Mickey Surgery Update
Mickey was taken to Dr. Hay last Friday for surgery on his right knee. His left knee was repaired in September of last year. During his exam we took x-rays of his previously repaired knee. Unfortunately it did not heal very well.
The upper and lower leg bones are misaligned at the joint and the knee cap is displaced. However he is actually walking much better on that knee which is unexpected. So it was decided to leave that joint alone as it is so deteriorated that it most likely would not survive another surgery.
His right knee was repaired using the same technique as the left, but with a different material. The first knee joint (left) was repaired with a synthetic ligament that was woven through both leg bones and anchored to the bone with screws.
The second knee joint (right) was repaired with a thick suture (about as thick as yarn) also woven through the joint, but tied off onto itself. Sadly the right knee joint was badly eroded and the use of plates and screws was not an option because his bones are so poor.
The good news is that after the surgery on Friday Mickey’s knee felt much more stable. He will recover in the Cat Hospital for 10-14 days and then go back out in half of his enclosure.
Volunteers Get Big Cat Tranquilization Training
