Hi there,

I am sorry to hear that Big is having trouble getting around.  You mentioned that it seemed to be worse now than it was three days post-op. Are you sure that it really is worse and not just your perception of it? I ask because I also have an older overweight rear leg amputee kitty. In my case I was having some perception problems. Initially following his surgeries I was just so happy to have Tuxedo whole that anything he could do I was so grateful for. But what happened was as all of his stitches got removed, the wounds healed and fur started growing back in over the scars, I thought he was getting worse in terms of getting around. I thought that because I was comparing him mentally now to the way he was before he lost his leg because I still don't think of him as an amputee kitty I think of him as my kitty.  I only was able to realize that I was doing this after I reviewed some videos I had made of him a few days after his surgery. Trust me when I say he is getting around much better than he was back then. Although he does move a bit slower than he did at that time. I think that is because he now is more cautious and thinks more before he moves. Back then he was so doped up that it's a miracle he didn't kill himself running around because he was so happy to be home.

A few things that we have learned here to deal with the weight gain issue and lack of activities are listed below. I had to start feeding him small amounts multiple times a day. And I mean these amounts were much smaller. Tuxedo used to graze all day long on food. I would put it out in the morning and leave it there for both him and Dazzle to eat. Well now I feed Tuxedo and Dazzle three times a day with very small amounts. The remainder of their food goes into their wobble toy forcing them to have to work to get more.  Overall I would say that the food intake has been cut somewhere in the neighborhood of 15 - 20%. I also move their food bowl to different locations throughout the day each time as I fill it.  I figure this makes them have to go seek out where I have put it and get just a little bit more exercise.

Both of my kitties never have liked toys. But through experimentation I found out that if a toy both rattles and has feathers on it they will not only play with it they will fight over it. I do not know if they like it because of the sound, because the feathers tickle, or because it reminds them of being outside and catching birds.  In order for Tuxedo to play with this toy he has to be laying down. As you may have already found out rear amputee kitty cats have some serious balance issues when it comes to sitting. Just the slightest touch can knock Tuxedo off balance and force him to topple over. This means it's very difficult for him to play unless he is laying down. The way I get my two kitty cats to go at it is I give the toy to Tuxedo once he's laying down and he hugs it close to him.  Then Dazzle will come over and try to steal it. Of course Tuxedo will not allow this to happen and they end up getting into a little bit of a rough house play situation. These play sessions tend to last around 20 minutes. And no Tuxedo does not usually lose. He fights dirty.  Perhaps it might be worth a trip to the dollar store and pick up a few different types of toys to see if there is one that Big will respond to.

Here is a picture showing the unusual posture that Tuxedo must use to sit. Unfortunately this picture also shows off his pookie belly. I suspect this posture is why he always goes toppling over if anybody catches him when he is not expecting it. Needless to say the moment he tries to lift up one or both of his front paws there he goes off to one side.

I wish you the best of luck with Big!