Dislocated sternum [cat]
 

Went for a second vet visit with one of our cats today (first was friday evening).
Today the vet took an x-ray which showed a dislocated sternum.

It all started thursday evening when the little one (he goes outside) came back seeming off, no eating, lethargic etc
So off we went to the vet on friday. He couldnt find anything, but gave an infusion with Vit B.
Fast forward - the cat seemed getting better each day but was crying when picked up. So I called the vet again who decided to take an xray, which showed an dislocated sternum (no broken ribs).
Now he has no other symptoms such as difficulty breathing, no internal bleeding, fever etc and moves about normaly plus has a picky :rolleyes: but healthy apetit.

The vet will check with a collegue on how to proceed.
Has anybody faced the same injury & what was done?

I do hope that he wasnt kicked by somebody :(

Re: Dislocated sternum [cat]
 

Poor kitty, reading your post my thought was also that could come from a kick. Cats are steady on their feet, people can be cruel. I do hope not. I hope he recovers well.

Re: Dislocated sternum [cat]
 

No personal experience with this, but nonethless wanted to wish your kitty as swift and easy a recovery as possible. Poor little thing.

All the best to you both.

Re: Dislocated sternum [cat]
 

My cat runs into walls. She also slides along the floor into the stairwell - but never when we have the camera ready. Never underestimate feline stupidity. (It's nicer than thinking of human cruelty).

Re: Dislocated sternum [cat]
 

Poor kitty- hope s/he gets better soon. I heard severe sternum damage can be done by cats trying to get out of windows when on oblique opening. I saw recently that you can buy fittings to stop this happening.

Re: Dislocated sternum [cat]
 

Poor cat :mad:

We had a cat who was always getting injured. First she dislocated her tail - that resulted in amputation :eek: ...... but then and more relevant she dislocated her hip. At first the vet missed it and when we took her back it was too late/difficult to re-set it. Cat lived fine with dislocated hip for the rest of her days - so if it's not causing a problem, and the vet says to leave it then I would.

Re: Dislocated sternum [cat]
 

Oh boy, I hope it will resolve fast and cat will be well.
Sending hugs to you both!

I have no good advice to share, but if you speak german, I can highly recommend katzen-forum.net
You can even use deepl.com to translate from english, folks there won't mind and will share experiences if they have. Also, people from whole DACH are there. They have 80k registered members, ok granted just a small number of those are active, but still, those who are are really resourceful and could point you in the right direction :)

Re: Dislocated sternum [cat]
 

Thank you all:)
I will post an update as soon as I know more, atm hes doing fine.

Blacky, the cat forum is very interesting! Thank you for the tip!

Re: Dislocated sternum [cat]
 

Those windows are very dangerous for cats. A cat I was cat sitting for died when trying to get out through one of those.

Cat’s can also damage their sternum if they climb trees. They can land heavily on their chest with their legs either side of a branch and cause damage.

I do hope the cat gets better soon Sigh.

Re: Dislocated sternum [cat]
 

Can you please share pic of such windows? I'm a bit confused what it would be. Maybe language barrier.... ? Thanks

Re: Dislocated sternum [cat]
 

Like this. I didn’t post a photo with a real cat as it’s a bit gruesome.

Re: Dislocated sternum [cat]
 

It is possible to buy and install those to stop the danger


https://www.zooplus.ch/fr/shop/chat/...fenetre/271927

Re: Dislocated sternum [cat]
 

Thanks! I suspected it's that, but oblique term confused me. German term is 'gekippte Fenster' if someone looks for it it. I've seen 'scissors' term also used to describe it.

In Germany emergency vets warn seriously about its danger, and I've seen information that such damage and being squeezed in doors are the most often and very serious (deadly) injuries in homes.

Re: Dislocated sternum [cat]
 

I hadn’t thought of that. I understood what JackieH meant but actually oblique is not a term I’m familiar with to describe it.
I’d call it a tilted window.

It’s a well known problem and vets have been warning people about them for years. My experience of it dates back around 12 years. My friend had left a window tilted when the went on holiday to keep the room aired believing that the cats were unable to jump that high. Unfortunately she was wrong :(.

Re: Dislocated sternum [cat]
 

Fenêtre en imposte, in French. Could not think of the 'tilted window' and neither could OH- so used 'oblique'. Never mind the words, but fact is- many cats get seriously injured and worse.

Re: Dislocated sternum [cat]
 

@sigh how is the cat doing now? what the vets says?

Re: Dislocated sternum [cat]
 

They are leaning towards doing nothing atm since the little one doesnt seem to be in any pain or other discomfort neither are any organs affected and he moves about normaly.

The surgery would be complicated and not without risk.

He is waiting for a third opinion so will see.

For now all seems good, fingers crossed it stays that way.

I found a posting in the cat forum you recommended, same there as well nothing was done.
Thank you for asking :)

Re: Dislocated sternum [cat]
 

I recommend that those people never get spotted doing this. They would become projects for me. :msnmad:

@OP: what an ordeal to go through, I am glad it sounds like your kitty is on the mend. Wouldn't it be wonderful if they could talk and tell us what is wrong. In the meantime, we just have to do our best to keep them safe and happy.

Re: Dislocated sternum [cat]
 

As an aside, while we're on the topic of funny windows:

Transom windows, like those imbedded in doors or found in lofts, or horizontally tilting windows above doors are called Vasistas in French. These are also the dangerous to cats type of windows of which we are speaking.

This comes from WWII when Germans invaded France and were perplexed by these types of windows and asked 'Was ist das?'

Vasistas.

Attachment 141692

Re: Dislocated sternum [cat]
 

You know sigh, you forgot to do one thing - share the pics :D
I hope furry ball is fine?