Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Well one thing for sure,, Penny couldn't be more loved!!! You are doing EVERYTHING POSSIBLE for her!
I don't have any real insight for you on her 'issues". Holly and Jackie have offered some good tips though, as usual!.
We had a Tripawds here named Samson whom had a cat senior cat buddy with awful kidney issues. I know that subQ fluids at home helped tremendously . He was a four legger and not recovering from amputation and a bum third leg though. But still, maybe daily fluids would help.
If I can find the thread I'll pull it up. Her avatar name: mmrocker (?)
Extra hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
I'm sorry Ju's leg coupled. Five weeks post op is early still she needs to build her core strength as Jackie mentioned.
How is her weight has she gained any after the amp? It is easy for tripawds to gain weight and that puts more stress on that leg.
I would see if you can take her to be evaluated by a rehab facility. Tripawds will even pay for up to $200 of your first visit. Get Your Tripawd Fit, on Us!
They can assess that leg and give you things to do at home. Maybe they can get her a brace for that rear leg? Did they grade this leg?
Penny is only 4 years old, isn't she?
As for her kidneys did you get more information from the vet stages 1-4? I remember your husband picked her up and you did not know all the info then. Diet yes wet food is the best for cats and renal issues as you already know but if Penny doesn't eat wet food yep again you have to choose the lesser evil, and that would be for Penny to EAT and if it is dry renal diet we can hope it will help.
I would see if she will eat it with broth over the dry or any water mixed with it. I have been giving my guys bone broth both cats lap it up they love it.
I gave you this link several posts back TANYA'S COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO FELINE CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE it has everything & more inside of it on Kidneys. I agree with Sally sub q fluids at home and that is on this website too. FLUID THERAPY: SECTION OVERVIEW
I would learn as much as I could on both issues and see what can be done to help Penny.
Keep us posted, please.
Chin scratches to Miss Penny.
Hugs, Holly & Purrkins❤️
Here is an article on Metacam. https://www.the.....-for-cats/
In Canada and the UK, there is Metacam for Cats. I don’t know how the formulation is different than the US Metacam but we don’t have the off label warnings. Perhaps your vet can review the formula and dosage so you are more comfortable giving you cat the Metacam.
Hugs to both of you,
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
Aww wow I'm sorry to read about the challenging situation you and Penny are facing. The kidney issues are something I know nothing about, I wish I could help you with that but you have some great insight here from other who have dealt with it.
But as for her mobility issues, yes, if at all possible do have her evaluated by a therapist. It would give you tremendous insight to find out what you can do to strengthen her body and help her get around better. She's such a young kitty and has lots of living to do, rehab is a great way to improve quality of life. Through other pain medications and supplements as well as therapies like acupuncture, chiropractic care, etc., it's entirely possible that they can help her so much. I hope you can make it to one.
Hang in there and know that you can come here with questions any time you'd like. We may not have all the answers but we are here for you to lean on.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Her leg hasn't been graded for a while now, since before Xmas I think. I believe it was a 3. She has actually lost a small amount of weight. About 10 grams over a couple of weeks.
And as bad as it sounds, I can't afford to take her to a therapist etc. I can just about afford the special food. I take her to a vet charity for reduced cost treatments ad I couldn't afford a private vets. I wish I could afford the best care in the world for her. But I can't, and from what I've read online etc I don't think it would change much for her. I know there are plenty of cats and other animals around that manage just fine on 2 legs or with wheels etc, but I honestly 100% do not believe that penny would cope with that.
Ju and Penny
Strength wise, the vet has said that she has really good muscle tone in the remaining back leg, but that we also know there will come a time when it just can't cope with the added strain anymore.
It breaks my heart to think like that, but ultimately it's always about doing the best I can for her. She is only so little compared to cats I grew up with who lived until 14 and 18, but we've come to terms with the fact that she won't get to that age, not without some serious suffering and I can't make her suffer. I know that I would have done my best and given her all the chances I can. I also know that plenty of people Would have given up on her by now. Not people like you guys on here, but some people Would have.
When the time comes I would rather be a week too soon, than a minute too late 
Ju and Penny
We all understand lack of funds here we are glad you can take her to the charity Vet. Never feel bad for lack of funds!
None of us have the money tree we all need to grow. Even if we had all the money in the world, we still could not fix everything.
We are all joined by the love of our animals, and we all know the cost of all of this.
You know Penny better than anyone, we know you will do what is best for her, we all agree on the quality of life!
"When the time comes I would rather be a week too soon, than a minute too late"
We agree 100% with that statement. We never want to see an animal suffer.
We will hope for a lot more quality of life. Please look at the website she even lists foods maybe you can do something that is more affordable on a diet. WHAT TO FEED, AND WHAT TO AVOID
Take a look at the
Feline Rehab forum you can do some of the things at home. We have not been to rehab and do what we can at home.
Food puzzles would be great for Penny they don't have to cost a lot you can make them two sites with ideas.
Food Puzzles for Cats ENRICH FEEDING TIME | MAKE A PUZZLE CAT FEEDER
Try some of the things at home and see if things don't improve on the leg/core ok. Go slow and just try the food puzzle at first. Can't hurt & can help. That is our hope & prayers for Miss Penny & you! You love Penny and have her best interest in the forefront you will always make the right decision for her.
Hugs!
Holly & Purrkins❤️
We can only do the best with what we have to give and you have done that! There are some core building exercises and strengthening steps that you can take (if you feel comfortable) they are here on this site but I'm still at the office and cannot look right this minute. I'll see if I can find them and put the links here for you.
You are a very good pawrent and you have been very committed to her. Even if this is going to be your last time with her you still have quality time left so make the most of what you have and try not to dwell on the unforeseen future. She may be ok for a quite a while!!
Please read more on feeding them a wet diet. There are many that believe almost any wet food is better than dry at all. I cannot make your decisions for you but I would recommend reading up.
One really good place to look is catinfo.org there is a wealth of information there.
Jackie and Huck ❤️
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
Thank you all so much. I will read up on all of this over the next few days and see what I can do to help her. X
Ju and Penny
OOOOMM.MCCCCC!!! Stop it!! STOP IT RIGHT NOW!!! It does not sound "bad" to ad it that you are not a millionaire and that you do not have unlimited fu ds growing on trees in your backyard!!! So do not spend one more second on that thought, okay?? EVERYTHING here understands lack of finances, okay??
We are sooooo proud of you for recogr you ABSOLUTELY have done far more than most....far more!!! You ARE soing y our best and, again, your BEST is far above what would be the "best" for most!!!
And as you can see from the great input, there are still things you can do to continue to give sweet Penny more quality time!!
For now the best treatment for both of younis to BE. MORE DOG!! WAIT!!! HOLD UP!!! I mean BE MORE CAT!!!! 🙂 🙂
That means to make every moment the best moment ever! Live int eh NOW! Penny isn't worried about the romorrows and she sure doesn't care about number of days on a calendar! She just cares about being loved and spoiled by you!!
Lots of extra hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
😢😢 you're all so lovely. Thank you.
I am definitely trying just to keep on as we would and make sure she's happy etc.
I think I'm just so worried that I'm going to keep going and going and going, and not pick up on when pennys had enough. So i think ive been noticing every little thing and over analysing it. I've never had to think about this before so I just dont want to miss it and drag it out if that makes sense.
Ju and Penny
Lol, looks like Holly and I hit send at the same time. Sorry if it looks like I repeated get.
Don't worry about missing something. And please, if she's not acting sickly, don't dwell on each hour like it's her last. You will know when that time comes. I can't tell you how, but you will. Please have faith in that. And I don't see you as being a person to let her go on suffering and not see it. When her quality of life is no longer there I believe you'll know it.
We all have our financial limitations. You have to know that. And there also comes a time when you have to decide where to draw the line. It's not easy but it's true.
As you can see, all of our hearts are with you. Enjoy your girl and use us as your sounding board, we have all done it!
❤️🤗🤗❤️
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
We ALL over analyze it comes when we take the leg or get the C diagnosis & take the leg YEP! BREATHE, stay connected here we will always be honest and help with whatever we can. Today is all you need to focus on! Tomorrow we do tomorrow. Take one day at a time and make each day count that is all any of us can do. You will know OK you stating that your afraid you won't know tells me you will KNOW.
That's not today! Look into the sites and see what you find and do what makes you and Penny comfortable. Her eating is more important than dry or wet. I will always suggest wet food over any dry for cats except for times like this when you have loss of weight and Penny not wanting to eat. You choose food she will eat rather than type. Give her food she likes to eat and stick to the guidelines on the kidney diet, and that will help manage the kidney progression.
Since she is a dry food girl, this works in her favor for food puzzles.
Let us know how your both doing.
Holly & Purrkins
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