Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Just thought I'd share the story of my tripawd, Jet.
I got Jet a couple of months after his amp, so he was already mostly healed up. I've had him for about two years now, and he seems to be healthy and happy. He adjusted quickly to only having one back leg. Really his only difficulty early on was standing in the litter box, but since then his remaining back leg has strengthened, and he's also lost some weight, so not an issue now. His balance is fine (having a tail helps of course), except when he stretches (kinda sad and funny at the same time). Below is his back story.
From what I understand, Jet was someone's pet that escaped. I assume he was an indoor cat, as he had been declawed and neutered. But NOT chipped. A friend of a friend found him on their back porch and would feed him when he came by. There was a stretch where he didn't appear for about a week, and wnen he finally re-appeared his left rear leg was busted up. Not knowing what to do, they gave him to my friend Jeri, who is a big-hearted animal lover. Jeri has taken in many rescues, but almost all of them have been dogs! She had seven or eight dogs living in her modestly sized home, so poor Jet had to stay in her guest bathroom, else he get trampled (or possibly licked to death). As far as the leg, the vet attempted to save it, but it was just too damaged, so amp was the only option. I met Jeri one night for dinner to celebrate my birthday, and she told me about Jet. She showed me a picture, and he looked like such a sweetie. Sooo, a day or two later I texted her and asked "you still have tripod?" which she did and asked if I wanted him, and I had to say yes. But I told her no more! (She had also given me my other cat Jery, as a kitten, even though I wasn't really "in the market" for a cat). and I wasn't really in the market for a second cat either, but I couldn't resist, and I felt bad for him stuck in the batchroom with a house full of dogs! Anyway, she came over one day with Jet (in a massive dog crate lol), and I put him in a room by himself for a couple of days, trying to slowly introduce them to each other. He was very friendly to me and her, but she was not happy to share HER house. It took a few months for her to accept that he was here to stay. For a while she picked on him and followed him constantly, and he was mostly passive, but at some point he started turning the tables and going after her! So they aren't buddies, but they seem happy enough. I felt bad for him at first, being front declawed (she's not) and of course missing a leg; but he defends himself fine. And in fact is often the aggressor. The missing leg doesn't really seem to be much of a disadvantage.
So bottom line - he's a normal cat, just certain places he can't jump up on. He can jump up on chairs, so I have one by the bed, and some under windows. I did buy one set of stairs, which I'm really happy with (Armarkat is the brand). In my avatar you can see him sitting on the back of my futon, which he gets up and down from no problem. Also I keep the litter boxes in my bathtub, which he has no problem getting in and out of.
Hope ya'll enjoyed my story, and feel free to ask me any questions. Tripawds Rule!
Brad
Brad and Jet, welcome! Thank you so much for sharing your story about life on three legs. We are learning so much from all our fabulous feline members, and really appreciate your telling us how Jet is doing. He's SO lucky to find his way to you (must be the magic of the name "Jeri" π
Hey if you'd like to include some photos we'd sure love to see them. Here's a post about adding images to the Forums, let us know if you need any help posting OK?Β
Thanks again. Your future posts won't need approval so post away.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hey Brad, Jet certainly is a handsome fellow and lucky to have found Jeri's and now your home. I have a female front leg amputee, Mona, and a male cat, Eli. They have a funny relationship. She doesn't like him to touch her but will lie on top of him at the vet clinic. They really behave like siblings and when it comes down to it they are very protective of each other. Eli stood guard and watched over Mona for hours after she came home from her amputation.
I really can't remember what Mona was like before the amputation. Of course I can see the difference in how she has to work harder to move when compared to the grace and agility of Eli but it doesn't seem to stop her doing what she wants. I also have strategically placed chairs, tables, and boxes for Mona.Β
It's always great to hear there are other tripawds out there doing so well. It helps others to know that it's not anything to fear and our pets are very resilient.
Give your kitties lots of scratches from me,
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
What a great story, and Jet is beautiful!
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Β Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Β Lung mets August 25, 2016.Β Β Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Β Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.Β Β
Wherever they are, they are together.
Hi Brad and Jet,
Welcome & Thanks for sharing Jets story with us.
Jet sure is a handsome tuxedo kitty;) Glad you guys found each other and Jet is doing so well!
Our kitty Purrkins is 6 years old a front leg amp. He lost his left front left leg to cancer, he is almost 8 months post amp.
Purrkins shows us 3 legs are just as good as 4!
We have steps placed throughout the house , moved some furniture closer together, for him to get up and down to his favorite spots . We altered his litter box and put rugs down ,raised the food bowl.Β
He truly amazes us daily!
Purrkins brother is a Tuxedo kitty like your Jet.
Holly & Purrkins
Thank you so much for sharing your handsome Jet with us! What a very special fella'....and very kucky to have you as his human!!
Glad his "sibling" is starting to be a bit nicer to him. How could she not be nicer to him...he's an ADORABLE tripawd
Look forward to following more adventures with Jet...with pictures of course!
Hugs to all the kitty pack!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah 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!
That face!!!! OMC!!!! JET HAS THE CUTEST FACE!!!!! The markings....so.special! His eyes...gorgeous!! And Jerry is adorable too!! π
The video is great!! It really shows Jet can still play at lightning speed, no problem!! π
Delighted to see how welk Jet is doing! 'And thanks for the precious pictures!
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!
OMC you have 2 Tuxedo kitties you didn't say that. They are fantastic! Are they really intelligent and talkative?
Our tuxedo is a very talkative and too smart for his own good. Glad to hear Jet is doing so well and they are both at least tolerating each other! We use a multicat diffuser in our house when we have issues. If you haven't tried it yet, give it a try . I think you will see a pawsitiive difference between them. You can use it long term too.Β
Thanks for the pictures. They are too cute!
Holly & Purrkins
Thanks Sally!Β He is a cutie. (btw I have a sister who lives in Chesapeake)
And Holly, yes, I am blessed to have two tuxedos!Β Jery doesn't talk a lot, but Jet does.Β Hisses too! Like sometimes he'll be attacking that "S" scratcher (in the first picture. best purchase ever btw) or playing with a toy and he'll hiss.Β Is that unusual?Β
When you say "too smart for his own good", can you give me a sample/story?
Thanks for the tip on the multicat diffuser.Β I'll check it out next time I go to Petcosmart.Β Most of the time I think they're playing, but sometimes it gets out of hand.Β So far no injuries, just fur flying!Β But it does concern me.
Brad
Jet must have more to say then Jery;)
Jet Hissing or growling at his toy. Thatβs Jet being a proud catπΊ
Defending his prey. Thatβs his catch. His toy! If Jery would come near him he would get louder. Β Jet is making it known loud and clear that the toy(prey) is his!
We have had one fight here which did result in a injury and into the ER for the bite. That fight was due to a outside kitty coming and visiting and spraying our front door. Saxton is very territorial and Purrkins was his redirected aggression.
Not a day we want to ever repeat! Thatβs when we found the Feliway Multi-cat diffuser, they make others but this is the one I would recommend.
We tried the others in the past and we did not see results like we have with this one. Its been a huge help for us. I really think it will make a big difference.
Saxton(our tuxedo) talks more then any kitty we have had. He is a very vocal kitty. He greets us, talks for food, treats. talks to go outside, talks for most anything. Purrkins is not as vocal as Saxton.
Too smart for his own good meaning - he is a thinker & problem solver. If there is a will there is a way- Examples would be he loves going outside . He is a indoor only kitty with supervised outside time -he learned how to open the back screen door to let himself out! After that I would lock it. Then he went to the front glass door and found he could get out there too. Now everything has locks on it LOL
We had to put childsafe locks on all our kitchen and bathroom cupboards. They would both be after their food or treats or feather toys, Q-tips you name it in the cupboards.
Saxton has learned to sit, shake and stand for treats. He watches the TV and tries to figure out where those people or things are. He stands and paws the tv or computer screen.Tilts his head and tries to find them. He talks to the birds and critters outside. chirps too them.
We are on to him most of the time anymore. But I will never underestimate him. Thats to name a fewπ
Purrkins and Saxton are litter mates , they are alike in a few ways and different in most ways. Thatβs all good, we love them both for who they are!
Give Jet & Jery a good ear and chin scratch for us!
Holly, Purrkins and Saxton
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