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Surgery or not

Schooley

I am trying to determine if my cat Schooley needs surgery. He started limping on his right rear leg. Took him to vet and had x-rays. They showed mild hip degeneration and a pellet shot into his right hip muscle. I have never seen any sign of injury. We haven't had him all his life. He is maybe 9 years old. He has been on 1 drop of metacam every other day. If I divert from that he will limp on the right rear leg, either lightly or painfully. Should I keep him on metacam forever although I am concerned about liver and kidney damage, or should the pellet be taken out. The vet is not convinced either way if it is hip problems or the pellet causing the problem. He is also on cosequin and special food for allergies. Any thoughts?
Thanks, kristy

• Master Advisor Matthew says:

  August 31st, 2008 at 12:53 PM

  Hi

  Your cat has potentially another 10 years of life. Therefore yes, it is far from ideal having him on Metacam for another 10years, both for the expense and the potential adverse effects (mainly kidney damage). Like you said though, if the pain is from the hips and not from the pellet, then taking the pellet out will make no difference. There is no way of finding out apart from taking out the pellet and seeing if the lameness disappears. I would personally go for this as anaesthetics are very safe these days. If the cat is still lame after, you know you've tried every alternative to the lifelong medication.

  Good luck

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