Cats are agile and flexible, but that doesn’t mean they
can’t suffer fractures or breaks when their bones are stressed. Cats typically
experience broken leg bones most frequently, but any bone in their bodies can
break with enough force.
In order to find and treat a broken bone in your cat, you
need to know what to look for and how to respond to keep your cat comfortable.
After seeking care at the veterinary hospital, you also need to know how to care for your cat until the
bone has healed.
Signs of Fractures
Cats are independent creatures, and they can have a high
tolerance for pain. Sometimes, this combination of personality traits can mean
a broken bone goes unnoticed. However, you can look for several symptoms that
will indicate the presence of a fracture:
- Changes in gait.
Your
cat might avoid putting weight on one leg. This could mean the leg is
broken or that another bone in the area is making walking on that part of
the body more painful.
- Restricted movement.
Cats
normally have excellent mobility. The curl up to groom themselves, jump
easily, and stretch out to sharpen their claws. These movements would be
impossible or very painful if your cat has a broken bone. If you see that
your cat is reluctant to move, you might investigate further.
- Changes in usual behavior.
Your cat will have patterns of behavior that are
familiar to you. If, for example, your cat always has a healthy appetite
but is now avoiding food, you need to find out why; a broken jaw might
prevent your cat from wanting to chew food.
- Vocalization.
Some
cats might suffer in silence, but others will meow more often, or they
might moan or cry. Some cats might also hide away in order to avoid
further interaction that could cause pain.
- Swelling.
Broken
bones cause inflammation. If you see noticeable swelling on the legs,
body, or tail (tails can break too), make sure you see the vet.
As you assess these symptoms, try to keep your cat hydrated
until you can see a vet. Avoiding food and drink is common animal behavior
after becoming injured.
Handling Your Cat
When checking your cat for possible fractures, always be as
gentle as possible. Try not to move your cat if possible. Help your pet cope
with the injury by keeping children and other playful pets away from your cat.
Too much movement or harsh handling can make injuries worse or increase your
cat's pain.
If the bone has broken the skin, don't try to push bones
back in or do any other home treatments. Instead, keep your cat as still as
possible and cover the open area with clean gauze. See your vet as soon as
possible for these more serious fractures.
If your cat is too wiggly or tries to run instead of being
touched, you can carefully wrap your cat in a small blanket and place them on a
board or another flat surface to make them safer to carry. You might even
gently tie your cat down to keep them from moving.
Treatment
Your vet will assess the injury and stabilize the bone.
Simple breaks can sometimes be set with a splint, but many cats actually
require surgery in order to fully repair broken bones. The break might need a
screw, surgical pins, or even plates in order to keep the disparate bone pieces
in place as they heal.
If your cat has injured their spine, hips, or pelvis, the
treatment plan can be even more extensive, requiring full-body movement
restriction until the break has healed.
In some cases, breaks are too severe to set with splints or
surgery. Your vet might recommend amputation as the most humane course of
treatment. Cats can learn to live without a portion of their tail and change
their movements to accommodate the loss of a leg.
Aftercare
Aftercare at home is an important part of your cat's
recovery process. Try to follow all the instructions of your vet as you provide
the following cat care:
- Administering pain medication and other medications
. Your cat will have pain medication to keep them
comfortable in the days following treatment. They might also have
antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medications to prevent infection and
swelling, especially if they had surgery.
- Keeping your cat still
. The most difficult part of home care is keeping your
cat from moving too much. Soon they might begin to feel better, wanting to
run and jump. These actions can re-injure your cat. Remove cat trees and
toys that will encourage too much movement.
- Caring for bandages and incisions
. If your cat had a compound fracture that broke the
skin or had surgery, they will have wounds. Bandages should be kept dry
and clean. Your cat should not be permitted to chew them or scratch at
them.
- Attending follow-up appointments.
Finally, make sure you see your vet for follow-up
care. Your vet will take more x-rays to check the bone has healed
properly.
Caring for a cat with a broken bone can be challenging. Talk
with us at South Seattle Veterinary Hospital if you have any questions
about cat care.
