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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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spindle cell sarcoma diagnosis on front cat limb
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Member Since:
23 July 2015
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23 July 2015 - 10:03 am
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Hi,

I just got the diagnosis of my 6 year old cat today that the lump on the wrist of his front right leg is cancerous and will keep growing. Amputation is highly recommended and I am nervous about it. Everything in my logical mind says its the right decision but I feel bad having to put him through the surgery. I also am worried about adaptation with his age and he is slightly overweight. The vet and I are currently discussion if we should leave the scapula or not. Does anyone have any recommendations or tips to get through the recovery. I'm not worried about the surgery because I am a Vet Tech and will be there by his side the whole time but I am worried about his mental state following and adapting. 

 

Thanks so much!

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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23 July 2015 - 12:45 pm
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Hello and welcome. Your future posts won't need approval so post away.

I'm so sorry about your kitty. What's his name? A cancer diagnosis is scary and amputation is equally so, but if you take a look at our list of Tripawds Kitty Bloggers, you'll see that there is most definitely life after losing that bad leg. You'll also see that we have cat members who are far older and with existing issues, and they handled amputation like nopawdy's business! In fact, don't tell our canine friends, but cats handle it much better than dogs do!

I know it's scary for sure, but with your background and the relationship you have with your vet, things are gonna be OK. He's a lucky kitty to have you. The best thing you can do right now is to keep calm, breathe and know that our animals are reflections of our emotions. What you project, he will sense, and project back to you. So the more pawsitive and hopeful you can be, he will too. I know it sounds a little hooey but it's true 🙂

Stay tuned, our other kitty members will join in soon and give you their valuable feedback.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Green Bay, WI


Member Since:
18 May 2014
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23 July 2015 - 9:21 pm
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Hi, we talked on the phone this morning,,,,I'm glad you joined and are posting in the forums. Make sure you check out the kittie blogs, I'm sure that will help you. As for the scapula question? My Dobe had the whole thing removed, I don't really know the pros and cons of this, hopefully someone else will. As for recovery, again I only have dog insights; I don't know if the recoveries are similar for dog vs cat. You've come to the best place there is for help and support through this journey. Good luck, and keep us updated.

Paula and Nitro

Nitro 11 1/2  yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms.  Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"

http://nitro.tripawds.com

"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior

On The Road


Member Since:
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24 July 2015 - 8:03 am
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dobemom said
As for the scapula question? My Dobe had the whole thing removed, I don't really know the pros and cons of this, hopefully someone else will.

Not sure if it's the same for kitties but here is a post about scapular vs non-scapular amputations:

Partial vs. Full Leg Amputation for Pets, What's Better?

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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24 July 2015 - 10:00 am
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Just want you to know we are all by your side on this journey. And goodness knows we u understand the uncertainty and fears like no others can.

I was an absolute wreck trying to make the decision for my dog, Happy Hannah (osteosarcoma). Once I FINALLY decided on surgery, I cancelled the first appointment! During recovery I thought I jad made a horrible decision! Could not believe I had done this TO my dog, putting her "through all this"! But once that sparkle came back bigger and brighter than before, I knew I had done this FOR her and knew it was a GREAT DECISION!

We jave some wonderful kitty moms here who can share their specific recovering advice. Cats really do figure things out wuickly and get right back to being their feisty selves!

Stay connected and let us know how things are going. You are not alone, okay?

((((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))))

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!



Member Since:
27 July 2014
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24 July 2015 - 8:15 pm
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I'm sorry to hear your cat has cancer. It is a scary diagnosis but in some cases amputation can save a cat's life. My kitty Mona had her front leg amputated June 2014 and she has done well. The pathology report showed the margins were huge and it's likely that the cancer has not spread.

Mona had is little round belly and my vet has not indicated she is overweight but I know it is important to help keep her weight down. I also set up boxes next to high places so her remaining leg does not take too much of a pounding when jumping down.

Of course I was sad and cried that she needed to lose her leg but also felt blessed that the removal would save her life. Not all pet parents have this option. In reality it has not changed her life - she is still happy and loves to sleep, to cuddle in the morning and receive her daily brushes. I admire her resilience and zest for life. I've learned a lot from her. I call it the School of Mona.

Initially the vet was not going to remove her scapula but the big city surgeons said it must it must go. I'm not sure why but perhaps it was to ensure wide margins. She looks fine without it and I don't know why it would be useful to keep it.

If you read some of the cat blogs you'll find they adapt very well. Let us know how it goes.

Kerren and Tripawd Mona


Member Since:
23 July 2015
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27 July 2015 - 8:47 am
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Thank you everyone for such kind words! I am starting to feel much better about the decision I have made and everyone I have spoken with agrees. His surgery is scheduled for tomorrow and I am trying to figure out if there is anything that I need to get to have for him once he comes home. Any suggestions? Jerry, thank you for the link. It helped and I have decided to remove the scapula. Dobemom thanks for the help the other day on the phone!!! benny55 thank you for the support and reflection on your journey. kazann thank you for a story that is similar to mine, it's extremely helpful.

Norene, TN
Member Since:
21 October 2014
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27 July 2015 - 10:51 am
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kazann said
 . . . School of Mona.

I love that! And how true!

Howdy and welcome! So sorry to hear about your fur-baby's diagnosis, but God bless you for being his pawrent! The fact that you're asking all the right questions and feeling all the right emotions ensures that he'll get the best care. Keep on asking those questions!! The more you ask, the better you'll feel and the better caretaker you'll be during his recovery.

Get plenty of rest and stay centered. When you need us, we're just a "click" away.

Pam

Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.

"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."

- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey



Member Since:
27 July 2014
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27 July 2015 - 9:01 pm
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All the best for the surgery tomorrow. There are a few things to get ready for when he comes home:

  • set up a quiet space so he isn't tempted to race around. Mona slept on a bath mat under a shelf in a closet. She chose this space and it worked well. To get her out I'd slide the mat out. Cats like cozy hiding spaces while healing but under the bed isn't a good space because he'd be hard to reach.
  • put the litter box in the same room. They advise using dust free litter so I bought Yesterday's News. Big mistake. Mona went everywhere but the litter box. When I dug the old, used litter out of the garbage then she used the box.
  • the vet sent Mona home with canned kitten food. Mona loved it. Because it's wet she didn't drink much water.
  • Ensure you get really good instructions on the medication. Since you're a vet tech this part will be easy for you. This was the worst part for Mona and I.
  • Mona didn't need a collar. I would use a warm and cold baby facecloth as a compress on her stitches. That seemed to soothe any desire she had to scratch.
  • When he's awake he may start to be more interested in being brushed or cuddled. The vet took Mona to his house the first night. On the second night I slept in the same room as her and part way through the night she came on the bed and cuddled up.
  • Sleep when you can and ask for help. It is stressful but it's also an incredible bonding experience. He will amaze you.

Let us know if you have any more questions once he's home.

Kerren and Tripawd Mona

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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28 July 2015 - 11:31 pm
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Just checkingnin and letting you know we are all thinking of you and kitty!

Youve gotten great advice from Kerren on how to prepare.

Sending lots of hugs!

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!

aj
11
1 November 2016 - 9:02 am
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I am sorry to hear this. My cat is 10 yrs old and also was diagnosed with  a large tumor on hind leg, but pretty high up. Because these sacomas (from a vaccine injection site) grow with may legs, my vet did not take most out for the biopsy. He was worried about the muscles and other things that made it hard to remove more. From research, it was found that without aggressive removal, the end result is pretty bad for this fast growing tumor. He suggested chemo since amputation of her leg was no guarantee that some of the remaining tumor would certainly start to grow back.

We have decided to not amputate or put this animal through 4-6 months of chemo. I prefer to let the cat have what time he has left to be happy. It is a hard decision to make. I still blame the vet industry because they were all made aware of this since the 1990's, but yet continue to give injections in the same spot, nor do many use the newer vaccines that come without "additives." No one informed me of this when we first got the cat. I found this out on my own from researching this on the internet. We had used "Love my Pet" for her annual vaccines. Now they are out of business as of last year and I don't know how to get my cat's medical records from them. They have been replaced by a company called VetCo. I would beware of their low cost vaccines as well. They simply travel from pet store to pet store to give shots.  They have no location to go to. Very skeptical.  This should be a crime, my opinion.

I wish you the best, but my cat's situation,I just can't see her suffering for so many months and still not having a good outcome in the end. Most of these tumors will never be completely removed with amputation.

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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1 November 2016 - 12:12 pm
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Thanks for the feedback AJ. Please consider registering to take full advantage of the many resources the Tripawds Community has to offer!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Michigan


Member Since:
11 July 2016
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1 November 2016 - 4:44 pm
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Hi , Im sorry your here and dealing with cancer and the amputation. I am just now seeing you joined and your kitty must of had his surgery already? 

Our 6 year Purrkins had his front left leg and shoulder amputated 3 months ago due to soft tissue sarcoma on his wrist.
Our surgeon said he was taking the shoulder and that it would be easier for Purrkins without the shoulder.

Purrkins has adjusted to his life on 3 legs very well and he is the same kitty he was. I do notice he tires easier but that is the only difference. 

We are working on his weight and trying to lose a little to make his life easier. 

You can work on his weight after recovery. 

We added steps to his favorite window perches ,our bed and sofa/coffee table, raised the food and water bowl, moved some furniture closer together , added rugs and floor mats.

Recovery isnt easy you will see a big difference after he is off pain meds and the stitches come out.

I hope all went well !!!! and please ask if you have any more questions. We will all try to help.

Holly and Purrkins

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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1 November 2016 - 6:51 pm
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Aww Holly! You are so supportive and resonsive to our "kitty" family. AJ has actually bumped up an old thread started in July 2025.

AJ's post is Nov 1 2016.

I hope you have a moment to respond specifically to AJ as I know you, as well as Kitty Mona will have some insight in to the specific situation.

AJ....I do hope you'll start a topic. AND, I hope you'll consider a SECOND OPINION! Regardless of your decision, we absolutely support you!

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!

Michigan


Member Since:
11 July 2016
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1 November 2016 - 7:05 pm
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Oh ok Sally thank you! I try to give back! I dont know how you guys do this omg. I used to watch off the dashboard so this is new way of watching and looking is new 😳 Only have so many hours do the best I can.

Will respond to AJ and hopefully Ill see it if they start new thread . 

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