Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello, as you can probably tell I’m here because I have a new tripod cat. His name is Dexter and he’s 5 years old. 13 days ago he broke his right back leg and fractured the small bone below the knee. He went straight to emergency vet and they said it is an easy fix, six weeks in a splint and he will be back to normal.
After 24 hours we realized his behavior was anything but normal after watching him completely freak out in pain throwing himself around and screaming constantly. We took him to our vet and they kept him for observation and to find him relief. After 3 days they called us in, explained he suffered severe nerve damage and advised amputation to stop his pain. That day he lost the leg and a nail from his remaining leg when he ripped the nail out so bad in one of his frantic panics.
They said 2 weeks and he would be back to normal. Last Monday he came home. They told me to keep him calm with minimal exercise, plenty of rest water and food. We kept him in a crate when not being supervised otherwise he was out with us. At first it was ok, he was so sleepy all the time and we thought that was from the pain meds. After a few days we noticed a discharge coming from the incision as well as the declawed toe and a smell. He stopped eating, drinking and using the litter box. He was only happy on the couch sleeping.
On Thursday I called the vet and they had him come in as an emergency appointment, where they diagnosed him with an infection and a fever. They sent out a culture to be tested and sent him home on antibiotics. His follow up appointment was Saturday, where I asked them to take him back. His infection had gotten worse and I no longer knew how to take care of him. I watched him grow weaker, and skinner by the day. They admitted him and put him on an IV drip of pain meds and a very strong antibiotic.
We hope to get his test results back tomorrow to find out what kind of infection he has, and if we can save his life. The vet called today and said he seems more active today and wants to get out of the kennel, which he thinks is a good sign.
All I want is the best life for him. Meanwhile, my vet bills are piling up, and my poor car is suffering. Has anyone gone through a similar situation and gotten back the happy pet they had before all this happened? I need some positive encouragement and some success stories to keep me from worrying.
Thank you all for taking the time to read this long post, and I hope to hear from you.
Brianna and Dexter, welcome. We are so sorry for the tough situation you are dealing with. Amputation is hard enough but an infection and all the vet bills make it extra emotionally difficult and I'm so sorry. You are not alone though!
Be proud of yourself for being so smart and in tune with Dexter's needs. You listened to your gut instinct and took him back when you knew things were serious. That is AWESOME 
Clearly you love this kitty so much, and have a strong bond that will be even stronger when he comes home. It sounds like that won't be too long now. Stay strong, he's getting better with each hour.
Things like this happen occasionally. It sucks, but almost every time the kitty overcomes the issue and gets back to living without any other issue. Dexter will too! How did his leg break, by the way? Just curious.
Thanks for registering as a member, your future posts won't need approval so post away.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
He got chased around the house by the dogs. It wasn’t mean or malicious, they were just playing but he got hurt somehow. We didn’t see it happen or hear him cry, but we noticed a few hours later he wasn’t walking and we went straight to the emergency room. He should have healed fine, but for us that was not the case. Now with the infection the vet said if they can’t clear it up we are out of options, and he said the infection is pretty severe. I’m worried every day that he might not come home but I have to stay positive, and I’m trying to!
Awww poor kitty. You did good by getting him into the ER so quickly. How is he doing today?
Try not to think the worst. I know it's hard not to. But even from afar, you need to be strong for your boy. He can feel it!
So in our world, you're only out of options if you've gotten multiple opinions and everyone agrees that something isn't working. How large is the practice? Are there multiple vets working on his case? What is the vet's plan of action if the current treatment doesn't work? Have they tested for MRSA ?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm so sorry to hear Dexter needed an amputation due to an accident. A post-operative infection sure makes this ordeal much more difficult. I haven't seen many cats here get an infection after the amputation but it can happen. All humans and animals are at risk for infections after surgery or even spending time in a hospital - that's one reason they boot patients out of the hospital as soon as possible.
My tripawd cat Mona had a bladder and kidney infection last year. The first antibiotic did not work in the first two weeks so she had to go on a stronger one for another month. Thankfully that one worked for her.
I hope the vet finds an antibiotic that will work and Dexter comes home to those who love him.
Hugs,
Kerren and Tripawd kitty Mona
Just a Dexter update for everyone who’s been asking -
Saturday we took him back to the vet hospital to be admitted. Today we got back his test results from his culture. His infection is severe, but hopefully treatable.
The antibiotics they put him on over the weekend are the only ones that are not compatible with his type of bacteria, so as of today we are starting over with a proper antibiotic. He’s on an IV drip with the antibiotics, fluids, and pain meds. His infection is causing his body to push out the stitches from the amputation so we are waiting a few days to see if the infection clears up, and he will have to either be scraped and re-stitched or let his body try to naturally heal the openings left from the missing stitches. His incision is wrapped and changed twice a day to try to keep any other infections or bacteria from getting in.
He’s looking at at least an addition week in the ER. As of now they feel we are on a proper track and has over a 50% chance of survival depending on how he responds in the next few days of treatment and medicine. Today he actually tried eating, which is great news and when I went to visit he was very happy to see me but too weak and loopy to get up. We go back tomorrow for a visit and hope to get an update later in the week.
The vet practice is large, and he has 2 doctors on his case, plus many others if needed. I get calls from both almost daily and when I go to visit I usually run into at least one of them.
Thank you all for reaching out and I’ll update as I know more.
Ohhhh poor guy. Of course the drugs weren't a match, sheesh. So sorry about that! But at least they have answers now and treatment is really beginning. Now that you have shared all this, it really does sound like an excellent team looking after him.
And he tried EATING? WOW! That's seriously cool, especially since he's on heavy drugs right now. This is VERY hopeful!
OK, try to relax and know that everything is being done to help him make a good recovery. Do you have any photos you want to share? We would love to see him!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Brianna and Dexter!
It sure sounds like both you and Dexter are having a few rough days (to put it mildly). Hopefully Dexter has turned the corner now and it is just a time thing from here forward. It certainly sounds like he is responding and healing. Eating is a huge positive sign! In a way your story reminds me of what Tuxedo and I went through almost three years back. If you wish you can read a short version of Tuxedo's story here
https://tripawd.....on-slayer/
Basically at 9 almost 10 years old Tuxedo was attacked by a dog and lost a rear leg and partial pelvis as a result. During the course of his recovery he developed an infection in the incision. Luckily for both of us, it responded promptly to antibiotics. However it was a long period of time before he healed, close to six weeks in total. After the wound split open, and follow up debridement surgeries, his incision was left open. No stitches were used to close the wound. Bandages were sewn on to him and every two to three days he had to go back in and be sedated to have the area cleaned and the dressings changed. Because of the ruccus he caused (he was/is VERY vocal even when sedated) the vet always wanted him at home as soon as possible, which was fine by me too. In addition to the wet to dry bandage changes as they called them (went on very wet and when they dried out it was time to get them changed again) he was on antibiotics and given cool laser treatments to promote healing. While I elected not to do it, I was also offered a flap style surgery to close the wound. My thoughts were that would just be another area to heal hence I passed on it. Over time the area granulated in and while still noticable if one looks causes him no apparent issues or discomfort now. Tuxedo now is a fat happy cat who rules his household doing literally whatever he wants. Because of his over the top personality most do not even notice just missing leg and half butt. He certainly does not let it hold him back from getting into trouble. A few weeks back he snuck outside and got on the roof! I about had a heart attack when I saw him up there. I ended up calling the fire department to get him down and he would have none of it. The stubborn fool insisted on making them chase him down.
While I am not a vet and there are no promises that Dexter's follow up will be similar to what Tuxedo went through, it may likely be similar. Several months back Tuxedo's brother Dazzle passed away due to heart issues. That was a wake up call to me about how much time I had been focused on Tuxedo and tripawd issues. So now I am not on here all that often these days, but I do check in on occasions. If you have more questions that I can help with please drop me a message and let me know.
Hugs
-Dawna, Lilly, Tuxedo and Angel Dazzle
QOW! Just catching up! Quite an ordeal, but it sounds like you are in excellent care,
Soooo glad Dawna shared her story about Tuxedo. I remeber ot well. Kind of yoj ti tske rime yo share this very informative post Give that handsome kitty chin scratches fot us. And sorry to hear about Dazzle, i know he is watching over you❤
Update on Dexter when you can. I'm glad you get to visit. I know you'll bring him anything yummy to trymand fet hom yo eat.
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!
Dawna THANK YOU soooo much for taking time to share your input. It means the world to us when members return to share their similar experiences, so that new members can find comfort. We are so sorry about Dazzle, that must have been very difficult to go through.
Thank you again, we are furever grateful, and send lots of hugs and love to you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you all for the kind words, stories and encouragement! After 7 days in the hospital Dexter came home today! They believe he will recover well and we have a follow up appointment in 2 days. After the second surgery he seems to be healing well! I’ll keep you all updated on the next few days but hopefully we are over the hard stuff and ready to heal and move on with his new life!
YAAAAAY 😁😁😁😁😁 SOOOOO HAPPY TO READ THIS!!!😁😁😁😁 That Dexter can now be known as MIRACLE KITTY DEXTER!!!😎
What a rough start to get to this point. Now you can deal with a "normal" recovery....which doesn't mean he's ready to party quite yet. but he will be soon!!
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 Dexter! Take it easy for a while and please keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hello everyone! We made it! Dexter is offically at one week after suture removal and we are back to our new normal life.
He seems a little different than before, but I suppose that is expected after such trauma. He sleeps more than he used to and seems discouraged by tasks he used to be able to do, like jumping to a high place. As happy as I am he cannot get on my countertop anymore I feel like it makes him sad as I see him looking for something he can’t have, or can’t do.
We finished off our laundry room to make him a safe space to spend the day when we are not home supervising away from the dog, and away from another possible accidental injury. My husband plans to build him a “Tripawd” cat tree so he has a space to lounge all day just for him.
How long did it take for your pets to return to a normal behavior? Is this something that should be expected, or should I keep an eye on possible changing behavior? Thanks for all the support along the way! It meant the world feeling like I had people behind me knowing what I’m going through!
I'm to hear Dexter is doing well. I can't say that my cat Mona ever returned to "normal". I think she developed a new normal. She is now a sun-seeker so I set up spots for her to sleep in the sun. In the summer she likes to sleep in the garden under a bush.
I set up chairs, boxes and small tables for her to get up and down to the bed, couch and comfy chairs to save her from face plants. Mona now owns the boxes and swats my other cat when he uses them 
Your "Tripawd" tree sounds like a great idea. Please show us a phone when it's done.
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
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