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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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Feeling like a paranoid idiot calling vet so soon.
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Member Since:
17 February 2023
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27 February 2023 - 5:28 pm
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My 13-yr-old cat just had right forelimb amputation on Friday and we picked him up Saturday afternoon.  Surgeon (2 hr drive away) gave us pain meds (Bup/Gabapentin) to administer every 8 hours and basically all he does is sleep.  I can get him awake enough to eat about 3-4 bites of food, but then he falls right back asleep. Also realized he had no signs of using the litterbox nor was there any sign of urine in his bedding (covered with puppy pads) or the towel I use to "burrito" him for medicine time, so I called the surgeon's office this morning to ask if I should be worried since he had a history of urinary crystals and partial blockage about 5 years ago.  They were worried too and had me take him to his local vet just to be checked.  His vet decided to reduce his Bup dose to see if it helps him stay awake longer to eat and then she gave him some sub-q fluids because he looked a little dehydrated.  Of course, feel like an idiot because he proceeded to eat 2 full tube treats while there and got home and put him in his recovery crate and he peed right away.  How do you do this and not become a hovering mess worried about every little thing?

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The Rainbow Bridge



Member Since:
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27 February 2023 - 6:45 pm
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You are absolutely not an idiot, really! You did exactly as you should have done, knowing what his background is, and following your gut instinct. 

Adjusting pain medication is not unusual, in fact it's pretty common and usually for these kinds of reasons. Pain meds do all sorts of wacky things like make animals not want to eat or toilet. His behavior is not unusual especially for an older cat. 

Remember that as a mature fella he will take a bit longer to recover, so don't expect too much right now, at least until stitches come out.

That is so wonderful your vet was there for you today! 

What is your kitty's name and why the amputation? 

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27 February 2023 - 8:26 pm
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thanks for the kind words.  And thanks for the warning of the longer timescale as an older kitty.  He is Wilson, named after the best friend character on the tv show House because we brought him home the day of the series' final episode and he seemed to latch on to me immediately like a loyal friend.   We are waiting on biopsy results, but he has sarcoma of the femoral head.  It was a long path to diagnosis and a short path to surgery.  From a limp with no behavioral changes and nothing visible on xrays in October and December, to a small bump finally visible on xrays in late January.  It was a lot of consults and testing, but we went from yes, something is wrong to surgery in less than three weeks.  Now waiting on pathology to determine the type of cancer, as well as trying to understand some other abnormal bloodwork that showed up along the way.  Meanwhile, I am the helicopter kitty momma feeling guilty for constantly bugging the vet, but realizing I knew well before they did that this was not just a muscle strain or arthritis.  I love my vet and the fact they accommodated my constant request to "check again" as xray after xray each month came up with nothing until it finally showed a big something.

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23 October 2022
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27 February 2023 - 10:27 pm
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Wilson! sp_hearticon2 What a cute name. He sounds like such a sweetheart. 
I recently went through an amputation with my senior kitty (16 years old). Her’s was a rear amputation, due to an osteosarcoma tumor in her femur.  The first few days were rough, so I really empathize with what you’re going through! Nini didn’t eat or drink her first day home, either. And she didn’t poop until her 4th day home. And she spend a lot of time sleeping. Every cat is going to be different, but I do think it just takes some time for them to adjust. Wilson just went though a lot, and he is still recovering from the anesthesia drugs as well as adjusting to his pain meds. 

You are doing everything right being a ‘helicopter momma’. I can’t encourage you enough to keep doing exactly that. As you said, you knew something was wrong with Wilson, even though it took the vets months to figure out what. No one else knows Wilson, or spends as much time with him, or loves him as much as you do. Your gut instinct is invaluable and trusting it is one of the best things you can do for Wilson right now. And it sounds like your instincts are right on! The vet agreed his lack of eating and drinking was worrisome, and sounds like he did need some help with dehydration. 

I just went through a rough time with my cat - 3 emergency room visits in 10 days. It took all that time and 3 doctors to figure out what was wrong with her. And I wish I had been more of a squeaky wheel, asked more questions and piped up with my opinion more. It might be a little uncomfortable for you now, but I don’t think you’ll regret speaking up for Wilson. You’re his advocate in the human world. He needs your voice right now. 

I hope his next few days home go well! You’re doing great!

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27 February 2023 - 11:28 pm
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You're such a thoughtful cat mama! It sounds like both before his diagnosis and now you responded to the signs that Wilson was giving you and made sure he got helped - that's not paranoid! That's being proactive and advocating for your cat. I'm so glad Wilson has you in his corner.

I'm a believer that once you have a three legged feline teenager, you have all the cat lady cred needed to be the squeakiest wheel your vet has ever heard. Especially with your surgeon so far away, I think it's really responsible to be vocal and make sure that you're reading things correctly. Both for your peace of mind and Wilson's best interest. 

The way I saw my way through that immediate post surgery stage of things was, first, by making a log of everything that was happening - my mind was fried emotionally so just not having to remember the last time she went to the bathroom or what meds she was taking day to day made things so much easier. Take pictures too! With both I could look back and see progress, celebrate wins, and it was helpful every time we went in after her surgery - I'd send my log to my vet so it would be in their records and it was a cheat sheet for appointments. If you don't have one, a brief medical history would be good to put together as well so things like Wilson's urinary issues are recorded and you don't have to remember those in the moment too. Vets will send you his records and labs via email if you ask so you can even keep your own set of records too. When you don't have to hold everything in your head at once it'll be easier to make decisions and temper that anxiety.

Second, I talked to my surgeon and my vet about what to expect and watch out for. When things would worry me but not them I'd ask them for tolerances - if her low energy is not a problem now, when would it be a problem? What vitals should I be tracking? A lot of times she would be exhibiting odd symptoms and I would call, ask for the information and then try to just focus on the facts, not my emotional response to the information (it was hit or miss but got better with practice!). The better you know the facts, the easier it'll get to sort out things that need your vet's input, and get help quickly when you need it. Make sure you know where the nearest 24 hr vet or emergency clinic is and always, always when in doubt, ask your vet.

Third, get to know the folks at your vet's and the surgeon's practice - especially gatekeepers like the receptionists and technicians. Record who gave you what advice or saw him last in your log. Make sure to learn first names, be nice, and thank them for helping you out, because they will be hearing from you, and taking a little extra bandwidth to be nice can make them an active ally in Wilson's care. 

Lastly, know that the hovering will last for a bit until you know he's stable. You both went through a trauma - and even though it may not seem like it, it's only been a few days.

Be gentle with yourself as he recovers, you made a difficult choice to save his life in the long term, knowing the short term would be harder. But it will get easier. You got this.

Senior trikitty Luanne had a right forepaw removed in May of 2022 and is still going strong! Here's our story.

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Member Since:
17 February 2023
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3 March 2023 - 8:37 am
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Thanks all - started keeping a diary of things, as suggested.  We are on the last day of one pain medication and Wilson is SO OVER all the meds, so he will be happy.  Meanwhile, the surgeon called yesterday morning for an update and encouraged me to start standing him up and helping train him how to balance on the three legs.  I created a monster.  Was so excited as he walked the five feet to get to his food bowl this morning.  But then, as I went to put his collar back on and take him back to his recovery play pen, he bolted.  I have severe arthritis in both knees and stress induced asthma, so you can imagine the chaos that ensued as Wilson proceeded to run across the room, up a flight of stairs and hid under a bed in the guest room.  Believe me, the F-bombs were flying.  Closed the door and proceeded to try to move the bed to get him out. Well, I rent a 100+ year old farmhouse and not a single door closes and stays closed.  So, out he ran and pushed the door open and ran back down the stairs.  Finally caught him as he tried to hide in a Chewy box from his food being delivered yesterday.  Thrilled to know he can walk - not so thrilled he chose to go full-on Rebel Without a Paw on me!  Checked sutures, all seems fine.  He never seemed to fall or slide on the stairs, and nothing seems injured.  Counting ourselves lucky.  Of course, my husband managed to sleep through the entire adventure.  

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Virginia



Member Since:
22 February 2013
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3 March 2023 - 10:44 am
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This had to be so scary for you!  I'm  sure you were exhausted  phusically  and me tally after dealing g with your.   Rebel Without a Paw.  

So glad Wilson is doing okay.     Clearly mobility  will not be an issue at all!😎

Have to say thpugh, you had me laughing with your description  of the whole ordeal.  And to know uoir husband slept through ot all🤬

BTW loved the "Hoise" series and knowing  that's  how you decided  on Wilson's name.  Clever.

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!

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The Rainbow Bridge



Member Since:
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3 March 2023 - 12:01 pm
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LOL! Wilson is back! I'm sorry I had to chuckle, that was a great way for him to show you he's got things covered. Hiding in the Chewy box?! icon_lol

So happy for you guys!

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