Seeking Advice on ACL Surgery for My Maine Coon Cat
I'm seeking some advice about my Maine Coon cat who recently had an ACL tear diagnosed by a surgeon. The backstory is a bit lengthy, but here goes:
Over the past two years, my cat has been limping on and off. Each time this happened, we took him to the vet who would typically prescribe pain medication. This approach seemed to alleviate the limp each time, leading our vet to suggest that he may be faking it for attention or his weight could be the culprit.
For reference, he is a larger cat, weighing in at 19lbs currently. To address potential weight issues, we put him on a diet which helped him reduce from 23lbs to 19lbs. However, the limping persisted.
Recently, after moving homes, we noticed his limp worsening significantly. We decided to take a step further and consulted a surgeon, and X-rays confirmed the ACL tear. 961
The surgeon has recommended immediate intervention and corrective surgery, warning that heavier cats are at higher risk of tearing their other leg's ACL if left untreated due to shifted body weight.
I've done some online research, finding conflicting reports. Some suggest this surgery can improve a cat's quality of life, while others warn it could worsen their condition. We are not concerned about the cost; our top priority is our cat's health and happiness.
Since the limping started, we've noticed a significant decrease in his activity level. He doesn't play as much as he used to, doesn't fetch anymore, and spends most of his time lying around the house. This isn't like him; as a loving and friendly Maine Coon, he was more active in the past. He's nearly 7 years old now.
We're hoping someone here has had a similar experience or can provide advice on what we should do next. Should we go ahead with the surgery, or are there alternative treatments we should explore?
Thank you in advance for any help you can provide! 961