Post-Surgery Care for Cats With Broken Legs

Cats can be as accident-prone as people, and, if your cat has broken his leg, he will need to have it set by your veterinarian. A cat with broken legs can heal completely, but postoperative care is an important thing for a responsible cat owner to consider. Make sure that you are providing your cat with the care that he needs after he has had his legs set.

  1. Medication

    • In most cases, your veterinarian will prescribe antibiotics so that infection does not set in. As your cat has gone through a great deal of physical trauma, both with the fracture itself and with the process necessary to set the bone, pain relievers will likely be prescribed as well. Some veterinarians will also prescribe medications that will calm your cat's mood. Remember that you should medicate your cat regularly and if you do miss a dose, consult with your veterinarian about what should be done. If you are giving your cat antibiotics, remember to give him the full run; do not stop when he looks healthy.

    Confinement

    • For the first day after his surgery, your cat should ideally be kept in his carrier. A cat with broken legs will likely not want to bounce around, but he can put himself into a place where you cannot easily reach him. If there is some issue with how stable the fracture can be kept, he may need to stay in a large cage. For the duration of his injury, a cat with fractures should be kept in a small room with no high places that will entice him to climb or to injure himself. Isolating him from other cats can also keep his stress down when he is feeling vulnerable

    Healing Time

    • When your cat is recovering from a broken leg, it can be helpful to figure out how long it might take for him to heal completely. The severity of the injury will play a role in how fast your cat heals, but so will your cat's age. Kittens can be expected to heal in as little as five weeks, while older cats may take 12 weeks to heal or more.

    Food

    • If your cat is suffering from broken legs, there is nothing wrong with feeding him the food that he enjoyed before his accident. After he has returned home, he should be willing to take at least a little bit of food. Watch for him to vomit after he eats, however, and if he does, clean it up right away. A cat that has recently been under anesthesia may be nauseous immediately after surgery, but if it keeps happening, make sure that you call the vet as soon as possible.