Hello & Welcome,

We are sorry you have to join us and are dealing with an ISS.
We have had a lot of members with VAS, ISS join. 

chloecat said 
First off, I am wondering if anyone who dealt with ISS got a payout from their vaccine manufacturer? Our surgical vet claimed they would cover partial to full costs of the procedure. However, Merck, our manufacturer, only covers costs for mass removal, which is significantly less money than amputation. Our vet was shocked and said mass removal was no longer the accepted procedure and didn’t know of any companies that would have such a protocol. This has all been very confusing, and crushing emotionally and financially. Has anyone else ever dealt with Merck or another manufacturer that only covered mass removal? 

We have not personally Purrkins lost his left front leg to a soft tissue sarcoma. I just wanted to welcome you and give you what information I could.

Sorry to hear Merck is only covering the mass removal that should include the amputation since that is the only way the mass can be removed and hopefully they can get sufficient margins. Which vaccine is to blame? I think it is important to share this info to help other cat's.

I can't help you with any details on what others have or have not received. It varies from what I understood. No one has shared the payout that I am aware of anyway. I know when you sign the forms and take the money you are waiving any liability to the manufacturer. We also understand what this surgery costs! We do what we have to do to help our furmily member!

Did you see this forum?
Vaccine Associated Sarcoma - Fibrosarcoma, Osteosarcoma, Chondrosarcoma 

As for care, Chloe was admitted this morning for her surgery and will be coming home Friday at noon. I’ve been reading up online for after care and think I have a general grasp of it. I am curious about people’s time commitments during the healing process. I work part time, 29 hours a week, morning  and evening. My boss has offered me time off to care for her, but with the unexpected financial issues I need all the work I can get, so I feel conflicted. How much time a day were you home caring for your pet post surgery?

I hope Chloe had an uneventful surgery and everything went well! I'm glad to see you are doing your research we have tons of information on the site! Forums, blogs we also have a Feline Amputation Recovery and Care Handbook Cool Tips for Tripawd Cats 

I know funds are extremely short but wanted you to know such a book exists if you didn't see it. It makes finding the information a lot easier, and we are all here to help either way. 

I am happy to read you have an understanding boss, and he is offering the time off. Have you asked if it is possible to get extra hours after the surgery and possibly take the time that he offered? It sure would be worth an ask.

Recovery is usually 14 days do you have a support team that can help you and Chloe? Someone to stay with Chloe while you are at work?

I was home with Purrkins thru recovery 14 days. I understand why you are conflicted this is never easy and the financial aspect we all understand too well! I would try to be home at least the first couple of days at least or have someone come over and stay with Chloe if you cannot be home. Meds need to be given as prescribed. Someone needs to watch Chloe is not getting to the incision. They may need coaxing to eat, drink, may need help in the litter box. Every kitty is different, and there is no one size fits all. It would be best if someone is with her. Hopefully, others will chime in that could not take off work and offer what they did.

Do you have have a room or space for Chloe to recover in? If there is a bed, it's best if you can put the mattress directly on the floor cats will 99.9% of the time head directly under the bed if given a chance. You don't want Chloe under the bed. They usually want to come home and hide to recover, which is normal for cats when they are hurt or ill. Have a safe area you can easily access her for med time. Purrkins chose the closet in the spare room we set up for recovery. Some people use dog cages some use tents. If using a dog cage, I would cover a good part of it to make her feel secure.

and finally, we have a small dog who weighs the same as Chloe, nine pounds. They are not great friends as our dog gets too excited with her. I’m am very concerned about introducing them post-op. How long did everyone wait to introduce pets after surgery? We’re there any surprise issues such as amputees being more wary or aggressive? Or vice versa?

Yes, the amputee and the other animal can be wary or aggressive both - They can absolutely be fine too; it depends on the individual and their relationships. Check out this forum on what we all did with another kitty in the house. It would also apply to dogs. 

How Did You Prepare Your Other Cats for the New TriKitty? 

I would only reintroduce them after Chloe is starting to show her sparkle again. Only while you are there and can supervise if it goes awry in any manner or it causes Chloe stress in any way end the visit. You want to put Chloe first when she gets home she does not need any added stressors while in recovery.

Thank you for any advice. I am so happy this site exists. Since I watch Vet Ranch videos pretty regularly, I found myself psychologically ready and accepting of surgery, but it’s been so emotionally draining and isolating. I didn’t know of anyone with an amputee cat and certainly not one that lost a leg while living with them. This site has been a life raft for me. Have a great day!

Yes this emotionally draining to the max, we all understand! Try to keep your emotions in check when Chloe comes home; they are mirrors to our emotions. I say try because we are human but being aware makes all the difference. You will catch it, I panicked the first hour home and knew it I regrouped ASAP for Purrkins! 

I am sure most of us didn't know a three-legged animal or anyone with one until we joined this site. Your not alone you know people who do now. Purrkins will be on 3 - 3 years three this July. He does fantastic on three. 

Make sure you are coming home with more than three days worth of pain meds & know how to administer them. If you are not comfortable giving meds be sure to tell the surgeon: pain meds or lack of make or break recovery. You want Chloe medicated and resting. We had restricted activity for 14 days. Purrkins was on Buprenorphine for 12 days and Gabapentin for 14 days. Meds and the duration seem to vary per Vet and kitty. Three days is not enough medication, and either is just a Nsaid. Amputation is a huge surgery we need big pain meds on board!  Cats, dogs, humans are no different; they all feel pain the difference is cats are masters at hiding pain and seem to get sent home with fewer pain meds — advocate for Chloe. 

Let us know when you get Chloe home & if you have other questions, we will all do our best to help. 

Hugs,
Holly & Purrkins❤️❤️❤️

Hi everyone! I haven't been around here for such a long time and for some reason I felt a need to check in and here is a VAS cat!! And Sally with her amazing memory remember I got guilt funds from Merck Canada for half of the $2,000 cost of her amputation in 2014.

I just read about someone who "managed to get a $5000 sum from the vaccine company, not just their original $3000 offer.  To cover any remaining radiotherapy, etc."

The vet is the vaccine manufacturer's customer. The vet can challenge the manufacturer to offer the full cost of amputation or he/she will purchase the vaccines elsewhere.

I wish you luck in getting appropriately compensated and that your cat heals well. 

Mona is doing great. Here she is under the blankets in the morning.

Hugs to all of you and your wonderful pets.

Kerren, Tripawd Mona and Handsome Eli

Great Chloe did well thru surgery & glad to hear the surgeon was able to 5 cm plus margins.🎉

I have the same questions as Sally:)
What meds did they send you home with? We are asking to see if it is the meds or if she is in discomfort. Depending on what the meds are they may not do well when given together. Purrkins was on Buprenorphine and Gabapentin they were to be given one hour apart not together. We recently helped someone who was on the same, they gave those meds together, and the kitty was very anxious and thrashing, once they were given an hour apart, the kitty did well. I agree with the sedative too it can be useful, but it won't help with surgical pain.

Here are some pain signals to watch for Feline Acute Pain Scale 

Tripawd Cats Pain Management Tips and Tricks

Please do follow up with your Vet on the pain meds 3 days is not enough pain medication after a surgery like this. Purrkins was sent home with 3 days of pain meds for dental cleaning and tooth extraction last year to put this into perspective. I do not know what on earth these Vets are thinking let's take their limb off and send them home with three days worth of meds. Sorry, this is infuriating this continues to happen, it drives me bonkers any animal has to suffer it should never happen. We had to advocate to get Purrkins more meds several of has have had to. Advocate for Chloe.

As Sally said we all go thru the lack of sleep for days the first week especially you will have to rest when Chloe does. If you can take time off, I would for both of you.  If you can make it happen and if not see if your Mom is willing to take care of Chloe or someone else while you are away.

I think the bed is ok as long as you are with Chole, so there is no chance of her falling off. We have had a few kitties on the bed, and they have fallen off and gotten injured I'm not trying to scare you but give you a heads up, and I agree she wants to be close to you and as comfortable as possible. I would not walk away with her on the bed she may want to follow you things can happen so fast.

I hope last night went smoother the first few nights and days can be bumpy with the hospital meds and the new meds. Hospital meds will be wearing off, and you may have another dip. Be consistent on the meds and phone the vet asap on the meds. I hope you have enough meds to get thru today?

Chloe is drinking, eating and using the litter box ok?
Let us know how things are going and if the resources help out, please.

Hugs and scratches to Chloe.
Holly & Purrkins❤️