Two Ways To Help Your Cat Heal After Breaking Its Leg
After your cat has broken a leg, caring for it feels like a tough undertaking. Cats love to jump, run, and generally do things that they shouldn't when they've broken their leg. With these tips, you'll help your cat rest easy while their leg heals.
Prevent Your Cat From Jumping
When a cat breaks its leg, treatment could take anywhere from six weeks to four months, depending on the severity of the break. You'll have to get creative to keep your kitty from jumping. These tips will help you get started:
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Keep your cat entertained. While it's hard to keep your cat still during the lengthy healing process, you don't want them to be completely bored. Consider placing toys on the floor near your pet.
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Consider crating. Some cats are stubborn when it comes to rest. Placing your cat in a kennel while it heals will prevent your kitty from aggravating its injury.
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Use ramps. If your cat insists on accessing certain places, consider using pet ramps to make those areas more accessible.
Other restrictions may help your cat stop jumping, such as keeping them confined to a smaller room and reducing their time spent with other pets. Your vet will be able to work with you to determine solutions if your cat keeps jumping.
Keep Bandages Secure
Some cats hate being restrained by anything — including the bandages holding their broken leg in place. If necessary, placing an e-collar on your cat will prevent any attempts made by your cat to chew or remove the bandages. E-collars, or cones, are typically placed on pets after surgical treatments and prevent your pet from being able to remove bandages and lick at wounds.
If your cat manages to remove the splint or cast on their leg, you'll want to reach out to your vet. Your vet will reapply the dressing to keep your cat's broken leg in place. Contact your vet if the dressing has an odor or if your cat's paws feel too hot, swollen, or cold. These are signs of potential infection or the bandages being too tight. The cast can remain in place on older cats for the duration of healing. For kittens, the leg dressing may have to be changed weekly, depending on how quickly they are growing.
If you have questions about treatments, reach out to a local animal hospital. The animal hospital's vets will provide guidance and treatment appropriate for your cat's specific needs.
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