Stray found with BROKEN leg

[JoyRenee]

Last night we opened our backdoor to find a stray kitty (adolescent male). I noticed he was malnourished and gave him some milk and chicken (all I had for an animal). Then I noticed he was favoring one leg. I think it might be broken! I've called a few places and no one wants to deal with him, of course. They're just going to want to euthanize him instead of help him.

So my question is this--- what do I do?!?!?!?! We just got rid of our dog on Thursday just to find a cat at the back door last night. Granted there were valid reasons for giving the dog up I am not an animal killer or neglector and I feel absolutely awful for this cat.

I took him in and made hubby go get food and litter this morning until we can figure out what to do. Any insight or help would be appreciated! He's such a sweetheart who loves to talk and purr.

[Savas]

Ugh, I'm sorry to hear that. You hope and hope, but... ah well. As all have been saying and I'm sure you know, a three legged cat can get around quite happily.  He is an attractive fellow, I'll give you that. :)

[PrettyKitty1]

Yeah..since he is so skinny his stomach can't handle large amounts of food. He probaly hasn't eaten in weeks, and so sometimes when the stomach shrinks, the animal will refuse to eat at all. It is best if he ate little by little... good that he is doing this, and sleeping. Eating and sleeping will make him gain weight. You'll see how beautiful he'll turn out to be.
Sorry his leg will have to be amputated. However, cats can adapt very well to a new body. Do you have any idea how old he may be? If he is young his chances of getting used to walking on 3 legs will be higher. Just don't let him out...even if he begs.

[JoyRenee]

Savas, the vet did x-rays and the injury was about a month old and was healed over. The femur was just snapped. There's nothing to do but amputate.

PrettyKitty, he is VERY skinny! The pics don't even do him justice because the fur hides all of his bones. He is just a little bag of bones. So I keep food in his bowl constantly. He eats little bits at a time, then he'll sleep, then come back for more!

[PrettyKitty1]

............that cat was stray!!! I can't believe it!! Those eyes..he is gorgeous. He is a bit skinny though, but wait until he stays with you a bit more and he gets fixed. He'll look radiant! You should keep those pictures and then upload more recent ones in the future to see the before and after. Good luck with the vet tomorrow. Hopefully, his leg will not have to be amputated. Please keep us updated.

[Savas]

Hi joy, welcome over to the petting zoo. Watch out for the tigers. :)

Is it the rear right hind leg?

could you do a picture of the area you suspect broken?

generally if you feel for a break along the area is there a lump, or a "Sharp"/"Knobby" feeling spot?

I'm asking because if it is a simple hairline fracture, and not a clean break, you can just do cage rest (along with any neccessary med's) and hope for the best. As long as it isn't a split or serious fracture it would likely heal fine.

If there is a lump, you've got to worry about infection and inflammation (although infection is more serious, and WOULD need med's. The latter...you should, but with cage rest it may go down as it heals).

Ah, does Beckett put ANY weight on the paw at all? If so then I doubt it's a break.

[JoyRenee]

I've only contacted shelters first and they are all full (all of the no-kill ones--- I didn't even bother to call Animal Control because I don't want this gorgeous, sweet cat killed). And the only vet I've called is one we've used before. I like them a lot.

My SIL told me that based on the information I gave her his leg either has to be amputated or perhaps he'll have to be gassed so they can fix his hip and leg, depending on what the problem is. He also has ear mites and will need to be neutered and get vaccines.

He has an appointment tomorrow afternoon for x-rays. That's the first step. From there we'll be able to figure out what we need to do. I asked them to quote me a price for possible amputation but they wouldn't. They want to see him first and see the extent of the problem.

I put pictures of him up in my profile. He's a gorgeous Siamese that we dubbed Beckett (after a Stargate Atlantis character).

[PrettyKitty1]

To those whom you've asked, do they all tell you that fixing the leg will cost you about the same? Nobody offers a cheaper care? UGH! I hate it when that happens. Please don't take him to the pound. I took one thinking he was going to be fine and as soon as he got a respiratory infection they killed him.  I'll pray so that your brother's wife is able to help and you don't have to take him to the pound.  

Keep me posted.

[JoyRenee]

We don't have an ASPCA. I've called everywhere and everyone. All of the no-kill shelters actually have waiting lists and I obviously don't want to take him to the pound just to be put down.

The little guy is growing on our family. I'm not close with my brother but after writing this I remembered his wife used to be a vet nurse/assistant. So I've been asking her some questions.

Looks like we'll just have to go ahead and get him seen. His leg is so weird.

[PrettyKitty1]

I believe your local ASPCA offers low cost care. Try to find out more about this. If you want to help the cat you will have to put down some money. Try to find the cheapest way possible, like the ASPCA. I really hope you find a way to help this kitty. I wish you all the luck in this world.

[JoyRenee]

Okay the vet called back and told me $200 or more. I said it's not even my cat. They said to splint it.

But... doesn't the leg need to be re-set? Won't it cause the cat probs to just splint his leg without re-setting it?

[JoyRenee]

By the way, I'm the CL over in the pregnancy forums so y'all know I'm not just some random person who stumbles onto MedHelp. You can also PM me and I should be on later today. Still waiting for a vet to call me back...