Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello! New to the forum but not cats or veterinary medicine. However, new to tripods 🙂
Whisker Butt is a colony kitty who I've been taking care of for almost 3 years. In may he came home w/ a dislocated left shoulder. Popped that sucker back in while trying to take xrays. Stayed inside on meds and released a week later. Fast forward 3 weeks (6/5) and it's out again. Popped it in under heavy sedation but it didn't stay, so in came the discussion of amputation vs fixing. Let me say now, I work in veterinary medicine. Emergency/critical care/speciality. I have a great group of doctors supporting me. (I see pateints post-every horrible injury you can imagine every day so i don't have a weak stomach.....just a heart lol )HOW EVER, Whisker Butt is not covered under my employee pet benefits. Anything we chose to do would be out of pocket. Work doc would fix for $3k, other vet would chop off for $1k. I have my own medical bills to settle, along w/ a mesenteric lymphoma cat, so we had to go w/ the cheaper (and more guarantee option. Doing another $3k surgery was just not going to be able to happen) solution. I had to go handle some paperwork w/ my day vet yesterday and had to make a quick decision. Either today or 2 weeks from now.....I chose today. He hadn't been using the leg much (although did put pressure on it occasionally)and just seemed sooooo sad. I couldn't hope for another last minute cancelation or make him wait any longer.
We got home about an hour ago, fenentyl patch & buprenorphine on board. Onisor and clavamox to start tonight. He HATES the cone of shame and will almost alligator roll when it's on. He hasn't shown an interest in food or water yet, but it’s not even 12hr post op. He's in the back room, hiding under the bed and being high as a kite. He did growl at me a bit, which he's never done.
My roomie is having a hard time seeing WB like this. He gets very emotional and can't even be in the same room as WB. I get it, I do, but ugh. My heart is breaking for them both.
So, I guess what i'm asking is....what now? Did I make the right choice? Should I take him to work tomorrow to keep an eye on him (roomie will be home all day)? When can I expect my sweet Whisker Butt to be back to his normal self? I thought I knew that his would be the best decision, that I knew what I was in for, but I just feel so helpless seeing him so upset. If he would let me, i'd just lay in bed and snuggle him all night.
Hi and welcome! We are in the Tripawds Chat Room right now if you want to talk. Back in a sec...
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Aw
jerry said
Hi and welcome! We are in the Tripawds Chat Room right now if you want to talk. Back in a sec...
Thank you. I was trying to figure this all out on my tablet last night and kept getting lost.
First, you are a pawsome advocate for Whisker Butt! What a lucky kitty to have someone in the vet field looking out for him.
I'm going to guess that what I say isn't something you already know based on your experience. Yeah, it is so hard to see our animals not being themselves. But try to remember that it's the pain medication, not WB, that is causing the behavior. The fact that he's high as a kit is a good thing really, because the great pain medication he's receiving will help him heal faster. Sometimes pain meds can cause side effects like extra anxiety, so if you feel that WB might be better off with a lower dose, talk to the vet about adjusting the dosages. Oftentimes that's all a recovering Tripawd needs. If you can get an anti-anxiety rx for him that could help too. His appetite and thirst should return soon but if not let the vet know at the 12 hour mark.
Also, have you considered replacing the cone of shame with another tool to prevent licking the wound? Lots of folks here use baby onsies to cover up the area.
Would transporting WB to work be more stressful than leaving him home? If he's not freaked out too much by being moved it might be better to have him near you than your roommate. Animals sense our worry and anxiety and reflect it back at us. Recovering animals do best when the humans around them stay strong and confident. If your roommate isn't capable of that, then yeah, he might be better with you all day.
Stay strong, your sweetie WILL get there. The first few days can be rough but you can both get through this!
By the way be sure to check out our TriKitty News Blog posts for some tips and inspawration. Thanks for registering as a member, your future posts won't need approval.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
hbobh said
AwThank you. I was trying to figure this all out on my tablet last night and kept getting lost.
The Tripawds Start Here page is a good place to learn how to get around our community.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Whisker Butt seems to be doing a lot better this morning. He still hates his cone but is starting to get around a bit better. Was hopping around the bed begging for loves and noms. He ate a bit before i had to head off to work.Gonna swing by target and look for a baby shirt later today.
Looking into getting some stairs so that when he does have free-reign of the house (after suture come out in 10 days) i don't want him to hurt himself jumping onto my bed (it's a platform plus box spring plus mattress so a good 3 or 4 feet tall). Does anyone have any recommendations?
I will try this again. Did all that and poof gone? If this goes twice I apologize?
Hi & Welcome
We pm'd earlier on the baby onesie. I wondered if you posted in the forums, somehow I missed this?
First you did not make a wrong decision!! The first day home is tough! I would block off under your bed ! Stuff comforters, pillows whatever under it so WB does not go back under the bed. Block it off so there is no way WB will get under it.
We used a spare bedroom for Purrkins to recover in. We put the bed on floor so Purrkins would not get under the bed! Every cat tends to go straight under the bed if given the chance! That is not the best place for WB or for your roommate to be able to access him at med time. Purrkins chose the closet to recover in. I just rigged him a little bed in there and that works great!
Is there somewhere in the room you can make a little safe spot for WB to be & still be able to access him?
Is your roommate better today with seeing WB ? I know its not easy the first day is the worst. It will get easier. I think you & your roommate will see a change right away when the cone comes off & you use the onesie or t-shirt! Your roommate will probably cope easier with the onesie/tshirt on too?
What did you decide on transporting WB? That would really depend WB personality. I think whats most important is that he has a space he feels safe to recover in! That someone will be able to get to him calmly at med time. If you took him to work is there somewhere there you could make a little den for him? A cage with a blanket over it? Carrier?
We always say recovery is no picnic! It can be a roller coaster! But you have to know this is temporary and you will get thru this! You have the pain medicine and I agree with Jerry if the meds were given on time then what your seeing is a side effect of the pain meds. We were sent home with different meds Buprenorphine & gabapentin ! As for stairs for the bed that is great thinking! We have several sets for Purrkins.
We got this set on Amazon Amarkat pet steps for cats and dogs they have a 3 and a 4 step we got the 4 step stairs. You can get pet stairs at most pet stores or online. Steps Measure your area to see what will work for WB and the area he needs to get up and down from. WB will have no problem getting up to places he will have a relearning process at first. We documented most of our journey on Purrkins blog if you want to check it out.
Hang in there things will get better every day! If you have any questions or need anything just post or pm!
Hugs
Holly & Purrkins
Jist catchi g up!
Cannot wait to see pictures of Whisker Butt!
You did EXACTLY what needed ro be done for Whisker Butt! ONE surgery, pain guaranteed to be gone, no more surgeries! Obviously, recovery is no picnic and that's when we second guess ourselves the most!
A d even with all yiur knowledge and first hand experience, generally most Vets see the immediate 24'hrs after surgery, and then the check up a couple of weeks later. The RECOVERY is done at home and it can be hard to watch for a bit. IT DOES GET BETTER!!
I don't think the incision site would look too bad if they didn't have to shave so much fur. Your boyfriew will adapt...especially once he sees how well Whisker Butt does!! 🙂
KITTY PURRKINS is a great blog to check out 🙂
HA G K. TNERE AND STAY CONNECTED! It gets better 🙂
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!
Purrkins said
I will try this again. Did all that and poof gone? If this goes twice I apologize?Hi & Welcome
We pm'd earlier on the baby onesie. I wondered if you posted in the forums, somehow I missed this?
First you did not make a wrong decision!! The first day home is tough! I would block off under your bed ! Stuff comforters, pillows whatever under it so WB does not go back under the bed. Block it off so there is no way WB will get under it.We used a spare bedroom for Purrkins to recover in. We put the bed on floor so Purrkins would not get under the bed! Every cat tends to go straight under the bed if given the chance! That is not the best place for WB or for your roommate to be able to access him at med time. Purrkins chose the closet to recover in. I just rigged him a little bed in there and that works great!
Is there somewhere in the room you can make a little safe spot for WB to be & still be able to access him?
Is your roommate better today with seeing WB ? I know its not easy the first day is the worst. It will get easier. I think you & your roommate will see a change right away when the cone comes off & you use the onesie or t-shirt! Your roommate will probably cope easier with the onesie/tshirt on too?What did you decide on transporting WB? That would really depend WB personality. I think whats most important is that he has a space he feels safe to recover in! That someone will be able to get to him calmly at med time. If you took him to work is there somewhere there you could make a little den for him? A cage with a blanket over it? Carrier?
We got this set on Amazon Amarkat pet steps for cats and dogs they have a 3 and a 4 step we got the 4 step stairs. You can get pet stairs at most pet stores or online. Steps Measure your area to see what will work for WB and the area he needs to get up and down from. WB will have no problem getting up to places he will have a relearning process at first. We documented most of our journey on Purrkins blog if you want to check it out.
Hang in there things will get better every day! If you have any questions or need anything just post or pm!
Hugs
Holly & Purrkins
Hahah, just saw your PM. No idea how I missed that!
So, WB is actually doing a lot better this morning. Not hiding and being sweet and adorable and hopping around. He was really only getting under the bed when his cone was on. Kept doing the "HOLY (*^$^*&#%^ GET THIS THING OFF ME!!" backup freakout. He was laying on the bed w/ my sleeping roomie and took his clavamox like a champ. We have him on onsior and a fentenyl patch. There is buprenorphine on hand should I need it (it's for my cancer cat but she can share a few tenths of an ml). I ended up leaving him at home b/c he just seemed to be feeling a lot better this morning. I do plan to swing by target (or good will) on my way home and see if I can find a baby tshirt for him so we can take the cone off. He does have a pile of blankets on the floor by the door that leads out back should he want to lay and look out, but last I saw he was pretty much glued to the bed.
I have a pretty tall bed so i"ll have to measure it and see if they even make stairs that tall. I was also thinking about getting raised food dishes but of course this is all "what if". He may adapt pretty well since he was running around for almost a week w/ only half use of his leg so he may not need much time to adjust. I'm just afraid for when he starts running around w/ the rest of my heard (16 other cats, ranging from 15y to 10m) that they'll get so excited in chasing and wrestling that someone will make him fall and then we'll end up w/ a bi-paw
benny55 said
Jist catchi g up!Cannot wait to see pictures of Whisker Butt!
You did EXACTLY what needed ro be done for Whisker Butt! ONE surgery, pain guaranteed to be gone, no more surgeries! Obviously, recovery is no picnic and that's when we second guess ourselves the most!
A d even with all yiur knowledge and first hand experience, generally most Vets see the immediate 24'hrs after surgery, and then the check up a couple of weeks later. The RECOVERY is done at home and it can be hard to watch for a bit. IT DOES GET BETTER!!
I don't think the incision site would look too bad if they didn't have to shave so much fur. Your boyfriew will adapt...especially once he sees how well Whisker Butt does!! 🙂
KITTY PURRKINS is a great blog to check out 🙂
HA G K. TNERE AND STAY CONNECTED! It gets better 🙂
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
thank you for the kind words! I'll try and figure out how to upload pictures either later tonight or tomorrow. I really want to share the ones of his "leg" on social media but i don't want to gross anyone out. But i'm sure y'all can handle it lol He's got some pretty gnarly scars from previous fights w/ his outside brothers.
I'm glad to hear WB is better today! The first day first home the first hour ugh! Then it got better!
I can tell WB will adapt!! No doubt he will get around on 3 fantastic ! Ok trust me!
You will still want to protect the 3 remaining legs by providing a safer way down either way! The remaining leg will take all the weight coming down! The less impact we can spare the better! We moved furniture closer together and placed stairs to Purrkins window seats & bed. Our other cat who is a quad & he uses the steps too!
Once they see, oh this is a lot easier thats it! The stairs will be used. You don't want to take a chance of WB hurting his remaining legs.
Raised food and water bowls are also great!
Check out some of Purrkins videos on 3 legs I really think you are going to be amazed at what WB will be like after recovery!
I wish Purrkins acted like he had 3 legs at times because it is a worry for us!
Goodwill is a great idea for the onesie or t-shirt! Wash it first of course 😉 Maybe grab the 2 sizes we talked about just to be safe. They should be very inexpensive there . We changed them daily and looked at the incision to make sure all was ok.
We would love to see pictures of WB in his new clothes;)
Stay connected here we will all help you get to the other side.
Give WB a chin & ear scratch from us! Tell your roommate if they panic to jump on the website too!
Hugs!
Holly & Purrkins
Welcome. You've received great advice. Purrkins blog is excellent and very detailed.
My cat Mona had her front leg amputated 3 years ago. The vet advised it on a Thursday and the amputation was done on the Friday and the vet took her home to his house for a sleepover. She was an angel for him of course and just a little bit of trouble for me when she got home. I learned she likes to do things her own way.
I also have a high bed. Mona can jump on to the bed easily and goes down to a chair to a banker's box to the floor. A set-up like this can work until you decide what will work best for you. It's best that WB not be jumping up and down until the stitches are out.
My male cat, Eli, has always been very sweet to Mona since her surgery. He gives her space since she bonks him on the head. After the surgery Mona did some core exercises and learned to stand up on her hind legs so she can now see over Eli and plants in the garden when she's outside. I hope WB learns some new skills when hanging out with his colony buddies.
I think you made the best decision for WB. Sometimes our head, heart and gut synchronize together and tells us what to do.
By the way, Mona did not wear a cone or clothes. She did not fuss with the surgical site and I would gently clean it with a damp facecloth and she liked that.
WB sounds like a real sweetheart. Lots of hugs,
Kerren, Eli, and Tripawd Kitty Mona
Crap, my last post got borked.
Thank you everyone for your kind thoughts and stories! Whisker Butt is doing very well today. He actually cleared a baby gate when I went to throw his blankets in the washer. He's now laying in my lap, on the couch, watching all the other kitties lounge about. Still a bit wobbly on his feet but he gets around pretty good.
Fentanyl patch comes off tomorrow so I'm sure he'll be happy about that. Sutures (which seem to be metal instead of normal plastic) will come out next week. Then he'll have official free reign of the house. Still thinking about getting some stairs, if only small ones, to help him jump onto my bad. Not sure if we'll need supplements or anything elae. He's using the litter box like a champ though!
I made an imgur album (images need to be rearranged for chronological order) but I will be trying to update it as often as possible:
Ok what does borked mean;)
Whisker Butt OMC he is sooo cute , he is just a tiny little guy!!! Purrfect t-shirt & onesie love the colors too ! Adorable!
Good job! That's cool how you put the album in!!!! I have not seen that before!
You can tell by his eyes in the shot he was seeing pink elephants (stoned);)
And ouch on the X-ray! So glad to hear all is going well🎉😽 What size did you end up with the newborn or 0-3?
Standing hours after his amp! WOW he is going to do great as a tripawd!! Purrkins did not move until he came home 3 days! Whisker butt IMPRESSIVE Buddy!
Hugs
Chin & ear scratches to whisker butt
Holly & Purrkins
Whisker Butt!! You are adorable and smart too. I see you've been writing poetry on your fentanyl patch.
I'm happy to see you are free from the cone by wearing the most adorable t-shirt.
Happy healing,
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
Purrkins said
Ok what does borked mean;)Whisker Butt OMC he is sooo cute , he is just a tiny little guy!!! Purrfect t-shirt & onesie love the colors too ! Adorable!
Good job! That's cool how you put the album in!!!! I have not seen that before!
You can tell by his eyes in the shot he was seeing pink elephants (stoned);)
And ouch on the X-ray! So glad to hear all is going well🎉😽 What size did you end up with the newborn or 0-3?
Standing hours after his amp! WOW he is going to do great as a tripawd!! Purrkins did not move until he came home 3 days! Whisker butt IMPRESSIVE Buddy!
Hugs
Chin & ear scratches to whisker butt
Holly & Purrkins
Borked is like broken. As in, it disappeared :/
I just copied and pasted the url in, the forum did the rest 🙂
He is very sweet young boy, about 3y and 9.9lbs pre surgery. The 0-3m onesies fit him almost perfectly. I sewed the arm shut but left the neck part open as he kept getting twisted. I may end up cutting off the right sleeve entirely b/c he gets his elbow stuck. He WAS getting around pretty well pre-baby gate climbing, but hasn't left the couch all evening, but it is right in front of the fan so I don't blame him hahah.
kazann said
Whisker Butt!! You are adorable and smart too. I see you've been writing poetry on your fentanyl patch.I'm happy to see you are free from the cone by wearing the most adorable t-shirt.
Happy healing,
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
It looks more like ancient Egyptian but if I have as much faith in my doctor handwriting as I like to think I do, it's the info about the patch (dosage, when put on, etc etc)
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