Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi. One of my 15yo cats Lynx got an aggressive cancer within the past 3 weeks. He was fine at vet appointment 3 weeks ago and now has big cancer growth on front llimb. We are waiting to get biopsy results in next 1-2 days to see how aggressive the cancer is. If it can be contained, the vet is suggesting an immediate amputation of front leg next week. Most of the info I've seen on cat amputations is with young cats. I'm wondering if there are parents of older cats whose limb was amputated and how they did. My cat has taken to sleeping all day/night with this cancer, just in recent days. I hope removal of the cancer will give him energy back, if we are fortunate to have this option. He otherwise has had not health problems. He is an indoor cat. Want to do what's best for him. Thank you
Hello and welcome, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
I'm sorry cancer has brought you here, but you will find lots of good information and great support.
I would think that it is not as important what the age in years is as the age in spirit. It sounds like Lynx is otherwise healthy and still full of life. My parents had a cat that lived to be 21 and she only slowed down her last year or so.
Here is a great Blog Post about our Cat Members and links to cat specific information to look through. Our cat members will be along shortly to give you their experiences.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
krun15 said
Hello and welcome, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.I'm sorry cancer has brought you here, but you will find lots of good information and great support.
I would think that it is not as important what the age in years is as the age in spirit. It sounds like Lynx is otherwise healthy and still full of life. My parents had a cat that lived to be 21 and she only slowed down her last year or so.
Here is a great Blog Post about our Cat Members and links to cat specific information to look through. Our cat members will be along shortly to give you their experiences.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Thank you!
Hi and welcome!
I can't speak to cats quite that old. My Harry is eight and had a front paw amputated two months ago. He's in great shape now...and he's already had a quality month of life he wouldn't have had if I'd put him down, and we're looking hopefully forward to many many more (fingers crossed).
If there are no other health concerns, the cancer hasn't spread and your vet is recommending amputation, I would seriously consider it. Of course nobody can make the choice for you, but what a lot of people pointed out to me is that animals are usually in better shape after amputation than immediately before, when dealing with cancer, because the pain and discomfort is taken away. My experience has confirmed that. If only we could know the future! Fifteen doesn't seem that old to me, for a cat...but I'm not an expert. Hopefuly some others will chime in.
I agree. If Lynx is otherwise in good health, and the vet believes he is a good candidate, then it seems worth it to give him a chance. It is major surgery and carries risk, but it sounds like you do not have a lot of other treatment options.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Hi and Welcome ,
Im sorry you find yourself here and dealing with cancer and amputation.
As you will see you have found a great support group with tons of information .
If your vet thinks Lynx is a good candidate for surgery then I would look at that and not his age. He is likely in pain and slowed down . Cats mask there pain incredibly well.
Its a awful decision to make. You are the only one who can make that decision.
We aren't pro amputation , we are pro quality of life here!
When you are faced with live or death and quality of life, the decisions become clearer. Your are already doing what you need to and gathering all the information to make the best decision possible for Lynx.
Our Purrkins is 6 with front leg amp. 4 months ago, due to soft tissue sarcoma. He is doing great on 3 legs. Cats adjust very well on 3 recovery is no picnic. After recovery you know you made the right decision .
Just wanted to let you know we support you no matter what you decide is best for Lynx.
Please let us know what the biopsy comes back as and what you decide.
Hugs
Holly & Purrkins
purrkins said
Hi and Welcome ,Im sorry you find yourself here and dealing with cancer and amputation.
As you will see you have found a great support group with tons of information .
If your vet thinks Lynx is a good candidate for surgery then I would look at that and not his age. He is likely in pain and slowed down . Cats mask there pain incredibly well.
Its a awful decision to make. You are the only one who can make that decision.
We aren't pro amputation , we are pro quality of life here!
When you are faced with live or death and quality of life, the decisions become clearer. Your are already doing what you need to and gathering all the information to make the best decision possible for Lynx.
Our Purrkins is 6 with front leg amp. 4 months ago, due to soft tissue sarcoma. He is doing great on 3 legs. Cats adjust very well on 3 recovery is no picnic. After recovery you know you made the right decision .
Just wanted to let you know we support you no matter what you decide is best for Lynx.
Please let us know what the biopsy comes back as and what you decide.
Hugs
Holly & Purrkins
Thanks to you all
I'm sorry to hear about your cat's cancer. There have been other older cats who have amputations, one I can remember is Jerry:
http://tripawds.....on-update/
In the above post he is now 15 years old and doing great.
One thing I'd consider is finding a very experienced surgeon who has done front let cat amputations. I think it's also wise to take the scapula so you can discuss that with the surgeon. Second opinions can't hurt.
Good luck with your decision. Please remember no matter what route you chose it's out of love for Lynx.
Hugs to you both,
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
kazann said
I'm sorry to hear about your cat's cancer. There have been other older cats who have amputations, one I can remember is Jerry:http://tripawds.....on-update/
In the above post he is now 15 years old and doing great.
One thing I'd consider is finding a very experienced surgeon who has done front let cat amputations. I think it's also wise to take the scapula so you can discuss that with the surgeon. Second opinions can't hurt.
Good luck with your decision. Please remember no matter what route you chose it's out of love for Lynx.
Hugs to you both,
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
Thank you. That is good to know. I also saw another old post where they had amputated limb for 16 yo cat who lived to be 19 and for dog who lived only 10 days. I think the difference was whether the cancer had already spread. I will post back once I get the biopsy results.
http://tripawds.....2/#p177662
Jimmi is 14 years old with osteosarcoma and lung mets they just joined us at the beginning of the month you might be interested in his story also.
Im sure if you posted there Bettina would answer you.
Adding to your research.
So Lynx got his biopsy results last night. he has fibroscarcoma of the forelimb. It is amenable to amputation. Cant's just remove it because wrapped around the bone. Am waiting for appointment with oncologist to discuss options. But aiming for amputation early next week Too bad his 15 yo sister hisses at him because he is ill; she keeps him upstairs when he could be sleeping downstairs. But I go up and visit him often obviously. Am thankful for this site.
You've gotten great advice and, as you can tell, your are not alone!!
This stupid piece of crap disease leaves us no choice but to take some really tough "forced choices" and hope for the best!
We often say "age is just a number"' around here, and it's more about how fit and healthy our lets seem and how much zest for life they seem to still have. That said, in my unprofessional opinion,age cannot be totally discounted as the scales can be tipped pretty quickly someimes wth very "mature" pets. Regardless of age, every surgery has unforseen risks.
Obviously, all of us here took that risk as we felt the need to at least TRY. We felt the need to give our pets a chance at a pain free life. So we move forward with no regrets because we make our decisions out of love...and that's always the right decision!!
Remember, Lynx doesn't care about days on a calendar. He just wants to continue to be loved and spoiled and out of pain. Lynx liives in the moment and has no worries! Take Lynx's lead a d make every day the best day ever!!
As far as sister, how 'bout putting her little cranky butt upstairs so Lynx can be downstairs!!?
Keep us posted!
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!
Lynx is so Handsome! Love his avatar picture !
I’m sorry on your diagnosis. Now that you know what your dealing with you can proceed. Let us know how oncology goes please.
We had the same problem with our Purrkins and his brother . Have you tried a pheromone diffuser? (Feliway MultiCat )
It helped us a number of times when they went thru the hissing and fighting stage.
You might need to separate them when Lynx comes home. I think everyone does things a little different depending on situation and if your there to supervise or not and how aggressive his sister is.
In our case it got better when Purrkins was in recovery.
Cats do sense sickness or weakness. That's there instinct of survival.
Listen to Sallys great advice !
Hugs to you both and to grumpy sister😉
Holly & Purrkins
Holly thank you for sharing Jimmi's story. Lynx's people, if you proceed with amputation, I think it would be great to continue his story in "Size and Age Matters." That way others can more easily find your story. I'd also love to profile senior Tripawd cats for the Tripawds News blog at some point, and am very interested in following along.
Anyhoo.....I'm sorry that you are faced with this situation. It's not easy, especially when it comes to senior cats. But you are doing all the right investigative work now, and you have a wonderful, knowledgeable community here you can bounce questions off of when you need to OK? Let us know what the oncologist says.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Is this a fibrosarcoma caused by a vaccination? If so, then amputation is the only way to deal with this aggressive cancer. You'll want to ask the oncologist if you can get wide enough margins and if further treatment such as radiation would be required. If caused by a vaccine the pharma company may pay for part of your costs.
I'm so sorry to hear this.
Lynx looks a bit like my tripawd Mona. Please keep in touch.
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
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