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.
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Hi there,
First of all I'm quite relieved to have found this forum.
A few weeks ago my dear cat Coco started limping. At first I couldn't tell the cause, I inspected his paw but saw no wound or irritation, his nails weren't ingrown etc. so I wondered if he had sprained it while I was out or something. But as the limping got worse I felt a bump in his armpit and immediately went to the vet. They took some cells from the bump to determine what it was but as they weren't able to get a lot of material they couldn't tell for sure, though it looked like it might well be a malignant tumor. We were then referred to specialists who are quite confident it is some type of sarcoma. A CT-scan was performed to check if it had metastasized. The only thing they found were three little spots in the lungs but they aren't sure what they are yet as they could also be a sign of feline asthma, which would line up with coughing symptoms that I've seen in Coco since I adopted him last year. (Been to the vet for that as well in the past but earlier x-rays didn't turn up anything. To be continued I suppose.)
Because of the size and placement of the tumor, the surgeon is strongly advising amputation, which I've agreed to. Coco is set to go in for surgery this wednesday. It's a scary thought for sure but I'm hopeful it will minimize the chance of some of the tumor being left behind and growing back. They will send his amputated limb to the lab to discover what type of sarcoma it was after the fact.
Despite that I've put on my big girl pants and made a decision like this, I'm still very nervous! I've read some really helpful posts on here about pain management , adjustments to the litterbox and excercises for tripawds so in that regard I do feel a little bit more prepared. What I'm wondering most about now is how I can personally offer the best support possible to my little guy right after his surgery? My gut feeling is to stay home with him for at least a few days so I've started by taking time off from work, but I don't know how long I should be thinking. It's just me and him in this household and he's exclusively an indoor cat. Any tips would be greatly appreciated! Maybe the year and a half that I've had Coco doesn't seem like a long time but I'm extremely attached to him and I want to make sure I give him the best care possible.
Thanks for reading!
Welcome! We've moved your topic here to the Three Legged Cats forum where it will be seen by more cat members. While you wait for feedback, check out the growing list of tri-kitty tips and resources.
Maybe the year and a half that I've had Coco doesn't seem like a long time but I'm extremely attached to him and I want to make sure I give him the best care possible
Even though you are having to deal with this health challenge with Coco, I'm sure he feels like he is the luckiest cat in the world to have found such a loving and caring home. It's you want to go in drawn to her everyone always loved very clear to all of us how deep your bond is with Coco and how genuinely committed you are to give him the best life possible.
It sounds like you are doing a good job of preparing for Coco's recovery. The link that Admin gave you will also give you some additional information to help you navigate through recovery..
....how I personally offer the best support possible to my little guy right after his surgery? My gut feeling is to stay home with him for at least a few days
Yes, if you can take the first three, maybe even five days off work when he first comes home. that would be the best case scenario.
You'll want to try and set up an area for him that is fairly confined.
Some people put up an extra large crate type scenario, or x-pen that is secure. You could put it in a quiet area of the house, or near you, where he can feel safe and secure, yet in a familiar place. Does that make sense?
Will Coco be spending the first night after surgery in a fully staffed 24/7 clinic? That's not always possible, but if it is an option, it is the best place for him to be right after surgery. He'll be on good drugs while he's shaking off the anesthesia etc.
Review the links, continue to check out the tripawd Kitty forums and let us know as questions arise.
Hey, we are here for you and with you! You are not alone, 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!
Tan and handsome Coco, welcome to the club nopawdy wants to join! I'm sorry that you're about to start this chapter but we will support you every step of the way.
It sounds like Coco is getting fantastic care and you are doing a great job with your research!
What I'm wondering most about now is how I can personally offer the best support possible to my little guy right after his surgery? My gut feeling is to stay home with him for at least a few days so I've started by taking time off from work, but I don't know how long I should be thinking. It's just me and him in this household and he's exclusively an indoor cat. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!
You are doing it! Since it's just you and Coco in the home you'll have it easier than most since you don't have other critters or people to manage during recovery. Most people take a couple of days off just to make sure the pain is being managed with the medication they've been given, and usually a new Tripawd will just sleep all day anyways. As long as create a safe recovery space where he can't get into trouble (think: block off high places so he can't jump, and keep him from getting stuck under furniture ... for example, put your mattress on the floor if the recovery room is your bedroom), there's no reason why you can't go back to work after a couple of days.
If it's any comfort, cats do much better on three legs, much sooner, than dogs. But don't tell the k9s around here that I said that!
Thank you Benny & co and Jerry for the kind words and reassurance! It really means a lot. There's been a lot of information to take in but it's been such a great help to be able to find resources in the same place.
Will Coco be spending the first night after surgery in a fully staffed 24/7 clinic? That's not always possible, but if it is an option, it is the best place for him to be right after surgery. He'll be on good drugs while he's shaking off the anesthesia etc.
The plan as outlined by the surgeon is to send him home the same day. What I'm learning is that my biggest part in this is gonna be just observing him as he recovers, so I've taken the rest of the week off to keep an eye on him in these initial stages. I've stocked up on his favorite liquid snacks that I've noticed he prefers to eat last time he was shaking off anesthesia and you all have given me some good ideas of how to arrange his recovery space. Coco is also already used to recycled paper kitty litter so that's a plus!
I'm counting on this being addressed during the aftercare instructions tomorrow, but I'm just perusing some of the available info on wound care here now.
Thanks again and I will report back with how it goes!
Hi and welcome.
I don't have kitty experience but I wanted to say I'll be thinking about you and Coco tomorrow. Be sure you have things to keep you occupied, surgery day can get long waiting for the 'all done' call!
Bringing a pet home the day of surgery can be challenging but people do it. I would suggest you have phone numbers you can call with questions and know where the closest emergency vet (open 24 hours) is located. You most likely won't need either but that preparation should give you some peace of mind. I know as dogs are shaking off the effects of anesthetic they can be very dysphoric and vocal, I'm not sure about cats, be sure you ask the vet what to look for as far as what is normal and what would be a concern.
You sound like you are prepared- you got this!!!
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls and Boy
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Thank you very much Karen!
Good call about the preparation in case anything comes up. I'll be sure to save the relevant phone numbers and addresses to my phone. 👍
Be sure you have things to keep you occupied, surgery day can get long waiting for the 'all done' call!
Wow, you really weren't kidding about this. I feel like I'm going crazy.
I just got a call that the surgery was a success and it'll be another 1-3 hour wait before he is awake and ready to be picked up. The surgeon mentioned he'll probably be prescribed Metacam. I'm wondering if that isn't a bit meager because Coco has been prescribed a combination of Metacam and gabapentin before when he was experiencing nerve pain after a dental procedure. But I'll know for sure when I go pick him up and ask them about it.
YAAAAAY!!! Surgery is done and Coco will soon be home!!!!
Yes, the Metacam is an anti inflammatory and does have some help with pain.....nothing like Gabapentin though. So do ask about Gaba or maybe even Buprenorphine or Onisor or codeine.
Stay connected and let us know how the homecoming is going. Remember, Coco will be shaking off the anesthesia and that's no fun to watch.
Oh, when you do go pick him up show up with a strong and confident energy. Feeling a pawsitive energy from uou is exactly what he needs. .
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!
So Coco ended up staying the night at the clinic after all because he wasn't recovering from the anesthesia as well and as soon as they'd expected but he is home now and being a real champ! He has a fentanyl patch and is getting metacam in addition to that. So far he has eaten, drank, peed and is currently taking a big old nap, so I'm very proud of him!
So far he has eaten, drank, peed and is currently taking a big old nap, so I'm very proud of him!
EXCELLENT!! So glad they kept him overnight to help get out of the anesthesia, etc.
Sometimes the patch can make them a bit whacky and vocal, so don't be surprised tpif that happens......and it may not.Hopefully he wont need any additional meds after the patch wears off.
Now is the time for you o get some rest too!
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!
Thanks so much for the support, it has really helped me approach this thing with confidence. ❤
Yay for being home! So happy to know he's back on the recovery track. That's a pretty hefty pain med, did he tolerate it OK? How is he doing today?
He is a bit lethargic but not nearly as bad as I'd expected to be honest! He still has a good appetite and no problems using the litterbox. I can tell he's already getting a tiny bit better at moving around. All in all it's easy to tell he's not feeling his best but his usual mannerisms and personality are definitely shining through.
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