Ripped ligaments in a cats leg

[dabs]

One of my fosters had this and we had two options, either put him on cage rest for 6 weeks with metacam or surgery. The orthopeadic vet said that suregry meant a faster healing time and less chance of arthritic problems in later life. Either way it had to be cage rest.

[JackSpratt]

Thanks Ruth. I can't believe the vet didn't mention it to him. Poor lad was worried they'd have to give their cat up as they didn't feel they'd be able to keep the situation under control.

Snarf, when I was younger I broke my little toe and ripped every ligament up to knee as well.

[snarf]

ive had ripped ligaments before and they are  painfull! cat will probably be happy to have everything it needs close by and i think as long as it can still see its family and still be surrounded by familiar smells and sounds its the best thing for it. i certainly didnt want to move if i didnt have to!

[Kittybabe (Ruth)]

Shonagh, think of Lexy. 3 months crated with 3 surgeries. They can do it. It's not cruel, but necessary. Without that, the cat won't heal and it will be worse in the long run. 6 weeks is manageable believe me, I had double that with Lexy and it was a drama as I am sure you will recall.

[JackSpratt]

I got a message off someone telling me their vet has diagnosed a ripped ligament in their cats leg and advised she doesn't do anything strenuous for six weeks. This man is really worried because he works quite a lot and his wife looks after their six month old baby so would literally be confined to the house if she has to watch the cat.

I've advised they invest in a dog crate for their cats convalescence period as this makes sense to me; is that cruel or just practical as long as what she needs is in there? They're concerned they can't nurse her as they're expected to.