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,
My boy Daegan went missing for a couple weeks, he did return to us but was injured, dehydrated and had lost half of his body weight. Due to these injuries he developed an infection which has destroyed the blood flow to his lower front left leg. Today the vet has recommended a full amputation of the leg including his shoulder.
He will have the surgery Oct 27th and be home Oct 28th.
I am looking for suggestions to make his recovery easier for him. What do you wish you would have known? what should we be prepared for?
Thank you!
Hi Daegan and Jezey, welcome! This is the club nopawdy wants to join but we are so glad you found us, and super glad that Daegan came home and will be OK when recovery is over.
Amputation is a scary idea but you'll be amazed by how well he does. Most cats bounce back pretty quickly, even faster than dogs! Have you seen our e-book, Cool Tips for Tripawd Cats ? Here are some other articles that can help you get ready:
Our What to Expect Article Series
What to Expect: Post-Amputation Pain in Cats
Tripawd Cat Pain Management Tips and Tricks
Do you have other kitties? This article may also help:
Amputation Recovery Tips for Multi-Cat Homes
Finally, you may want to consider building a DIY Catio enclosure to keep him safe from other accidents. They're so cool!
I hope this helps. Stay tuned for feedback from others!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
My cat had his rear leg removed last Friday. One thing I wish I had known is that he would need non-clumping litter after, I didn't have any and had to make a special trip to get some.
We also had a problem with him not liking one one of the meds. Don't be afraid to call the vet if anything doesn't seem right. We got a good alternative to the one he wouldn't take and now he's much happier. Don't believe him if he seems fine and wants to be really active, he needs to rest for a while.
Ooooh can't wait to see the catio!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I did not have to switch cat litter for my boy Fuzz who had full front right leg amputation due to osteosarcoma in his right scapula last September. I used unscented scoopable but downsized to a kitten litterbox and just put enough in for him to use. My surgeon did not say I had to change anything but maybe an easy access litterbox for a bit. Fuzz came home within 24 hours of his surgery and was poster child for recovery. After spending hours cleaning and readying my laundry room to use as his recovery room, he busted out 2x and flew down basement stairs within an hour of being home.. so plan B resulted in using extra bathroom and blocking off sink/counter and toilet so he could not try to climb or jump. I covered floor with puppy pee pads and extra rugs for traction on tile floor and added a couple purr pads/self warming beds for him to sleep on. He preferred back in corner but would come out to use litterbox and eat. I worried he would not eat/drink and not take his meds.. not a problem. I used various wet and juicy food to mix his meds ( he was on a steroid and anti inflammatory for a couple days and remained on liquid gabapentin for over 4 months for pain/healing). The surgeon/clinic sent me a couple cans of the actual food he was eating while in ICU as it was a kind I did not have on hand but he was not picky. Just small amounts frequently to help not upset his tummy. Spend as much time as feasible but give plenty of quiet rest time. sometimes I just went and sat on bathroom floor while he slept but he came over and would crawl in my lap. Fuzz never required any type of covering for his staples. His incision kind of resembled a T up across where shoulder was then down along abdomen/chest. The surgeon sent me home with a plastic collar but it was never required. He did not even notice his incision or staples which came out about 2 weeks later. After that he was literally back to normal but I noticed periods of probably phantom pain which is why I kept him on gabapentin longer.. he would almost get what appeared to be a spasm in the muscle of the missing scapula and would readjust that area sometimes hissing or growling.. that went away and sadly despite his cancer coming back at the post op 6 month check you would literally never know he has only 3 legs over a year after his amputation... We send love and hugs to all of you for the surgery and hoping it and recovery goes as smoothly as Fuzz's did. Cats are amazing healers and I believe a front leg amputation is easier than a rear.. they adapt so quickly and appear to just shift remaining front leg to more centered position to aid in balance of walk/hop and running.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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