Kit's Kitty Korner [Lego time]

[Kitalpha Hart]

[Lemon Cheesecake]

Oh Kit !! I googled Feline hip dysplasia, I was wondering what the success rate would be for surgery because why put in all that cost if there was little benefit? But it looks like it generally is successful but I also found, depending on the severity that there are other options to try (namely having the animal loose weight and giving it glucosmine supplements etc as well as making the cat exercise to strengthen its back leg muscles by having it jump up to a counter for its food etc).
Surgical options

[+] SPOILER

are also available to relieve advanced cases of hip dysplasia. One option, for example, is a so-called micro total hip replacement, in which the hip joint is removed and replaced with an artificial device. Or, Dr. Krotscheck points out, “You can just remove the femoral head—the ball part of the hip’s ball-and-socket joint—and you do not replace it. The muscles that normally hold those components of the hip will essentially continue to do their job, but without the painful bone-on-bone contact. Although the cat may have a mechanical lameness and the affected limb may be a little shorter after the operation, the leg will have an almost normal range of motion and excellent function. The animal will be able to sit up, run, jump, and engage in normal cat behavior.” http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/Health_I ... plasia.cfm

Non-surgical options

[+] SPOILER

include physical therapy, dietary management, weight control, activity restriction and use of oral anti-inflammatory and pain management medications. Corticosteroids normally are not recommended as part of a treatment plan for feline hip dysplasia, because despite their beneficial anti-inflammatory effects, they also can cause cartilage damage with long-term use. A number of oral supplements are available to help protect and lubricate joints as well. In many cases, weight loss alone can dramatically reduce the pain and clinical signs associated with hip dysplasia in overweight cats. http://www.petwave.com/Cats/Health/Hip- ... tment.aspx

There is actually quite a bit about it on line so gather your questions together and discuss it with your vet.

[Kitalpha Hart]

He's got meds he needs to start when I got home, and then I gotta talk to the surgeon
And 1.5k is just an estimate from the vet
And it's on both sides, which jacks the price up

[Lemon Cheesecake]

are there any animal non profit groups in your area that help with surgical costs?

I guess you can always see how much the non surgical options help in the meantime - does Rufus have to lose some weight before surgery to improve the recovery time from the hip replacement?

Some agonizing decisions ahead for you, I really feel for what you are going through because you are like a parent trying to make the best decision with the means that you have available.

[Kitalpha Hart]

I don't know, I haven't had to deal with this before
I don't think my parents have either

Oh, and it isn't feline hip displace whatever
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-cond ... n-20035572
It's something where his butt is literally falling apart because blood vessels got hit
They have to jump for their food, the original platform is up to about my waist
Dog can get there so now it's up on top of the freezer. That's two jumps. He used to manage it fine. Now, not so much
He's not overweight

Not sure why you looked up that when it's mentioned what he has in the texts

[Lemon Cheesecake]

ugh, I don't know what is wrong with my brain lately...I get one thing in my head and everything else is out the window...and then I mix up the information...too many people with cat's with problems right now... I apologize Kit, I thought I was being helpful and ended up getting it all wrong

I hope that you can find the answers you need to make the most informed decision.

[Kitalpha Hart]

So your brain is in Potato Mode

Yeah, the specialist is only there one fridays so one of has to call and make him.an appointment. Tho the way mom was talking, she already had

His left hip is currently in better condition than his right, but it's still got this mess, so I'm hoping I can convince them to do both. More expensive on the short term, but in the long run cheaper cuz only one visit and all that instead of two

[Lemon Cheesecake]

until recently I had no idea cats ( and dogs) could have so many problems. Our siamese cat lived a long and uneventful life which I realize now meant we were very fortunate.

At least it sounds like they can treat the problem and that's a positive.

[Kitalpha Hart]

yeah
i grew up dealing with cats getting sick and dying and becoming roadkill so i guess I'm more used to it

it wont be cheap

[Kitalpha Hart]

And now mom is threatening to have him shot
And just acting like a high schooler in general about this
If she goes through with that she's dead to me

[Lemon Cheesecake]

do you have an animal humane society there? Ask them if you give them your cat if they pay for the surgery. Someone locally here said rather then put the animal to sleep they find a way for the animal to have the medical attention it needs. Of course that would mean having to give Rufus up ( I don't think they would let you adopt him). But again, tough decisions.
I understand where your Mom is coming from financially as it would be cheaper to have him put to sleep rather then the costs of surgery that can be a months pay or even a new car price and not have any guarantee's plus the amount of time for recovery care that would have to be invested. I could sadly never afford it (hence why I have no pets right now). Another reason to realistically discuss the prognosis with the Vet/surgeon.

[Kitalpha Hart]

No, mom's being a pissass bitch
She gave dad and me the impression that at his previous appointment she'd scheduled his next one
Come today and she's threatening to have him shot because somehow that isn't the case and that is somehow my fault

[dragoness129]

People are always looking to blame others.

[Kitalpha Hart]

Oh I didn't mention that it got rescheduled for the 29th here

[Lemon Cheesecake]

pats Kit...pets Rufus <how is rufus? is he able to get around any better at all?>