Steph's Leg is Bothering Her *UPDATE*

[spacemonkey]

We're on our way to the vets right now...

*update*

It took the vet less than five minutes to determine two things:

First, we have fleas. The news came as a total shock, though now I can see the wisdom of year-round flea treatment. We stopped the cats' Frontline back in October, but we think they arrived on Thanksgiving with our uncle's scruffy dog. Won-der-ful. Honestly, we haven’t noticed any excessive itching or flea dirt, so who knows how long an infestation would have gone on undetected. Now I just need to figure out the best plan of action that will eradicate the little buggers. In the words of Bugs Bunny:

This means war

Second, Stephanie has a 'luxating patella'. Her knee cap, which should rest in the groove of the femur joint, instead floats in and out of that groove. When she runs or jumps, her knee cap dislocates, and when she's stretching her leg repeatedly, she's trying to pop it back into place. A luxating patella is not entirely uncommon (it’s often found in small dogs); she'll get an anti-inflammatory for the next few days, and we'll be giving her a daily dose of cosequin as a joint supplement.

There is a possibility that in the future she'll need surgery. Her knee is at risk for either arthritis or an excessive calcium build-up, and since she's such a young cat, surgery will prevent any such debilitating side-effect. But we're holding that option out unless it appears she's getting worse.

I think I'm more upset about the fleas than about her knee . At least we know what's wrong with my poor baby girl. And now, I think I'm going to go give her some extra lovin'…

[jennifer2]

So sorry about the fleas!

I'm sorry it wasn't an easier problem, but luxating patella isn't so bad either! It's treatable in any case! Hopefully the anti-inflamatories will work

Jennifer

[Lisa 216]

Wow, I'm sure you weren't expecting to hear about fleas. That's too bad.

I'm glad to hear that Steph's leg can be treated. You must be relieved!