From Disability To Medical Emergency
It was Monday night. Suvy’s spikes of pain and frustration continue. During one of her fits, she picked up her new toy; stuck her claws into it; and then bit a chunk out of it. It is so sad to see a good natured cat like this, driven to violence because of leg pain.
On Tuesday morning, Suvy was complaining about leg pain. I noticed that her broken leg had swollen up to twice its normal size, even though it had been a normal size up until Tuesday. Is this normal ? Could the leg be infected ? Could the leg be hemmoraging ? (sp?) Over lunch, Mom and I decided to take her to the veteranarian that afternoon, rather than waiting until our scheduled appointment at 10 am Wednesday.
The vet was able to accomodate us that afternoon. He removed the splint and decided to discontinue its use. The leg was swollen because the bandage was preventing the lymphatic fluid from traveling back up the leg to wherever it is supposed to go. There was no sign of infection or internal bleeding.
The challenge for us now is to keep Suvy as still as possible for a week. If the leg fracture comes apart, the vet will have to surgically insert a pin into Suvy’s leg. This procedure will involve a longer recuperation than the splint would have. Although Suvy is unhappy about being confined within close quarters, we have to prevent a reinjury to her as best we can.
Her leg has returned to its normal size.
Be very careful about the recuperation,
I.C.