Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello! First post on the forum. Back in March of this year I adopted a cute little kitty that had had one of her front legs amputated around a month prior. From what the SPCA said, she was brought in with a severely damaged leg and it was decided that amputation was her best option for good quality of life.
Six months later and I am so happy I took that chance on her. But just today I noticed a red spot on the little fleshy nub that's all that remains of her leg. The whole leg, including the shoulder blade, was removed.
I think she's been licking/biting at it. There's no blood, but a small red sore spot. Does anyone know a good option to take care of this at home?
Hi and welcome! We are so glad you joined. Thank you for adopting her! What is your kitty's name?
Does she tend to fall on that side? It could be a mobility issue if she is weak and falling on it. If so we recommend meeting with an animal rehab specialist to determine how to strengthen her so she doesn't fall so much.
Or...
When you palpate the area, do you get any kind of defensive reaction from her? Sometimes stitches might be left in accidentally, and they can cause an animal to bite and chew at the area. It would be a good idea to have her seen by a vet before it gets infected.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
jerry said
Hi and welcome! We are so glad you joined. Thank you for adopting her! What is your kitty's name?Does she tend to fall on that side? It could be a mobility issue if she is weak and falling on it. If so we recommend meeting with an animal rehab specialist to determine how to strengthen her so she doesn't fall so much.
Or...
When you palpate the area, do you get any kind of defensive reaction from her? Sometimes stitches might be left in accidentally, and they can cause an animal to bite and chew at the area. It would be a good idea to have her seen by a vet before it gets infected.
Thanks for the reply! I decided to name her Furiosa, after the tough-as-nails protagonist of Mad Max: Fury Road. I call her Furi for short.
Thankfully she doesn't appear to have any mobility issues and has adapted well. She runs and jumps and plays with my other kitties which is everything I'd hoped for when looking for another cat.
I can touch the area without her putting up too much of a fuss. I've even been able to gently clean the spot with warm water without much of a reaction aside from the usual amount of wiggliness I get from her whenever she thinks I'm trying to hold her down.
I'm keeping a close eye on it and checking it every chance I get.
Oh my gosh she is so sweet! I love her name too, it's so fitting for a Trikitty!
Yeah, if she's letting you mess with the area a bit, it's probably not that big of a deal. It's always good to have your vet look at it during a routine visit if it sticks around. Our Wyatt had a funky lump on his stump that was basically a small pocket of fluid that gathered and never went away. His vets aspirated it a few times and it wasn't anything serious thankfully. I say let your vet know during a routine visit if it's not urgent (bleeding and bothering her).
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
jerry said
Oh my gosh she is so sweet! I love her name too, it's so fitting for a Trikitty!Yeah, if she's letting you mess with the area a bit, it's probably not that big of a deal. It's always good to have your vet look at it during a routine visit if it sticks around. Our Wyatt had a funky lump on his stump that was basically a small pocket of fluid that gathered and never went away. His vets aspirated it a few times and it wasn't anything serious thankfully. I say let your vet know during a routine visit if it's not urgent (bleeding and bothering her).
Thanks so much! Thankfully for now there doesn't seem to be anything coming out of it. For now I'll keep an eye out for any changes to it and bring it up next time I take her in if it hasn't resolved on it's own.
Awww...Furiosa is a beauty. Thanks for adopting the sweet girl and giving her such a loving home. We are always thrilled when tripods find a forever home like yours.
As Jerry said, sounds like everything's pretty much okay with that little sore spot. But yeah, just keep an eye on it and if it becomes an issue let your vet know.
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!
Hello and welcome
Thanks for adopting Sweet Furi what a cutie!
Are you seeing her groom in that area often? Any other behavior you've noticed?
Ditto the excellent advice keep a close on the sore and any behaviors that go along with it and let your vet know.
In the meantime, I would try Vetericyn Plus Wound and Skin Care on the area 2 times a day and see if that heals it up. I would spray it onto gauze and apply it to the area so you don't scare Furiosa with the spray.
Hugs
Holly & Purrkins💝💝💝
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