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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Just found out my sweet Midnight (13 years old) has to have her left rear leg amputated because of vaccine fibrosarcoma. I'm so upset and not sure exactly what to do. I would love any feedback from someone that has experienced this same tragic event.
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Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Im so sorry you are here and dealing with this.
We just had another member join in the last few days with the same diagnosis.
I know Kerren ,Mona's Mom will chime in this is her blog . Mona was her front leg.
You will find a lot of great information there.
Our 6 year old kitty Purrkins lost his front leg due to Soft tissue Sarcoma 3 months ago.
Holly & Purrkins
So sorry to hear about your sweet Midnight. It's heartbreaking to get that kind of news, however, it is NOT the end of the world for Midnight! Not by a lo g shot! I know it feels like it though.
We all understand the panic, the fear, the uncertainty, the tears, the lack of sleep, ...heah, we get it! We also understand that, once you do your research here, once you read the stories of hope and success from other kitty moms on this journey, you will feel much more calm a d certain about where to go from here.
Yes, Kerren, Mona's mom is all too well aware of the vaccine related cause for amputation. What everyone can tell you, regardless of the cause, is that tri-kitties do reallh, really well in three legs! Make no mistake about it, recovery is no picnic and it does take a bit of time to adjust to three legs. Midnight's sparkle WILL come back once that painful leg is gone!
And yes, we've had "senior" kitties bounce back too. All Midnight cares about is being pain free, getting ear scratches and chin rubs, and getting all his favorite treats all the time!
Our kitty tripawd members will share a ton of information on how to he@p Midnight rest and recuperate, use the litter box, "jump" up to his favorite spots, giving him meds, etc.
STAY CONNECTED! We are here to help you thrpugh this rough spot! Would love to see photos of Midnight!
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 to hear another cat got cancer from a vaccine. They say its rare. I say its under-reported. You are the second one this week that joined this site and is having a rear leg amputation due to a vaccine. The other person is Amanda and her cat Brandy had the amputation yesterday, here's her forum: http://tripawds.....n-tuesday/
The good news is that the vaccine was administered in the leg rather than the scruff of the neck (those are difficult to remove). If your vet believes Midnight is healthy enough for an amputation then there should be no problem with Midnight living well on 3 legs.
Mona is not, nor has she ever been an athletic cat but she gets around quite well and has an a great attitude. She's feisty and confident and even enjoys going to the vet clinic.
Read the forums and blogs and let us know if you have any questions. I can probably help with information on vaccine-associated fibrosarcomas and amputation recovery (from Mona's point of view). There are other cat members here who will share their experiences which is great because no two cats are alike.
Are you going through with the amputation or still trying to decide?
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
Thanks so much for all the replies and encouragement. I'm not sure how to upload a picture of her.
We are waiting for the pathology report to make sure it is cancer. My vet feels very strongly that it is cancer and we have the surgery scheduled for Monday, Oct 31st. I really think it is the best thing however it worries me on how she will adjust.
Hi and welcome.
Here is how you add images to your forum posts.
I'm sorry you are facing amputation for your beautiful girl Midnight. We had another rear leg kitty fighting cancer- the amazing Jill. Here is her blog. Jill had osteosarcoma and has crossed the bridge but lived large for several years. She was even a black and white (tuxedo I think?).
I've had two small rear amp dogs, a pug girl Maggie who lost a leg to cancer and my current Tripawd a pug mix named Elly who was hit by a car at 7 months old. I've had Elly since she was 10 months old and she flies around like any dog her age. Maggie took a little longer to get used to things but she did and she hopped happily though life for almost 4 years.
Keep us posted on the path report and surgery schedule.
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
I wanted to let you know about a blog they put together on cancer caused by vaccines:
http://tripawds.....coma-cats/
Another kitty, Little Man, also had his rear leg amputated.
By the way, Midnight is very pretty with her white whiskers.
Kerren
Vet called this afternoon and pathology report is not conclusive. The vaccine was from Merial Drug and was for leukemia. We plan to take Midnight in Monday for a larger sample for another pathology report. I know this is delaying the surgery but my husband and I want to make sure of the diagnosis before we amputate the leg.
Did you have a needle done or biopsy done. I'm only asking because needle biopsies a lot of times come back inconclusive.
We also did needle biopsy first which came back inconclusive. The vet said to do a wait and see approach on the lump. We did and it changed and went back for the surgical biopsy . Which did give us a diagnosis
Purrkins had a soft tissue sarcoma.
By the way Midnight is a beauty. We have Purrkins brother who is a tuxedo kitty like Midnight. Very intelligent and talkative those tuxedos;)
Ohhhh boy... this is frustrating. As Purrkins said many needle biopsies are inconclusive. Are they doing a wedge biopsy now? I must commend your vet for recognizing VAS as a possibility since many vets don't.
My cat's lump grew very quickly. It did not fit into what my vet thought it could be and when he concluded it was possibly a vaccine associated fibrosarcoma (VAS) he amputated the next day because the cancer was obviously aggressive. There was no biopsy done before the amputation.
Your cat's lump could be very different. Here is a short article on what to do about a suspicious lump:
http://felineas.....sLump.html
Until you get the results of the next biopsy, you might consider putting Midnight on an anti-inflammatory, here's an article to consider:
http://felineas.....arcoma.htm
Is Midnight limping at all? If so, she's in pain and you could discuss this with the vet. The main question I would ask the vet is that if the lump is not VAS then what could it be and can they do surgery to remove the lump.
In the meantime you can let this go and love that lovely cat of yours.
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
Kerren you always give great suggestions, thanks!
Well I agree, better to know what you're dealing with first. I too am curious what kind of biopsy it was.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
What a beauty! I'm so sorry you're joining this particular club, but also glad you've found this place. It's been a life saver for me....people are probably sick of reading that, but it's true. Me and my pal, Harry, are three weeks post-amputation today and I really can't believe that is all. I hope, if amputation is the route you need to take, that your journey is as smooth as mine has been so far (knocking on wood it stays that way) .
I'm certainly no expert, but would second the recommendation for discussing pain management in the mean-time, especially if Midnight is limping at all.
Beyond that, know that you're not alone and that if you have any questions or worries there are people here who are happy to support you.
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