Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi my beloved 13 year old Devon Rev Cat Gizmo woke up lame 2 weeks ago. Left hind leg. A sedated X-Ray turned up bone abnormalities and a possible fracture of his femur. My Vet is sending us to the larger and highly respected Vet center in NJ (Red Bank). Appointment on Nov 3rd. Gizmo's chest X-Ray looked normal but my vet warned me that her X-Ray equipment is more limited than what its available at the Hospital.
If amputation can happen and stop the pain and give him a shot at a few more years I am willing to do that. The one thing I worry about though is Phantom pain. My Mom's dad was an amputee and she has told me stories my entire life about how he suffered from phantom limb pain. How common is it with the Tripawds? Is it manageable?
Cassie
Hi Cassie and Gizmo, welcome! Your future posts won't need to wait for approval so post away. I'm sorry you are facing this decision. If it's any comfort, I have also heard from members that Red Bank has a GREAT reputation so you two are in terrific hands. I love that your vet referred you there (the sign of a great vet is always one who lets clients know they don't have all the answers when it comes to cancer).
You're thinking about all the right things, especially when it comes to phantom leg pain . Yes, animals do get it. Not all, but some. The best way to decrease the odds of it happening to Gizmo is to ensure that he gets excellent pain management (that link will take you to helpful articles on the subject). Since Red Bank is an AAHA-accredited vet practice, excellent pain management is one thing that you won't have to worry about. Among other things, AAHA clinics are guaranteed to practice the newest and best protocols in many areas like pain medications and post-op care.
Have you seen our e-book Cool Tips for Tripawd Cats ? If not, now's the time. It will help you get your head around the subject of amputation and what to expect after surgery. Our Jerry's Required Reading List also has lots of great information. Oh, and here's a post about Questions to Ask your Veterinary Oncologist that can also help you prepare for the consult.
Stay tuned for feedback from others!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you so much. I was frightened to download the e-book in case we got to Redbank and heard he wasn't a candidate for surgery. The book is GREAT. He doesn't have any other health conditions and I feel hopeful. Getting rid of his pain will be our focus. Thanks for the feedback on Redbank. I will let you know how it goes. Thanks again!!!! Cassie & Gizmo
Jist want to offer another welcome and, as you can already see, we are here to support you as you move forward with a plan for Gizmo!
And good for uoj for recognizing getting rid of the pain to add quality time for more loving and spoiling is what it's all about!! You clearly love Gizmo♥️
Curious how long ago your Dad had his amputation. Fortunately now days phantom pain is recognized as a pain that is treatable with Gabapentin. That is also a drug used for hoomans. As Jerry said, it does happen sometimes in dogs and cats, but is fairly easily handled with the proper pain management . IF...IF.... it does happen, it's usually only for a short time during the first week or two of recovery.
We have so e extremely knowledgeable kitty members who can help guide you through recovery and a swe specific kitty questions😎
Woild lpve to see pictures of Gizmo. Here's a link to help
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!
Thanks Sally! I will upload his picture. My grandfather lost his leg in a motorcycle accident in the late 30's early 40's so a long time before gabapentin. So my mom's memories of his pain are probably very outdated.
On pins and needles with Redbank tomorrow. We will see what they think. Thanks again. Giving him lots of treats while trying not get our 4 year old cat Hermes, who is very confused as to why Gizmo won't play and is cranky with him, too fat as he snacks along with Gizmo.
Having trouble with getting pictures to show here but her is his shutterfly page: Most pictures are from when he was much younger.
https://gizmopi.....erfly.com/
Best
Cassie
Gizmo is soooo darn cute!! So glad you were able to post the link.
We'll be sending all sports of pawsitive energy to Gizmo tomorrow. Update when you get a chance.
Yeah, as far as your Grandfather's experience, things have definitely improved since then. How sad that he had to experience phantom pain .
Try and get some rest, although probably not possible, right? Bet Gizmo will be sleeping just fine though!
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!
Just got back from Redbank. They definitely think its cancer most likely Osteosarcoma. They did X-Rays, Ultrasound and fine needle aspiration. We are waiting on the cytology report to better understand his prognosis. They wanted to rule out a met from another type of cancer. There was some thickening of his intestines but not enough to say cancer. He had one suspicious spot on his lung but its very small and they say its too small to do a needle aspiration so would do a watch and wait and need a consult with Oncology. They are planning on doing ct scan tomorrow morning to better see the tumor and its margins. Then they plan to take his leg and part of his pelvis tomorrow. The tumor is high up on his femur and the pelvis maybe involved.
Wow this is happening so fast I am so glad I read the e-book on sunday. (Felt like I was goofing off from doing work but now really glad I did).
Thanks for the support and advice. I understand he may have a few years or only a few months but I really just want him to be comfortable with the best quality of life we can give him. The ebook made me feel better about the surgery. I had to have some gallows humor this morning when I thought oh boy this is going to cost an arm and a leg and then realized no its really just a leg... With Covid I can't do a fancy vacation this year and probably not next so happy to spend it on Gizmo.
Thanks again
Cassie
Hi Cassie,
Oh my gosh Gizmo is adorable! I saw the photos. Shutterfly won't allow users to embed into another website but if we click on the link we can see them.
I'm sorry that you might be facing osteosarcoma. But as your oncologist may have told you, cats usually kick that cancer's butt and amputation is usually end-of-story for that cancer. You can read about Tripawd cats with osteosarcoma in our forums (and feel free to add Gizmo's story if the diagnosis is confirmed).
The ebook made me feel better about the surgery.
Paw shucks I'm so glad! Feel free to leave a review anytime 😉
I thought oh boy this is going to cost an arm and a leg and then realized no its really just a leg
Bhahahaha! Oh it's all you can right now is to have a sense of humor right?!
Let us know how things are going OK? We will be keeping our paws crossed for a speedy recovery!!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hugs to Gizmo and you, Cassie ! It is so overwhelming and I will chime in my 2 cents for what it is worth.. beginning last August my 10.5 year old furbaby, Fuzz was ultimately diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in his right scapula after whirlwind of consultation and ultimate full front leg/scapula amputation at the end of September.
Fuzz was the literal poster child/kitty for recovery. Zero issues in ICU and return home. I attribute some of that to his spunky and dog/human like personality and the quality of the medical team providing his care and treatment. Upon his staple removal at around 2 weeks post amputation in October he was back to normal (climbing stairs, jumping, running, playing with my 98 lb lab who is his best friend) .. you would never even know he was missing a front leg. He had some minor bouts with phantom pain during his post amp recovery but with longer use of gabapentin he was 100% normal physically and emotionally/personality at his 3 month check.
It was at the 6 month check I got the bad news that despite the Osterosarcoma being so rare in cats (even rarer in front legs) he had developed lung mets. A spot was found on his lung and we monitored because he was "normal" We continued to monitor the spot at 9 month check and it was slightly progressing in size but still no other issues. We returned this past September for his one year mark post amputation check and at that time I had discovered an unrelated pea size and growing lump on his chest/abdomen/near rib cage on left side. Upon examination and testing the oncologist stated it was an unrelated sarcoma and that the lung mets continued with new additional spot. Only issue at that time was Fuzz had lost around a pound in weight.
We go back in late December for another check, but at this time Fuzz is acting absolutely normal, has increased his appetite and is eating well with new and added kitten wet food and so many additional treats and nutrient gels. He is happy and comfortable. His oncologist told me that the lung mets will not ever cause pain or discomfort and even his new sarcoma is the same. Unless he develops a new and painful mass on/in bone or internal organ he will continue to live out his life for whatever time that will be happy and well loved.
I enjoy every day with him and spoil him fiercely and know that if/when time ever comes he will let me know. For now we are living it up- gobbling food and even more love! This site and the amazing folks and feline/canine friends is beyond helpful and supportive. This process was not cheap but with the friendship and love that Fuzz has provided me throughtout the past nearly 12 years I decided no cost was too much to give him what he needs and will continue to do so for as long as he is with me! I hope it is for a long time and I wish you the same with Gizmo!
Luv and purrs, Melissa and Fuzz
Melissa thank you so much for taking time to share Fuzz's story and give your input and support. You are wonderful! 
This made my day to know Fuzz is loving life and not letting anything stop him from making the most of every day. Give him lots of extra scritches from me!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Melissa thank you so much! Gizmo has a suspicious spot on his lungs but given that his femur was fractured we decided to go ahead and amputate. Hearing Fizz's story makes me so happy as its been a rough 24 hours and I suspect it will be a rough next few weeks. Late yesterday afternoon they were worried he had a secondary cancer and we didn't know this morning when he went back if they would recommend end of life care or amputation. Luckily the secondary cancer turned out to be a false alarm. Good news is he is now out of surgery and doing well in recovery. They had take a lot. His leg, hip, and part of his pelvis. They will send the tumor to pathology to help with staging and then to meet with the oncologist. They said he might come home as soon as tomorrow.
Cassie
WHEW! YAY GIZMO! YOU MADE IT!!!
I'm so happy you guys are on your way to the next phase. Paws crossed he can have a homecoming tomorrow. And I"m so glad there was no secondary cancer. WHEW!!!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Wow Cassie, what a stressful and uncertain time today! Soooo glad Gizmo was able to go forward with his surgery and start the healing process! Whew! Big sigh of relief- Cleared for surgery is an extremely big win for you and Gizmo!!👍
You are doing EVERYTHING in Gizmo's best interest to give him a solid pain free quaility life ♥️ And yes, recovery, especially with partial pelvis rem, is no picnic at first. That said, Gizmo may be one of those who surprises you and sails through recovery! pain management is important and sometimes needs some tweaking to get the right balance
And fwiw, there used to be a time that if a met was found, amputation was discouraged. Now, that thought has changed and surgery is generally recommended now because it DOES get rid of the pain and many dogs and cats DO ive a wonderful extended time pain free full of loving and spoiling and happy times! Gizmo jas already proven he's a kitty Warrior full of spunk and determination! Huge pluses!
Looking forward to a homecoming update. Try and get some rest tonight...you deserve it!
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!
Gizmo came home today. He is eating well, purring, and even walked a bit. Got out of his cat carrier and laid on an orthopedic pad in the sun for a awhile before getting into our larger cat carrier that is a favorite resting place of his. I have a nice memory foam orthopedic pad in it. He is exhausted and needing sleep. One concerning thing is that he is having some blody discharge from his annus. The vet thinks his intestine that went through the pelvis maybe inflamed from the surgery. She has us on a watch and wait. Has anyone else needed to have part of the pelvis removed too? and experienced this? The vet said its not a common surgery.
They didn't give him Gabepentin they gave him Buphinorine. I asked the Vet tech at discharge about it and she said she would leave a message for the vet and then with the bloody discharge I forgot to ask the vet tonight but will ask her tomorrow. It is scary to see him so vulnerable. But I bought the Senior litter that was recommended here. I got the puppy wee wee pads in case of misses. I have ordered a senior box but took a disposable cardboard litter box and cut down the sides and made a front and rear entrance for him. I also bought some nice carpeted stairs for our bed for when he is feeling better. Cone of shame is no fun. I will measure him for a surgical suite and see in a couple of days if we can move to that. Vet tech said we just have to be careful that its not too tight and doesn't block air to the incision or rub the incision.
He looks so naked and vulnerable. Even more naked than a Devon Rex usually is. Thanks again everyone the info here is making this less scary.
Cassie
Welcome home Gizmo!!! And it's wonderful that you are already hopping a bit AND eating and purring!! Quite remarkable!
Yeah, Buphinorine is often used for kitty recovery pain, so maybe that will be effective enough. But if not, maybe the Gaba can be added. Right now he probably still jas some good hospital meds in him at least until tomorrow.
I don't have any input about the bleeding. I would double check with the Surgeon to have a plan to reduce the "inflammation " or a plan if it's something else. Maybe some other kitty members can address it.
You are doing such a thorough job of setting everything up so well for Gizmo. Yeah, it's hard watching our furbabies the first part of recovery when they just want to rest and be left alone. Rest is healing though.
Thanks for the update. Everything sounds pretty normal this early on...maybe even a little ahead of the curve.👍
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!
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