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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My 8 year old cat had her left hind leg amputated 5 days ago. The litter box is in her recovery room but she will not pee in the box-just pees on her blankets. She hobbled to the stairs and I carried her down to her old litter box and she had a bm but did not urinate. We’ve done this 3 times. I moved her old box into her room but she still has not used it. Any suggestions how to solve this? Thx
Welcome to uou and uour sweet kitty. Your post has been approved and we would love to know more about your cat. Name? Reason for amputation? Eating and drinking fairly well? What pain meds is she on?
Sounds like she is already somewhat mobile and that's great!! Being able to poop and pee (even if in the wrong place) is really great also!
Here's a link that is chock full of information and solutions
https://tripawd.....mber-tips/
While I'm not a kitty expert, I can tell you that we see a lot of litter box issues with cats during recovery. I do know that sometimes the box has to have a low entrance point.....maybe even a different litter.
Others will have to chime in for their insight. Hang tight!
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!
Yep, litter box issues are not uncommon at all. This is a big challenge for many new Trikitties. But keep in mind that the lower the sides, the better for her to feel confident about getting into one and doing her business.
Is she on any pain medication that could be making her too woozy to balance in the box? Have you asked your vet about this situation?
And if she hasn't urinated by tomorrow please let your vet know OK?
Her name is Kacy - a beautiful gentle natured ginger. We aren’t sure how she injured her leg. Thinking she probably got caught in something and pulled her leg to get free. Her current meds are Gabapentin, an antibiotic and another pain med. She has no issues balancing in her litter box or getting in and out which is a good thing. She tries to dig and cover. I tried bringing her litter box upstairs and put it in her room where she spends a good time resting. However, she still insists on going to the basement. I am hoping this resolves the more mobile she gets and can navigate the steps herself. Fingers crossed.
Awww Kacy. You are a determined little kitty aren't you?
Yes in most cases as time goes on things do level out. It might be a while until she can do those steps by herself (I always recommend helping a dog on more than a few stairs, but cats are generally more agile and able to do them without assistance, after healing is over).
How is her urination? Is she doing it regularly again?
I think she has urinary incontinence. I read where this can happen after surgery so hopefully it is a temporary condition and it resolves. It’s been a week since her surgery. She has a recheck on Monday so I will have to discuss with her vet. I am trying to be positive and hopeful. Seriously, I don’t know how I will cope with an in continent cat. If anyone has insight into this I would love to hear it.
Your Vet will help determine the cause. It may well be a UTI that meds can remedy. FWIW I'm not aware of urinary incontinence being a side effect of amputation surgery. That doesn mean ot doesn't happen, I just don recall seeing it here anyway.
As noted before, we have seen cats have litter issues after surgery, especially while on pain meds. It's only temporary.
Give Kacy some extra ear scratches for us, okay? Let is know how the appt goes.
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!
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