External fixator in the cat: postoperative care and check-ups
4-year-old cat with a tibial external fixator for an open fracture. At the 2-week check it bears weight well, there is no pain on palpation and some pins have a scant serous discharge.
Which instruction for fixator care is correct?
chevron_right Show answer and explanation
A. Scant serous discharge is normal: clean the skin around the pins, protect the frame with a padded wrap, restrict activity and take control radiographs at 4–6 weeks
Correct. Minimal serous drainage at the pin-skin interface is common. Warning signs are copious purulent discharge, pain or lameness that worsens after improving, which suggest loosening or infection.
B. Remove any pin with discharge
Removing stable pins because of serous discharge jeopardises fracture stability. A pin is only removed or replaced if loose or clearly infected.
C. Keep the cat on systemic antibiotics until the fixator is removed
Prolonged antibiotics without infection do not prevent pin complications and promote resistance. Infection is treated when present, with culture.
D. Allow free activity, because the fixator bears all the load
Jumping and running subject the pins to cyclic loads that speed up loosening, and the frame can get caught. Activity is restricted until healing.
lightbulb Key takeaway
The most common external fixator problem is pin tract drainage and loosening, especially where muscle mass is large. Check every 1–2 weeks at first. The fixator allows staged removal of components (dynamisation) as healing progresses.
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Updated: October 31, 2026 · Educational content for veterinary professionals. It does not replace current clinical guidelines or the judgement of the attending veterinarian.