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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We are about to hit the road for our 2 week to the day post op surgical check up and get Fuzz's staples out today at 1 pm. He is doing so well and is getting around in his confined area like a champ. He has been spending increased monitored quality time with his buddy, Murphey the black lab and has even taken a stroll out of his recovery area. His appetite still is that of a little piggie.. eats everything and I definitely have him spoiled on all the varieties of treats and moist canned food options he has been eating. He even actually ate some dry food.. I will be happy to get him in a more routine normal area for him to do his thing.. one leg is definitely not affecting his litter box usage. He has been using a smaller low side temporary box and manages to throw litter for miles.. it looks like a cat litter tornado when he is done.. amazing how strong that one leg and balance is to do tasks such as digging and covering in kitty litter.. my battery powered dyson is getting a work out daily.. lol.. hopefully these pictures post this time around.. these were taken last night and you can see how alert and happy he is and loves to still cuddle and lay on me during our visit/meal times. I have him now weened down to .5 cc of gabapentin daily and will be discussing long term medicine today at appointment. He shows no pain and still has not bothered his incision/staples.
He looks great! And these are all terrific signs that recovery has been pretty easy on him considering. Let us know how the visit goes today and what kind of pain management you guys discuss.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
"Cat litter tornado" LOL. 🤣🤣🤣😂
It just lights our world to hear how well Fuzz is doing😎 I know how thrilled you are to see Fuzz be Fuzz again😊
And those pictures...OMC! Soooo cute!!! His leg with the little shaved spot actually looks quite stylish. I think Fuzz is rather proud!
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!
The post op follow up visit went well.. Dr. Padgett was very pleased with his recovery, weight, incision, and activity level.. It appears the only weight he lost was his leg... His staples came out 2 weeks practically to the hour and that went well. Dr. recommended to gradually reintroduce him into household over the next week or so but still monitor and keep him confined at night and when not around. He gets around good and has figured out to hold himself lower and he can move much easier and quicker without the hop motion. We laid on the couch and cuddled for a bit this afternoon after returning home and scarfing half a can of food. I was given another 30 ml bottle of gabapentin for any flare ups in pain and to use with the process I am doing now of weening him down as I increase his activity and allow him out of confinement. I have him on about .5 per day. Dr. said to use as needed and can give him up to 1 ml if needed if he appears in pain or discomfort after periods of activity during these next few weeks. wE go back in 2-3 months to oncologist for chest xrays to see if any microscopic cancer shows up and will continue that for who knows how long. Chemo would be next step if needed during these check ups. Dr. stated that his scapular osteosarcoma was technically best news for cancer diagnosis because in cats as it is so rare and rarely metastatic in cats... sadly for dogs it is very bad. Of course I will always still stress about this what if/chance and especially at time of xray check up, but I know he is basically Fuzz from several months ago before the limp, before the shoulder growth.. he does not appear in any pain, he eats like a pig, purrs and talks to me like he always did and gives his kitty kisses! Fuzz sends his love and many purrs and head bumps!
You are doing such a good job of monitoring the adorable Fuzz and keeping him safe.
This is such an uplifting update. Nothing better than kitty kisses and head bumps from a tripawd kitty😎
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!
That is the best news anypawdy could ask for! That light at the tunnel's end is shining brightly Kudos to you for keeping such a close eye on Fuzz' pawgress. He is a lucky kitty to have you
Thank you for that update, so inspiring
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
Sunday Update: Since I have long weekends at home we used Saturday as a monitored time out of his hospital/recovery room for Fuzz to reacclimate to house. There is NO STOPPING Fuzz! So much for keeping him under a slow reintroduction... Stairs are no problem. Jumping up on to table and then down again-no problem, jumping into his chair-no problem, jumping up on back of couch where he likes to nap- no problem! As I type this he is laying and resting up on my loft area after eating his canned food breakfast- upstairs... he zips up and down stairs and all around house. I do see he will lay down and rest as I am sure it takes a bit more out of him as he is now using 3 legs and has been recovering in confined area since major surgery but I could not ask for a cat that literally is 100% back to normal 2 weeks after having his scapular/limb amputation. We laid on couch and cuddled watching OSU game last night- celebrating win and he even leaped from couch to recliner to snuggle on my brother who came for a visit. In the short time of his recovery and now moving around, Fuzz has adapted and learned a posture to quickly adapt- he holds his front end lower over the good leg and that enables him to move quickly and efficiently without much of a hop motion. He is smooth and fast! Included is photo of him coming from upstairs where he started his exploration yesterday- zipping up to use litterbox (one of his preferred boxes) and then checking out to make sure nothing changed I assume- upstairs cat Houdini just sat watching in what appeared to be a look of amazement as this 3 legged stranger got around like nothing. I think confining him at night and when I am not home is going to be the way this week.. he definitely prefers being out in his house again and doing his thing. I am going to still give him the gabapentin daily and just monitor for discomfort but even after yesterdays big exploration and travels throughout house he was fine.
Stairs are no problem, mom!!!Fuzz is such a spunky guy! He's making the most of his new freedom, he sounds so hoppy 🙂
Good idea to keep him confined while you are away. Little by little his freedom can be restored fully as he gets stronger. You are doing a great job monitoring him.
Thanks for the Fuzz photo fix! Made our day.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Fuzz's recovery truly is phenomenal!!! It really is!😁😁 And you have done a phenomenal job of monitoring him and surrounding him with your pawsitive energy.😎
Higs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS. He clearly is quite proud of himself in that picture😊
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!
Just doing a little catching up. After reading his story i can tell that Fuzz is obviously a BIG personality. (As all cat should be 😉)
Go fuzz, your a rockstar! Love the pic of him on the stairs! His face says it all, "silly humans of course i can do the stairs?!? Watch me here i go!"
Hugs ❤ Bev, nurse Moe cat, Autumn's Angel Roane & Angel dog Gypsy 🐾
My sweet soulmate Roane was diagnosed with osteo in June of 2019. Had a rear leg amp on July 2nd & crossed the rainbow bridge to be with her sister Gypsy on the first day of Autumn Sept 23 2019.
roane226 said
Go fuzz, your a rockstar! Love the pic of him on the stairs! His face says it all, "silly humans of course i can do the stairs?!? Watch me here i go!"
Fuzz is a rockstar! And he definitely has "GOT THIS!!!!!" Tonight he was actually running around--- yes running! Besides the obvious in looking at him you would literally never realize he had his full front leg and shoulder amputated less than 3 weeks ago. He is simply amazing. His HUUUUGE personality has returned and his abilities and adaption to this minor set back simply amaze me every time I watch him. His incision is now scabbed in a few places and has even almost disappeared in other areas. He has patchy long fur growing back now in his shaved area and hopefully soon his fluffy coat will cover the scar and before the weather and temperature drops too much. He is all for snuggling on fleecey/fuzzy blankets though and does so every time you sit down with one- Tri-Fuzz will suddenly appear in your lap! I wish I could bottle up Fuzz's recovery and send it to all the kitties going through surgery/amputation and cancer treatment because he is beyond everything I could have hoped for after getting this devastating news 2 months ago!
fuzzmom said
I wish I could bottle up Fuzz's recovery and send it to all the kitties going through surgery/amputation and cancer treatment because he is beyond everything I could have hoped for after getting this devastating news 2 months ago!
Just by being here and sharing your story you are offering reassurance and encouragement to anyone starting this journey. Thank you for that😊.
Tri-Fuzz....love that!!😎
Surgeons like to get clipper happy when shaving for surgery. Once the fur grows back, you won6 even notice Fuzz is a "tri".
Fuzz, you are master of recovery!
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!
Love that... Tri-Fuzz Fuzz will be the inspawration for many a scared pawrent coming in here to seek solace, comfort, and advice. You have done such a wonderful job with him and all that lovin' and worrying is coming back to you trifold!
Sending you guys hugs, this is what it's all about
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
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