jerry said
What a DOLL! 

Yeah, it's a tough call, especially in a young kitten. Great move to see the ortho vet, I'm sure you will get some answers as to the success rates and what to expect as he ages. 

The thing about orthopedic surgeries like this is that yes, the animal can still need treatment or even repeat surgeries later on down the road. Sometimes amputation is still necessary even all that time and expense, which is a real heartbreaker. For many dogs and cats, their humans were glad they at least gave everything a try before resorting to amputation. 

It basically comes down to 2 things: 

1) can you live with not trying the surgery and going straight to amputation?

2) can you afford to try the first (and possibly repeated) surgery? 

Yeah, money definitely plays into it and you shouldn't feel badly about that. It's life and we have all made vet decisions based on cost. That's smart, because our animals don't want us to be stressed about paying those bills.

Odds are this kitty will be able to get around great on 3 legs. Cats make excellent Tripawds usuallly, and they age pretty well on 3, much better than dogs. About the only issue you may encounter is that he's so young he still hasn't developed his coordination and balance yet, so he may struggle for a time. But a good rehab therapist can show you how to help him along and build up those areas. 

If you're wondering how cats do, be sure to check out our TriKitty bloggers and this article too:

All About Tripawd Cats with Dr. Kennedy

I'm sure others will chime in soon so hang tight. Let us know how the ortho visit goes OK?   

Thank you so much for such an insightful response! I'm having a really hard time making my decision, as I adopted him from a rescue fully vaccinated and fixed, I had assumed I wouldn't have much further costs right away, but upon bringing him home, I noticed he would not put any pressure on his left front paw, And when I tried to look at it, he attacked me. I took him to the vet immediately and they sent the xrays out to a specialist where they noticed that his elbow was dislocated and had been so for at least a month so we got him pain medication, anti inflammatories and splinted him until we see the surgeon. I then contacted the rescue who said they wouldn't pay for anything, and I could return him if I want but they will probably put him down (how awful is That?) So anyways, I'm pretty young, have a house to pay for, as well as three other kitty mouths, and wasn't expected to have to pay $600 within 24 hours hours of adopting him. But I love him and his kitty brothers love him and we're trying to make the situation work as best as possible. So that's where the money plays a role. We started a gofundme to try to raise money for his treatment and it is going pretty well so far, but I am worried that we do the joint fusion, put him through the pain, long term recovery, and then he needs to have it done again, go through it all over again, and then further down the road he ends up just needing an amputation anyways. So then I lean towards amputation over the surgery, but then I feel awful for making that decision for him and choosing to sacrifice one of his limbs. Like I said, serious internal conflict here, I haven't been able to sleep for days because I want what's best for him and I want him to have the best, least painful life as possible.

paws120 said
Omkittencuteness!

He looks like an American Curl!! I can see why you totally adore him!  I totally agree that you should try to step back and think about the whole picture.  I swear these little miracles are placed with specially picked humans that will find a way to take care of them.  If you read Huckleberry's story you will laugh and understand what craziness I am talking about.  Questions... ask questions,  lots of questions.  Write them down on a checklist and take them with you. It is so easy to go to an appointment like this and get side tracked,  before you know it you are on your way home saying crap! I forgot to ask..

Fusion,  the first thing I think of is will he ever be able to bend his elbow? And if not,  he's a kitten,  what are the odds that he may break it by being too active.  Secondly,  how good is the arm going to be after a procedure like that? It just sounds painful to me.  Also,  like jerry said, how much after a procedure like that will need to be spent if things don't go well and then, say, you have to end up amputating anyways? Can you afford that? 

Whatever you do, you will be giving this baby a chance at life.  You do have to factor in cost and how this will affect you and your family.  If you amputate,  they will take that painful leg off,  period. You will have pain meds and the cost of the procedure.  Modifications around the house, like throw rugs in areas where the floor may be slick. Other than that you will have a kitten that will heal and be otherwise normal. They adapt amazingly,  I have seen this first hand. You will have to be careful through the recovery process, but you will have to do that either way.  

Ask enough questions to satisfy what you need to know and you will make an informed decision.  Either way this is a very lucky kitten to have found you as his rescue pawrent! Good luck and please keep in touch to let us know how you make out.  Oh...MORE PICTURES PLEASE!!!!!

Jackie, David, and Huckleberry  

Hi! I started a list but I have a hundred and one questions that are going through my head, and through lack of sleep and constantly worrying about Howl, I'm having trouble gathering my thoughts. I am lucky to have him though, he's such a goofy kitty and he is already giving his three brothers a run for their money. That's where my other concern comes in too, if we do the fusion, what if he wants to chase, run and play with his brothers and reinjures himself. I feel like I would end up being a helicopter pawrent, constantly worrying about him hurting himself and hovering. Huckleberry sure is cute!

benny55 said
Howl is ADORAVLE!!!  And  sooooo lucky to have a furever home with you!

YOU ARE. NOT ALONE, okay?  We are all right by yiur side the whole way, regardless of what decision you make!

I'm really bummed the "rescue" group couldn't help with the finances, and further bummed that theyve let poor Holw go unattended!  I wonder if the Bet who does work for the rescue would be willing to help out on a discounted fee?  It's certainly worth checking into.

Try and keep things chunked down for now.   Try and get yourself in a grounded state without worrying about all the "what if".  Each scenario has its own set of "what ifs".  So in a calm and peaceful state, is there one scenr that "I intuitively" resonates with you moreso than the other?

To piggy back on some of the piinrts Jackie made, amputation is ONE surgery.  Painful leg ks gone and BAM!  All done!  Recovery is no picnic for a couple of weeks, but after that you will be amazed at how carefree and happy he is!  I don't mean to sound "pro amputation".  It's just that, shoukd you decide to go thst route, we can all tell you that kitty mobility will not be an issue!!  Of course, every surgery has a risk, and amputation isn't meant to be taken likely.

Gsther the facts, do yiur research and ask any and all questions.

We are all nere for you, okay?   You WILL make the "right" decision vecause you will make a decision out of LOVE, and that is always the right decision! 🙂

Extra hugs

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!  

Hi! When I contacted the rescue regarding it, they said I could go to their vet for a second opinion and then decide what to do from there. So we went to their vet on Tuesday this week, and I left almost in tears. Their vet suggested I leave his leg the way it is. She said "the surgery is very expensive and that being said, the rescue will not pay for it or cover any of it. BUT, he can live without the surgery. So I asked what kind of life he would live, to which she responded with "well, he'll never use that leg again. It will always drag behind him or he'll hold it up. Then I asked about pain, and she responded "well, he's a kitten. He will learn to adapt and live with the pain." I was disgusted with her answer and left feeling horrible. I couldn't believe a vet suggested I leave an animal suffering. So that's when I decided to do things my way and got in contact with my vet who referred me to an orthopedic surgeon. The whole situation with the rescue makes me sick and no matter the costs, I want to get Howl either back on all four paws or comfortable on three paws. I'm ready for whatever it is, his one brother is a special needs kitty so I'm ready for whatever obstacles there are. Two more days until I go to the ortho appointment and hopefully get all of my answers and make the best decision for Howl.

Well, we went to the orthopaedic surgeon today. She agreed that the best thing to do for Howl is to amputate his leg. There are too many issues surrounding his elbow and too many "what-ifs." The ortho surgeon quoted me a very very high price, So I spoke to our regular vet on our way home since we had to stop there to get his splint changed, and she said they have a surgeon that can do the surgery there, at a much more reasonable rate. Then the lovely ladies at the vet clinic took him and did a very festive splint change for him. Now we are waiting for our vet to put together a quote and to book a surgery date. Howl will be joining the tripawd crew in less than two weeks.