Return of the Attack of the Spontaneously Luxating Patella

Well.  Maddie went in to the Wonderful Dr. G. for her very first senior kitty visit.  Some blood was taken (minor trauma) and her claws were clipped (MAJOR TRAUMA).  Turns out that Maddie's blood is wonderful and all her internal organs are functioning as well as ever.  Yay! We did have to ask the vet a question, though...We've been seeing Maddie sitting a bit oddly for the past month or so.  It's not a big difference, but it's something noticable.  Her right hind foot is now visible when she sits up, and she's been turning her leg out when she sits. 

 

You can see her feet together.  She's not been doing this on the left side, so we figured we'd better ask.  Dr. G. did some X-raying of the feline caboose and gave us some unpleasant news.  Turns out that Maddie has some seriously arthritic hips.  Her right knee is also in pretty bad shape.  That luxating patella is, well, kinda flopping around in there, impeding her normal movement and probably causing moderate to advanced discomfort.  Maddie's still scooting around and enjoying life, though.  She's still jumping up on stools and couches and scurrying to get food and plays.  But she's been telling us about it when she gets up, meowing or chirping. 

We've got some glucosamine powder to give her, to perhaps rebuild her hips (or at least slow the deterioration) and some pain meds to make her a bit more comfy while we decide what to do.  Dr G. recommends that we take Maddie to the local surgeon and have the doc reconstruct the anatomy of the knee so that that part of this doesn't cause any more trouble.  If we can get this knee thing corrected it seems that cats don't have nearly as bad a time w/arthritic hips as dogs and Maddie should be a pretty happy camper.  After the recovery from knee surgery.  Egads.

We're looking at the options we've been given.  We'd like to get Maddie off the pain drugs 'cause they can cause troubles with her kidneys, but she should be fine on them until we decide how to manage all this. 

Maddie's had a big month.  The visit to the doc, the claw clipping, the close call with Vuvu...all this comes on top of her trip to the Winter Palace last month.  She never likes travelling, but she seems to have had a good time.

Well, okay, this is not terrible...

We, and the in-laws, took great pains to keep Maddie and Tabby from meeting each other.

Wait.  What?!?  Another cat?!?  Come on!

Bag it.  I'll just stay in here.  Y'all can go fish, that's what you can do.  Another cat.  Good Lord...

As for Tabby, well, she was rather elusive.

 

Nope.  Not coming out.  I don't hang with strangers.  Especially not Strange Rangers.

I did get some more revealing pictures.  I'll post them next week.  For now, though, you'll have to be content with this Tabby Teaser.  She is a very sweet cat.

We'll let you know more about Maddie as we figure things out.  Send her some kind thoughts.
 

 

 

Comments

[Scooby, Shaggy & Scout]

Maddie we are sorry to hear of your aches & pains! We know that the Rangers will do what ever they think is best for you, in the meantime... hang in there pretty girl! xxxooo

[Egypt & The Musketeers]

At least the v-e-t wasn't eyeing your teeth, Maddie. We hope you received plenty of treats for your inconvenience.

[Fiona]

I love that last elusive tabby shot!

And I really do hope Maddie recovers... very sorry to hear she had to have surgery :(

Is she really that.. well.. senior?