Ponyo from Switzerland

[ponyoV]

Hi, Happy to join and hoping to get some advice. Ponyo is almost a year old and have issues with hip dysplasia and patella luxation. He also had an accident because of the instability in his leg (we were at the time trying to figure out with the vet what was wrong). Surgery end of November to repair the femur he broke in the accident and the wobbly knee, but the knee didn't heal, that's when they figured out the problem with the patella luxation (different vet). Long story short, he has had 2 surgeries and I have had to literally keep him in a box for about 2 months now! I know you can all appreciate how difficult this is. Has been such a stress. He is now starting to come out on a harness for about an hour (broken up) a day for two weeks and then he will be free. Assuming all is well healed. He still limps at the moment.
I will post specific questions in the appropriate place, but my main questions are, anyone have any experience with recovery from the deepening of the trochlear groove? Hip dysplasia? And raw foods.
A bit about me, I've had cats my whole life, am in my 50's. Siamese, Abyssinians, Ocicat, Bengal, this is my first Savannah. He's an F3. Can only have one cat as my husband is allergic. And no, Savannah's don't seem to be any easier on those with allergies.
Thanks for reading!

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

Welcome to you and Ponyo!

I'm so sorry Ponyo has been through all that :-( (Love the name btw, that's one of my 6 year old's fave movies right now)

I've heard of hip dysplasia and patella luxation infrequently in our breed. One of my cats, an F3, does have mild patella luxation but the vet thought at 2 years (when it became evident) that he would never need surgery for it and at 12 years of age it hasn't progressed at all. In his case, the orthopedic specialist and the radiologist were both of the opinion that it wasn't an issue with the joints but that his limbs were so long they were putting extreme strain on what were normal joints.

Most of us that have been around Savannahs for some years will not agree that Savannahs are hypoallergenic. I'm allergic to cats and my reaction is less but not absent. I think allergies are also dependent on what you are allergic to, when they test cats for Fel1D for example, that is the major allergen and in their saliva, that isn't the only thing one could be allergic to. In our home, we removed all carpets and installed good HEPA air filters on both floors of our house to help with my allergies, and then I take medications!

 

[Patti]

Welcome to the forum! I have not personally had experience with hip dysplasia or patella luxation, but have known of cats who have had patella luxation (though I've never heard of a cat with hip dysplasia that I can recall). In every case when surgery was required it was a long slow recovery process and it sounds like you are doing all the right things. I hope you will post some pics of Ponyo, we'd love to see him in person!

 

[Vito]

Hi and welcome to Savannah cat chat, I hope you will find help and advice regarding your fur baby. The guys here are fantastic and I've found it a great help and comfort that the Savannah community are always happy to give advice, (goodness knows, I've needed some lately)
I've never heard of Hip dysplasia in cats to be honest, but I do know of a friend who's Bengal had patella luxation , and as Patti said, it is a very long slow recovery period, with lots of cage rest (stressful with such an active breed) , great that you are giving Ponyo time out on a harness, cage rest can be very stressful for cats as well as owners, but it's not for ever.
There's great advice on the forums re/raw food and feeding.
I wish a speedy recovery for Ponyo. Looking forward to seeing some pics of your boy.