Luxating Patella

Tabitha · **Joined:** Sun Feb 02, 2014 8:11 pm **Posts:** 1196

Well the X-rays are being referred to a specialist as hendrix's growth plates on his knees haven't closed and they should have. So he's seeking a second opinion as to whether that would cause Hendrix the problems he's had as whilst the knee caps are loose, he doesn't think its severe. He's going to call me next week and let me know what the specialist thinks.

Only problem now is jagger is hissing and growling at Hendrix and not accepting him as he stinks of the vet. I'm sure they'll get over it eventually though!

Thanks for all your good wishes x

Donna741 · **Joined:** Wed Feb 05, 2014 9:03 pm **Posts:** 1048

Aww poor guy, we had that happen when we took our ginger moggie in for a teeth cleaning. He and Diesel are the best of friends but when he came home Diesel hissed and growled. Poor Buddy just wanted to cuddle with his friend, he looked so sad :cry:

I wiped him down with a wet washcloth and snuggled him so he would get my scent on him. It still took about 4 days for things to get back to normal.

On the opposite side of that Diesel had surgery last month and when he came home the moggies all accepted him back no questions asked :lol:

Eggman · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2014 11:22 pm **Posts:** 730

Cats are so funny. I remember a little black and white cat we had over 20 years ago now such a character he was but he came back from a night out with a broken leg. We took him to the vets and it cost us a small fortune in those days as he needed an operation to insert a metal plate to hold the bones together.

He has a plaster (just like humans with a broken leg!) and looked so pathetic and my other cats never stopped hissing at him!

I'm sure Hendrix will be fine even if he does (which I know you don't want) need an operation. With our little cat you would never have known he had anything wrong with him at all after he was healed.

Keep us informed on how he is doing.

Tabitha · **Joined:** Sun Feb 02, 2014 8:11 pm **Posts:** 1196

Well it's definitely taking a few days for jagger to accept Hendrix back! We're still experiencing hissing and growling and the odd swipe or bosh on the head. Hendrix shouldn't have anymore vet scent on him now, he's been outside and rolled around, groomed himself and had cuddles with us, but jagger still seems in a mood with him. Fortunately Hendrix doesn't retaliate and just carries on doing whatever he was doing.

They have just eaten in the same area of the kitchen together though which is a massive step forward! So hopefully things will be back to normal soon.

I'm definitely reluctant to take either of them to the vet again though, so fingers crossed the specialist thinks things are ok enough not to need any surgery! I just want them back to being loving together again and curling up together and no more angst!

Eggman · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2014 11:22 pm **Posts:** 730

Hopefully they will make friends again soon!

I wonder if it's just another trip to the vets you could take the two of them together next time even if it's just Hendrix who is being seen.

Let us know when you hear back from the specialist. Fingers crossed he won't need any surgery.

Tabitha · **Joined:** Sun Feb 02, 2014 8:11 pm **Posts:** 1196

Thanks Debbie, I hope so! Hendrix tried to curl up next to jagger earlier, was starting to groom him and got hissed and growled at again with a bop on the head for good measure, poor little man! I've been rubbing my hands on both and trying to scent transfer, as well as brushing them so hopefully things will calm down soon.

I did take both of them together for their vaccinations and jagger still got the hump with Hendrix, it was like he blamed him for everything!

Things are better than they were so I guess it's just going to take time. Luckily Hendrix is being very patient but he looks so hurt every time he's rejected!

Eggman · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2014 11:22 pm **Posts:** 730

Awwww poor Hendrix. I know what you mean you feel so sorry for them!

The little black cat we had years ago who broke his leg badly had it in plaster and he had to hobble along like Long John Silver to the other cat who would then as you say growl and swipe at him. He looked so pathetic. My other cat did come around in the end though and I'm sure Jagger will too.

We've still got our cats separated so we'll be doing slow introductions at some point.

Tabitha · **Joined:** Sun Feb 02, 2014 8:11 pm **Posts:** 1196

Delighted to say normal service has resumed and they are both back to creating mischief together!

I think the hand rubbing from one to the other and scent transferring may have done the trick. A bit later yesterday Jagger seemed to suddenly accept Hendrix again and they had a play fight on the mantelpiece (so relieved) and then curled up in their snuggle beds on the dining room table. They then slept right through until morning. I guess they had found it all a bit stressful but once they were back to normal slept it all off.

Back to the normal games this morning with no hissing, growling or Hendrix being bopped on the nose.

Hope it all goes well when you reintroduce your two, Debbie. Hopefully as they are both at home and still smell the same, they should be okay!

Tabitha · **Joined:** Sun Feb 02, 2014 8:11 pm **Posts:** 1196

Well I spoke to the vet yesterday as poor Hendrix started hobbling again before I left for work. Absolutely fine when he got up but when they started to chase each other around the house, I'm assuming he skidded on the wood floor in the living room and knocked himself or something, as he came hobbling out, not wanting to put his right hind leg down at all and almost hopping. I filmed it this time as whenever I get him to the vet, he manages to mask it and walk okay again! I was told to keep filming it and also try to get him to the vet when he's most sore but its very hard when you work full time and by the time you can get an apt to fit in with work he's running around again like nothing has happened!!

The vet said he has spoken to the specialist and told me these things are very hard to diagnose but the growth plates not fusing may be aggravating matters and causing inflammation. I'm keeping him dosed up for a few days on the anti-inflammatories he's been prescribed and then we will review the situation after 6 weeks. If he's still having issues he will probably have to be referred to the specialist for CT and MRI scans.

I have everything crossed that the growth plates will fuse and the issue will go away (and the vet said this is perfectly possible) as I can't imagine how difficult it will be to reintroduce him to Jagger again after last time! I find it stressful, let alone the cats!!!

Still, the anti-inflammatories do the trick as he was running around when I got home last night, although he was starting to hobble again this morning before he got his next dose.

Donna741 · **Joined:** Wed Feb 05, 2014 9:03 pm **Posts:** 1048

Poor guy (and poor you, I'm sure this isn't easy) :sad:

Hopefully with a little time the growth plates will close and the problem will resolve itself.

Tabitha · **Joined:** Sun Feb 02, 2014 8:11 pm **Posts:** 1196

Thanks Donna, I do hope so. The vet is optimistic it could sort itself out too. I did google the growth plates not having fused and there has been a study that showed kittens neutered early (and they were neutered before they came to us at 14 weeks) can be slower for their growth plates to fuse. I guess with loose knee caps this could be the issue and am hoping it sorts itself out - it's not nice watching him in such pain! :sad:

Donna741 · **Joined:** Wed Feb 05, 2014 9:03 pm **Posts:** 1048

I can imagine. I know it broke my heart to hear Diesel cry after he had his toe amputated last month :cry:

. He would move wrong or bump it and cry out, and he didn't want to be touched at all so I couldn't comfort him. He's all better now though, back to my little love bug (when he's in the mood lol) and lead mischief maker.

Tabitha · **Joined:** Sun Feb 02, 2014 8:11 pm **Posts:** 1196

Dug this out as all of a sudden poor Hendrix started limping again this morning and wouldn't weight bear on his back leg. He went back to bed and I assume his knee must have righted itself as he went back out and then started zooming around as if nothing had happened.

It's been such a long time since we've had any recurrence, I honestly thought this wouldn't be a problem anymore and it was the late closure of his growth plates.

Unfortunately the vet won't give me anti-inflammatories for him without taking him in again as it's well over six months since he was last seen for this issue. As he was charging around again when I left for work, I'm going to see how he goes and if it starts up again, straight to the vet. They are open tomorrow morning and I'm sure even if he's walking ok when I take him in, they'll prescribe him some anti-inflammatories. He has been a bit grumpy the last couple of days and if he's been in pain and masking it, this could explain his moodiness! I know I'm moody when my knees hurt :redface:

Sherry · **Joined:** Thu May 23, 2013 2:21 pm **Posts:** 9217

Oh no, Clare!!!! It seems to always be something with your boys!!!! Hope Hendrix is just fine when you get home.

Tabitha · **Joined:** Sun Feb 02, 2014 8:11 pm **Posts:** 1196

There's always something with Hendrix you mean! Jagger is no trouble lol

We've been to the vet and have some anti inflammatories. Apparently she thinks he needs to lose some weight as he's heavier than at his last visit. But his tummy issues are sorted now and since he went missing and didn't really eat for 2 and a half weeks, he's always begging for food! I think he's mentally scarred! To be honest, he doesn't eat anymore than Jagger and Jagger's weight is steady, and Hendrix is way more active than Jagger so think he's more muscly.

Anyway, he's worn himself out with all the caterwauling, to, from and whilst at the vet, he's had his tea and his medicine and he's curled up on the back of the settee. Jagger is hissing at him a bit but I've rubbed them both with grooming wipes and Hendrix is now on Jagger's blanket so this should pass.

Hopefully Hendrix will feel better soon and be in less discomfort!

Luxating Patella

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