Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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So my blog has been updated here and there but I thought I would post a specific question for those who don’t follow. Amber has continued to do well. While a few days ago she went up and down the stairs just fine, today she was hesitant so I ended up carrying her. The other day she attempted to jump on my bed (I was too late to stop her) and she ended up not making it and falling. That seemed to scare her... poor thing. Today and yesterday I noticed her trying to scratch her left ear with her now nonexistent leg. I’m not sure if this is common with phantom pain or just her forgetting there’s nothing there. Don’t worry, I gave her some extra good scratches to compensate 🙂 any input or advice is appreciated. I do have gabapentin on hand to use if needed
Cats continuing trying to do things until they find it doesn't work and they then try something else. Their body has to adjust to missing a limb and they do. Initially, Mona would spin in circles when she got up quickly. She spun because she was missing a front leg but she soon adapted so that she got up, paused, then moved forward.
Mona used to take flying leaps off the bed and would have a few face plants. A few times I had to show her how to use a chair and a box to get down and when she started using them she stopped having face plants. She developed some of her own techniques for dismounting and it worked well for her.
Amber has lost her full ability to leap. I suggest you set up boxes or stairs for Amber to access the bed and other places she likes to go. She will become more confident when she feels safe and has her boxes/stairs figured out.
Nice of you to scratch Amber's ear! She might find other techniques. I was amazed when the day after surgery I saw Mona wash one side of her face with a rear paw. They adapt so well!
Kerren
Great insight from Kerren. Love how kitty Mona continues eo empower us all with her "kitty knowledge".❤❤❤❤❤❤ Mona❤❤❤❤❤
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!
Yep, Kerren's insight is spot on. Since animals carry all of their propulsion in the rear legs, when they lose half of it, jumping is tricky. The more boxes/ramps/steps you can put out for her, the happier and less injury prone she will be.
The "air scratching" behavior is common with rear leg amputees, and if it's not accompanied by scary yelps or running from the pain, it's just the stump and brain misfiring. Our Wyatt used to do that all the time, even years after his amputation recovery. I keep a back scratcher around to help when he needed it. Cats are pretty smart when it comes to scratching and I'll bet in no time at all Amber will figure out how to soothe that itch when it happens.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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