Anyone had experience with a Femoral Head Ostectomy?

[HeiressofBickworth]

One of our cats somehow broke her femur hind left at the hip joint. She had surgery today to remove the femoral head -- the round part of the bone that fits in the hip socket. She came through the surgery just fine (wish I could say the same for my wallet) but the home instructions are pretty specific.

She is to get pain med three times a day -- so I gave her the first one at 8:00pm
She is to have an ice pack on her hip twice a day for 2 - 3 minutes. I waited until the pain med seemed to have taken effect but when I gently laid the ice pack (small flexible package) on it, she was up and hissing and scratching. I don't see this as having a successful future application.

She is to have gentle flexing of the leg and joints twice a day but based on her reaction to the ice pack, I don't see that this is going to be very successful either.

So, to any of you who have had experience with this type of surgery, what advice can you give me or what experience can you share with me. Thanks for any info you might have.

[Midnight Writer]

1. Wow. Good luck.

The only advice I have is that forcing her to accept the ice pack or flexing will likely do more damage than not. If she is fighting it actively, I would be more concerned about damaging her further than about skipping these things. Surely a two minute application of an ice pack is not going to do much for her, and if she is active at all I would assume that would constitute gentle flexing.

Cats are remarkable healers if they are healthy before their injury. I wouldn't sweat the small stuff, but instead ensure she has a quiet, safe area in which to heal i.e. not around other cats, dogs or children.

[shenmue]

2. Dr. Tinycat recommends moar hugs and kisses :)

Sorry about your kitteh's boo boo. Hope she is all better soon!