Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello, I\'m brand new and a bit overwhelmed. My 9.5 year old cat, Tiger, had a hind leg amputated Thursday - it\'s now Saturday evening and he\'s been home 24 hours. It all happened very fast, as we woke Tuesday morning to find he had a broken leg (he\'s always been indoor-outdoor). We still don\'t know how it happened, but likely a fall of some sort. He is a large cat, and the sweetest purr-er, but weighing in at 19-20 lbs, this is not going to be easy for him. He\'s very lethargic and has just slept since home, only changing positions if I move him, and he growls with either pain or frustration or both. He refuses to eat, so has really had no food since pre-surgery. Today I managed to get about 1 tsp of mushed up wet food into him through a feeding syringe. We\'ve got to get him losing weight in the long term, but right now need him to eat. Any advice is appreciated. Thank you.
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Hi Tigersmom, welcome. I'm sorry you had to join our club but glad that Tiger is on his way to healing. It's not unusual for a new Tripawd to not want to eat. Pain medication does that. What medications is he taking, how much and when?
It's super important to keep him hydrated. Is he drinking water? If not, try spiking his water with tuna water.
Meanwhile here are some Tripawds Nutrition Appetite Tips that will hopefully get him eating. Don't expect too much right now though, he's still really wonky from the surgery. But he should hopefully show more interest by this time tomorrow.
Oh, please consider registering as a member so you can use our Tripawds Chat and also your posts won't need to wait for approval either.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you - I'll try the tuna water trick and see if that helps. He's on an antiobiotic 2x/day, gabapentin, and onsior (NSAID). There's just tonight's and one more dose of the Onsior, then just the Gabapentin for pain. I reduced that a little today since he's so zonked out, hoping he'd show a little interest in food, but still just sleeping. I'll keep looking through this site, as I've got a lot of worries and a lot to learn!
This early in recovery is the hardest part. It seems like it will never end, but it does, promise!!
Growling is most likely a sign of pain moreso than frustration.. Kitty members will chime in on the pain meds, but Buprenorphine is often used too. Even if they make him a little lethargic (but not "zonked" out) at this point, it's better than being in pain. The meds need to be consistent to avoid the pain getting a head start.
The antibiotics are prob messing with his appetite. You'll want to make sure you get water in him and that he pees. I m ow so e members have had luck with baby food.
Check out the ebook written by our very knowledgeable kitty members... Cool Tips for Tripawd Cats . Lots on info!
You're doing a great job. Coming on so suddenly had to add an extra level of stress.
STAY CONNECTED! We'll help you navigate thru recovery and move forward o to a glorious life asa RockStar tri-kitty!
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, thank you so much, too, for the support and encouragement. Yes, it's been an unexpected whirlwind. This is really tough seeing him hurt and making no effort towards anything (understandably), and just not knowing if I'm doing everything I'm supposed to, and doing it correctly. We got a tiny bit more food and water in via syringe this evening; hoping for a little visible progress somehow tomorrow. -Julie
Hi and Welcome Julie and Tiger,
I'm sorry you have to join us.,
DITTO the growling is most certainly a pain signal, and i would go back up to the recommended dosage on the Gaba ok? Sedation is normal when starting gaba & sedation in recovery is the best thing for Tiger! Resting is healing. What is the dosage of your Gabapentin, and how often is it prescribed?
I have seen the onsior cause anorexia in kitties, not all, but yes, it can be a side effect of the med, BUT please do not stop the med right now. It's usually prescribed for 3 days but can be given longer.
As far as food, have you tried gerbers baby food stage 2 chicken and gravy or turkey and gravy. The baby food is not balanced, but in recovery and times when a kitty is not keen on eating, we pull this out. It's a kitty trick, and MOST cats will lap it right up. Hand feed or put the jar up to Tigers nose.
You can try this trick with any food or below suggestions - dab a dot of food on Tigers nose. Instinct is to lick the nose &, USUALLY, this will do the trick. He will lick and taste and say, oh, ok. We have to coax in recovery or sick kitties! Excellent job syringing him! You can syringe the baby food as well. Another option is Tiki Cat Velvet Mousse; it is easy to syringe (add a little water) it is balanced.
The other trick we use here is very stinky wet food, meaning tuna and salmon, etc. Any stinky food will do, and toss any of the food choices out right now if you have them. Eating anything is the goal here.
We use fussie cat in recovery or challenging times.
Changing foods suddenly is only for times like these as long as Tiger does not have ibd or other health issues? I also ditto the tuna water (water out of the can) sardine water either might get him to drink. Just use the water out of the can for now & try! You can spike the water later. Again bring the bowl right up to Tiger.
IF possible, try any or all the suggestions.
Cats are not great drinkers unless on dry food, and we highly suggest wet food always but in recovery, it is essential as they will get moisture from the can.
Please do check out Cool Tips for Tripawd Cats . We have a wealth of information in the book, and don't hesitate to ask any further questions!
Please update when you can and let us know how Tiger is doing. You are doing a great job and asking the right questions. Recovery is no picnic.
Scratches to Tiger, please.
Big hugs
Holly & Purrkins💝💝💝
I think that as well as the physical side this has got to be very traumatic for him, cats are really quite sensitive so it will take him some time to work it all out and to come to the conclusion that, despite everything, he is still really kind of awesome.
Getting his mojo back will take a few days, and as has been mentioned may involve getting his pain under control.
All the very best, my thoughts are with you.
- "what shall be done for these innocents? I have been warned not even to raise the question of animal immortality, lest I find myself “in company with all the old maids”. I have no objection to the company" - C S Lewis (The Problem of Pain)
- "Mr Toplady was touched by the cruelty of the scene, and exclaimed, ' Who could bear to see that sight, if there were not to be some compensation for these poor suffering animals in a future state' 'I certainly hope,' said my grandfather, ' that all the bulls will go to heaven; but do you think this will be the case with all the animal creation' 'Yes, certainly,' replied Mr Toplady, with great emphasis, ' all, all!" - Josiah Bull (recording a meeting with the great A. M. Toplady, author of "Rock of Ages" in "Memorials of the Rev. William Bull of Newport, Pagnel")
- "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God" Luke 12:6
Hi and welcome!
How are things going? Another option which can be syringe fed is Hill's Prescription A/D. It can be purchased at most vet clinics and if you are still not having luck, please call your vet and see if they have some. It is a high calorie / high nutrient food made for post operative furbabies. Refrigerate after opening, and you can warm it for just a few seconds in the microwave and stir well before offering it. Many cats like it, and it can easily be sucked up into a syringe after warming.
Along with all the other things recommended, I also used Delectable's Squeeze Ups, which most grocery stores carry. Huckleberry (and my other three) still love them and they all come running when they see me with that treat in hand!
Unlike dogs, cats have a different metabolism and can get sick if they don't get enough in their system so keep trying, ok? If you are not able to get anything into him, please call your vet and let them know. They may want to see him and give him some fluids under the skin to prevent dehydration.
Please update us and let us know how you are making out.
Jackie and Huckleberry 
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
My Lucky just had his surgery this past Tuesday. I have been using the Delectables squeeze up bisque like Jackie said. He laps it up like crazy. Give it a try. Hopefully with all the suggestions you will have some success in getting Tiger some fluids and nutrition.
The e-book Cool Tips for Tripawd Cats is wonderful!! It has a ton of information and ideas. It was one of the first things I read (and reread 3 times now) when we were preparing for surgery.
Good luck and keep us informed.
Barb & Lucky
Barb, Doug, Lucky, Luna, Aurora, Rascal, Smokey & Ebby
Hi all, I've really appreciated all the suggestions. I've read parts of the Tips for Tripawd Cats book, definitely helpful. Today I bought a couple of gerber's baby food (couldn't find the turkey & gravy, so settled for turkey & broth) and tuna in water; couldn't find the Delectable squeeze ups, though he's typically on Hills c/d for urinary health so I'm trying to be mindful, but I do want him to eat! The best update is that about 3am last night, he hopped (limped? sauntered?) across the bathroom to the other door, about 8' and sat there, then back across to his litter box where he did get in and pee! He got out, then went back in and... settled down to sleep. I got him out but he went right back & went to sleep. I finally left him there (incision was not in litter) - guess he was comfortable. This morning I was hopeful he'd be alert again, but no, he slept all day. Other than one bright spot where he voluntarily went to the water bowl and drank for a while, he was laid in his spot, slept, and resisted food. I tried the tricks, but had to still just syringe feed. He doesn't lay on his belly, head and paws straight, like he would if normally eating or drinking; he's totally on his side and I hold him up a bit while feeding. I'll be talking to the vet in the morning. I've heard that all his extra weight may mean that it's taking longer for the surgery medications to leave his system, so maybe that's contributing? I don't know. Heading now to give his meds for the night and attempt more food. I know I'm blabbing - getting away from my initial question, but glad to have this input from you all with experience. Thank you.
Blabbing is totally normal and welcomed!! So.. my Andy is a beautiful crystal producing white blob of marshmallow😂🥰
He can tolerate the Delectables, but im finding them to be a commodity right now, don't know why but haven't heard any bad things yet.
So with a kitty with urinary issues i understand the caution. I don't think broth will hurt, i believe the carbs are a higher worry. With urinary issues fluids are even more important. You can try low sodium chicken or bone broth. It may be accepted better diluted.
I never had success with Hills (no insult to them) but my Andy is on Royal Canin prescription S/O canned and kibble. He's blocked three times and we almost lost him. He's also a horribly picky eater. This probably won't help you now but may later.
The only big issue ive found with them is that you have to control the calories, and these diets are high in calories which is what gets them to eat either. I call Andy my Stay Puffed Marshmallow Man😂 If you're too young Google it and you'll find my humor❤
Back to the present. I think cats find comfort in their box. Huck did too and I had to peel him out and actually got a second cardboard box with bedding in it to comfort him. This seems to be normal for them so please don't fret.
Yes, size may matter for both anesthesia and recovery but all that means is it may take a little more time. Patience is needed to find the light at the end of the tunnel, but you'll find it ❤
You're doing a great job, please hang in there!
Hugs,
Jackie and Huck❤
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
Ha! I know the stay puffed marshmallow man 🙂 my Tiger is that, but black and white. I cracked up when my young kids years ago tried out many names for him before instant agreement on ‘Tiger’ fir this tuxedo cat - not the orange tabby who always gets that name 😂
Did they do pre-surgery bloodwork? All come back, ok? Kidneys etc.
How are you guys doing now? I'm up with our trikitty myself i can likely pop back in if you need anything, ok?
Keep syringing as you are & phone the vet in the morning syringing tigers C/D even better! We don't want to cause further issues.
Also, please ask tomorrow about tiger's pain management
. Tell them precisely what you are and are not seeing, ok. They need all the details.
We need to think massive surgery no different than if we would have our arm, leg amputated. How would we feel days after an amputation? It is no different except we can speak and say. We would be in the hospital and on morphine. We would not be expected to get up and pee;) we would not be alert etc. We cut bone, muscles, tendons, and nerves; it takes a while to heal.
YAAY for pee and hopping, to the litter box. Do you have anything like it you can give tiger w/o litter to lounge in? Put a towel on the bottom. Most cats love regular cardboard boxes 🙂
Are you in the USA or another?
Hugs
Holly & Purrkins
💝💝💝
Purrkins said
Did they do pre-surgery bloodwork? All come back, ok? Kidneys etc.
Good morning, Holly / Purrkins,
Yes, they did pre-op bloodwork and said all was fine. To my knowledge, he had no excursions across the bathroom last night, but is at least holding his head up and purring this morning. The only pain med left for now is the gabapentin (and antibiotic), as finished the onsior last night. So yes, that makes me a little nervous. Will be talking to the vet soon. Again, thanks for your support.
"head up" is good!
When I went to the rescue shelter 12 years ago my one statement was that I did not want a black and white cat, well the obvious happened and I returned with a black and a black and white cat. He is just so handsome! He is also huge and could eat for England, so perhaps it goes with the colouring.
- "what shall be done for these innocents? I have been warned not even to raise the question of animal immortality, lest I find myself “in company with all the old maids”. I have no objection to the company" - C S Lewis (The Problem of Pain)
- "Mr Toplady was touched by the cruelty of the scene, and exclaimed, ' Who could bear to see that sight, if there were not to be some compensation for these poor suffering animals in a future state' 'I certainly hope,' said my grandfather, ' that all the bulls will go to heaven; but do you think this will be the case with all the animal creation' 'Yes, certainly,' replied Mr Toplady, with great emphasis, ' all, all!" - Josiah Bull (recording a meeting with the great A. M. Toplady, author of "Rock of Ages" in "Memorials of the Rev. William Bull of Newport, Pagnel")
- "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God" Luke 12:6
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