Splint Dismissal

Your cat has just had a splint applied for either a broken leg or for a nerve or joint injury.  Here are a few things you will need to know for the next 2 months.

Activity:

1. Your cat's activity will need to be significantly reduced for the next 6-8 weeks.

• The more your cat moves around, the longer it will take for the leg to heal.
• Your cat should not be in a position where it can run, jump, or fall off of furniture.

2. A large airy kennel, or a small room with little to no furniture would be an ideal place to keep your cat.

• A large empty closet will even work with putting a tall baby gate in the doorway so your cat still has fresh air and light, but cannot get over the gate.

What to watch for:

1. Please watch the splinted leg and toes for any signs of discharge, swelling of the toes, change in color or temperature, or foul odor.  If you notice any of these, please call us immediately.

2. Please also watch to make sure that your cat does not get the splint wet, either by stepping in a water bowl, or urinating on it.  If this happens, please call us.

3. If at any time your cat acts lethargic, stops eating, or starts vomiting, please call us immediately.

4. If your cat starts chewing incessantly on the splint, please let us know, this can be a sign of extreme pain.

Items that may have been sent home:

Pain medications.

• Depending on the level of damage, your cat may have been sent home with one of two pain medications, or with both.
• Metacam (meloxicam) is a pain reliever similar in function to ibuprofen.  This is an anti-inflammatory pain blocking medication that lasts up to 48 hours and is given once every other day.  If you cannot get your cat to take this orally, you can mix it in moist food.
• Buprenex is a narcotic pain medication that doesn't block pain, but instead helps your cat to disassociate from the pain.  This lasts 8-10 hours, and so much be given at least twice daily.  This is not effective if swallowed, it must be squirted on the gums or under the tongue, or can also be given as a subcutaneous injection.
• Please give any pain medications sent home with you until gone as cats do not tend to show signs of pain, but that does not mean they don't feel it.

Antibiotics.

If the injury to your cat broke the skin, then they may have been sent home with antibiotics.  Please give these as directed.  If you cannot get them in, let us know, as most antibiotics can be given in alternative modes of delivery.

Follow-up:

Please make an appointment to bring your cat back in 6 weeks to recheck the leg, and possibly x-ray to determine when the splint can be removed.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us at All Feline Hospital at 402-467-2711 or info@allfelinehospital.com.

Printable Splint Dismissal