What Does Fixing a Cat's Broken Leg Cost?

Caring for a cat with a broken or fractured leg can be a distressing experience — for both the feline and their owner. It can also take a financial toll, as surgery to treat a cat’s fractured leg costs anywhere from $800 to $3,000 or more.¹

Read on to learn about the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and recovery process for a broken leg. We’ll also shed some light on various cost factors and how cat insurance could help you cover those costs.

Cat Broken Leg Costs Explained

Cat broken leg treatment costs vary based on a number of factors. Ultimately, the treatment — and therefore the cost — depends on your cat’s health, how severe the fracture is, and how urgent the symptoms are.²

Costs also vary based on geographic location and the vet who’s providing care. Individual practices and animal hospitals tend to have different rates for procedures and medical care.

A breakdown of treatment costs

Your cat could need anything from a simple splint to extensive surgery. If your cat has multiple fractures or torn muscles and tendons, surgery costs can rise even higher. A simpler treatment plan could cost as much as $1,500, while a complicated emergency surgery could be more than double that.¹

Keep in mind that the specific treatment or surgery costs usually don’t include the vet visit, diagnostic tests, pain medications, and rehabilitation, so you’ll have to account for those. For example, vets often need to take X-rays to determine the location and severity of a break or fracture. X-rays can run between $200 – $400.¹ Postop pain medication could cost $40 – $80.³

Symptoms of Broken Legs in Cats

Unless it’s obvious, it can be tricky to tell when your cat is injured because cats tend to hide their pain. Because of this, broken legs may go unnoticed and untreated in cats. Watch your cat’s body language closely for signs of injuries. Some clinical signs your cat may have a broken leg can include:²

• Crying, growling, or hissing
• Limping
• Swelling or bruising in the limb
• An unnatural angle in the limb
• Inability to support their weight
• Decreased appetite

You don’t want to leave your cat’s broken leg untreated. If you suspect your cat has a broken leg, schedule a vet examination. The vet will assess your cat and likely take X-rays to determine the damage. From there, your vet will decide if your cat needs surgery.

Treatment Options for Cats With a Broken Leg

The exact treatment plan for your cat will vary based on a few factors, such as the type of fracture, where on the bone the break is, your cat’s age and overall health, and if further injuries are present. If the fracture is mild and the bone isn’t separated, your veterinarian may recommend crate rest with a splint or cast.²

Surgery is a common course of treatment for cats with broken legs. The severity of the fracture or break will determine what type of surgery your cat needs. Your cat may need plates, pins, wires, screws, or other surgical implants to hold the broken bone in place.²

In severe cases, your vet may recommend amputation of the fractured limb. Most cats who have a limb amputated recover fairly quickly.²

Recovering From a Broken Leg

After your cat’s surgery, your vet will recommend activity restrictions. You can limit your cat’s opportunities to reinjure themself or delay the healing process by keeping them in a small space with a litter box, food, and water within easy reach. Also, remove toys or other items that could encourage movement.²

Your vet will probably prescribe pain medications and antibiotics to help manage discomfort and minimize the risk of infection. Your vet may also give your cat an Elizabethan collar so they don’t interfere with their cast or splint or chew at their stitches.²

Follow-up appointments are important and will usually include repeat X-rays to check the progress. If your cat’s leg has a splint, cast, or bandages, the vet will likely replace them at these appointments.² Broken bones can take 6 – 12 weeks to fully heal, so your little feline can be back on their feet and curious as ever in a couple of months.²

MetLife Pet Insurance Could Help You Cover Costs

Cat fractured leg costs can add up, especially if your cat needs surgery. Still, it’s important to provide proper care for your injured pet so they can recover with as little pain as possible. Cat insurance could help you protect your wallet if your cat needs surgery. MetLife Pet coverage may include examinations, diagnostic tests, and surgery for your cat.

For example, a cat from Idaho named Leo broke his leg. Surgery costs set Leo’s owners back around $3,300, but MetLife Pet covered almost $2,900 of the bill.⁴

You could have coverage like this with a cat insurance policy from MetLife Pet. Get a quote today.