Welcome to Lincolnshire, Leona!
Today’s story takes us away from our usual location, all the way to Derby, where Leona lives with her caring family.
Leona is a beautiful, placid yet playful indoor cat who enjoys the comfort and safety of home. However, one night, unbeknown to her family, she left the house and went on an unexpected adventure.
We all know that Derbyshire and the Peak District are fantastic places for adventures. However, for a cat who is used to living an indoor life, the outside world can quickly become a dangerous place.
Leona Returns Home Injured
The following morning, Leona returned home, but unfortunately she was not in a good state. She was dragging her left front leg and appeared to be in shock.
Her family rushed her to their local vets, where she promptly received treatment and investigations.
The major concerns were a fractured humerus, which is the bone in the upper arm, and possible nerve damage, as Leona did not seem to have sensation in the same paw.
You can imagine how distressing this was for her family. They were then faced with an incredibly difficult decision.
A Difficult Decision for Leona’s Family
The vet discussed the available options, which practically came down to two choices.
The first option was to attempt to repair the fracture, despite limited experience with this type of surgery, and with the risk that the nerve damage could worsen or fail to recover.
The second option was amputation.
The stress on Leona’s family was huge, and making the right decision was far from easy. However, they did not lose hope.
Seeking Advice from a Trusted Vet
Leona’s family reached out to her favourite vet, who was now practising in Sweden. They were simply seeking advice, reassurance and comfort, but fortunately luck was on their side.
The vet in Sweden had worked alongside our surgery lead vet, Luciano, for several years. She knew his surgical skills, experience and caring manner, and felt he may be able to help.
Conversations and messages, together with X-rays and pictures, started to fly between Luciano and his friend in Sweden — one of the positive sides of the internet!
After reviewing Leona’s case, Luciano decided to accept her as a patient. Her family were beyond relieved to have this opportunity.
Travelling from Derby to Sutton Bridge
A couple of days later, Leona’s family left home in the early hours of the morning to drive with her from Derby to us in Sutton Bridge.
That is a big commitment — and one based entirely on trust.
Once Leona arrived, Luciano examined her and had a thorough conversation with her family about the injuries, the proposed surgical intervention, and the potential complications.
We always strive to be positive because our patients deserve our very best. However, we must also manage their family’s expectations in a realistic way. This can be a fine balancing act.
Assessing Leona’s Injuries
Leona was admitted and a few further investigations were undertaken.
Alongside her fractured humerus, she had some minor injuries to her face, teeth and chest, as well as a swollen paw. These were all managed medically.
On the same day, Leona underwent her fracture repair surgery.
Cat Humerus Fracture Repair Surgery
A fractured humerus can be a challenging bone to fix because of its unusual shape and the location of major blood vessels and nerves.
The nerves in this area are particularly important, as injury or damage can lead to paralysis of the paw. However, Luciano had good hope for Leona.
During the operation, he successfully isolated the vessels and nerves and was pleased to find that they were intact.
The surgical repair consisted of an intra-medullary pin, which is a pin placed inside the cavity of the bone to help restore its length, along with a locking plate and screws.
The difference can be seen clearly in Leona’s X-rays.
Leona’s Recovery
Leona was extremely brave and recovered very well from her anaesthetic, making it possible for her to go home the same night.
Her family were very grateful and pleased with the outcome of the operation.
During the following days and weeks, Leona was required to have complete cage rest before beginning a gradual increase in her activity levels.
We were very pleased to receive videos of her moving around comfortably and using the leg well.
A Story That Connected Derby, Sweden and Lincolnshire
We are particularly proud of Leona because her story touched lives in Derby, Sweden and Lincolnshire.
It is quite literally a story of knowing someone who knows someone.
Most of all, we are incredibly grateful to Leona’s family for their unwavering trust in us. We wish Leona and her family the very best as she continues her recovery.
FAQs About Cat Fracture Repair
Yes, many cats can recover well from a fractured humerus with the right treatment, careful surgical planning and appropriate aftercare. Recovery depends on the type of fracture, the presence of any nerve damage, and how well the cat responds to rest and rehabilitation.
The humerus is the bone in the upper part of the front leg. A humerus fracture means this bone has broken, often following trauma such as a fall, road traffic accident or other injury.
Repair options depend on the location and severity of the fracture. In some cases, surgery may involve pins, plates and screws to stabilise the bone and allow it to heal correctly.
Major nerves run close to the humerus. If these nerves are damaged, the cat may lose sensation or movement in the paw. This is why careful assessment and surgical planning are so important.
Rest periods vary depending on the injury and surgery performed, but cats often need strict cage rest followed by a gradual return to activity. Your vet will provide a recovery plan based on your cat’s individual needs.
Advanced Surgery at Sutton Bridge Vets
Cases like Leona’s highlight the importance of experience, careful planning and honest communication when managing complex injuries.
At Sutton Bridge Vets, our team is able to support a range of surgical cases, including fracture repairs and other advanced procedures, while working closely with families and referring vets to achieve the best possible outcome for each patient.
If your pet has suffered an injury, or if you are a veterinary professional looking to discuss a case, please get in touch with our team.
