Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello everyone, I've been reading some of the discussions in the forums and there is some great info. Haven't checked out everything on this site yet, but have started a Blog and have chatted with a few of you already. My cat Levon had his right front leg amputated last saturday (5 days ago on the 21st) and overall appears to be recovering well. He gets around ok and doesn't appear to be in any pain. He does burrow under the covers on the air mattress i have set up in the spare bedroom i keep him isolated in when i'm at work. When i get home he comes out from his blanket cave and comes out into the living room. He'll wander around a bit, lay on the floor and wait for me to rub his belly. Then it's up on the couch to snooze til we go to bed. He does have 2 sisters and a brother (Molly, Sabbath and Cliff) who are all trying to adjust as well, but that's a subject for another discussion. lol My main concern at this point is his eating and drinking, or rather lack of, since he has come home. He has eaten small amounts of wet food a few times, but doesn't drink hardly anything from what I can tell. I have been told decreased appetite is normal and that wet food can help with fluids if he's not drinking much. But pre-surgery Levon drank like a fish, and even if not drinking he would play in the fountain/waterbowl I have for all 4 cats. I know it's only been 5 days, but he has only peed twice since he came home. The 1st night (sunday) and yesterday(wednesday). I've also tried Cat Sip a few times but he has no interest. Is any of this normal? Am I worrying too much? Just worried about if this may be caused by pain. He received a 3 day pain shot the day he came home along with an antibiotic shot that i'm told will be in his system for 14 days. He does have his own litter box in room I keep him(I ditched Yesterday's News for clay litter after he used that in litter box in basement) and he has his own water bowl, but also access to fountain waterbowl. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Levon and Jeff
Hi Jeff and Levon, thanks for joining the forums!
I'm wondering if he could be having pain issues. For some reason cats seem to be prescribed way less pain meds than dogs after amputation surgery. Doesn't seem right to me but our kitty parents should have some great input for you here soon.
Have you tried tuna water? My pups LOVE tuna water and get it occasionally as a treat.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Haven't tried tuna water but I will. Yeah, after reading a lot of the discussions in here Levon is definately in need of some pain medication. He went through about half hour period earlier where he kept growling, hissing and meowing on and off, like he was getting sharp stabbing pain and he kept moving and changing positions in an attempt to get comfortable. Slept for about 4hrs and then it started back up again for about 15-20min. I questioned only having 3 days of pain control and was assured it was normal and that I should just monitor appetite, respiration rate, activity and general mood for possibility of pain. So basically they told me to wait until he's in pain again before I do something about it. I'm sorry, but I don't care how tough of an animal you are if you lose a limb at the shoulder you are going to experience more than 3 days of pain. Calling his doc early tomorrow to have something ready by time I get off work.
I think you're spot on about getting more pain meds asap. And yes, once pain gets ahead start, it's much harder to get back u der control!
It boggles my mi d that there are srill Vets not adequately managing pain in cats and dogs. It IS MAJOR SURGERY!! If this Vet had an amputation he would still be in the hospital on a morphine drip! So good for you for being such a good advocate for Levon!
The lack of pee concerns me a little though. So ask the Vet about tthat. It may be that you would have to take him to the Vet to express his bladder. Our kitty experts can chime in on that.
Update us when you can. Recovery doesn't last forever...it just seems that way!!
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!
Hi Jeff and Levon,
Sorry we had to meet this way as it is never a situation anyone wishes, but ... It sounds like Levon might be in pain. But it is very hard to compare any animals progress to anothers. Tuxedo, my baby had a hemipelvectomy (1\2 pelvis and rear leg) as a result of a dog fight. When he was released he came home with 5 days of pain meds in addition to being on a 3 day pain injection. He needed a few more days worth, but he also had other injuries he was dealing with at that time. That makes it a bit difficult to say how much was just amputation related.
As to the eating or lack of, it seems to be rather common after surgery or so I have read. Many say wet "stinky" food works. It did not for Tuxedo. But since he was normally on dry rations before his injuries, I experimented there. Literally the only thing he would eat for 2 weeks turned out to be a cat treat called delectables in chicken flavor. Yes, I actually bought one of every kind of cat food and treat to try and tempt him to eat. I mention that situation just in case you run into the same. At the time, I figured it was better to get him eating something freely than be forced to syringe feed him.
By the way Tuxedo did not follow any of the "rules" & had a few complications while healing, so may not be the best for comparison. He did not drink much for around 5 days. However, he had run of the house, so might have been sneaking fluids I was not aware of. He did use the litterbox everyday for the first week peeing or pooping or both. Though he did not go much, likely due to low intake. Around 10 days out (about the time it became obvious he had an infection developing in the incision) he started to get more back to normal.
I am sure others will chime in soon with more info. Best wishes and I promise in a few weeks, you will be amazed at what Levon gets upto!
-Dawna, Tuxedo, & Dazzle
Hi Jeff, my cat Mona was a big fan of the canned kitten food the vet gave her. She gobbled it up probably because it's high in fat and protein. Also has a high moisture content. I didn't have to worry about her peeing because she went every where except for the litter box (yup, she hated the Yesterday's News even though she used it for the vet).
It seems like 50% of the cat amputees are not getting the pain meds they need. I don't know why the vets are so tight with the necessary medications as they are relatively inexpensive. You are a great advocate for Levon in recognizing his pain and bringing it to the doctor's attention.
I hope things approve for Levon soon.
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
Hi Jeff & Levon,
Welcome, I did see your blog and commented on your first post, the comment was waiting for moderation. Likely it went into your spam on your blog. I’m glad to see you figured out the forums good job! You are not worrying too much & glad you posted!
You’ve gotten great advice & eating & drinking can be off after surgery usually it is because of the pain medication they are on that can make them fussy. We did use smelly wet food, and Purrkins didn’t have a problem with eating, he didn’t eat his regular amount, but he did eat, and he drank. He peed every day, and he did not poop for 7 days because of the pain meds, Don’t worry about the not pooping yet.
If you feeding wet food water intake is less important he is getting his moisture, but he should be peeing every day! You said Levon drank like a fish before was he on dry food before? Cats drink more on dry food, that could be the difference your seeing if he was on dry.
Do try the Tuna water Karen suggested see if you can stimulate his senses.
In your case, I suspect it’s pain causing the lack of appetite & I am glad to see you're calling the Vet this morning. Also very important to bring the not peeing every day up when you call!
I do not understand how the Vets continue to send our cats home with little pain medication 3 days or none, I agree with everyone we are taking off a limb it is major surgery, and they need to have proper pain medication. pain management is the key to recovery! Insist upon it when you call and tell them how Levon was acting, his symptoms. I read on your blog he was growling and hissing all of the signs he is showing you go into detail!
Our cat Purrkins was 6 when he had his amputation 15 months ago he had his front left leg & scapula removed. He was sent home with 3 days of Buprenorphine and 14 days of Gabapentin. I had to call and get more Buprenorphine prescribed Purrkins was in pain growling, hissing I could not get near him. That is NEVER Purrkins. I did not have a problem getting more pain meds when I called. The surgeon agreed more was needed.
He ended being on Gabapentin for 14 days and 12 days of Buprenorphine. Just to give you a idea.
Please let us know what the Vet says. Levon will feel a lot better with the proper pain management , and things will start to turn around for you both!
Hugs,
Holly & Purrkins
Hello everyone
I just wanted to start off by saying thanks for the great comments. As each day goes by I realize I have much to learn and I will definately be leaning on o lot of you who are further along in this journey than I am. I hope to return the favor someday and help others as you all are helping me.
So I did get pain medication today. Got a Rx for gabapentin oral suspension, 2ml q12 hrs for 1 week. I expressed my concerns about the time it takes for the medicine to build up in your pets system to be effective and was told he'll feel relief within an hour of 1st dose. Any of your pets experience adverse side effects I should be aware of? I was told to look for bloody, black/tary stools and groginess. Other than that I was just told to see how he reacts to the med and if it gives him relief. His follow up for his surgery is Nov 6th, 2 days after the 1wk Rx runs out. They said if it appears he needs to continue pain management they will fill the 2 day gap before his check up. 1st dose has been given and its just a waiting game to see if his periodic growling, hissing and restlessness improve.
Thanks again everyone
Levon and Jeff
Hey there,
How many mg/ml on the gaba suspension? You did awesome with the suspension, it's more expensive but probably a smaller fight, lol. If you need more, however, Holly taught me to open the capsule, mix it with maybe a tablespoon of tuna juice, suck it up into an oral syringe, and give it that way. Lots less expensive and very effective. You should see a significant difference. My dose for 9 pound kitty was 100mg/ capsule. It knocked him off his butt and he went sound to sleep the first time. Additional doses after showed a tolerance and just groggy happy. I hope this helps. If he does not normally growl and hiss then he should not now unless he is uncomfortable. I would vote to get the extra before he runs out later on. Huck ran out three times and it was not good.
Jackie
P.S. got any pictures?
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
Hey Jackie
The dose is 2ml every 12hrs (from a 250mg/5ml suspension solution) . Levon weighs 19lbs so it seems the dose isn't very strong for his weight, but after 1st dose he hasn't had any growling/hissing episodes. I may have not quite got all of the dose in him as he squirmed pretty good as I emptied the syringe. I definately need a little practice and a bit firmer hold on him. lol I may try and use the tuna water trick to make it a little more tasty for him. I do have pictures but will have to access tripawds site on my PC to post some.
Jeff
Good for you for being such a good advocate for Levon.!!!
It sounds like the dose Levon is on appears to be working alreay 🙂 YAY! Every kitty is different and every kitty reacts differently to pain meds. Just follow his lead and stick to whatever is working for him.
Can't wait to see the pics!
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!
Meant to ask you about the peeing issue. Did yiu discuss it with the Vet?
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!
Good morning!
If his attitude has gotten better don't worry if you don't get it all, lol. You should have seen us with a feral kitty and that medicine tastes like 
Try to wrap him into a towel on your lap or on the floor, face him away from you. If you can sit on the floor like an Indian to do this that would be great. Wrap one arm around and try to steady his head. Take the other hand and put it on the side of his mouth. Don't squirt too much to quickly or you will both wear it 🙂 If he is really fractious then do what you have to do, if he is good, try 1/2 syringe, talk to him and then the other half. I have had the best of kitties that are just buggers to medicate.
I am almost laughing as I am typing this because with Huckleberry I swear I lost everything I knew knowledge wise. It's funny how when it is yours all of your common sense and learning can go straight down the toilet 
Please make sure he gets nourishment into his system, even very small amounts throughout the day. I got that Fancy Feast broth and for a few days Huck licked the liquid up and left the solids. I wasted a ton of food too, but I kept it fresh. Small amounts warmed up, refrigerated the rest. As soon as the food looked a little dry I wasted it and repeated. When he started to eat more was when the pain meds kicked in. I left small amounts of dry food out for him and whatever was left at the end of the day I tossed. When his appetite came back he liked to crunch on the dry. Temptations are the treat of choice here, lol... and I had those available for him.
He was pretty bound up after the surgery, it also took him about a week or more to finally produce Holly introduced me to Miralax, I used 1/8 teaspoon a couple times a day, my vet told me I could use 1/4, Levon is larger so you might want to ask your vet for a dosage until he starts going. That anesthesia really can bind them, so can pain meds. I mixed it in the broth and stirred well, they don't even taste it.
Routing for you over here, we all are. This seems to be the toughest part of the whole ordeal. One day at a time.. you are going to be fine!
Hugs,
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
Hi Jeff ,
Good for you for getting some pain meds! I really hope these vets start to get a clue our cats need pain management
! Too many of our cats suffer and shouldn’t ! By all of us advocating for them that is a step in that direction!
As I said above we were were sent home with the 2 medications one was a opiod the Buprenorphine and the Gabapentin. Purrkins was on both at the same time. Purrkins was sleepy, like any kitty should be in recovery, We had to get more of the opiod so I can't imagine? All animals are different.
Purrkins was up and down throughout the day. As Jackie told you our Gaba was a capsule we opened the capsule into a little bowl and added a little bit of Tuna water to mask the taste. If yours is already a liquid do even smaller amount of tuna water so you don’t aspirate Levon. It's easy to do if its really watery. Try to keep it thicker. I just used enough Tuna juice to slurp it up into the syringe & mask the taste I just measured for you it would of been a a tsp. Sorry Jackie I should of been more specific for you. Whatever works for you is what matters.
We had no side effects. Our Gabapentin was a 100 mg capsule every 8 hours.
Really hoping.this helps relieve Levon, it sounds like it is helping already, if he is still showing symptoms please call the Vet back here is feline dosage sheet.
https://ivapm.o.....t-2017.pdf
It is the second page If you open the pdf.
Ditto Sally did you ask about the lack of peeing?
Jackie thanks for sharing everything you rock!😘(most kitties are buggers to medicate;) I do the same Indian style them in between my legs. They will always back up to get away from you given the chance, this way they are not going anywhere. Be calm and quick, but always give them a chance to swallow so you don't aspirate by accident.
Hugs & chin & ear scratches to Levon & your feline crew!
Holly & Purrkins
Hello everyone
Thanks again for some great comments. Levon did poo for the 1st time Thursday night and has gone again since then. He is peeing. but seems to be holding it because when he goes it's a lot. I did see him drinking out of his water bowl today and his appetite is definately coming back as he ate twice yesterday. Only feeding him wet food, but making dry available also.Long term I need to get his weight down a few lbs so he will not put so much stress on his remaining front limb. Well, time to use some of your advice as I give him his next dose of pain med. lol
Take care
Jeff
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