Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello everyone, I’m new here.
A week ago today, I was floored by our vet’s recommendation to amputate my cat Raven’s left rear leg. She was diagnosed with soft tissue sarcoma, which I’m told was likely vaccine-induced. Both bits of news were very hard to deal with.
After logging on to this website, I found myself in the company of many good folks going through the same thing. I spent hours reading the stories when I first logged on. I learned quite a bit. This community is a tremendous resource, and it is heartwarming to see so many people coming together to help each other through tough times. So far, I’ve made two simple posts seeking advice in another thread, and then I received an avalanche of very helpful information from some very kind people.
Speaking of those kind people, it was suggested by one that I start my own thread with updates on Raven, because I already have new friends who are interested in her progress. Raven had her amputation yesterday. I was told her surgery went well. She stayed at the hospital overnight, and I was told today in a morning & evening update that she was alert, eating enthusiastically, and soaking up lots of love from the hospital staff. She really likes attention. The Dr. told us he was ok with us taking her home today, but also gave us the option of one more day in the hospital on IV pain medication. Her amputation is higher up on the leg than standard due to location of the mass, which required cutting more tissue. It is a large wound, and will require a different pain management approach. We thought it was in her best interest to stay another night.
So she will rest comfortably tonight, and I will pick her up tomorrow. We will find out how she likes the setup I built for her as a result of reading this site. We have a large dog kennel lined with comfy blankets and a bordered bed (big blanket to cover kennel). Also, two disposable litter boxes, a cat recovery suit, food/liquid syringes, and Dr Elsey’s litter to avoid infection. Did I mention this site was a good resource? Her recovery situation is in my office, and I bought a large canvas paint drop cloth to spread in the room in case there are accidents.
This will be an interesting experiment: Raven relies heavily on our other cat, Abby for companionship and comfort. They sleep together most of the time. I’m pretty sure Abby will reject Raven for a period of time, because that just seems to be what cats do after an extended vet stay. We bought Raven an Abby-sized soft stuffed dog to sleep with. I rubbed the dog with Abby’s scent with the hope Raven will be comforted while she’s resting.
That said, I’ll probably report back tomorrow that Raven has decided to convalesce in the closet and poop on the carpet. We will see how this goes.
Wish me luck!
Hello Raven! You are a beautiful lookin girl! We’re so very happy that Raven made it through her surgery with success! It sounds like you are more than ready for your girlie to come home! And Abby too by the sounds of it, bless her heart!
There are definitely other people that are more quialified to talk to you in regards to cat amputation recovery... my big boy Stewie is a Bernese Mtn dog cross and he had his front left leg removed due to Osteosarcoma almost 3 months ago. But I am the mother of 3 very beautiful and very independent feline fur babies and I know, as you do I’m sure... that they can be funny creatures when not feeling well and everyone is completely different than the other!
It seems though that the common denominator in recovery for most pets, is the first two weeks post amp are the most trying! Most of us kept the midnight vigil for days on end and desperately needed a vacation by the end of it all!!! 😉 But seriously, it is tough when they first come home, but stay in touch with your vets with any and all concerns and stay connected with Tripawds and we will help you maintain your sanity!😉 Purrkins and Mona... do they have stories to tell...!😜
otherwise have lots of special treats on hand and give beautiful Raven and Abby tons of cuddles and hugs from our pack! Looking forward to hearing about Ravens recovery and more great Cat Tails! 😂
Sloppy kisses from Stewie👅🐾
& all the very best from his adoring pack,
Petra, Paul, & his feline siblings, Mr. Spike, Chester Molester & Miss Lily 🐾🐾
http://stewie20.....pawds.com/
Remember...“live in the moment!“
Thanks Super Stu!
Yes, I've read here the recovery weeks are hard, and I'm bracing for what's ahead after I pick her up tomorrow. I feel better knowing I have this site as a resource, though.
Mark
I'm wondering how to add pictures to posts on this site.
I see the "insert/edit image" icon in the tool bar. I also see that I can add a picture as long as that picture has a web address that I can paste in the "source" box. No problem there, but do I really need to have my pictures somehow loaded onto a website in order to post them here?
Is there is an easier way to quickly post a few pictures? I'm not much of a social media person, so I'm likely missing something obvious to most here.
I usually copy and paste if it is a simple picture... I know admin will come and give you the link that shows you how to do it... I’ve learnt by trial and error and I still have lots to learn, but once you figure things out it’s really easy!
I use Instagram, as I haven’t figured out how to get my Facebook pictures in here yet... good luck Mark, I think I’ll be learning by your example!😉 For Stewie’s blogs, I download the pictures into the media on this site... again I haven’t figured out how to use the pictures from Media in the forum yet 🙄😁
We found you! Woke up this morning wondering how your baby is doing. Wishing you the best 
When you find out how to get the picture on please let me know... I feel quite "stone-aged" at this moment lol... never had such a problem finding a way to post a picture... on the other hand I really mostly email, text, or upload them on to my computer lol 🙂 Thinking good thoughts, Huckleberry goes in bright and early tomorrow so we are going to spoil him as much as we can today!
Jackie and Huckleberry
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
hi
Well done you and well done Raven. I know the first days seem daunting but you will be surprised at how amazingly quickly cats adapt to three legs and often how much happier they are without a nasty sarcoma on their leg causing pain.
I know it must all seem daunting for you right now but give it a couple of days and you will find your rhythm I am positive. If it helps, my cat is a double amputee. She lost her front leg seven years ago to cancer and managed to live on the streets of Istanbul ( I didn't know her then.) Then just four months ago she had her back leg on the same side amputated for cancer. To say she bounced back in a number of days would be an under-estimation. She was running about, eating and going to bathroom in no time at all.
Have faith in little Raven, you will see a joyful cat in no time.
I am so glad you took the brave decision to amputate. You have given Raven back her life, literally.
xox
Hi Mark and Raven,
My cat Mona had her front leg and scapula amputated due to a vaccine-associated-sarcoma. That was 3 years ago and she's doing great! Please ask your vet to notify the pharmaceutical company to reimburse you for the amputation and associated costs. Most companies will cover at least some of the costs because their product gave Raven cancer.
I have another cat Eli who cannot stand to be excluded from anything. He would come in the room to watch over Mona while she slept. Mona won't allow Eli to cuddle with her but didn't mind him being her protector. He seemed to find her a curiosity.
Here's how to add photos: http://tripawds.....-photos-1/
It will be exciting to bring Raven home.
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
This will be an interesting experiment: Raven relies heavily on our other cat, Abby for companionship and comfort. They sleep together most of the time. I’m pretty sure Abby will reject Raven for a period of time, because that just seems to be what cats do after an extended vet stay. We bought Raven an Abby-sized soft stuffed dog to sleep with. I rubbed the dog with Abby’s scent with the hope Raven will be comforted while she’s resting.
I love everything that you have set up for Raven right down to the stuffed animal. You are an awesome parent!!
This may be helpful to you, I am not sure. The hardest thing for me when Rusty first came home (rear leg amputee) was the first time he tried to use the litter box. It was low sided so he got in without a problem. There was some "thrashing" about as he was trying to get his balance etc. For some reason, that moment hit me hard. No amount of physical planning helped me with the feeling of helplessness when he was doing that. He worked it out though. Three weeks later and the only accident he had was in the carrier the day we were bringing him to the vet for stitch removal.
I think Purrkins or Benny had mentioned on my thread about it being harder on us as the parents to see them learning their new bodies. What did help was hearing their words in my head that things will get better. They were right. Each day, Rusty was a little more... graceful (????)... as he moved around. Now that he has run of the first floor he is even better. He still has his cone on but manages well.
Lots of love and scritches to Raven.
Gina, Nick and Rusty
Rusty "The Bunnyman" adopted us in 2014. Aug/Sept 2017, back left leg amputated (HSA cancer). He remained cancer free over 900 days. Cancer returned as of emergency visit on day 931. 15 days later, he gained his wings 04/18/2020 due to congestive heart failure. He will always watch over his fellow tripawds and their hoomins with Head Scritches and Sand Paper Kisses.
Hi Mark,
Glad you started a thread on Raven, YAAAAAAAY surgery is over and she is doing great eating, alert and soaking up all the attention ! I think its great she is staying another night they can keep her on the mega meds and keep her more comfortable. I know we would rather have them home ASAP. If she is eating and doing well in the hospital setting definitely the best place for her to be. Purrkins stayed 3 nights 4 days if that helps you feel any better. Purrkins did not do well in the hospital setting he didn’t eat, peed where he laid etc. but he was in great care.
You are totally prepared for her to come home! Just a heads up on litter Raven very well might take right to a new litter not all cats do! If you she doesn’t use the new have her regular available you might need to go back to what she used to. We have seen that several times here. Some cats will switch right over and consider yourself blessed if so!
If you can I would get a multi cat diffuser gong in the recovery room too for Raven and your Abby. I kept our other kitty separated from Purrkins in recovery but allowed supervised visits. We keep that diffuser going, it took our guys a good month before there was no hissing.
It was on & off but they did get back to being brothers by one month. All cat's react differently but we always have a issue when only one cat goes to the Vet. We had issues with Purrkins having his cancer he was on defense before his surgery. You will just have to see how they react and if there is a issue . What I did was if one hissed then the visit was over. You did great on the scent swapping too! Your a great Dad you did your research and are as prepared as you can be.
We are all here if anything arises that your not prepared for or have questions. We are hoping for no poop in the closet and heads up poop might not take place for awhile because of the pain meds. We will be hoping for the pee in the box. I helped Purrkins in his box the first day home, the second day we cut his litter box out so he could get in easier and that did the trick for him Purrkins is front leg amputeee from a low grade soft tissue sarcoma.
Thanks for the update I looked yesterday to see & was thinking of Raven glad to hear all is going well. Stock up on some favorite foods just in case Raven she wants to be fussy on eating. You’ve got syringes & everything your prepared! Are you coming home with pain meds and know how to give them?
Ditto On threepaw you will have to look for her thread and video amazing on 2 legs. Purrkins gets around better then I could of ever hoped for on his 3 his amp was over a year ago. I do think you will be amazed and You are giving Raven a quality of life on 3! You gave Raven life and got rid of that painful tumor. Hang tight recovery is no fun but it doesn’t last furever , we had restricted activity for 14 days . Were all here if you need anything or have questions!
Hugs
Holly & Purrkins
I'm so hoppy to see Raven has a topic all her own, thanks for starting one.
As for adding images to the Forums; You can start a TriKitty blog and put your photos there (Tripawds supporters have more storage space), or upload them to a photo sharing site like Imagur of Flick'r. Then there's the Faceborg, which many people use. Once you do so, you'll take the photo's URL and paste it into that box that pops up here in the Forums. If this all seems Greek to you let me know and I'll give you a tutorial.
Sounds like Raven is totally set for a good recovery. Any news from the vet today?
Here is threepaw's topic about her amazing life as a two-legged cat.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Ditto everyone!! Whwt a supportive group!! 🙂
Just want to applaud you for doing such an EXCELLENT job of preparing Raven's home for his recovery! 🙂 🙂 You've really thought of everything ppssible! And yes, love the idea of the stuff dog smelling like Abby! So sweet!
Can't wait for the homecoming!!
Hugs to all
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!
Well, Raven is home, and I'm off to the races. It's been DEFCON 1 here for the past four hours.
In the military, I learned the truism that no battle plan survives the first minute of combat. That also certainly applies to my planning for Raven.
The Good
- She is on the move. Mobility--no problamo
- She's using the litter box, and there seems to be no issue with the special litter I bought her
- BIG appetite
The Bad
- Discharge instructions placed a heavy emphasis on keeping her calm/inactive. If I let her walk around the room, even if supervised, she is all over the place trying to scheme hiding places, launch onto chairs, objects, etc. Unfortunately, she is no fan of the kitty condo kennel I made for her. She made an all-out effort to claw her way out of it. Apparently, she has some experience with latches on wire kennels. She immediately started clawing right at them (expertly). She was adopted as an 8 year-old rescue, and evidently picked up some street skills along the way. I'll probably have to tape the latches.
- Due to all of the above, the kitty condo is trashed... litter chrystals everywhere, food bits, water, urine, fecal matter, etc. I think the 3x2x2 wire dog kennel is too small. I need a new situation for this five pound survival machine. Roaming the room is not an option. I'm thinking maybe some kind of pen I can put on top of the very large drop cloth I put in the room. Even if she gets used to the kennel, it would be nice to have something easier to clean.
The Ugly
- She wants to lick the wound and I'm not sure anything is going to stop her short of a colonial-style head & arm stock. She's gotten out of a soft cone once already (vet applied). She is also very adept at reversing the orientation of the soft hood (like a blown-out umbrella) into a 360 degree bib. Most distressingly, she is so darned flexible she is able to lick a portion of her wound with the collar oriented exactly the way it was intended! Now I'm staring at the cat recovery suit I bought her. It now seems laughable. I'm sure the struggle to get that thing on would endanger her wound and possibly create a few for me. The plan now is constant monitoring until I figure something out. This problem must be solved.
Thanks for the well-wishes everyone. I got my work cut out for me!
Mark
WELCOME HOME RAVEN!!! 🙂 🙂
MOBILE!!! 🙂 🙂 EATING!!! 🙂 🙂 POTTYING!!! 🙂 🙂 YAAAAAAAAAY!!
I have to say, I'm exhausted just reading what you are going through trying to "monitor" her and keep her somewhat contained! I can only imagine how you feel.....and the night's just begun! 🙂
The Catbrigade will chime in shortly with some help! The only thing I can think of as far as the stitches is modifying some "onesies". One of the techie CatBrigade will post a picture and explain how to do it.
It maybe possible that she's extra hopped up on hospital drugs and just may settle down a bit......then again, maybe not! 🙂
Hang in there!
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!
Welcome Home Raven! 😹 I’m sorry for laughing 😆Mark, but I am totally picturing this Tazmanian Devil, called Raven, causing complete chaos in your home! 😅 Again, I’m sorry, but you have certainly got your work cut out for you! 😹 It doesn’t sound like Raven is going to be an easy patient for you!😼 And being a Military Man, the disorder and mayhem that is going to be your home for the next little while, is probably going to be a little hard on you!!! 🙀😫😲😵🤤 The colonial style head and arm stock?! 😂🤣 I really have to see that!!! 🤣😂
As Sally said, the Cat brigade will be able to chime in with their expertise and I’m sure you will be ready for it!😁
Raven is a VERY WISE STREET MAMA by the sounds of it!😼 You are going to have to stay one step ahead of her for sure! Not sure about the tape job 😼😸Padlocks might help, but then again she’s probably part Houdini! 😈 do you have a spare room available? When Miss Lily arrived, she was also a very wise street Mama, we had an old outdoor screen and were able to place it over the doorway. So Lily could still see & hear all, but she was secure in her room. (She would have beaten the crap out of Spike & Chester if I had let her out!😈😾)
Best of luck Mark, I think she may have you figured out already! 😂😹😻 I will check in again later.
Sloppy kisses from Stewie👅🐾
& all the very best from his adoring pack,
Petra, Paul, & his feline siblings, Mr. Spike, Chester Molester & Miss Lily 🐾🐾
http://stewie20.....pawds.com/
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