Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
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I can second what Jenn and Sebastien said. Vinny definitely didn't need me 24/7 to care for him after surgery. In fact, he probably would have gone crazy if I tried! Cats are naturally independent - they always need time alone, even after surgery. 🙂
I brought Vinny home from his surgery on a Friday and stayed with him that night, and then I went out and did errands for several hours on Saturday afternoon like normal, and he was fine. And I was back to work on Monday. For the first couple days when he was alone, I left him in the safe zone I created for him, where he couldn't jump anywhere or get into any kind of trouble. For me, it was just my walk-in closet. Others have a different set up, and a crate is fine too, for a few hours at a time. After a couple days, Vinny was doing well, so I really didn't feel confining him was necessary and I let him roam free when I was out. Mind you, I don't have any stairs in my home, and we live in an apartment, so there is not too far for him to go. If I had stairs, and/or a bigger house where there was more opportunity for him to get into trouble, I may have just simply confined him for longer. It depends on your circumstances.
And I agree that keeping his e-collar on at all times when you don't have 100% attention on him is important too.
He'll need your love and care, but not constantly, so I wouldn't stress about it! 
Love Vinny and his human, KJ! <3 xox
Check out Vinny Boy's progress - PrinceVince.tripawds.com
I dont have kids either but I can definitely tell you that Jill did not need 24/7 supervision once she came home. Does your vet have overnight care? If so by the time she comes home she'll probably be just really sleepy and not need to be looked at 24 hours a day. I took two weeks off of work (I had a lot of time built up and it was over the holidays anyway) and that was WAY MORE than was needed. Looking back I wouldve been fine with a day or two. Kittys really are pretty independent and just want to sleep!
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
That's such a relief to hear! Luckily, we don't have any stairs. And I got the spare room pretty well.cleared out so she'll have a place to be away from the kids, other cat and dog. And she's definitely not a runner haha...she doesn't even run away from the kids! The older kiddo used to put her through quite a lot because Kender is so tolerant (and too lazy to escape) but she has been really good about leaving her alone ever since we noticed the problem with her leg. She pets Kender if she's around now, but otherwise leaves her be. So hopefully that won't be an issue post-op. I think the worst that will happen is she'll constantly be bugging me to check on her to make sure she's ok 
I'm not sure on overnight care at the vet yet...that's one of the questions I have for her.
I just need to remind myself that just because I would want constant companionship and comforting after such an ordeal, doesn't mean that she would! I'm sure she'll just be glad to have space away from everyone else while she heals.
~Melinda and Tri-Kitty Angel Kender
Follow Kender's story here
I'll second or third or fourth the unnecessary constant attention I gave to Steve. I was home from work due to a severe illness, so Steve and I were sorta taking care of each other. I had Steve home the day of surgery since her surgery was done at the humane society. She was dopey for the first few hours and was perfectly fine being confined to my dog's crate. I put a little bit of food and water and a litter box with Yesterday's News litter (very important not to use regular litter!!) in the crate and left her alone. The next day she was begging and crying to get out and get back to regular cat duties. I set up a baby gate so she could have just the bedroom with the dog crate, food, water, and litter...but she knocked the gate down and headed into the living room. I confined her back into just the crate. The next day, I used the baby gate to give her the bedroom and the living room...but she knocked the gate down again!!
I would say, stick to a confined space with solid boundaries. If Kender has the boldness of Steve, don't even bother with a baby gate
! But a confined space with solid boundaries, not removing the e-collar until the sutures come out, and a dust free litter option are really all you're going to need. 24/7 attention is not at all necessary
Right rear leg amp due to injury from unknown cause (but don't tell her she's missing her spare...yes HER!)
Read our blog here: http://stevetheprettytripawdkitty.tripawds.com/
And find Steve's new Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/stevetheprettytripawdkitty
Melinda P said
I just need to remind myself that just because I would want constant companionship and comforting after such an ordeal, doesn't mean that she would! I'm sure she'll just be glad to have space away from everyone else while she heals.
Exactly! Animals are the complete opposite when it comes to recovery. Usually they just want to be left alone to heal, whereas people want lots of tea & sympathy. You are on the right track, keep it up!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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