Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I think the gabapentin did the trick. I've been keeping her in the cone when I can't watch her but she's not bothered the incision much during the day. The spot looks more healed (but still much darker than when we came home). I'm going to try leaving the cone off at night -- mostly because she learned she can poke me with it to get attention (I imagine it's more of "see how irritating this thing is!").
She's getting around well, but as she's venturing about more I notice she's moving slower. Hopefully still building up her strength. Here's a video of her favorite pastime - chasing the laser pointer.
I've gone through her medical records for the past 13 years (there's a gap ages 1-4, but her vet at that time was very cautious about vaccines -- I did find an article she gave me about not over-vaccinating cats.) and can't find any record of injections that would have been in her left hind leg. It's such a mystery how this got started.
Excellent. That shows you she was having pain and why she was going after it.
Yes, ISS is mysterious as to why some cats' systems overreact and others do not. We see it far too often!!! They can come right after and many years afterward no timelines. We over-vaccinate our cats in this country, and titers can be done to see if they are needed; personally, in the future, and if we were to get any new cats, I would do one set and be done. We must make these hard choices and weigh the risks! Please do not allow more vaccines for Nancy, plus watch for any injections and ask for alternatives when possible.
I see Nancy doing fantastic this soon. 
Whoo hoo, Nancy Drew.
Hugs and scratches to Nancy, please
💝💝💝
She looks SO GOOD! It's a joy to watch her playing and looking lively. How did last night go without the cone and the Gabapentin?
Cancer can make your mind go in a thousand different directions, trying to guess how and why it got started. I still go round and round wondering how our Jerry got it. There just seems to be no way to know. Ugh!
Sorry to have been MIA for a bit, but we're all settling in over here. Nancy's incision is officially healed up and we've packed away the cone! We've also paused her gabapentin and there are no signs of irritation or pain, so all good on that front, too. She also made it in to see a holistic vet (thanks to our previous/current traditional vet), which I'm grateful for. She got her first round of acupuncture and tolerated it well, and she's starting on some herbal medicine to boost her immune system. I can't say I've noticed a huge difference so far, but I'm hopeful we can keep her feeling her best for as long as possible by giving her support on all fronts.
She's doing much better climbing on and off my mattress and her cat beds, so I'm thinking of introducing some pet stairs (or just makeshift stairs) to help her get up to some of her favorite perches (and maybe put my bed back together - I think my legs are also getting stronger getting up and down off the floor!).
I think my legs are also getting stronger getting up and down off the floor
Had to chuckle at the "benefits" you are getting during Nancy's recovery.
It does sound like sweet Nancy is doing a good job of recovering at her own pace and mastering getting back on her bed (and yours)
I'm hopeful we can keep her feeling her best for as long as possible by giving her support on all fronts
This is why we do what we do. You are doing EVERYTHING, above and beyond, for your sweet Nancy..💖
Thanks for the update.....good job....both of you 👍
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!
WOOOHOO!!! No need to apologize, you are basking in a VICTORY for Nancy Drew! SUPER COOL! 
Yes, perches are suuuuper helpful. Get as many as you can to help make it easier for her to get up and down. She may need some training but she will soon see that it's much easier to use the stairs and perches than not. We'd love to see what you come up with for her.
Well Nancy and I both need to take it a bit slower. She was so excited to learn she could use some foot stools to climb up on the furniture - she didn't hesitate at all! Then, despite me being right there with her, she lost her footing trying to climb to the back of an armchair and fell to the floor. Neither of us had very quick reflexes 🤦♀️ and we were both pretty startled. I think it spooked her more than anything - I know my heart was racing! So we'll be more mindful and take it one step at a time, as they say.
I'm sure it was scary.....yet I love that she was so determined to use the stool to get up on the chair. Such a feisty gal!!
She's still figuring things out and learning exactly how to navigate with three and taking things a bit slower when climbing.
Glad everyone is okay 👍
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!
Oh eek! Poor girl. How is she doing today?
Some days are harder than others, some better. They eventually even out and you both find your groove on three legs!
She’s taking it easy today and is not at all interested in climbing any foot stools or furniture. I was able to persuade her to play with her favorite laser pointer though. I’ll keep an eye on her this weekend and we’ll try climbing again in a few days. I feel just terrible that she fell, but she seems to be okay.
WHEW! Yeah, I'm sure she was surprised and a little freaked out by the fall. Really glad to know she's physically OK. Take things slow and easy like you are doing, she will get back to where she was and try again.
Well Nancy did not get the memo about slowing down. She’s still not interested in climbing on any furniture after the fall but she’s had so much energy this week! Yesterday she followed me down to the basement to do laundry and made it all the way down and back up the stairs by herself. She rarely did that even before the limp. I am very surprised and impressed.
We are going back for more acupuncture tomorrow and I’m curious if she’ll tolerate it as well as the first time. She’s been extra feisty this week.
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