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.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
I just adopted Barnaby who is a 4 year old male tabby. He underwent limb amputation 3 weeks ago. He eats well, drinks, uses the litter box, but has some unusual behaviors that I am not sure are normal for a tripawd. Occasionally he will turn himself around in a circle, and he seems to have issues walking around objects. Often times he will step in his water dish just to reach his food, instead of walking around the dish. He's not on any medication.
Hi and welcome! Thank you for adopting Barnaby.
By any chance does his behavior sound like the backward walking behavior situation?
Do you know what kind of pain management he received for the surgery?
I'll be back with more in just a bit. Stay tuned for feedback from others.
It doesn't sound like the backward walk. I researched that. He was on gabapentin and bupropinol (I think that's how it's spelled) for about a week after surgery.
I did take him to the vet today, and was told he had a slight bacterial ear infection in his right ear. I mentioned some of his odd behaviors, and the vet didn't seem too concerned.
I know he's a new tripawd, and pretty much has to learn how to re walk and the balance himself, I just want to be sure he's not experiencing other issues.
Glad you were able to talk to the vet. An ear infection can certainly cause balance issues if it's bad enough. I'd say give it some time to clear up and if the behavior continues, have a re-check.
You are going to be such a great parent to him! Be sure to take advantage of the Tripawds Foundation Rehab Reimbursement grant, which can cover the cost of his first evaluation by a rehab therapist. Yes, rehab is great for cats too, and you can learn a lot about how to help him get strong, stay balanced, and injury free!
1 Guest(s)
