Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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You are going to do fine. You are doing all your homework so that you can both get through this.
Remember there's a difference between unresponsive and just "out of it." The pain meds really do make them not like themselves, they are on another planet! But it's for the best so they can heal. And yeah, your vets won't let him come home unless they know that he will be better off with you.
How awesome you are able to take that time off to be with him. Jolie is such a lucky kitty to have you looking out for him.
Let us know how tomorrow goes.
When you question if you can help Jolie through recovery, expand on that, please, so we can help you feel more confident that you CAN do this!!! Trust us all when we say YOU HAVE THIS!!
Recovery will be
Lots of sleeping, healing ( YOU too - when Jolie does)
Pain meds 10-14 days are needed; this is a major surgery we cut bone, muscles, and nerves. I have no idea what meds will be sent home. Please ask about Gabapentin.
Eating (usually, appetite is off at home, so don't expect Jolie to eat normally until pain meds are done. Some cats do, so you will have to see why we encourage having different foods on hand (ideally wet food) to entice. We warm foods in recovery and try other foods in recovery. I know you said Jolie won't eat wet food. If he likes treat tubes, they are wet foods with the same texture - mousse. He might like be worth a try.
Drinking Since he has been on fluids, he likely won't drink like normal either, for at least the first 24 hours home- so don't be alarmed, but yes, encourage him with fresh water and some tuna or sardine water(juice from the can) Have those treat tubes handy. Different flavors ( you can even warm those to help bring out the smell and get past the pain meds.
Going potty - you will want a low-sided litter box to help Jolie get in and out. Some cats need help in & out of box the first couple of days.
Pooping - pain meds can constipate, so don't panic if Jolie doesn't poop for a few days. You can add some OTC Miralax to help get things moving.
Peeing- we want to see pee 24-36 hours. Most importantly, make sure they aren't straining and making unproductive trips to the litter box (poops and pees)
Litter type- some vets advise on litter type, but some do not. If they advise you to change your litter, just be prepared to have your normal litter available to switch back to if there is an issue.
New hop: From what they have told you, Jolie has found his sea legs there? So that's excellent, and one less scare when you get him home. Purrkins had not and is a front-leg amputee, and he had lots of face plants that first hour home.
We don't know if Jolie had a front or rear leg removed.
Traction - If you don't have carpet, get some yoga mats, exercise mats, and or rug runners for traction .
We had restricted activity for 14 days. We stayed in a spare room, and Purrkins chose the closet to recover in. It was where he felt safe and secure, and I made it cozy in there for him. I had the mattress on the floor and gutted the room. We had exercise mats on the floor for traction and to help with any mishaps as Purrkins learned his new hop.
If you have any questions, shout. That's why we are here to help. Hopefully, the above overview helps. We have all this info and more on the site.
Let us know when you get Jolie home and have the time. We will be thinking of you! YOU GOT THIS!!!
(((HUGS)))
💝💝💝
Jolie had his front leg amputated. I had a phone call from the vet today. Jolie has started eating a little bit but is too drugged up to stand up. She said Jolie also has high blood pressure and somewhat low kidney function. They started him on extra meds for the kidneys and are contemplating starting treatment for the high blood pressure. The vet said she will see what his condition is tomorrow and may delay coming home.She said he was more active today but hasn't stood up yet.
I have 4 different dry foods. Could you the name of mouse-like wet food? I'm not sure if I can get that here in Korea.
I am most worried him not standing yet and not eating much...
Purrkins did not stand or do anything in the hospital. He peed where he layed. Jolie is not the only one to have a tough time in the hospital, and he is twice Purrkins age at the age of amputation. Purrkins was only 6, now 13 for some perspective. Also, if kidney function is compromised, it will take longer for these meds to pass through. I think it is very wise to have them keep him and get things stabilized before coming home. Try not to worry too much about the lack of movement in the hospital. The hospital meds really do whack them out but they are needed. I can only speak of our experience, and I saw my Purrkins as soon as I got him in a carrier on the way home. He was not 100% my Purrkins, but that comes. I don't want you to think everything is going to be perfect and 100% right away, but each day at home, as long as the pain is managed, it will get better.
The mousse that MANY like is called Tiki Cat. Here is a link to the mousse: https://tikipet.....et-mousse/. I hope it's available there. It would be excellent to get Jolie on a wet diet for many reasons even more so with kidney issues. You have to experiment with textures and flavors, but since they like the treat tubes, I think you have an excellent shot with mousse wet food.
So, being a front-leg amputee, Jolie MAY have the same issues as Purrkins did - he will need the lower litter box to get in and out. I had to help Purrkins in and out of the litter box the first day until I realized the litter box we had was too difficult for him to get in and out of. We cut the box down in the front to help Purrkins hop into it. Jolie may or may not face plant as he learns his new hop.
You will also want to think of ways to help Jolie get up and down from his favorite lookout spots after recovery to protect that remaining front leg with pet stairs or boxes, whatever you can make happen to assist him in going up and down.
(((HUGS)))
He was already hopping on 3 legs before he went hospital even tho I was giving pain killers am and pm so I WANT to believe that it won't to long for him to start hopping post surgery.
I will have another conference with the vet tomorrow. She said she could show how do some of the treatments at home.
His favorite place since he's been ill is on my bed. So I will get some pet stairs for him. Although he was hopping onto the bed with 3 paws.but I think it's going to be different now that that leg is gone because the now uneven weight distribution.
Thank you so much for your support♡
As always, great insight from Holly (Purrkins).
Aske when the patch can come off. That really does make them loopy and woozy. Would be surprised is the blood pressure s t die in part to jist veing in hospital, etc.
Hoping Jolie can come home and continue his recovery with you👍
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!
Sage advice there Holly, thank you so much. Your perspective is golden. It's so hard to imagine Purrkins having difficulty in the recovery ward. He became such a strong, active Tripawd once healing was over I had forgotten about that experience (although I know you never could, it's scary!).
Edward, your vet is really taking such good precautions. Better to do that than send him home too early and have something happen. I am thinking the pain patch medication is probably worn off by now, it's usually just a 72-hour patch. He should start getting his sparkle back soon! Keep us posted.
Jolie might have the advantage by hopping already; Purrkins was not limping. Some cats do hop on the first day. Like humans, cats and dogs are all individuals, and recoveries differ. Purrkins couldn't hop/walk but managed to jump into the window the first day home, so it's anyone's guess. Please DO BELIEVE once he gets home, things will change. Once the patch comes off things will change.
We hope you get an excellent update from the vet!
Hugs
(Jerry - I know we won't ever forget, and we are most thankful we had tripawds to get us through many times)💝😘🫂
Just sitting here for a moment being grateful for the help and encouagement♡
Thanks for the suggestions. I got ahold of 2 yoga mats that make a nice safe area next to my bed.
I was also able to order the Tikki Cat Mousse online.
Accomplishing those 2 things made me feel better:)
I have an appointment with the vet this afternoon to discuss jolie's condition and find whether he has to have a longer hospital stay
Glad you're feeling more relaxed and more comfortable with getting your house set up for Jolie's homecoming. Hoping you can bring him home, but if he needs another night or two at the Vets for his overall well-being, that's okay too.
We are grateful to you for taking the time to share Jolie's Journey with everyone. We all learn from each other and every post helps someone else just starting the recovery phase.
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!
I forgot to mention Jolie has a brother, Mignon, who is also waiting for him to come home:)It's the first time in thier lives that they've been separated...Mignon is showing a some anxiety too...
Oh my gosh when Jolie comes home, you three are going to feel so much better! That's awesome you were able to order the Tikki cat, and get the yoga mats. Everything you are doing might seem small at first, but it makes a big difference later on. You'll get to see that soon.
I hope you get great news from the vet tomorrow!
Im so glad you were able to find Tiki Cat. And yay on the yoga mats. It does feel good to prepare for homecomings.
I assumed you had another kitty because you said "they" don't like wet food 😉 Purrkins brother also had a hard time when Purrkins was gone. You. might want to read this thread on multi-cat households. You will see we all do things differently per circumstances, and it's all about what works for you and your family and their reactions. Jolie will come home smelling like the hospital, and Mignon might not be pleased. Just an FYI, you will have to see how it goes.
How Did You Prepare Your Other Cats for the New TriKitty?
You get some rest. You need to heal, too. I hope you have walking boots and can get around, okay?
Ditto Sally, thanks for sharing Jolie's story. He will help many other kitties in the future. Thanks for keeping us updated.
Hugs
💝💝💝
We just got in from the hospital an hour and a half ago. The first thing Jolie did was eat his snacks. Then he ate some of the Royal Canine Renal Special food, which I couldn't believe because animals usually don't like it. He seemed a little weak and wobbly so I helped him to his water place and he drank some water from the fountain. Then I checked to see if he needed to go to bathroom but he just laid down in the litter.
So, I brought him back to his bed. He seemed somewhat disoriented for a while. But then, I looked up and he was hopping over to his water fountain, which is in another room. He sat there drinking his water for about 5 minutes. Then he went in to the TV room and laid down and went to sleep. I guess this isn't too bad for a first day back. Who says you can't teach an old cat new tricks?
I am still have bouts of guilt, but I guess I have to remind myself that there really was no other choice....
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