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.
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Hi, Just joined. Just yesterday our new furbaby Micro 6yo, had her hind leg amputated. Her owner gave her to us so everything is new to her, and us. Short story is micro would visit the school where my husband works and would visit him every chance she could. Not a kitty loving neighborhood. So owner felt horrible this is the 2nd major injury in a year and made heartbreaking decision to allow us to keep her safe. So this being day 2 we realize we cant hold her like we do our other 6 cats.
Hello and welcome, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
You have to be careful of her incision while she heals, but after that you should be able to hold her. My rear amp Pug mix Elly is just about 3 years post amp after being hit by a car. She is a little sensitive about me touching her amp side- she doesn't really like to have the incision area touched but I don't think it hurts her. Although she is small and part Pug she doesn't like to sit or lay on my lap most of the time. She also doesn't really like to be held. When she is concerned or nervous in a situation she will ask to sit on my lap or be held and I hold her just like I hold my quad-Pug.
How is Micro doing with her recovery?
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Hi and welcome!
That was so wonderful of you to take Micro in! Because of the surgery and plus you are still getting to know each other, i would not try to pick him up and hold him yet. Huckleberry was in an extra large dog crate and he was also feral. I used to sit on the floor, open his door and sit in front of the door. I talked to him, played music for him, put kitty tv shows on, and eventually he started coming up to me and even started crawling halfway on my lap. I petted him and kept him company, i even stretched out on the floor with a pillow near his cage and it was a nice slow way to get to know each other while he was healing. When i had to pick him up i gently wrapped him in a small blanket like a burrito and just tried to be smooth and quick to get it done.
Unless you have to pick him up i would wait until after suture removal and the incision heals. That area is going to be quite tender even with medicine and he might not handle it well.
Good luck with your new addition and stay in touch as his healing progresses!
Jackie and Huck ❤️
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
Welcome! You and your hubby are saints for adopting this sweetie, I love the name Micro!
What kinds of questions do you have for us? We are happy to help! Have you seen our TriKitty blogs and feature stories? You'll find lots of examples there about rescued kitties. Jackie's got some great examples herself!
You all have some getting to know each other, but things will settle down and you'll all figure out a new routine for the pride. As your kitty heals, use care to make sure she doesn't overdo things, you want to make sure no complications occur.
We can't wait to see photos! Here are instructions for adding images , let us know if you would like help.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome to you and Micro.
My cat Mona is a light weight and loves to be carried around. At the clinic, after her surgery to remove her front leg, they had her all bundled up in a blanket and presented her to me like a new born baby. When I got her home I let her sleep in her little den in the closet and would just pick her up and hold her close to my body when she needed her medication. She kind of goes limp and doesn't move when picked up. I carry her by putting my arm between her legs from the back and her chest in the palm of my hand. This approach doesn't work as well with my larger cat.
I would suggest using a towel, small blanket or even a pillow case if you need to carry Micro. Make sure you hold him close to your body. I'm sure you know this having 6 cats.
By the way, Mona loved me cleaning her incision with a cool, damp washcloth. She never wore a cone or tshirt and didn't fuss with her staples.
Thank you for giving Micro a great home!
Hugs,
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
Thank you. She seems to be doing great. No issues with her surgery site the vet had sewn her up so that her stitches weren't exposed, and she doesn't mess with it anyway which is good. Her walking is pretty good for 2 days post-surgery. She had two Play sessions where she walked across the bedroom probably a dozen times. My hubby spoiled her. she met five of the six housemates, she hissed once at each, growled a little bit and then ignore them so pretty good, got a little bit of catnip thankfully she was laying down, got to sit in the window and watched some birds.
That sounds like wonderful pawgress!!! Sounds like she is settling in nicely 
As you care for her during her recovery you are creating a beautiful bond, she knows you are taking care of her and with that the trust will grow and she will grow her roots. You got this no problem! It sounds like you already know this, but most important is just make sure her amp is supported if you need to lift her.
Would love to see some pictures whenever you have time, sounds like you have quite the crew there! 
Hugs,
Jackie and Huckleberry 
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
I tried to click on the link but it said the page was unavailable or restricted.
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
Slowly trying to figure out how to post from Facebook. She is doing quite well up and down the stairs. Took her on a harness and Leash for about 5 minutes. Very good vet review. So she's pretty much there for the moment. I know it's still early but she's doing great
Slowly trying to figure out how to post from Facebook.
Get the photo URL by right clicking and copying if you're on a desk/laptop, then come back here and paste the URL in your post. It should appear. Does that help? Let me know, we can't wait to see.
Glad to hear things are good!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
]Its been 8 months since Micro had her right rear leg removed. She is doing great. She has taken to her harness very well and is enjoying being outside and even went on a 20 foot walk today, also took for a run when a car came by, she calmed quickly. She uses her stairs to the couch and bed, and sometimes gets up and down without. She does twitch her muscle when you scratch her, too cute and funny. Thankfully we haven't had many issues and has gotten along with our other cats, which don't treat her any different (good and bad some days, lol). Thank you for this forum, it has been a huge help.
Wow Micro is a rock star! Thanks for sharing her pawgress, I'm so happy to hear things are good. I love that she gets outside on leash, what a lucky girl! Got any photos you want to share? I can't see your FB page. Waah!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
YAAAAAY FOR MICRO!!!! And HAPPY EIGHT MONTH AMPUTATION!!😁
YES! We must have video of Micro showing off her tripawd strut on a leash!!😎
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie
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!
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