Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello Everyone!
I'm a couple days tardy from the first anniversary of Sky's amputation surgery - sorry! Other parts of life are challenging right now.
The good news is Sky is doing GREAT! He is comfortable, has adjusted to hopping rather than walking, still needs to be picked up onto furniture and is the sweetest cat ever!
He's been on gabapentin this whole past year due to concerns about spinal issues but I'm weaning him off that as I think he isn't in pain. If I see signs I'll put him back on it.
The only new wrinkle is that he is in early stage kidney disease so I'm doing everything I can to slow the progression: subcu fluids, Rehmannia 8 which I can tell helps him overall, and aluminum hydroxide in his food to combat the phosphorous. He is now 14 so I guess this comes with the territory. He is worth it!!!
He often wrestles with Marlowe, my Cavalier, and Chumley, my black rescue cat, grooms Sky daily. Sterling is the eternal narcissist and expects Sky to groom him!
Here is a photo I took for the 1 year anniversary.
He's still beautiful!!
Thank you all for your help through that trauma. We are on the other side and so grateful!
Wow! Hoppy Ampuversary to you and Sky! That’s a huge milestone, congrats! Got any photos to share?
We have no doubt that you can give him a great quality of life as he ages, keep it up!
Oh just want to add that you may want to have him evaluated by a rehab therapist just to make sure that taking him off the Gabapentin will be ok. If the medication is managing his pain then that’s probably why he’s not showing any pain signals . Many pets take it long term and that’s ok, it’s a relatively benign drug in the body. Don’t forget the Tripawds Foundation May pay for your first rehab visit .
Congrats again!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Jerry,
Thanks for your congrats and advice! Were you able to see the photo I posted? I have a hard time with that.. but if that is visible I'll post some more.
I'm weaning him slowly off the gab. It was ongoing more for some spinal issues than his leglessness - is that a word? When he had his annual exam in August, St. Louise, my vet, said his spine felt much better. He is also on Adequan - forgot to mention that. So many meds...Well money is also part of the reason I'm trying to cut back where possible. And I think Gab has effects on kidneys so that is a real concern to me as he is already in kidney disease. Juggling....
Tripawds Foundation didn't help with the surgery so I came to the conclusion there was no help available through them. I'm in tenuous financial situation.
I appreciate your support as always. Sky is still my dream cat 
He's by my side right now wanting my cheese! He'll probably end up with a tiny taste... 
Rebecca & Sky
Ohhh now I see it! I was on my phone and for some reason Sky's photo didn't appear. LOVELY! A dream indeed.
Tripawds Foundation didn’t help with the surgery so I came to the conclusion there was no help available through them. I’m in tenuous financial situation.
Oh the Rehab Reimbursement program is not an income-based program, anyone can qualify as long as the Tripawd dog or cat is taken to a CCRT or CCRP practitioner. Please do take advantage of it! We love seeing more trikitties get into rehab therapy, it's so good for folks to know it's possible.
I'm not a vet but I do believe when we talked to Dr. Downing about Gabapentin she mentioned that it is pretty easy on the body compared to other drugs. Every case is different of course but something to talk about with your vet. And yeah we totally understand about managing different medications, you should see our Wyatt Ray 's pharmacy! He's on quite a bit.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Online
HAPPY ONE YEAR AMPUVERTHERY SKY BLUE!! THRILLED TO READ SUCH A GOOD UPDATE!!
I hope you got lots of cheese to celebrate this victorious milestone...not just a little taste.😎
Qnd yes, you are a stunningly handsome boy indeed! . And clearly you have lots of spunk and can still show your pack you can still rumble with the best of 'em!!
Thanks for the uplifiting update!
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 for the clarification on the rehab reimbursement - I'll see what's available nearby.
Yes, my vet concurred with yours about Gabapentin being safe longterm but as money is tight and Sky is doing so much better I want to try weaning him off. Also, as I said he has kidney issues now and I read that it can have negative effects on kidneys. So, one step at a time.
And thanks, Sally, for congrats! Sky got a little cheese but not a lot as IBD is still an issue - even with Slippery Elm I have to be careful. But I do spoil him with lots of treats so don't worry. He is a happy, treasured pussycat.
Here's a bunch of pix of Sky enjoying the summer sun and more. Hope these work! There are 7 photos so you have to scroll through.
Yes indeedy rhey worked and they are BEAUTIFUL!! You have true treasured memories in these photos.😎 And you little Springer pup is adorable! I love that he and Sky are such great buddies❤
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!
Aww, Sky is a beauty. Congrats on the one year anniversary. 
I wish you many more.
My tripawd Kitty Mona is about 13 years old and has stage 2 kidney disease. She had a bladder and kidney infection and was on antibiotics for 2 months. She lost some weight and seems to have gained most of it back but now wants me to feed her by hand, especially at 2:00 am. 
Oh well, she's a cutie and has me well trained.
I understand your concern about the effects of gabapentin on Sky's kidneys. I would feel the same way. He may not need it anymore however may be somewhat arthritic so you could discuss that with the vet if you see any signs.
Hugs to you and Sky,
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
A thread hijack just to send Kitty Mona extra chin scratches❤ 2:00 am hand feedings??? True love!😊
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!
Not really a thread hijack - Sky has me trained to feed him around 2:30 am too.... Marlowe goes out... Other cats get goodies. Sky also wants water from my bedside glass... so it shall be.
That's what we do for love
What a fluffball! Thanks for sharing the photos, he's one very loved kitty!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
our kitties... That's so funny that Sky wants early morning (late night?) feedings. Is it a kidney disease thing?
It was really funny when I had a guest stay over and Mona was tapping on her shoulder at 2:00 am. Thankfully my guest is a cat lover.
Sally, I've learned from the best (YOU!!) on how to give our tripawds love. Pupacinnos anyone?
His coat wasn't looking as good in the summertime as he likes to roll in the dirt too so he was kind of scruffy. Now that cold weather is coming he is fluffing out again.
And yes, I cherish every day with him. Everyone who meets Sky is awed by how friendly and gorgeous he is. My other cats are nice but Sky is rare.
Thanks!!!
Hi Kazann,
I don't know if it's a kidney disease thing but it started with him wanting water from my glass - sometimes several times a night - which led to diagnosing the kidney disease. Now with subcu fluids it's not as often thankfully. Then Marlowe, my Cavalier, wants to go out. Then it seems a good idea to feed the cats so they will let me go back to sleep.... if possible!
So we have a middle of the night circus. 
He still prefers drinking from my water glass - it's clean and fresh. Even though he has other options for water, he likes mine.
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