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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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Charlie the cat - first day home after front amp
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Member Since:
8 August 2014
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10 August 2014 - 12:15 pm
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I am very grateful to find this forum and the blogs I have read that helped us come to the decision to give our tuxedo cat Charlie the best chance we could to be happy and healthy. Charlie's left front arm was amputated yesterday because of a growth on the bone that over a quick 2 week period was causing him debilitating pain. We will have the biopsy back sometime next week.
We were able to bring Charlie home this morning and I am thrilled at how wonderful he looks! I think he is much more comfortable than he was and it has barely been 24 hours since surgery. So thankful! We have him confined to a small pen on carpet and a blanket, with a very low litterbox and bed. Although I feel things are going better than I could have imaged in many ways, he has tried to move around and at this point he isn't able to ambulate well at all. I didn't expect that he would be able to yet, but it is still hard to see. And I am concerned that his awkward hop/flop could injure his good arm.
Any suggestions are appreciated. I worry about his good arm getting hurt. And I would really love to hear your experience the first days postop with ambulating, how it progressed, and when you finally felt all would be fine. Thank you!

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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10 August 2014 - 12:46 pm
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Pam, Matt & Charlie, welcome, we're so glad you joined. Your future posts won't need approval.

I'm hoppy to hear that Charlie is doing pretty well. Isn't it amazing how much better animals do as compared to humans? I know it's hard to see him all dopey and just getting his bearings again, but this will be temporary and before you know it he will be back to a new normal.

I assume you've seen our list of TriKitty bloggers right? Be sure to check it out, and if you want to help others by sharing Charlie's story in a blog, we can add you to that list too! And while I don't have direct experience going through amputation recovery of cats, what I can tell you is that based on our members' experience, cats bounce back very quickly without too much stress, even better than dogs! But don't tell the k9s I said that OK?! ;)

Hang tight, I know our Tripawds cat community will chime in real soon. I'm in the chat room for a few minutes if you want to stop by.

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



Member Since:
27 July 2014
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10 August 2014 - 1:39 pm
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Hi Pam, Matt and Charlie,

My kitty Mona had her front leg amputated on June 13th. The hardest part was when she was on pain medication (whacky behaviour), escaping the house for 26 hours a few days after surgery, and peeing in creative places (none being the litter box). Once the pain meds stopped it became easier and then way better for both of us when the staples and sutures were removed.

Initially Mona was sleeping a lot and would fall over when walking, but could she run fast! They have balance when going fast but walking is much harder. She did not injure her other leg and I assume it's unlikely.

I know one of the biggest challenges was cats who chewed at their stitches. Mona didn't, she didn't need a cone, so watch out for that. Others trikitty parents will have points, such as dressing the cat up in really cute outfits. Mona scratched at the drain sometimes so I'd soothe it with a wet cloth and she was fine.

I see Mona's progress weekly and I suspect it's because she's getting a stronger core and front leg. She can jump high but she's not doing that this past week because I think it hurts to jump down on one leg when she just about does a face plant. I've seen her adapt the way she comes down and she's getting very creative. 

For me the worst is over and it will be for you soon. I'm focused on her rehab (massage, Power Mushrooms, and potentially a joint supplement).

All of the tripawd kitties share similar challenges and successes. Let us know how we can help. I've learned a lot from the dogs also. One big difference is that dogs seem to whine when in pain (big babies) while cats don't show they are in pain (the strong silent type). Mona seemed to become more agitated when it was time for her next dose of pain medication.

Kerren and Mona

Member Since:
1 August 2014
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10 August 2014 - 5:48 pm
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Welcome to the family no one wanted to have to join. I know I was very distraught when I found out my kittty would have to lose her leg.but she's done wonderfully. Glad Charlie is doing well so far. You should post a picture of the handsome boy! How old is he?

Smore had her front leg amputated July 17th, and she just revently celebrated her 3 week ampuversary. The night i brought her home she jumped up on her box that is her bed. She also jumped down. At some point she also got the box overturned on top of her. She stopped jumping on it then, and to my knowledge hasnt climbed anything since. So I don't think you need to be too concerned about him breaking his leg. I haven't heard any of the trikitties having that problem.

what medicines is he taking? That affects their ability to move too. Is he wearing a cone? Smore had a lot of problems with the cone and couldn't walk well at all. Her bandages wouldn't stay, so I put a dog shirt on her and sewed up the aemhole. She's only 4 months or so and weighed 4 pounds preamputation,so the onesies that most other front leg amputees wear were too big.

hugs from Tina, Smore, and Pebbles

Tina and Smore

(with the spirit of Pebbles watching from the Rainbow Bridge)

 

Smore is my tripawd kitty who adopted me one summer evening. She had an injury to her front left leg and had to have her leg removed July 17th. She was only 3 or 4 months old at the time. Now she moves faster than some four legged cats!

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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10 August 2014 - 9:44 pm
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Just want to say welcome and, as youcan see, you are not aone!
You've gotten great advice from two of our recent "amptees", mona and Smore.

I know this is a scary time, but you have given Charlie a pain free quality life and for that, he is eternally grateful!

Try and get some rest, okay?He may bea little whacky and not toocomfortable the next few days!

Sally and Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle

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!

New York, NY
Member Since:
3 December 2012
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10 August 2014 - 10:03 pm
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Hello Charlie and Family!

My Kitty is Jill and she is 20 months (on Tuesday) post amputation for bone cancer! It sounds like Charlie is doing great so far!  Please let me know if you have any questions at all - I'm super busy at work right now so I don't have much time to check the forums but please send me a private message if you have any questions!! Here's to a quick great recovery for Charlie and good biopsy results!!

xoxo,

Erica & Jilly Kitty

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

Westminster, MD
Member Since:
31 August 2013
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10 August 2014 - 10:21 pm
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Hello,
While I personally do not have a Tripawd kitty, my Tripawd here was my sweet Lab Polly. With that said, I do have cats of my own as well as dogs, but I do have a bit of experience with several Tripawd kitties while working for my veterinary hospital a few years back. We had many come in for various reasons to have amps, from cancer to one even being run over by a large lawn mower....... Everyone of them, after a bit of healing, got around better than anything I had ever seen. Most lost rear legs, but all the amps could still do everything they did with all 4 legs. They were amazing. In my opinion, I truly think cats get around so much better than dogs due to their smaller, compact size. So try not to worry too much about Charlie getting back on his 3 feet. He will do fine.

The best thing is, Charlie will be much more comfortable and without pain. Keep us updated on him, and with his biopsy results,

Bonnie & Angel Polly

Member Since:
8 August 2014
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10 August 2014 - 10:25 pm
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Thank you for the wonderful replies! It sure helps to know there are others who have gone through the same experience. It has been a very busy day taking care of Charlie! We had to change the whole stay in the pen thing and fix our room where Charlie couldn't get under the bed. I didn't want him going where I couldn't keep an eye on him or reach him. So for now, at least when we are in the room to watch him (which we will try to be a lot for awhile) he has more free rein and is quite happy about that big-blink He has walked more with his extra space and I am amazed and thankful that he is getting better at it with practically every step big-grin

Kerren, it sounds like Mona has recovered so well! I am looking forward to Charlie being off the pain meds. They do seem to cause him to be quite out of it. So far he has no interest in his stitches, but I did put a shirt on him just in case.

Tina, Smore is sure a tiny little thing! Charlie is a tuxedo and is 10-1/2 years old. I tried to change my avatar to his picture but wasn't successful. I will try again tomorrow! Charlie is on Onsior and a heavy duty oral pain med whose name I can't think of right now. He has been pretty out of it today, but at least seems comfortable.

I am sure tomorrow will bring new challenges and more questions. Thank you so much for being here to ask!

Member Since:
22 July 2014
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11 August 2014 - 12:41 am
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My Kender just had her rear leg amputated on 7/31. She's a 14 yo gray tabby. I brought her home the same evening since there was no after hours care at my vet. The first 2 days were the hardest to watch since she was still pretty drugged from surgery. I had her confined to a pretty small space with a collapsible dog enclosure the first couple days, then expanded it for a couple days and finally just let her have the whole spare room. I think she was ready for it sooner than I let her ;) So I bet Charlie is happy to have the extra space in your room. She hops around great now. I saw her run for the first time today even (she hates running haha). Hoping the rest of Charlie's recovery is smooth sailing! I bet he'll be back to himself in no time :)

~Melinda and Tri-Kitty Angel Kender

Follow Kender's story here

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13 August 2014 - 2:05 pm
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Thanks to all of you for your encouragement! It is greatly appreciated! Today is Charlie's 4th day at home after surgery on Saturday. He was on Onsior (last pill Monday) and Buprenex .2 ml every 12 hours (he is 15 pounds). He has been so out of it that for the most part I was bringing him his food and water. I certainly don't mind at all, but I wasn't sure if his sleepiness was the pain med or he was still in pain or not feeling well. I decided not to give him his Buprenex last evening. He was more alert later in the evening which made me happy. I thought perhaps that meant he was feeling at least okay and the pain meds were the cause of his looking pretty miserable. But during the night last night, he woke up twice in an absolute panic with his tail all poofed up. He was trying desperately to get underneath anything he could. I was trying to hold him and reassure him. He really could have hurt himself. He has been resting all day today, and it just happened again. I feel so badly for him. I just gave him a dose of the Buprenex because I am afraid he is in pain. Has anyone experienced these sudden panic episodes with their pet after surgery? Do you think pain causes them or know of anything else that might? He has never had this happen before.

Pam and Charlie

Member Since:
22 July 2014
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13 August 2014 - 2:16 pm
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It sounds like it could maybe be phantom limb/nerve pain :( Hopefully the Buprenex helps keep it at bay. It's hard to balance out pain meds in pets since they can't tell us when it hurts, but we also don't want to unnecessarily dope them up. Kitty also tend to not show pain until it gets really bad. It took me a few days to catch on after her pain patch was off, but I noticed Kender was way less active when her pain started to increase. If I kept waiting after that, she'd get more obvious by growling low when I'd touch her and stuff. Usually within an hour of getting her meds, she'd perk back up.

~Melinda and Tri-Kitty Angel Kender

Follow Kender's story here

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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13 August 2014 - 9:01 pm
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Hi Pam. Sorry to hear about the scary episode. It's so hard because like Melinda said, you have to find that balance between just the right amount of relief to avoid episodes like that, versus using way too much. I'm not a vet but I'm guessing that maybe it was too drastic of a move to stop the Buprenex (some meds you have to wean off). Stay on top of the pain by giving the meds as instructed, and discuss a change of meds routine with your vet, who should be able to come up with a good strategy for both weaning her off the meds while keeping pain under control. Let us know what they suggest OK?

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



Member Since:
27 July 2014
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13 August 2014 - 11:04 pm
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I believe my cat Mona was more active and had strange behaviours when she was in pain. In fact one day she body-checked her way out of a wood screen door and went missing for 26 hours (3 or 4 days after surgery). This happened when the next dose of pain medication was due.

I came to realize it is better for Mona to sleep while healing. At least I knew where she was.

I think Jerry's advice is wise to continue with the medication until the vet suggests something different. This is the most difficult time but it will get better and before you know it the stitches will be out and Charlie will get stronger every day.

Kerren and Mona

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8 August 2014
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13 August 2014 - 11:33 pm
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Right now I am lying on the floor of my closet near to Charlie. I don't want to leave his side. He has had 4 or 5 more episodes, but if I comfort him immediately it seems to really help. I spoke to the surgeon late this afternoon. He said to continue the Buprenex and he is going to call a compounding pharmacy in the morning regarding Gabapentin. I hope we can find something to help him recover more comfortably. I will let you know.

Pam and Charlie

On The Road


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24 September 2009
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14 August 2014 - 6:58 am
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Awww Charlie. I'm glad your Momma's touch can help you feel better.

Pam, I hope the gaba helps. As an accompaniment or holistic alternative to gaba, one thing that we found a while back that many people are swearing by is a product called Farabloc. It's a "EMF Shield blanket" that many have found works to treat phantom pain in humans and dogs. We haven't seen any feline testimonials on it yet, but I imagine that if it works for some dogs it could work for some cats too. Just a thought.

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

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