Hello I need several pieces of advice on my 1 year old siberian cat Bertie. He went missing 2 weeks ago for 2 days to be found on the second day in a drain we had checked multiple times. It appeared that he had been run over by a car and some how thank goodness had managed to move to a spot where we could find him on the second day. We were told he had broken his back leg and had broken the hip joint on the other side too. Our vet has pinned up the broken leg but thinks that the hip joint will heal on its own. He is home now tired and showing some signs of pain when he tries to move too much but the vet is optimistic he could recover in 6 weeks. He has all the painkillers/Antiinflammatory/antibiotics he needs and we have spared no expense in his care just incase anyone is wondering and have built him a little run so he cant move around too much.

My questions are this... has anyone else had a cat that broke its back hip joint and left it to heal naturally (on vets advice obviously)?

Any general advice on post op cats?

Also we are now in the situation where we don't want to let him out again. We thought as we live way way out in the countryside that the chance of him being hit by a car was minimal and he absolutely loves going outside and catching rabbits and birds. He is a little serial killer really lol! However we just could never put our selves through the worry and upset we have been through in the past 2 weeks again.

So how easy is it for a cat who has been used to the outdoors and hunting to adjust to life as an indoor cat?

We are going to feel guilty about not letting him go out and I think its going to be hard to ignore his pleas at the door!

What is the best way to keep a cat content indoors?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

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Hi Basil,

I really feel for you and I'm sorry I can't give you any advice as I myself am going through a similar situation to you. My cat (Vinny Velcro) was hit by a car on Wednesday and suffered a broken jaw & a fractured elbow, he hates his cage and goes bananas when we put him in

We are doing everything to make him comfortable but the thought of ever letting him out again fills me with dread. I hope someone who has "been there" can offer you (and myself) some advice.

I hope Bertie gets well soon xxx

Keeping a cat happy indoors is possible to do. It is a little harder witha cat who has been outside before, however, as he will need to stay indoors for his recuperation it may be a little easier.

As for keeping them happy, lots of toys, things to climb, things for them to interact with. Treat balls are also fun so they can play with it to 'hunt' for their treats.

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I agree with the advice in the last post about keeping cats indoors. We have 2 cats that have always been indoor cats, and have just adopted a third who was previously living outside, and she's fitted into her new lifestyle very well.

Since he's always enjoyed the outdoors, do you have a garden that would be suitable to cat proof (you can get cat proof fencing) or space to build him an outdoor run so he can still go out and enjoy the fresh air once he's recovered from his injuries?

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Proud Mummy to:

Sam (born June 1999, found August 1999)
Milly (born May 1999, adopted September 1999)
Eva (born 2010, adopted us August 2011)

Hello Vinny I am glad your cat like mine has survived his accident it could have so easily turned out differently! eek

Thanks for the advice treat balls and new toys will be on the agenda. My breeder did tell me she has a outdoor aviary for her cats so maybe that would be good but it could be very frustrating for him too I wonder, being outside but not actually being free.

Would getting another kitten help? Some company perhaps? Bertie likes playing with our Lab Chester but Chester doesn't like it when Bertie plays rough with him lol so he often tries to pretend Bertie isnt there!

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