Which vet surgeon would you choose?

[MeowCatPleaseMeowBack]

My cat needs surgery for severe ligament damage in her knee. I've spoken to two specialists (or rather their nurses, not the actual surgeons) and I'm torn about where to pick.

Vet 1 is part of a chain. There's no information about him on the website. His nurse spoke to me at some length about the surgery and possible outcomes and seemed very clued up. He can do the surgery on Monday.

Vet 2 is a renowned specialist. The emergency vet I saw told me of all the vets in the area, he would choose this one (he didn't make the referral so had no vested interested in who I choose). Vet 2 is also recommended by the Supervet, Noel Fitzpatrick. But he can't do the surgery for two weeks.

Both vets have quoted the same price and both will deal direct with my insurers.

My gut says to wait for Vet 2, but I worry that my cat is in pain. She doesn't seem to be, and she is on painkillers, but we all know cats hide pain very well. I also worry that the longer she's hopping about unsteadily on three legs, the higher the chance she will damage her good leg.

My gut is saying to wait for Vet 2.

What would you do?

Before making a decision I'd speak to the surgeon at vet one and see how you feel about him/her
And speak to vet two to see if your cat can be bumped up the list a bit.

vet 2

but ask your vet about the risk of waiting a few weeks, I would imagine it's not as bad as you fear but I am no expert at all. Better to be in a bit more pain for 2 weeks and a long term better prognosis.

Thanks both.

QuirkInTheMatrix You're right, the risk is low. It's just so hard trying to do the right thing when I can't ask her how she feels!

For a cat or small animal vet 1 IF the reviews were good and the vet would speak to me.

There’s a massive chance the second leg will go, I doubt you’ll be insured for that. Can you restrict movement to one room/ litter tray? If so then maybe vet 2.
Arthritis will be settling in to the joint the longer it’s left. It’s a difficult call.

My Lab tore his cruciate ligament and had to wait a couple of weeks for a top orthopaedic surgeon, there was existing arthritis in the limb. The op was complicated so we had no choice as normal vets wouldn’t touch it. I didn’t realise what the problem was at first as he hid the pain and only occasionally had a limp, even the vets weren’t sure what was wrong until he was x rayed. (We told to rest etc they thought it was minor).

Glitchymn1 It's different with cats, this was almost certainly caused by an injury/fall rather than ligament disease, so unlikely it will happen to the other leg. Thankfully I do have good insurance so she would be covered if it did happen... this makes the monthly premiums worth it!