How to treat a sore leg?

How to treat a cat with a broken or dislocated leg?

• First of all, we are in a very poor neighborhood and there is no money to borrow and nothing to sell. A neighbor abandoned his pregnant cat. It had kittens in the attic of the building three weeks ago and we didn't know. I have three pit bulls. A neighbor across the street agreed to keep the cat but she screamed to get out, and they let her out and she came back to the building. The landlord said we should let her live in the hallway and feed her until the kittens came out.Two days ago she appeared before the door of the building, meowing when we returned from the park. We saw that she had been hit by a car and her leg was immoble, she was dragging it. We got her inside and got her in a box, even though she was fighting to get to the kittens. We called EVERY vet around and all of them REFUSED to take payment when the neighbor's social security check came in the following week. Animal control said they would only be willing to murder her. "Humane" societies in the area all said the same, even though she has a home. She spent the night at the neighbor's house in a box, she is not in shock and handling it well, tho very upset about the kittens. The landlord refused to come until the following day to unlock the attic. Again, the pigs at animal control refused to come out to extract the kittens. The landlord came the next day (yesterday) and let us in, and we ripped some boards down and got the kittens out with one of those things used in stores to pluck stuff off high shelves. They are now with mom. NO ONE will offer any help, money, and the only thing vets or anyone is willing to do is to murder this cat (and her kittens) rather than just setting the damn leg. We don't know if the leg is dislocated or broken, but she is now moving around, using a litter box. She is caring for and nursing her six kittens. Is there anything that we can do on our own? If you are of the mind that the cat deserves to die rather than live a little messed up, don't bother answering. I have seriously lost all hope in the humanity of the police, animal control, and almost every veterinarian who cares more about a measly fee than helping an animal. Obviously we live in a demented culture, and we're going to have to help this lil lady and her kittens on our own. Anyone know how? Gotta say... It is a very strange thing that people think that it is better to DIE than endure pain (at least when it comes to the pain of others. For themselves, I bet they'd rather live). If I broke my arm in the wild, and a few people found me would they decide to SHOOT me rather than feed me and comfort me? Why would it be different for an animal? I'd rather drag my leg around for the rest of my life and still see my babies grow, and eat yummy things, and feel the spring air on my face than just die. Doesn't anyone think of that? And if I had the SKILLS to set a broken bone, I would ABSOLUTELY do it for free, in a heartbeat. Those who can pay, pay. Those who cannot can offer some other service. And it's not even that the woman cannot pay, she just can't pay this week. So, the vet and the "humane" people will KILL the animal for free, but won't set the leg for payment at a later date... hmm, sounds pretty nasty to me. And the "humane" society, and the cops, wouldn't even come out to rescue the kittens. Me and the woman who took them had to do it ourselves and for a long while we couldn't and we could have used some professional help . So, how bout, does anyone know how to tell the difference between a fracture and a dislocation? Cat is not whining, she is moving some, nursing, licking babies, eating, and drinking. I mean, just being able to cuddle and eat is reason enough to live, at least for me. I think all these "humane" folks who'd rather kill an animal than know it's in pain should ask themselves if they would like to be gassed to death rather than have pain (that isn't severe enough to keep them from eating or tending their children). Death is death, not some respite from temporary suffering. I mean, REALLY! So I would appreciate any suggestions on how to know the difference, and then what to do, or if there are any vets in the Newark NJ area who can spare the hour or so pro bono. Mind you, these ones won't even SEE the cat without payment. But they will spend the time and expense to kill her.

• Answer:

  To comfort your cat, ice it and heat it every so often. Prop her on a pillow and let her rest. Make sure she is by food and water. Hope this helps