Cross-posted from the Pets Group: my cat got injured and needs vet care--HELP!!

[meow2u3]

Ruby, my beloved little girl, jumped off the window sill this morning, accidentally slammed her left front paw on the lava lamp I kept on the set of drawers right next to my bed, knocking the lamp down. The lamp didn't break, thank God, but it seems as if it landed on her, although I couldn't see it clearly. She has been limping on her left front paw since.

I don't have the transportation nor the upfront money to pay for her to get fixed up (I go to the SPCA to treat my cats). I was toying with going to the store to pick up bandages, both gauze and no-stick tape, to treat her leg at home.

Experts, please give me some help and/or resources.

PM or e-mail me with suggestions. I don't want to lose my Ruby just for the inability to pay for vet treatment.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=243x39959

[EndersDame]

1. I am sending out good vibes for your kitty

maybe if you call the vets and let them know maybe you can work something out or maybe animal charities . Best of wishes

[Kali]

2. no cut?

check claws - might have jammed one or more or broke a toe.

I'll probably get flamed, but I would wait a day or two and see how she does before running to the vet. Jammed claw will probably fall out on its own, not much can be done for small foot bones.

Cats are pretty tough. The barn cat got tore up by a dog or coyote last summer, he made it to the yard and laid around for a week or two - looked like at least a broken leg. He got better on good food and a safe hiding spot and now he is a damn second house cat. They do have excellent healing abilities, doubt if I would take one in for the kind of injury you are talking about. Hell they won't even do anything for a broken human toe!

[meow2u3]

7. I plan on taking her tomorrow morning

She needs her rabies shots anyhow. She's 3 months late on her shots, and that's because I was unable to take her because I was laid up with my own bum foot (heel spur surgery).

I'm going to have her looked at, and if need be, buy some gauze and self-sticking tape for her so her paw can heal properly, or even take off the claw caps I have her wear so she doesn't damage my furniture--especially my air bed!

[Kali]

9. that sounds like a good plan

I wouldn't wrap it unless vet says to - it might make her freak enough fighting it to make the injury worse.

[meow2u3]

12. Update: I took her to the SPCA, but couldn't get her treated

I was denied a vet credit card and don't have the money to get her treated. No vet in my area accepts payment plans and I don't know of anyone who treats pets of low-income people in Philly.

I did make an appointment to get the cats their shots on the 4th. I have to find a foundation that would provide the funds that would help me financially. I don't want to be forced to surrender my baby :(

[Kali]

13. Why would you have to surrender your cat?

I'm pretty sure from what you posted the cat will be fine.

[begin_within]

3. Well, she used up one of her lives.

8 left. If she doesn't recover soon, try to get her to a vet if possible.

[meow2u3]

6. Make that 7 lives left

She used up one of her lives when she was thrown out of her old house when she was a kitten. Ruby actually adopted me, not the other way around.

[snappyturtle]

4. I think since this isn't life and death that you observe her for a while.

Maybe she broke a toe. Have you touched her paw to see if it's painful? I've broken toes and just tape them to the next toe...which acts as a splint. Maybe wrapping tape around her paw would enable her to use it more and might give you some answers. I have had many cats and they are amazing healers. Good luck.

[distantearlywarning]

5. Cats heal broken bones amazingly well.

I've heard that it has to do with the particular vibration of their purr, but don't have a link for that or anything.

In any case, I agree with the other posters here - can you wait a day or two and see? Also, a homemade splint might be ok for a minor fracture if you really can't afford a vet.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

8. I'd suggest watching her for a day or two to see if she keeps limping.

It may be just a sprain or a bruise; in any event, cats usually heal from injuries very quickly. If a bone (other than a small toe bone) were broken she probably wouldn't be walking on it at all but holding it up and walking on three legs. If there is no broken skin or bleeding you might just want to watch her for a bit, try to keep her from running and jumping. This does not sound in any way life-threatening -- chances are the injury will heal by itself.

[Withywindle]

10. I agree with the others - give it some time.

If she's still eating, pooping, otherwise acting as normal except for the limp, my guess (and it's just an educated guess, I am NOT a veterinarian or other medical professional) is that it'll be OK with time. (Hell, I broke a toe last fall and didn't even realize it until days later - even went canvassing on it.) If it'll put your mind to rest, see how she is in the morning and then call your regular vet and describe the situation. But I wouldn't panic.

[XemaSab]

11. I'm of the "wait and see" approach

The other day Tatuska wasn't using one of her back paws at all.

I looked at her foot and saw a small cut on one of the pads.

She gimped around on three legs for a day, then apparently the cut healed enough for her to walk on it, and everything was fine. :shrug: