Meet Bosco, a lively, inquisitive one-year-old neutered male cat with a strong sense of adventure. Like many young cats, Bosco loves to explore his surroundings. And like so many, this can get him into mischief at times.

Over the Christmas period, his home was filled with the hustle and bustle of family and festivities. While the excitement is usually something Bosco would enjoy weaving through, his owners began to notice subtle changes in his behaviour. He wasn’t quite as sociable as usual, seemed to be a little grumpy, and was spending more time tucked away in quiet corners. Concerned, his owners kept a close eye on him.

After the Christmas celebrations, they decided it was time for a visit to the practice to make sure everything was okay.

A Subtle Limp and First Steps

At his first examination, Bosco was a little lame on his left hind leg, but he was still using it and didn’t seem too uncomfortable. He allowed us to examine him, showing just enough resistance to confirm that something wasn’t quite right. We prescribed pain relief, rest, and close monitoring, advising his owners that if there wasn’t any improvement, a follow-up would be needed.

Over the following days, Bosco continued to eat and move about the house. However, about a week later, his lameness had noticeably worsened, and his owners didn’t hesitate to bring him back in for another check-up.

Digging Deeper: X-Rays and Diagnosis

At this second visit, it was clear that Bosco’s lameness had progressed. When we gently manipulated his left leg, it caused obvious discomfort. This time, we were concerned that the issue might be more serious — potentially involving his hip joint — so we advised taking X-rays to get a clearer picture.

The radiographs were arranged to be performed quickly and when they came up on screen there was no doubt what was causing Bosco’s trouble: his left hip had become dislocated.

First-Line Treatment: Closed Reduction

The first approach in such cases is to try a closed reduction, where the hip is repositioned under general anaesthesia, without the need for surgery. While this method is often successful, in Bosco’s case, as soon as the hip was placed back into position, it immediately popped out again. This told us that his hip joint was unstable and wouldn’t stay in place without further intervention.

Surgical Solution: The Hip Toggle Procedure

With non-surgical options ruled out, we discussed surgical treatment with Bosco’s family. The recommended procedure was a hip toggle, a technique used in orthopaedics where a special implant — somewhat like a ‘treasury tag’ — is used to stabilise the hip.

 

The procedure involves drilling a small hole through the head and neck of the femur and also into the socket of the pelvis (the acetabulum). The toggle is then passed through these points and secured with the hip held in place, allowing it to heal while maintaining stability.

Bosco’s owners were very supportive of the surgery and keen to help him return to his normal self. As such the surgery was arranged immediately and within a couple of days Bosco was at home recovering after a surgery that went successfully.

Healing Takes a Team

Surgery was only the beginning of Bosco’s recovery. Strict rest and a carefully planned rehabilitation programme were crucial. Gradually increasing his activity levels allowed the surrounding soft tissues to heal and ensured the hip remained in the correct position while still regaining mobility.

This was truly a family effort —even the grand-parents took turns caring for him when Bosco’s owners were away. The entire family stepped in, making sure Bosco was kept calm, safe, and on schedule with his recovery plan.

Thanks to their dedication and Bosco’s own resilience, he made an excellent recovery.

Back on His Paws

Today, Bosco is back to his usual inquisitive self — exploring, climbing, and charming everyone he meets. His story is a wonderful reminder of what a team effort it is in order to get a successful outcome at times.