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.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
WOOT WOOT for 
! That's super cool! Bet you never thought you'd be so happy about that, did you?
You've gotten great input on what to ask about the pain medication adjustment. Sound like a little more sedation is needed and Gabapentin can be great for that, as well as pain relief. Definitely ask for an adjustment if she's still really wild today.
I love her spunk too! Hope you got some rest.
We hope you guys did ok today & you both got some rest
Give Nancy a chin scratch, please!
((Hugs))
💝💝💝
Thank you for checking in on us! We both got some rest yesterday and she's settling down as the zorbium wears off. She unfortunately had a bit of diarrhea yesterday so we are also trying be careful with the gabapentin dose in case that is contributing. She got some pumpkin with her food and I've been in touch with the vet to make sure that does not continue. I also still have some oral buprenorphine if needed.
Otherwise, she is sitting up on her own great and working out how to move on three legs. She's still doing a bit of dragging (which seems to be irritating her now bare belly), and I want to be careful with the incision, so we're being cautious about expanding her confinement area and only while supervised. She is not thrilled with this approach 😉.
Of course & thank you for the update.🫂
I have only experienced the opposite with gabapentin/ constipation in our cat, who was already prone to that issue. That is a side effect, just different from what we have had. I'm sure that is no picnic for you both and the cleanup. Do you have a probiotic you can add to help?
I'm glad you touched base with the vet and delighted to hear you both could get some rest. I looked back at my notes, and it was day 5 when I got proper rest.
Did the soft cone not work out, then? Would Nancy tolerate a shirt or onesie that might help with the bald belly? Purrkins did not mind his. I am glad Nancy is sitting up, settling, and working on her hop. It's also excellent that you have meds on hand if needed. PHEW!!
Purkins was not thrilled being in his room on day 5, but yes, we do what we have to do for their benefit.
You're doing excellent, and each day will improve as long as the pain continues to be managed.
Nancy, hang tight. You're almost to the point of getting more freedom, I promise. I can see you are over it in the one pic; I am glad to see you having a cone-free break —your adorable girl. I also see the opioid's huge pupil eyes;)
Give Nancy a smooch from us, please
Thanks again for the update & Keep us posted, please
Hugs
💝💝💝
"GET ME OUT OF JAIL!" she says 
You're right, she doesn't look thrilled, but what a great job you are doing keeping a close eye on her. And yeah, way to go to keep your vet in touch too. It's such reassurance isn't it?
Sorry about the runny poop. I always have some edible green clay on hand (it's made by VetRX), just in case of those situations. It's great stuff.
Cheers to continued healing this week! Give her some scritches and smooches from me 
We've been testing out the soft cone today, but so far she's still able to lick too close to the incision for my comfort. She's very anxious to groom, especially with the litter box incidents since she's been home. Apparently my cleaning is not up to her standards. We may try some other options, but I think she's actually getting used to the cone for now (she's not trying to rip it off or anything). Our surgeon was pretty anti-shirts or recovery suits saying that they can trap moisture and lead to infection, so I'd rather use that as a last resort.
Thanks for the tip about the edible green clay - I'll check that out!
Glad to hear she is getting used to the cone!! It is not massive like i envisioned;)
A onesie or recovery suit could trap moisture if they were not monitored & changed out I'm sure. We checked the incision daily and swapped out the onesie once, if not twice a day. Always listen to your vet/surgeon's instructions. I was thinking of a shirt to cover her belly, not the incision.
I was grateful we did have permission from ours.
We will celebrate cone-free supervised time for Nancy and have a countdown when we get close;)
Keep healing Nancy
Hugs
Checking in we hope Nancy and you are doing well!
Give Nancy a scratch & smooch from us, please
(((hugs)))
💝💝💝
Thank you for checking on us! Nancy is doing well, though transitioning off of the zorbium made her pretty exhausted this week. After her bout with diarrhea last weekend she ended up constipated this week - so I was back on poop watch. Luckily she had a BM this morning and hopefully is feeling much better.
She's getting around better with each day, but is moving pretty slow (I'm sure to be expected as she regains her strength!). She kept looking for her regular litter box so I tried a couple of different low-entry options for her and started adding more litter to make it more like she's used to. We tried a cardboard box with 3 high sides thinking she was having trouble getting leverage (especially while she was trying to poop), but she kept going over the side! 🤦♀️ She's determined to have me worry about that incision. SO, brought out her regular litter box today and she's getting in and out great. I still left the low/no side tray to give her options though. She's still adjusting to a 3-legged squat in the box but I'm sure she'll get used to it.
I'm also letting her out in the bedroom more now that she's getting more confident hopping around. She still hasn't figured out how to climb on the mattress on the floor.
She's eating and drinking great, and for that I'm very grateful. We started her regular sub q fluids up again on Thursday, and I think that has helped with the constipation as well.
She has a small red/swollen bit under her incision. The vet is not concerned and says her incision looks great, so I'll try not to be concerned either.
Glad to hear all is going well. I am sure she had a big dip after the Zobrium wore off; I hope the gaba is enough to cover the pain!!!
I'm sorry about the constipation. Did you use something to help with the poops? Regardless glad you started the sub-Qs no doubt helped get her going and feeling better all around! Whoo hoo for normal poops!!! Try not worry about the incision; you got it checked out. Do your best on the worry factor. We tell you one thing and would do the same thing as you:) yes, worry. It wastes our energy, so do TRY and keep an eye on it.
Yes, most want their regular litter and litter box back. Nancy WILL continue to figure things out, and when you get the okay no more cone, you will see a significant change. I'm glad she has some room to explore in the room now thats huge progress for you both.
Thanks for the update & give Nancy a chin scratch & treat from us please!
(((HUGS)))
💝💝💝
She's getting around better with each day, but is moving pretty slow
Rem, every little improvement during reco is a HUGE improvement!!!
She's eating and drinking great,
That's also another huge victory. Quite often we don't see cats or dogs feeling inclined to eat much or to drink mich thos early on.
You're doing a great job and, as always, Holly has excellent kitty advice
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!
Nancy Drew is still doing pretty well, and has figured out how to get up on the mattress on the floor by herself for more snuggles. I set up a second, firm cat bed for her to use as a mini step but she's determined to go her own way once again and just hops right down to the floor.
We're still dealing with a little constipation, and I think she's drinking less with the cone - even with frequent breaks. We're seeing the vet Friday to check the incision/stitches so hopefully she'll be cleared then.
She's getting stronger about getting around, but I worry about the stress on her front legs. She's walked a bit low to the ground for several years, but her front paws seem pretty flat and legs seem more hunched than normal. I'm curious if anyone else has experienced this and what folks ahve done to protect remaining joints. She gets cosequin and had a solensia injection in January -- I know that can take some time to work but not sure we'll continue that.
Aww what great news about her status, thank you for all the details. AND she's figured out how to get on the mattress? YEAH! Little by little each day she is going to amaze you more and more.
I hope she can be out of the cone too. Really, who would want to drink while wearing that thing? Ugh! Even with breaks, I imagine it just feels off-balance to take it on and off, like getting your sea legs once you're on dry land, and then getting back onto a boat. But you are doing sooo good by sticking to it so she doesn't hurt her incision. There's a greater good there and you are awesome for recognizing it.
As far as riding low to the ground. It's typically caused by weak abdominal (core muscles), and just the new way of moving around in a body that hasn't quite gotten strong enough for that type of movement. Here are some fun cat exercises folks have done with their Trikitties to strengthen their core.
A visit with a rehab therapist can help you find out exactly how to strengthen her and even what kind of joint protection would work best. Tripawds Foundation can pay for your first rehab visit too so you've got nothing to lose!
You can give a bit of Miralax 1/16 - 1/8 tsp twice daily. It is dose-dependent, and I say those little doses to start so you don't get the poops. She is or was on GABA, has CKD & being older, it's not uncommon, and, yes, not being able to drink as usual. I look forward to Nancy getting the all-clear to remove the cone.
Whoo hoo, Nancy, for figuring out how to get up on the mattress. 
We have gone for acupuncture and chiropractic care since Purrkins amputation. We have tried many joint supplements. Purrkins would readily eat Vetriflex Pro feline recommended by our integrative vet, and then decided in the last two months he didn't like them anymore. I am now giving him Vetoquinol Flexadin Cat Hip and Joint Support Chew with UC-II, Cat, Cosequin & Fera Organic fish oil. Your vet, or if you chose rehab, can guide you with their recommendations.
Take a look at Petunia's forum/ videos for reference. One week post op. She was 16.5. She had trouble getting along and took advantage of the rehab program. I don't have time to weed through to direct you on pg # right now, but scan for the videos. If you want to post a video of Nancy's hop, we use YouTube.
I'm not too fond of injections when we have ISS. My fwiw input on the Solensia if there are other ways of getting something in that may help or other modalities that can help, they are worth exploring. We call them injection site sarcomas rather than vaccine site sarcomas for a reason; since Purrkins has become a tripawd, we do not vaccinate or do injections. But yes, blood work and such. We all have to make these decisions per our cats, situations, and beliefs, and know that we always do our best!!! Sometimes, we must make complex and QOL decisions, so follow your instincts!!!! You have them for a reason trust them. Nany is lucky to have you.
(((Hugs))) and scratches to Nancy, please.
💝💝💝
Nancy's been cleared to remove the cone! She is thrilled, needless to say. And, she's already having more regular bowel movements so hopefully we're past that hurdle as well. Thank you for the tip about Miralax - that will be good to have in my back pocket just in case.
The vet thought that the hunched walking was just her getting used to her new mobility and wasn't concerned. And, of course, I already think she's doing better. I'll try to capture some video -- all the clips I have are super short. She's too fast for me! I think tomorrow we will do some exploring beyond her recovery room and I'll be prepared with the camera. I imagine she'll need to take several breaks.
We're still trying some litter box adjustments. She did great getting into her old litter box, which she seemed to prefer, but getting out and getting a good stance (especially for pooping) was a challenge. I thought removing the cone might help, but she still struggled a bit. What we've landed on now is a low entry box with high sides so she's not falling out (she essentially did a back-flip out of the previous box the other day and scared me to death!).
I'm reading up on the advice others have shared for reintroducing her to our other cats. We have two younger boys and prior to surgery she (barely?) tolerated them, but one in particular LOVES her. He's seen her a couple of times since the surgery and has mostly kept a respectful distance. They are full of energy and love to rough house with each other, which sometimes leads to them trying to get her involved - she swiftly lets them know she is NOT interested. We'll definitely take it slow and I'll supervise closely for a long while.
Here are a few pictures of Catrick wanting to snuggle with Nancy, much to her annoyance.
1 Guest(s)
