Cats are amazingly adaptable and he's so very young with a lot of life left. I have a cat that's disabled from birth - blind, hare lip, issues with muscle tone, something dodgy going on with the hips which means she can't run properly. She has a very happy life with us. She's had even on occasion hunted successfully!

Because of her (and because we are looking for another disabled cat to join our family at some stage), I'm part of various disabled cat communities. I've seen cats get round well with only their front legs. Here a link to an amazing cat with no back legs at all!

In comparison, just being a tripod with a bit of a stiff back leg is pretty minor comparitively.

Whilst I get that you're thinking of the financial side of it, honestly as a cat owner I think that should be your problem rather than his.

What I mean is, whilst you can't go back and get insurance now, it's unfair for him to pay with his life because you didn't. As you've said, you'd do it if it wasn't the cost...

I'm not a 'treat at all costs' person when it comes to pets, but personally I think this is a total non brainer.

We have the money (if it costs what he says it's going to) but it will impact us in terms of what we can do as a family (probs no holiday this year, less days out etc).

Would you be able to enjoy days out thinking that the money could have saved your cat? Maybe you could but I know we couldn’t. My kids would be horrified if we chose days out over their pet.

Sorry if I’m wrong, but it sounds like you’d go for the op if not for the cost? If that’s the case, I think you have to do it- cost aside you think the cat could have enough quality of life, and as the money (or credit) is available enough to consider it as an option I think you’d feel too guilty if you didn’t give the cat the chance.
fwiw I had a cat who had that op (and other procedures for a crushed pelvis) after being hit by a car and she was able to run/ jump/ climb fences afterwards so a good recovery is possible in that leg.

Ho hum - we've managed to avoid unhelpful judgemental posts until this morning.
To me it is perfectly reasonable for the cost of treatment to be considered against likely outcomes.
@RayWinstone - you've had plenty of good advice on this thread going both ways. You are in a horrible position and you have my sympathy and support whatever decision you make. Please ignore any posts trying to force your hand by making you feel guilty.

If you would do the operation if it didn't cost anything, you should do the operation. They might not be human but there js still a financial responsibility that comes with having a pet and if you are weighing up days out/holidays for 6 months to a year against potentially having your cat for a decade, I honestly don't know what to say...

Obviously if there was a higher risk of lifelong pain and being PTS was the best choice for the cat, there is no shame in that but if it's just down to money (which you say you have?) you should absolutely do everything you can to save your cat (and I'm not sure why you wouldn't want to??).

Really difficult and I was in a similar boat with a different condition a couple of years ago (a stroke that led to a tumour needing to be removed). It was actually quite a lot more money and my girl only ended up having another year afterwards, but I can only say I never regretted giving her that.

Honestly, since it's what you've asked, my view based on all you've said is that I'd do it. But that's with all the caveats that no two situations are the same, that none of us were at the vet's with you and that you know best what it's going to mean for you in the longer term.

Bastard cars.

That is an incredibly hard decision. I really feel for you. I was going to say I think it depends how much losing that money would impact your family on what is the right thing to do. For the cat either decision is valid, but how much will it impact the DC's and for how long? I honesty can't say what I would do in your situation. There is no right or wrong, just what feels right to you.

This is so difficult for you.

I would ask the vet about possible continence issues. Also factor in the possibility of arthritis at a much younger age.

You can't ignore the money side. You are, in essence, weighing up the quality of life of your cat against the quality of life of your family.

I had to have much much loved girl pts last week. She was only young and I could have kept her going for maybe a month or 2 with steroids, IV fluids, syringe feeding etc. In the end I decided not to do that for her. Money was a factor ( she was insured) but so was her quality of life and mine. Morning after morning wondering if she'd died in her sleep, it was utterly exhausting.

In the end, I had to consider that cats aren't human. They have no concept of the future. We do - we look at the life they might have had ahead. They live in the moment- the present is their reality - and we owe it to them to make their presents as good as they can be.

You are facing a really tough decision. Whichever one you make will be hard. Thinking of you and sending support at this really tough time.

If I could afford it I would have it done - especially as it's such a young cat. I know a cat that has that surgery on the hip and once healed was fine - but, it wasn't a solo back leg.
I really sympathise with your dilemma. Not an easy choice at all.

I would PTS and finances wouldnt come into it for me (we have insurance anyway). A 3 legged cat is one thing but with a damaged hip as well I think its too much. I have a couple of vet friends in their 50's and they say that they often feel too many animals are put through pointless treatments and operations these days.
Your cat wont know hes being PTS but he WILL know if he is scared, in lots of pain and cant function like he used to.
I have been guility in the past of prolonging a pets life for myself rather than them so I know how hard it is but I would say that you should let him go

Oh that is such a hard decision, I would be 50/50 on this too, even if money was no issue.

And I think considering costs is reasonable. The OP has already said she's not basing this on cost alone - it's one more thing to consider, alongside whether the op will be successful in the short term, and whether the cat will have good quality of life in the long term. If it makes you feel any better OP, the NHS certainly considers costs when deciding whether to recommend a new treatment for humans. They essentially look at the cost versus any additional length of life and the impact on quality of life. If the benefits are not worth the cost, they don't pay for it, because they have to consider that this would mean less money to pay for other treatments and services.

I really wish you all the best with your decision for your boy. I also think either decision is reasonable.

Thanks all. Cost isn't the only deciding factor but, equally, it is a consideration. Especially with the very real worry about spiralling aftercare, and the possibility of needing to go to an emergency vet over the long weekend. I think it's fair and honest to say if the op were free we probably would go for it in a kind of 'hit and hope' kind of way (with the caveat that we would absolutely be worried that we'd be putting him through unnecessary stress, and may end up regretting trying to save him). Those two ideas can coexist, despite what some have said on this thread. It is absolutely not a no brainier for us. God, I so wish it was... We're genuinely really tormented and traumatised by having to make this decision.

I've almost become cross with the vet over it all. He's giving me God Complex vibes (my DP keeps pointing out the things he said and how they sound like this is very much an experimental operation... The vet admits he's done the FHO with varying success on other cats but never with one who also had his other back leg amputated.)

If you would go for the OP if the cat was insured then you should go for it . Perhaps you should get your current vet to contact a specialist orthopaedic vet for an opinion even if it’s only online / phone about the x rays . I don’t think the OP is experimental at all but perhaps your vet lacks experience performing it .