4 metacarpal fracture: tips and tricks for others
Hi everyone! My cat broke all 4 of the metacarpal in his paw Tuesday night. I couldn't find much info on tips and tricks that didn't involve spending a lot of money so I figured I'd write up what I've come up with to help others :)
First off, I have to say that my man is probably one of the most patient and communicative cats I've ever met, even with medical issues. So while hes chill, I know some others aren't. These are just some things that I've found have worked.
XL Dog Crate: This is the most expensive thing on the list (besides my vet bills lmao). It was $40 at Walmart. I had one of these already due to a cross country move, but it's super helpful to have in general. I usually keep their litter box in it but it's nice to have for a little medical rest apartment. Plus, you can keep the crate next to your bed and move easily as needed.
Disposable litter box: the ones from the store are mainly cardboard or whatever. They break down and get yucky pretty fast. Instead, I used massive aluminum roasting trays with some cheap clumping litter. The roasting trays are more sturdy and they are super easy to clean. They're light so I clamped it to the wire bars of the crate with binder clips so he wouldn't spill it. He's about 15 pounds and it's been working the past 2 days so far. We'll see when I get home from work today.
Bowls: if your kitty HAS to wear the cone, Walmart has plastic elevated/angled bowls. These are great bc the cone can fit over it and kitty doesn't get bumped around while trying to eat/drink. The only thing is, the cone makes them easy to tip.
4)Securing the Bowls: This took a bit of thinking but I found something that worked perfectly. The roasting tray comes with a plastic sheet lid. I cut out little bases for the bowls, glued them, and let the glue dry. I also got some heavy weight command strips (the Velcro-ish kind) for hanging photos that are about 20lbs capacity. I put one on the bottom of the base and one on the plastic bottom of the crate. My big man is pretty pushy when he has the cone on and the bowls stayed. I used tacky glue (it was all I had) but super glue would probably work best.
Pill Gun/Popper: If kitty needs meds from the vet, see if they have a pill popper to give you. It's kind of like a syringe popper and it keeps you from getting bit while trying to push the pill into their throat. It makes it faster and easier too. My cat got used to it quickly and treats after helped to reward and make sure the pill gets all the way to his tummy. Also, if kitty foams at the mouth after getting a pill, it's a normal reaction. It'll stop in a few minutes most of the time.
Meds: If your vet gives you a sedative/anti anxiety (other than gabapentin), don't feel scared/bad to use it. It really settles them down; "trazy is for spazies" is a saying my friend taught me that they say at her clinic.
Splint/Cast: My kitty is in a splint until after his surgery and then he'll have to get it changed regularly after surgery. I've noticed it's hard for him to pull his leg out when he's laying down so you might have to teach them how to move it so they're comfy.
Baby/Pet Wipes: Lastly, when kitty is doped up and splinted/casted, their mobility is not great. They get pretty clumsy, it's cute in a pathetic way. But my guy ends up getting litter and sometimes poopy on his paws and tail. He's definitely going to need a good bath after all this is over, but baby wipes (I use Huggies natural care unscented) help with making sure they're not dirty.
Ultimately, if you have any medical questions, call your vet. This write up is just some tips and tricks for setting up a safe place for kitty. If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask. I hope this helps someone in the future.