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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Hello,
I'm new here.
My cat had a front leg amputated today and is now home. He also had lymph nodes removed that complicated the surgery.
I'm feeling so bad because he really seems to be suffering, crying out and unsettled.
Has anyone else experienced this? Does it get better?
How long does it take for this chronic pain stage to ease so they can start getting back to normal a little?
I just can't bare seeing him in so much pain and I'm really questioning my decision to go ahead with amputation and not just let him go.
Any advice would be great
xx
Lena and Coco I'm so glad we had the chance to talk in the Tripawds Chat today. I'm sorry you are dealing with recovery, and same day at home too, that's super tough but you can do this! Coco may be an older kitty but your vet wouldn't have recommended amputation if they didn't think he was capable of bouncing back.
Yes it DOES get better! Like I said, bringing home a cat the same day of surgery is unnerving and scary. But it's better than leaving him alone in the clinic over the holiday. You already have his confined space set up, which is great. And while you probably won't get much sleep tonight or tomorrow, this is really temporary.
He's also on good pain control but like I mentioned, if he can take a non-steroidial anti-inflammatory that would also be ideal but something tells me his medical condition won't enable him to take it?
Be sure to check out these articles and stay tuned for feedback from others OK? And let us know what your vet says when they check in tomorrow.
Our What to Expect articles will give you the scoop on pain management and caring for him in the next few days.
Also, our Cool Tips for Tripawd Cats book is filled with everything you need to know about life on three for cats.
Keep us posted, we are here for you!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks so much for your reassurance and kind words. It's all a bit new and terrifying so thanks for helping me out and giving me some awesome advice 
I spoke to the vet today and she said everything he was going through was normal considering he had major surgery. He is more relaxed today. I was up on the hour every hour last night checking him, giving him food, water and pain meds. It helps that he's calmer though he's not moving much so I'm hoping thats just him giving himself time to heal
Hi and welcome ❤
How old is your kitty? The next couple of weeks are going to be a rollercoaster ride for sure so strap in, hang on, and stay tuned in with us for support, ok?
With the added procedure of the lymph nodes I would expect recovery to take a bit longer so please hang in there.
Im sure Jerry has already mentioned how important pain management is. It can be tricky to regulate, and sometimes either timing or dosage needs to be tweaked a bit with the help of your vet.
Appetite can be an issue, between the procedure and the drugs, so soft, stinky, yummy wet foods, low sodium broths, Delectables squeeze ups was and still is one of Huckleberry's favorite treats. Hydration is super important so between broths and wet food (which has a high water content) that will help keep him going while he is healing.
Please, no jumping, climbing up on things right now. As much rest as he can get is vital for the next couple of weeks. If he can recover in one room that he can't get into trouble in, that would be great.
I wish you luck in your journey, hang in there!
Jackie and Huckleberry❤
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
WHEW! Sorry I missed you in the chat earlier. This is great news, I'm so glad you connected with the vet today. Yes, where you are at in recovery right now sounds on-target. Let him sleep, it's medicinal and a good sign that he is healing.
Thank you for checking in. Stay strong, treasure this Christmas you are together (even though I know it's not what you expected), because you and Coco are ROCK STARS! 
You are doing this!
Keep us posted! Hoppy Pawlidays!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks guys, it’s great to hear it’s normal to be where we are with recovery.
@paws120 coco is 13. He’s also diabetic and has non regenerative anaemia. So he’s been on Atopica and preds for many years for this condition and it’s all under control, as is the diabetes but it’s a struggle administering more meds when he’s so unwell.
coco was peeing quite a lot yesterday and he’s had water today but no peeing at all. Is this normal? Should I be concerned. I know constipation is an issue so I’m not so worried about that right now.
Do you have a way to keep on top of his sugar levels?
Drinking is great, i would have to think it's gotta come out the other way unless he's getting dehydrated. Do you know how to tent the skin on his neck and check?
Im not familiar with the blood disorder so i can't help there, but i do know that you have to be careful with food intake and insulin. Best I can tell you there is to keep in close contact with your doc throughout recovery. They may want to run a couple of blood panels and urinalysis to check his sugar levels. Is the surgeon that did his amputation different than his regular doc? If so, you'll want to make sure they both know what's going on, ok?
You're doing a great job ❤ hang in there and one step at a time, ok?
❤
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
Thanks.
He has regular blood tests for glucose levels and all were good a week ago.
He has done a pee now ....hallelujah! So relieved.
The surgeon is his long term doc but he’s there so regularly that we see a second vet too who’s up to speed on his condition and has also performed surgery on the tumour removal earlier on.
This is definitely a rollercoaster but it’s been so great to get advice from others that have gone through it.
That's great, I'm glad his doctors know him well. You got this, was just trying to make sure all your medical care is on the same page and it is ❤
Hope you all have a restful uneventful night❤
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
Thanks @paws120
He slept well through the night. He doesn't want to come out of his cage yet so Im going to buy some puppy training pads to help keep it sanitary. I'm using towels at the moment so the washing machine is constantly on. He seems to be scratching the wound a bit more today so I'm hoping that's a sign that its healing. 
You can get a shallow cardboard bottom, like the ones that hold a case of canned food, line it with newspaper and add some litter to it.
Here are more helpful ideas: Litter Boxes
https://tripawd.....ue/page-2/
https://tripawd.....mber-tips/
Also, please be careful not to let him scratch at the incision. He could conceivably rip the sutures/staples out in no time flat and you would be in trouble. Here is Purrkins blog with ideas to keep the incision safe: https://purrkin.....ternative/
There are other options also now for front leg amputees: https://gear.tr.....-tripawds/
I hope these help you. I lined Huckleberry's cage with incontinence pads and that helped a great deal also. He is going to want to use a cat box, it is a normal function and you want to help him adjust to his new way of life as soon as possible. Huck is a rear leg amputee, so he had different challenges but as long as they can get in, move around, and eliminate, that is the important thing.
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
Thanks, I've ordered some wood pellets as the self clumping stuff was causing a right mess so I'll try again with that.
These resources are great so thanks for sharing.
I actually think he's constipated ... other people on here seem to have had the same issue post op, I'm keeping him hydrated so I'm hoping it resolves itself soon... its been 2 days since surgery - 3 counting surgery day so that seems like a long time.
It can take up to a week to see 💩 The fasting, anesthesia, pain meds are necessary but mess with their system. Keeping him hydrated will help the process along. I can't tell you how many of us (me included) did a dance when they finally poop. It took Huck just about a week to finally go. You can check with your vet about Miralax too. With his special conditions i wouldn't do anything without running it by them first, ok?
You're doing a great job ❤
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
The 💩 arrived...phew!
He’s doing a little better today but still sleeping loads and hates having his meds and insulin now which is an added stress.
My partner and I are watching him 24/7 and taking it in turns to go out for some exercise. I don’t feel I can leave him alone any time soon. How long have other people waited until they felt it was safe to leave their pets alone after surgery...I’m kind of thinking the 10-14 day mark when stitches would come out.
Luckily I’m off for Christmas but I’ll be going back to work in Jan. Any advice would be great! X
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