The vet said they can come out in 10-14 days, today is day 8. The onesie has worked so well the wound looks really good, so hopefully that means she can get rid of it in a few days. I feel sorry for her having to wear that in this heat.

Try not to feel bad about the onesie they are lightweight & the alternative is much worse the cone. She only has a few days left. I’m glad to hear the incision looks good and the onesie has done it’s job & kept Opal form getting to the incision and that is most important!

She escaped prior to the amp, when she had her leg bandaged. Thankfully she hasn't been so desperate to escape since the amp.

I thought you were your referring to the escape prior to the amp but thought I would ask just to be sure! Glad to hear prior to. We have had escapes in recovery before why I asked.

Have you tried a vest harness on her? We use one on Purrkins to go outside. We also use a outdoor enclosure a tent for cats he loves going outside. Both of those ways I can be sure he is safe and wont get into a situation. Just a thought Opal could still go outside and be safe & not wander. The indoor/outdoor in cats is a topic brought up a lot and only you can make that choice. It is however proven indoor cats live longer lives. The study never included enclosures or harness. Anyway something to think on you don’t want Opal taking off on you on 3. She is and will be very capable I just would hate to see her get into a situation again

I got a cooling mat for Opal today and she has had a sleep on it already, hopefully it offers some relief.

I also got Purrkins a cooling pad too;) I read on our site it is good for aches and pains after the amp and he loved his after the amp.

“Cool surfaces feel good on achy bones, and they help with post-amputation pain management relief too.”

He eventually went back to his heated beds he has a choice.

On the  front. She went for the first time outside in a long time, it was both exciting and heartbreaking. She did ok digging her hole, of course she struggled being one leg short then she did diarrhea again (so glad she was outside!) and then it came to burying it. She kept almost falling over but she managed eventually, but then she stood there almost frozen and her little shoulder was moving as if she was trying to use the missing leg, broke my heart. The vet had mentioned phantom pain 
and that when he saw his cat having them he massaged the area and this seemed to help a lot. I am not sure if Opal was having phantom pain 
but I rubbed the area and it did seem to help, she stopped moving it and walked away finally. 


Opal will get better on 3 she is still learning. Purrkins no arm still moves occasionally and he still tries to cover up his poop with his missing leg. He used to try to use it all the time after his amp, same thing you are seeing with Opal. The brain is still sending signals to that arm. That will lessen as time goes by. I know it upsets us all when we see them go to use whats not there, it will lessen in time. Stop completely ? I can only tell you my expericne with Purrkins he still tries occasionally as I said to cover his poop. Purrkins has a twitch that has never gone away since the amp. We got a farabloc blanket to help him and it has.

Phantom limb pain you will know if it happens Purrkins had episodes where he was sleeping and he would jump up out of nowhere like he was struck my lightening and start attacking the no arm and licking and biting the area. It only lasted a few minutes and he was fine. It was not pleasant to watch and I tried to do the same massage the area during the episode he didn't want me helping, Purrkins wanted to attend to it himself.

Just trying to use the arm to cover the poop from watching Purrkins anyway it was not painful, but frustrating! When I saw he was trying, I just stepped in assisted by getting the poop. Now he covers it pretty good not always. Sometimes he leaves it all uncovered and I don’t care either way I’m cleaning it up covered or uncovered.

If Opal’s turns into more then trying to use the leg and it is causing discomfort then ask about the Gabapentin. It is for nerve pain and can help. We take Purrkins for acupuncture which also helps. Purrkins was on Gaba for 14 days after his amp. Knowing what I know now I would of insisted on it before the amp too.

A bit of a shame the diarrhea is back, I am going to cut down on the fresh meat and go back to he pre accident diet of meat only for breakfast and biscuits all other times. Hopefully this helps. She has finished her antibiotics and is only on Metacam, maybe once all those are out of her system she will feel better too.

I imagine it could be both of the drugs she is on? We were not on either of those so no experience there. Our one cat gets the poops on antibiotics never fails.  Change of diet can cause upset belly too. Talk to your Vet when you go get the staples removed and in the meantime go back to your Vets instructions on the food he gave you for the poops prior to the amp. 

We look forward to hearing Opal is free and her staples are out. After the staples/stiches come out and they are off the drugs that is when MOST kitties start to shine and really get back to a new normal!!

Hugs to you and chin scratches to Opal!

Holly & Purrkins

YAAAAAY This is a great update !! Staples are out and no onesie!😺
Opal is back to playing & yes she will figure out how to toss and swat with one paw you will be surprised. She will figure out her scratching too! 

I remember hearing Purrkins playing the first time on his own after we were out of recovery, where he runs around with his toy in his mouth and meows, I recorded it because it was just the best sound to hear again, he also quit playing before his amp.

More confirmation to you Opal is going to be better then ok on 3! She will thrive on 3❣️

If her poop doesn’t firm up after being off the meds you might be dealing with IBD. Purrkins bother has IBD and we have dealt with both runny poop and constipation. 
Slippery Elm is a great remedy to try and it is SAFE for cats it works for both runny poop or constipation we use it daily for Purrkins brother. This you should be able to get there no problem some info & recipe for it if you hit the word Slippery Elm 

I Absolutely would give it a try. Also add a good probiotic to her diet both of those are safe to try and that might be all you need to do. Both of these were advised by our holistic Vet and both I have ZERO reservations on suggesting to try because they cannot hurt and can help.

Opal YOUR FREE😻 !!! Stay close to home Opal ok no wandering away from the house please. 
Great Job Mom you guys did great! Give Opal a good chin & ear scratch from us!

Hugs, Holly & Purrkins❤️