Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My 17 year old cat Carrot had her left front leg removed June 6, 2017. She stayed in isolation at home for 10 days. She recovered remarkably. She's hippidy-hopping around just fine. Sometimes I can't even catch her. haha Stairs, nor couch, nor bed are a problem. No problems with the amputation whatsoever.
Now, 6 months later our youngest cats, aged 2 and 5, are really bullying her and pouncing on her.
Luckily, I have been home and able to stop it from getting too rough. My work starts again in January. I'm terrified to leave her home alone with them.
She's always been the dominate cat. Still bullies her 17 yr old littermate. These young cats are getting pretty rough with both of them. But Carrot has lost the ability to properly defend herself with the loss of her left set of claws.
I could lock her in the bedroom for 5 days a week while I'm at work, but hate to do that to her.
Any suggestions?
Hi Carrot's Mamma, welcome. Your future posts won't need approval so post away.
So I'm wondering what, if anything, besides the amputation may have kicked off the bullying? Did anything change in your home lately? A new roommate? A move? Oftentimes we think that issues like this are related to the amputation but often they turn out to be something totally different. Just throwing that out there so we can help offer more insight. Let us know, and stay tuned for feedback from TriKitty parents who know more about kitties than I do.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Carrot and Mom
This just started ? Or this started after the amputation ? Was the amp due to disease or accident? I only ask because cats are very sensitive to illness and we have to think like prey animals to understand their behavior. Have you tried a Feliway multi cat diffuser? I would start with that and see if it helps. We use it in our multi cat home and it helps! It’s not a magic bullet but it does help a great deal ! That would be a start and give it a week or more to see if it will help. You have to place it where it will be the most effective & use it where the issues happen would be best.
Have you enclosed Carrot before in the room and she did ok? IF Carrot does ok in her own room without being distressed I see nothing wrong with that if your concerned for her safety!
The other thing you can do is alternate rooms so you put Carrot in the room while your at work one day and then the next day you enclose the other 2 kitties in that room & let Carrot have free roam of the house! That will help with scent swapping and might even fix the issue. At least that way Carrot doesn’t have to be the only one enclosed in a room. We have had this happen with another member & her Senior Kitty after his amp and she had to keep the cats separated. Usually you can find a solution to makes things peaceful again.
Ideally you try this out before you go back to work and see how it goes!
Keeping the Peace in a Multi-Cat Household
Just some ideas & hope something helps!
Hugs
Holly & Purrkins❤️
Hi Carrot and mummy
First, it is wonderful to read your baby has adapted to amputation - this is worth celebrating! I can understand how stressful it must be seeing the younger cats now bully her. I am curious as to what she does when they pounce on her. Does she try to retaliate or cower? I ask because my Three Paw had a front amputation ( and later a back one as well) and her house mate Pirate used to get great pleasure from leap-frogging over her head causing her to lose balance. It used to really upset me. I found though that Three Paw soon gave back quite impressively and was able to thwack Pirate even with one ( and then later ) two paws missing. Obviously you don't want Carrot to get hurt or stressed but perhaps they need to work it out for themselves and with a little time she might find a new rhythm. Of course though this may not work and separation may be the best option so you do not have to worry when you are at work.
It really is hard to know what is the best but as Carrot's mummy you have already shown you are her champion so whatever path you take have faith in the fact that you will do right by her.
wishing Carrot all the best
much love Joanna
Hey Carrot! Buddy, getting ganged up on isn't fair. You need peace in your senior years.
I'm with Holly to alternate rooms for the cats when you aren't home. In no way should Carrot be the one who is always locked up all of the time due to the behaviour of the younger ones.
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
jerry said
Hi Carrot's Mamma, welcome. Your future posts won't need approval so post away.So I'm wondering what, if anything, besides the amputation may have kicked off the bullying? Did anything change in your home lately? A new roommate? A move? Oftentimes we think that issues like this are related to the amputation but often they turn out to be something totally different. Just throwing that out there so we can help offer more insight. Let us know, and stay tuned for feedback from TriKitty parents who know more about kitties than I do.
Nothing new, except the amputation. Carrot has always been the dominate cat, never snuggled with her littermates. Always on defense. She was outside/inside kitty for 10 years on a dairy farm and she was quite the impressive hunter. No one messed with Carrot. She's always been the loner, bad ass of the family. She's always loved her Mama though.
Thanks for the reply. Going to others to answer posted questions.
I found this website in desperation to find answers for my sweet Carrot and her leg. I read many threads over and over. Joined the night before her surgery. Knowing I would have support however it went. This site gave me the courage to do what was right for her and not be scared.
Success! Thank you.
It's just wonderce to jear how well your feisty tripawd senior is soing! What a remarkable kitty! Clearly she's very loved!
You've gotten EXCELLENT advice from our kitty family!! 🙂 I just want to add my good wishes and look forward ro more updates. The avatar picture is precious! We need more! 🙂
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
Hi Carrot and MomThis just started ? Or this started after the amputation ? Was the amp due to disease or accident? I only ask because cats are very sensitive to illness and we have to think like prey animals to understand their behavior. Have you tried a Feliway multi cat diffuser? I would start with that and see if it helps. We use it in our multi cat home and it helps! It’s not a magic bullet but it does help a great deal ! That would be a start and give it a week or more to see if it will help. You have to place it where it will be the most effective & use it where the issues happen would be best.
Have you enclosed Carrot before in the room and she did ok? IF Carrot does ok in her own room without being distressed I see nothing wrong with that if your concerned for her safety!
The other thing you can do is alternate rooms so you put Carrot in the room while your at work one day and then the next day you enclose the other 2 kitties in that room & let Carrot have free roam of the house! That will help with scent swapping and might even fix the issue. At least that way Carrot doesn’t have to be the only one enclosed in a room. We have had this happen with another member & her Senior Kitty after his amp and she had to keep the cats separated. Usually you can find a solution to makes things peaceful again.
Ideally you try this out before you go back to work and see how it goes!
Keeping the Peace in a Multi-Cat Household
Just some ideas & hope something helps!
Hugs
Holly & Purrkins❤️
Carrot had a knot on her leg for a few months. It eventually started growing and didn't stop. Some type of bone cancer is what her diagnosis was. We chose not to send it for testing. Carrot was healthy otherwise all tests were perfect. Terrified of taking her left leg off at 17, but found this site and realized it was more common than I knew.
You and Purrkins inspired me and gave me hope. I was one scared Mama.
The Bullying started a few weeks after she started limping around on her own. My 5 year old male has never shown aggression. His 2 yr old female friend is influencing this behavior. I would throw her out the back door with the other 2 outside cats I have but life on this road is cruel and deadly. The aggressor is a torti calico. Hate to throw her to the road. It's the busiest, least monitored road in our county. I've lost countless dogs, cats, and even a horse to these careless drivers going too fast in a 35mph zone. Sigh. She might make it out there, she might not.
I can't risk her hurting my Carrot though.
Carrot, being 17, isn't really that active. She is used to being kept in a room when need be. She'd be ok with it. It is winter here and she loves laying in front of our wood stove. Hate to take that away from her.
My vet uses the Feliway product, will try that.
I hate to throw my young cat outside with the "outside kitties" but I will if I don't see improvement Carrot is my top priority. I want what is best for her.
threepaw said
Hi Carrot and mummyFirst, it is wonderful to read your baby has adapted to amputation - this is worth celebrating! I can understand how stressful it must be seeing the younger cats now bully her. I am curious as to what she does when they pounce on her. Does she try to retaliate or cower? I ask because my Three Paw had a front amputation ( and later a back one as well) and her house mate Pirate used to get great pleasure from leap-frogging over her head causing her to lose balance. It used to really upset me. I found though that Three Paw soon gave back quite impressively and was able to thwack Pirate even with one ( and then later ) two paws missing. Obviously you don't want Carrot to get hurt or stressed but perhaps they need to work it out for themselves and with a little time she might find a new rhythm. Of course though this may not work and separation may be the best option so you do not have to worry when you are at work.
It really is hard to know what is the best but as Carrot's mummy you have already shown you are her champion so whatever path you take have faith in the fact that you will do right by her.
wishing Carrot all the best
much love Joanna
Again Carrot was always dominate, she smacked them around whenever she wanted. I think they are doing payback.
She is a lot more timid than before. She's a smart girl, she knows she's limited. The two gang up on her. She cowers, she tries to fight back. She bites, that's the only defense she has used so far. Who knows, she might teach them a lesson. I'm just a worried Mama.
Thanks for the feedback.
carrots mama said
Carrot had a knot on her leg for a few months. It eventually started growing and didn't stop. Some type of bone cancer is what her diagnosis was. We chose not to send it for testing. Carrot was healthy otherwise all tests were perfect. Terrified of taking her left leg off at 17, but found this site and realized it was more common than I knew.
I’m sorry about the diagnosis. Carrot is doing great no need to know more !
You and Purrkins inspired me and gave me hope. I was one scared Mama.
That touches my heart & we both THANK YOU! 😘 We are all ABSOLUTELY Terrified when we have to take the leg. Scared to death is NORMAL! I am glad to hear at 17 she is rocking on three!! YAAAY to you & Carrot!! BRAVO!!
The Bullying started a few weeks after she started limping around on her own. My 5 year old male has never shown aggression. His 2 yr old female friend is influencing this behavior. I would throw her out the back door with the other 2 outside cats I have but life on this road is cruel and deadly. The aggressor is a torti calico. Hate to throw her to the road. It's the busiest, least monitored road in our county. I've lost countless dogs, cats, and even a horse to these careless drivers going too fast in a 35mph zone. Sigh. She might make it out there, she might not.
That is why I asked when this started, we had the similar problem when Purrkins had his lump. Purrkins was defensive toward his brother! He knew something wasn’t right and he didn’t want his brother near him. After the amp the tables turned and they were both hissing and swatting! We had issues for a good month before things returned to normal here. We still use the diffuser. We are fortunate things did return to normal.
I would work on this in the few weeks you have before going back to work & if there is still no improvement I personally would keep them separated. Please give the multi-cat feliway a shot it is worth a try ! I wouldn’t throw anyone outside you guys can find peace inside even if it means behind separate doors.
Carrot being the oldest & the tripawd, Carrot is the priority of the household. She’s earned that right!😽
I hope you find a solution in anyway for some peace and less worry for you & Carrot! Please let us know how it goes and what you do to make this work.
I think you should send Carrot’s story in for our Tripawd Tuesday story Carrot will give many people hope and inspiration to hear her story! Carrot at 17 is inspiration in itself she DESERVES to be honored and her Mom for your courage!
Keep us posted please!
Hugs
Holly & Purrkins❤️
Again, I'm agreeing with Holly - Carrot is a champ and deserves to be honored. 17 years old!! Yahoo. And you were very brave to go ahead with the amputation as many people would think that's too old. Your vet must also be very good to perform the amputation. Congratulations to everyone!!
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
kazann said
Again, I'm agreeing with Holly - Carrot is a champ and deserves to be honored. 17 years old!! Yahoo. And you were very brave to go ahead with the amputation as many people would think that's too old. Your vet must also be very good to perform the amputation. Congratulations to everyone!!Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
I've seen the "too old" thing from too many vets. I hate that! Age discrimination is unacceptable to me. 🙂
Carrot had a very good vet. I grilled her like crazy, she knew I meant business. And yes she'd done this surgery before and yes she felt sure this would be the best thing to do. She assured me she wasn't hesitant at all to do the amputation, after she saw Carrot's blood work.
She told me later. Carrot did excellent during surgery. There were no touch and go moments, no problems whatsoever. I think she was even surprised with Carrot's strength at 17.
Thankful for the vet, thankful so much to have my Carrot.
Thank you for your response and support.
Leanne & Carrot
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