Cat with fractured jaw!

Re: Cat with fractured jaw!

Kathryn Welsh — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 13:24:02 GMT

He came back in today for a check lost some weight at home and going to have to re-due his jaw tomorrow as its still rubbing his tounge!! Poor little man - but yay we get cuddles tomorrow x x x

Re: Cat with fractured jaw!

Samantha Bell BSc(Hons) DipHE CVN DipAVN RVN VNA M — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 01:07:13 GMT

I agree, we see alot of fractured jaws in referral and sometimes just removing the feeding tube and IV line makes them feel so much better, and hey presto you have one very hungry cat... glad he has done well and home... fabulous!

Re: Cat with fractured jaw!

Vicky RVN — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:20:44 GMT

That's fab news

We had an RTA cat a few months back who sounds very similar to your kitty. Prolapsed eye, jaw fractured. Wouldn't eat and was very depressed being on fluids and having a feeding tube. Took out feeding tube, sent him home for the night and he ate! We had tried so many foods with the little thing but no interest...the owner even brought in fish and chip shop fish! Once home did very well

Re: Cat with fractured jaw!

Claire Cameron — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 11:02:41 GMT

[quote user="Kathryn Welsh"]WOO HOO - hes going home today! Major break through last night!! And loving his breakfast this am!!

[/quote]

Great news! well done

Re: Cat with fractured jaw!

Kathryn Welsh — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 09:54:27 GMT

WOO HOO - hes going home today! Major break through last night!! And loving his breakfast this am!!

Re: Cat with fractured jaw!

Gillian Mostyn — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:49:08 GMT

[quote user="Kathryn Welsh"] Is a symphyseal fracture - totally unstable no option to remove wire![/quote]

Sorry - didn't explain myself well enough. If it was a ramus fracture then wire would be needed and it may just mean management of the ulcer as best you can. However, if it is a # symphysis, I would remove the wire and replace it with either the twist on the outside or even replace with PDS or something similar. I realised that the fracture wouldn't have healed yet.

Anyway, it sounds like it has been sorted now anyway. Hope he does well.

Re: Cat with fractured jaw!

Kathryn Welsh — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:19:50 GMT

Have to be careful of things round neck has as an oesphageal feeding tube in!

Re: Cat with fractured jaw!

Katie Tallett RVN MBVNA — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:16:13 GMT

try a comfy collar for him- its like an inflatable ring which goes around the neck. we have used these for inpatients who have been reluctant to eat or depressed and they have worked nicely. we get ours from nvs

Re: Cat with fractured jaw!

Kathryn Welsh — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:11:10 GMT

hes been through the mill a bit today... ga to remove eye and have rewired his jaw - already seems for comfortable! Is a symphyseal fracture - totally unstable no option to remove wire! Ate some chicken yesterday and a little today so looking promising.... We shall see - problem is we've all become so attached that it will be heartbreaking if he doesn't make it... we were all holding our breath during GA as last time it was awful but todays was stable so fingers crossed! Grumpy now though as having to wear buster collar cause he just wants to scratch at eye (hole)... Poor little man - O visiting shortly for cuddles!!

Re: Cat with fractured jaw!

Claire Cameron — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:04:13 GMT

[quote user="Gillian Mostyn"]

[quote user="Kathryn Welsh"]Hes got an ulcer under his tongue - which is from his jaw wire - wondering how much pain he is in[/quote]

If the wire is still rubbing against the ulcer, it is likely to be very painful! You don't mention if it is a symphyseal fracture or the ramus - but if possible, it needs removing.

[/quote]

I missed that quote the first time round. Poor thing. Likely to be very painful and unlikely to heal with continual rubbing from the wire unless wire is removed.

How is he today?

Re: Cat with fractured jaw!

Gillian Mostyn — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 12:49:52 GMT

[quote user="Kathryn Welsh"]Hes got an ulcer under his tongue - which is from his jaw wire - wondering how much pain he is in[/quote]

If the wire is still rubbing against the ulcer, it is likely to be very painful! You don't mention if it is a symphyseal fracture or the ramus - but if possible, it needs removing.

Re: Cat with fractured jaw!

Hannah Lowe — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 23:32:28 GMT

Hi Have you considered other problems apart from food choices? By this I mean Where is he fed at home, what type of bowl does he normally eat from etc. Also has his pain relief been re-evaluated by you and the vet? We had a case a few months ago where we struggled to get a hospitalised cat to eat and it turned out he'd only eaten from a flat china dish and not a "normal" cat bowl. Once we'd implemented this he ate like a goodun.

Re: Cat with fractured jaw!

Claire Cameron — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 22:12:28 GMT

Liquivite is a canned liquid food made from chicken, liver, beef, eggs and skim milk. During recovery from illness, injury or surgery Liquivite is smooth enough for syringe-feeding when appetite is absent, and easily consumed as appetite returns during convalescence. Importantly, Liquivite also helps replace fluid when dehydration has occurred, or is a risk.

Essential vitamins and minerals are incorporated, at levels suitable for cats and dogs under stress conditions. Liquivite contains fish oil, supplying the Omega 3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA, which boost the immune system and are anti-inflammatory. A pre-biotic is added, which feeds the beneficial bacteria in the gut. Rosemary, a natural anti-oxidant, is also included.

http://www.liquivite.co.uk/

Re: Cat with fractured jaw!

Kathryn Welsh — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 22:02:55 GMT

Is Liquivite similar to Fortal or the RCW Convalesence Support??

Re: Cat with fractured jaw!

Claire Cameron — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 21:46:43 GMT

[quote user="Kathryn Welsh"]

[quote user="Claire BearRVN"]

Have you tried mirtazapine? We have used it with good success. Used it today actually

Have used Liquivite with good success in anorexic cats. Purina D/M is also good.

Assume you've tried warm, smelly foods for him?

Have left all my notes on this at work, but just done a quick google and found this

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=2552

http://www.marvistavet.net/html/body_mirtazapine.html

[/quote]

This looks really interesting will speak to my vet about it tomorrow - never used it so shall see! Cheers Claire. Were not a purina practice but might try and get hold of some.

Just been down to check him and one of the girls said he's licked at the gravy from Whiskas today and picked up some biccies but spat them out again!! Hes got an ulcer under his tongue - which is from his jaw wire - wondering how much pain he is in - had to take him off vetergesic cause it was making him seriously flat but may have to try a one off jab tomorrow morning!!

[/quote]

C/N is Purina's convalesence diet but the D/M is the most palatable and it suitable for convalescing cats. We use in all our anorexic cats.

Have you tried Liquivite? I had an anorexic cat start eating on that last week post dental. Also used mirtazapine in him too.

You could give Oxford Cat Clinic a ring? They're really really helpful for advice, think they use Periactin and mirtazapine also

Re: Cat with fractured jaw!

Kathryn Welsh — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 21:44:11 GMT

[quote user="Claire BearRVN"]

Have you tried mirtazapine? We have used it with good success. Used it today actually

Have used Liquivite with good success in anorexic cats. Purina D/M is also good.

Assume you've tried warm, smelly foods for him?

Have left all my notes on this at work, but just done a quick google and found this

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=2552

http://www.marvistavet.net/html/body_mirtazapine.html

[/quote]

This looks really interesting will speak to my vet about it tomorrow - never used it so shall see! Cheers Claire. Were not a purina practice but might try and get hold of some.

Re: Cat with fractured jaw!

Claire Cameron — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 21:41:51 GMT

Have also seen catnip sprinkled lightly on wet food work well. But depends on the cat

http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/190302.htm&word=appetite%2cstimulant

Re: Cat with fractured jaw!

Claire Cameron — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 21:34:11 GMT

Have you tried mirtazapine? We have used it with good success. Used it today actually

Have used Liquivite with good success in anorexic cats. Purina D/M is also good.

Assume you've tried warm, smelly foods for him?

Have left all my notes on this at work, but just done a quick google and found this

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=2552

http://www.marvistavet.net/html/body_mirtazapine.html

Re: Cat with fractured jaw!

Kathryn Welsh — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 21:30:03 GMT

he's on periactin twice daily, tried biccies, and apparently eats everything and anything at home! Owners very reluctant to have him with tube!! Tried grooming and he just rolls over and wants belly tickle!! Such a sweet boy but getting so frustrating!!

Re: Cat with fractured jaw!

Frith — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 10:36:59 GMT

I asume you've tried warm, super smelly food?

Re: Cat with fractured jaw!

denise laughlin — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 10:31:05 GMT

depending on his healing stage in the jaw fracture, ask your vet if he can have dry biscuits..i have gone through this rigmoral countless times with #jaw cats, trying absolutely everything you can imagine to get them to eat, then they take your arm off for a biscuit! Fussy little creatures...check first if your vet happy Re. jaw fracture.

Re: Cat with fractured jaw!

Sal the 1st — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 10:00:12 GMT

periactin tablets? just to get him going? - I know some vets like i/v valium but have seen better results with periactin and without so many risks. Is his tongue ok? was it damaged at all.

You have prob tried it already but will mention it anyway - have you tried him with his ordinary cat food with a bit of tuna juice from a can ?

just a thought ? would it be worth giving him a feed in the morning and then sending him home with owner for a few hours to see if he would eat at home?