Cat Broken Bones

Cats are agile creatures, able to jump from impressive heights and land on their feet. But even the best athlete can make a mistake. Miscalculated falls and collisions with cars are the most common ways cats break bones, though confrontations with other animals can also cause this injury. The femur, pelvis, jaw, and tail are the most likely bones to break

If you think your cat has suffered a traumatic bone injury, seek emergency vet treatment at Germantown Veterinary Clinic. Just call 240-252-7467 to let us know you’re coming!

How to Tell If Your Cat Has a Broken Bone

Cats instinctively hide their pain as a survival mechanism, so you often must be watchful to spot a broken bone. If you don’t see the accident happen, look for these signs:

• Crying, growling, or moaning in pain, especially when touched
• Refusing to use the tail or a certain limb
• Not grooming or eating
• Shock and disorientation
• Swollen or bruised limb

What to Do If Your Cat Breaks a Bone

In addition to breaking a bone, traumatic injuries could cause other critical internal issues, such as bleeding or organ damage. Don’t delay proper care when your cat has a broken bone!

Immediate Care

Home treatment is solely for the purpose of stabilizing your cat until he can be seen by a vet. Remember, the animal may be overly aggressive because he’s in pain, even if he’s normally very docile. Protect yourself against bites and scratches as you treat your cat.

• To stabilize a cat with a broken bone:
• Cover any areas of bleeding or visible bone with clean gauze or a towel. Try not to disturb the broken bone.
• Wrap your cat in a thick towel or place him on a flat board to transport him to Germantown Vet.

Veterinary Care

First, we evaluate your cat’s health and make sure any serious injuries that occurred alongside the fracture are taken care of. Once his vital signs are stable, we’ll take X-rays of the suspected fracture.

Depending on what we find, we may recommend a splint or cast, which is often sufficient for a lower leg break. If needed, we’ll recommend surgery to realign the bone and set screws, pins, wires, or metal plates to hold the broken bone together. In severe cases, amputation may be necessary, especially if the break occurs in the tail. Spinal and pelvic fractures may be treated with or without surgery.

Pain medication (and antibiotics in some cases) will be part of the treatment and recovery plan. For the best results, severely restricted activity (cage rest) may be necessary during the healing process.

How to Avoid Broken Bones in Cats

Cats like to jump, climb, and explore. Their curious nature certainly contributes to an increased risk of injury, but you can lower that risk with these tips:

• Keep your cat inside to prevent collisions with cars and confrontations with other animals.
• Pay attention to where your cat likes to explore in your home. If he favors a precarious balcony ledge or likes taking risky jumps, restrict access to these areas.
• Bring your cat to Germantown Vet for regular health screenings to catch bones infections, hormonal imbalances, bone cancer, and other health problems that increase the risk of bone fractures in cats.

Germantown Vet Diagnoses & Treats Broken Bones in Cats

When you have a pet emergency, come to Germantown Vet Clinic for diagnosis and treatment of the injury. We treat broken bones in cats and any other ailment your cat might have. Call us at 240-252-7467 to set an appointment or let us know about your emergency.