I Found this Stray Kitten with Broken Leg! What to do?

[abbyquack]

This stray kitten showed up in our garage last night, and has what appears to be a gimp leg! We were absolutely horrified when we saw it using the leg as a crutch while the lower half of the leg dangled there, but it looks like he's used to it, as he doesn't seem to be in any pain. I'm not sure if that's how he was born or what. Anyways, we can't find an owner and by the look of him, he's probably been on his own for a while b/c he was all dirty and had a couple naps in his fur. We are taking it to the vet hopefully next week, but it's such a sweetie and so cuddly and friendly! I think he will make a great addition to our family!

Anyways, I wanted to know if anyone has experienced anything like this before? Any pet experts here? I have no idea what the vet will do to his leg.

(gimpy leg!!)

 

[blindpassion]

Animals have amazing strength, even if they are in pain they can usually pull through it. I would get to a vet ASAP and they will let you know the best treatment options for the leg. I would definitely do your best to make it comfortable until you get to the vet. The vet might cast it? Im not sure... I guess it depends whats wrong with it.

 

[panther27]

I don't have any advice,but I love cats and you are a great person to take care of him.

 

[ImMACnificent]

Bless you for keeping this kitten, first of all

It looks SO SWEET.

Anywho, I would try to get the little thing to a vet pretty quick, just to make sure it's not infected. There is a possibility he might have to get it amputated or even just have a surgical procedure.

I say the sooner the better, he might not be 'acting' like he is in pain simply because he is used to it, but that has to be extremely uncomfortable.

Let us know how things go, I would try to go before next week, but that's just me!

 

[Dice1233]

I would def. get him to the vet ASAP. Sounds like he has nerve damage, so luckily he may not be in pain, but if he is using part of his leg as a crutch, he could certainly open the skin over that area and get a horrible infection and could go septic quickly if not looked after. From the way it sounds, I would expect the vet to suggest amputation. Please don't let that scare you - he is young and even adult animals recover quickly and do fabulously!! Also, the longer you wait, the less they can do to repair the leg if it is possible to repair it.

(disclaimer: I am a 4th year vet student, but legally cannot give medical advice

)

Good luck with the little one!!!!

 

[ImMACnificent]

Seriously, I think having a three legged cat would be fantastic.

OMG you should name him MAC.

<3

 

[blindpassion]

^ hehehe I think NicksWifey (brit) just named her cat MAC! Its so perfect.
She said it also stands for "my awesome cat" hehehe.

 

[ImMACnificent]

Hehehehe, should have figured some one had already thought about that.

Well, let's see...
how about Frank, Toskan or Angelo like the founders of MAC

I love how I'm naming this girl's cat for her ;P

 

[abbyquack]

Thank you everyone for the advice, as I really need it, and probably the best advice is to take in to the vet ASAP! I figured it wasn't an emergency b/c he acts totally fine and lively, even when he's hobbling around, but I would so much rather be safe than sorry.

PS - any idea how much vets might cost? I've never gone to one...

 

[Brittni]

Please have a heart and either take it to the VET or to a shelter which will treat it.

 

[CantAffordMAC]

what a sweet sweet kitten...bless u for taking him in! I hope his leg gets better

OMG damn this PMS....its making me cry at EVERYTHING!!!

 

[ImMACnificent]

Quote:

Originally Posted by abbyquack Thank you everyone for the advice, as I really need it, and probably the best advice is to take in to the vet ASAP! I figured it wasn't an emergency b/c he acts totally fine and lively, even when he's hobbling around, but I would so much rather be safe than sorry. PS - any idea how much vets might cost? I've never gone to one...

Well, they are going to do XRays, which will most likely be what costs the most.

I would say just the visit alone would be...roughly 50 bucks probably? (Im kinda guessing) and I would assume the XRays and everything might get up to 200-300 bucks.


Ya also gotta think if he is in need of anything else... flea prevention, he might be malnourished/dehydrated, skin conditions....anything is possible when it is a stray.

I hope this boy sticks around with you and you give him a loving home! If he gets too expensive for you, which I hope doesnt happen, I would certainly surrender him somewhere like a shelter or rescue that would be willing to pay his vet bills if you are unable to do so.

 

[xbrookecorex]

Take him to the vet if you can afford to/plan on keeping him

He looks ADORABLE! He was probably very lucky to find you!

 

[Janice]

Take it to a local small practice veterinarian. A lot of times they appreciate people adopting strays so much they offer deep discounts on treatment. We've always had several animals at any given time, if something happened and the pet required vet attention we found that vets were always willing to work with us on the financial aspect of the visit while providing immediate care for the animal. (i.e. payment plan)

Kudos on taking the little bugger in

, best wishes to you.

IF you aren't keeping the cat, take him to the vet and let them know you found him and believe he's in need of medical attention. They will take the cat in, of someone turns you away just call the next one you WILL find a vet who will take the kitty in. If it's not possible to surrender the kitten to a vet then I would turn to a no kill shelter.

 

[abbyquack]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImMACnificent Well, they are going to do XRays, which will most likely be what costs the most. I would say just the visit alone would be...roughly 50 bucks probably? (Im kinda guessing) and I would assume the XRays and everything might get up to 200-300 bucks. Ya also gotta think if he is in need of anything else... flea prevention, he might be malnourished/dehydrated, skin conditions....anything is possible when it is a stray. I hope this boy sticks around with you and you give him a loving home! If he gets too expensive for you, which I hope doesnt happen, I would certainly surrender him somewhere like a shelter or rescue that would be willing to pay his vet bills if you are unable to do so.

I hope he doesn't get too expensive either but if I have to make payments at the vet to pay off the bill I'd much rather do that than surrender him to a shelter. The shelters and rescue places are probably overloaded right now as it is, so I wouldn't want him to go there, plus I think I'm too attached already!

It breaks my heart though to think he was abandoned in such a condition. We live in an area where the houses are kind of spread far apart, and since none of our neighbors knew anything about him he must've come from pretty far!

 

[Dice1233]

I agree that many vets will work with you in a situation like this - you are doing a great thing by getting him care and giving him a home. Many can work out payment plans as well.

 

[stacylynne]

OMG what a cutie. bring him to the vet.
You are amazing for saving an animal. Your new addition to your family will have a place to call home now.
I love all animal people

 

[ohnna-lee]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImMACnificent Seriously, I think having a three legged cat would be fantastic. OMG you should name him MAC. <3

My mom had a tri pod when we were just babies, the cat got around just fine. The cat adopted my mom also. Animals do that, they chose their owners.

Good luck on your new kitty

 

[ImMACnificent]

Quote:

Originally Posted by abbyquack I hope he doesn't get too expensive either but if I have to make payments at the vet to pay off the bill I'd much rather do that than surrender him to a shelter. The shelters and rescue places are probably overloaded right now as it is, so I wouldn't want him to go there, plus I think I'm too attached already! It breaks my heart though to think he was abandoned in such a condition. We live in an area where the houses are kind of spread far apart, and since none of our neighbors knew anything about him he must've come from pretty far!

Yay, I'm glad youre keeping him.

Please keep us updated on him, K?

And let me know what ya name him
!

 

[stronqerx]

i am so glad that you are taking care of this kitten ! My fiance once brought home a stray cat, because he felt sorry for her. She was abour 2 years old and extremely underfed. We kept her for about 2 days but i couldn't keep her for longer because my mom hates cat and my sister is allergic. So when i took her to the shelter, the stupid lady told me (i dont know if this only applies for NY state) that they didn't shelter stray cats because there was no law protecting them, so that if they took her in they would have to put her down and we had to pay for it ($50) i was shocked...so i ended up giving it to someone else who was willing to take care of her. So this really makes me happy to see that ur taking responsibility for this cute kitten, god bless u!!