Possibly broken leg!

Question
QUESTION: My kitten, Mr. Rumbles, got caught in a rope and had his leg twisted up for a long time. This happened a while ago but he is still limping and his paw is swollen. My mom wont take him to the vet she says he is fine. Is he or is his leg broken? If it is how do i tell? It is tender because when I try to touch it to see if it is broken he hisses and runs away. Also when he walks not only is he limping he can only walk a short distance before he has to stop and lay down.

And another of my older cats, Sassy, has started sneezing and coughing a lot and isn't eating as much as she used to. Is she sick or is it just because she is getting old?

ANSWER: Hi Hailey,

I'm very sorry to hear about your kitten.  I have the impression that you are very mature for your age, so I want you to open your mind and heart when I tell you this.  You are in an unfortunate situation that a lot of mature youths find themselves in in that you actually know better than your parent.  I applaud you for trying to find help.  I am not a vet, but have several years experience working in shelters and seeing a variety of conditions with cats.  Based on what you describe, it is very likely that your kitten has at least a fractured if not broken leg that is in this stage now beginning to heal wrong.  The fact that he's still in pain and his paw is swollen means there is a possibility that if not treated properly, he may need his paw or part of his leg amputated.  That being said, if you're mom really won't take him to a vet, he needs to go to a shelter.  Shelters are great resources, and a lot of them are willing to help if they can.  Do you know what your local shelter is?  You can look them up on the internet and find their contact information.  I HIGHLY recommend calling them--ask to speak a manager and tell them exactly what happened, when it was, and how he is acting now.  After speaking to them, you may be able to get your mom on the phone and they can talk to her and politely explain the seriousness of the situation.  It's okay to ask for help--I have worked at two shelters, and I can tell you we appreciate when people call us and want to do the right thing.  Please, please call your local shelter.  I really feel as though a recommendation from someone in the animal care industry could go a long way so that she will at least take him to the shelter so they can check him out for free.  Even if the shelter can't help, they have so many resources of other professionals that may be able to.

As far as your elderly cat Sassy, that could be something as minor as hairballs, a respiratory condition, or something else.  I would have to know more about her history and condition to be more specific, however I still feel she needs to be seen as well.  Another good resource is the Banfield Clinic that's located in Petsmarts.  They have clinic hours in which you can take your cat in for a free physical exam.  You have to pay for any services and medication, but they will not do this without discussing with you what are the potential problems and what tests they would like to run.  You can also look up their phone number on the internet and give them a call to find out their clinic days and hours.  Here in Houston it's Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2-4pm, but I don't know what it is where you are.  It's best to be there a little before the starting time because you have to sign a sign-in sheet and then wait your turn, but it's a great way to get help at a low cost.

Please feel free to email me about anything regarding your cats--I don't want you to feel like you're alone in this.  It's wonderful that you're trying to find help.  My email is holly06petlover@yahoo.com .  Please keep me updated about how everything goes and let me know if you need help with contacting your local shelter and/or Banfield.  If you email me with what city you live in, I could help track down their numbers.  I wish you the best, and I hope all works out for your cats.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: About my kitten are you saying I should give him away? or just take him there to get him looked at.

Answer
Hailey,

He needs to see a vet IMMEDIATELY.  If you can't afford it, call your local shelter, ask for a manager, and tell them your situation.  Either they will be able to help you or can recommend someone or a vet who may see him at a low cost.  You can also take him to Banfield on certain days for what they call "clinic hours" and not have to pay the exam fee (normally about $38).  You need to contact your local Banfield which is the vet clinic in Petsmart to find out what their clinic days and hours are.  If you need assistance, tell me what city you live in and I can do this research myself and give you the information.  Either way, you need to convince your mom to getting your kitten to a vet as soon as possible.  You can email me at holly06petlover@yahoo.com  Please do something soon, and keep me updated.

Best regards,
Holly Martin