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14 year old cat recent amputation recovery time
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14 May 2021
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22 May 2021 - 1:00 pm
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Hi my 14 and 3/4 year old cat had her front leg amputated on Monday (5 days ago) she stayed at the vets hospital overnight on Monday and I have had her home since Tuesday morning, back in for a check up Thursday morning and had to go back yesterday afternoon to see vet again as she isn’t going to the toilet (pee or poop).  
I am worried now obviously the first day home she was a bit out of it on the meds but she was really hungry, and by the second day she was hopping around a little coming over to her foood, the vet said her wound looked good and it was great she was up and putting weight on the leg, I had to pop her into the vets yesterday afternoon as she hasn’t shown any interest in her litter tray at all since coming home he manually emptied her bladder just by manipulation so no needle needed and tested the urine no sign of infection and wound still looking good he wasn’t too concerned about her lack of poo yet either and sent her home hoping to see him again on Thursday for stitches to be removed.

after the initial good progress being made on the first few days she seems unwell today, uninterested in food, not moving at all seeming very weak if she tried to get up and just laying on my bed being mainly unresponsive to me now when I touch her whereas before she was purring, please can anyone help me is this normal to go from quite seeming ok to seeming unwell 5 days later I’m obviously extra worried about her due to her age and lack of toileting since the op. I’m thinking I need to call the emergency vets but I’ve had to take her back and forth to the vets so much over the past few days I just want her to have some peaceful rest 

she is only laying on the wound side now not turning over at all to change sides, she has had her loxicam dose for today 1 hour ago

thanks for any advice I’m heartbroken seeing her like this especially after it seemed to be going ok at first 😢

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Virginia



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22 May 2021 - 10:56 pm
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We know navigating  through the early part of rec can be scary, especially  for "mature" kittie

I'm not aware of seeing  loxicam (meloxicam??) used for kitty recovery  surgery.  Others with more onow.edge will have to chime in.  Usually we see cats give Buprenorphine or Gabapentin.   I did look up Meloxicam for cats on Dr Google.  Renal issues can be a side effect.  

Just wondering if switching  pain meds to the ones mentioned above  may help.  It could be that she needs better pain management

 Has she been able to pee on her own yet?  Wouldn't worry about not pooping too much at this point (5 days out), but definately need to keep on top of the pee situation, as well as make sure she doesn't become impacted. .

I'm sure you're trying any yummy food she'll eat.  I know a lot of cats like wet food during  rec, plus it helps get some liquid in them.

Sorry I'm no much help.  Just not sure if her pain management   is adequate at all AND, if meloxicam is a good choice.  The bladder may need to be emptied  again depending  on how long it's been.  It may entail another tip to the Vet to figure all this out, eliminate  fever, etc

Check out this download Cool Tips for Tripawd  Cat

Update us when you can, okay.  You'll get thru this!  It MAJOR surgery and rec doesn't  happen overnight.

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!

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22 May 2021 - 11:02 pm
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Hi and welcome. My apologies for taking so long to approve your post. How is she doing now? I hope she is perking up. What is her name?

Her bowel issues are typical, glad you took her in. While it isn't uncommon for senior animals to need more time than others to recover, what you are describing sounds like her pain might not be managed as well as it could be. Is she only on the loxicam? As I understand it, that is an anti-inflammatory which is good, but if she isn't on anything else she could be feeling crummy from not enough pain management . Most pets come home with at least 2 pain meds but preferably 3.

I would let your vet know that she hasn't improved and you believe she is showing pain signals that are interfering with recovery.

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

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22 May 2021 - 11:39 pm
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hi thanks for the responses it is 6am here I've had about 1 hour sleep and I feel really awful, my cats name is NikNak.  so in the night she did go to the toilet both pee and poo thankfully she was in her litter tray but unfortunately the pee missed and went everywhere but that's OK at least she went! she had 2 drinks of water one in the night and one just now I tried her again with food and she ate a mouthful of Tuna but nothing more.  she has managed to hop across the room slowly to a different sleeping spot. pain relief wise we are in the UK so she had morphine injection on Tuesday morning before I bought her home and then oral morphine plus the loxicam on Tuesday night since then just the loxicam every evening. it's all a bit of a blur where I'm so tired but I think I took her to.the vets every day this week to.be checked and each time he said she was doing well... I do have some oral morphine left I'm wondering if I should give it to her? trouble is now it's Sunday morning I can't speak to my vets until tomorrow morning, I could ring the out of hours vet and ask advice though I just don't want to take her there because she has been through so much bank and forth this week. I feel sick with worry and heartbroken now 💔

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Virginia



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23 May 2021 - 3:54 am
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Okay,  we have some good news to celebrate...YAY FOR POOP AND PEE!😁  NikNak did do a few hops and drank a little and ste a littlle....YSY!

I do think bettrr pain management is a key to more improvement.   She felt better the first fee days because  she had strong hospital pain meds and now they've worn off.

Not a Vet and not giving Vet advice, HOWEVER. ,I'f you still have some morphine  left with Vet directions in amount to give, etc. you could give NikNak the dose that the Vet previously prescribed.

I k ow you are sooooo exhausted and stressed.    Right now everything looks bleak.  We all definitely understand  those feelings.   Keep in mind she's recovering  from MAJOR surgery while trying to adapt to three legs and while using all her  energy to fight off pain.  Talk with your Vet first thing Monday about Buprenorphine and Gabapentin.  And if need be, go to another Vet to get her proper pain management .

I know it's hard to realize that things WILL get better....but they will!!  You're  doing a great job!!

Please try and get some rest and take care of yourself.  Stay connected  here, okay?  YIU ARE NOT ALONE!! ♥️ We are with you and will help see you through this tecovery stage and onto better day👍

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!

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23 May 2021 - 4:18 am
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thanks I have given her a dose of oral morphine so will see how she is in an hour or so hope it works as a bit didn't go in... I've bought lots of liquid type cat foods for her to try so hopefully she wants to eat something later thanks for your help 

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23 May 2021 - 4:21 am
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the drug I just gave her is called buprenorphine 

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Virginia



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23 May 2021 - 4:24 am
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Good job!  Now you try and get a little nap yourself, okay?  You're doing everything right👍

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!

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Virginia



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23 May 2021 - 4:26 am
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Oh....that's the purrfect drug!!!!  You may have to restart giving  that to him in a consistent  basis for several more days....with Vet direction if course.

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!

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23 May 2021 - 11:16 am
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Good job! And thank you Sally for being up at that crazy early hour!

I hope the meds have kicked in by now. How is she? Did you see any improvement? Is her thirst level OK? What about hunger? 

I'm wondering if there is any chance she could have hurt herself in some way? What is her recuperation area like? Is she free-roaming all over the house? It's a good idea to keep her confined to a smaller space while she heals. And remember that as a senior gal she may need at least a couple more weeks longer than a younger cat to fully recover her mobility.

When you call your clinic let them know you don't want to take her in again and you believe she just needs to be on pain control for at least another week. Tell them about her weakness symptoms, and how often they occur. Just be really clear in your request and they should be fine prescribing her some more at least until her follow-up appointment. 

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

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23 May 2021 - 12:39 pm
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so she's hardly eaten anything today a few small prawns and the gravy off of half a small sachet of Cat food soup which I had to hand feed she did have some drinks of water this morning... I don't think she could have hurt herself she is confined to a small recovery room and nothing high to get onto. I'm wondering if the loxicam is hurting her stomach I read it can cause ulcers if not eaten with food and although I have been mixing it with a licky lick yoghurt treat she hasn't has much else to eat... she is due another dose now but tbh I don't think I will be able to give it to her as she isn't eating to be able to feed it to her. she is responding to me when I stroke her she is purring so in that respect she is better than yesterday but apart from that she hasn't moved from the little area she has chosen to sleep in today.  she does seem to be having good restful sleep though no lip smacking or lip licking but also no movement from the spot so obviously still very weak although she can stand up to turn around.  I'm completely heart broken seeing her like this tho I'm shattered from sleeping in the room with her on the floor for the past 5 nights and barely getting any sleep I just keep breaking down in tears when I think about what I'm putting her through now.  I am going to have to take her into the vets tomorrow morning I think although I didn't want to I do think she needs to be seen before Thursday. on a positive her wound looks OK and healing up.  I will be able to give her the oral morphine at 10pm tonight so she has some pain relief overnight x

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Virginia



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23 May 2021 - 2:14 pm
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You're doing such a good job of assessing everything.

Again, not a Vet, but skipping her loxicam dose sounds like it could be the culprit to her not eating.  The lip smacking could certainly be a sign of nausea and an upset tummy.   

Have you checked for dehydration as far as pulling up her skin at the back of the neck and seeing g if it bounces back?  Gums look okay?

Good idea taking her in tomorrow for a check up.  Suggest to the Vet a dose of fluids and maybe an appetite  stimulant.  Also try some baby food, tuna water, etc.

Has she been peeing on her own now?

And PURRING is an improvement,  so YAY!!

Unless there is some u underlying issue yet to be discovered,  proper pain management   should help tremendously, as well as maybe getting her some IV fluids and some6 for her tummy.

Of course you feel defeated right now.  We call recovery  a roller coaster full of ups and downs.  Your first several days were the "ups" and now you have some downs....and the "ups" need to return...and they will!

My first couple of week of recovery for my Happh Hannah were no picnic, that for sure.  I. Fact, I found d this community  day six after her amputation.  My first post was abput how fearful I was that I had made a HORRIBLE  decision.   It took a bit longer, but I was fi ally able to say I did this FOR her and not TO her.

We'll be looking  for your next update.  AMD you MIST get some sleep.  It pro would do NikNok good to jave you actually  sleep in your own bed for a few hours and not cons hover over him😉

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!

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23 May 2021 - 2:58 pm
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I'm totally with Sally on those insights, especially about the possible nausea and taking her in tomorrow. She should be seen. It's hard to say what can be causing this but perhaps a lab workup will give answers.

Try to stay strong, she needs you to believe things will get better. I know it's a tough time right now but you two will pull through this! Here's a story that might give you some hope

Tripawd Tuesday: Tuxedo’s Tough Tripawd Cat Recovery

Keep us posted OK?

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

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