Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello, First I want to say that I wish I could properly thank you for all the support and help you provided last year. This site was a blessing.
Sugar celebrated one year on three on Oct 21. All things considered she has been doing well.
I do have a question and want to see if anybody has some advice. As of today, something is going on. I knew something wasn't right because she was asleep in one spot all day - didn't even get up for morning kibbles. FYI, she loves food so that was very off. When I pulled out canned food this evening, she did get up then. However, that's when I really realized something was wrong. She meowed loudly as she hobbled and she is barely standing up. I can't tell where exactly the pain is at but it's somewhere in the one front leg or paw (she's a front amputee). After eating she made it to the litterbox, but then she laid on the floor near the litterbox. After a few minutes, she got up, but again she meowed loudly as she hobbled to and on the couch.
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving/we're in holiday season. My other cat (Spice) has been a very sick girl and it was stressful getting her last Friday to see some vet any vet and then it cost me exorbitantly. I only say that to say, as of last week my regular vet was double booked 'til Dec and half a dozen vets in this area are booked some into mid December. Is there anything I can do for Sugar because I know it's going to be a wait to get an appointment and at the moment I'm not willing to see an emergency vet - I know that sounds cruel, but I really can't right now.
I think the pain is in the shoulder area (top of leg/not sure if that's shoulder or what). She can't seem to put pressure on it. Does anyone know anything I can do for her 'til she can see a vet?
A million thanks!
Hope
Aww you ARE thanking us, don't think twice about that. It's a joy to know that Sugar is one year out and has been doing so well! CONGRATS on that victory! Wow that year went by fast.
First, you are not being cruel by not wanting to go to the ER vet. We get that. It's so expensive! And with the vet situation right now, trying to get in anywhere for a regular visit is impossible. It's tough times for animals who need care. I'm sorry your other cat is sick too! Ugh! Is she better? I hope so.
I'm sorry that Sugar is showing some pain signals . Usually by the time a cat is vocalizing and showing discomfort it's pretty severe pain. The problem could be as simple as a pulled muscle or pinched nerve. Maybe even something stuck in her paw. Have you examined it closely?
Have you tried reaching out to your vet to let them know what is going on, if only to see if you can get a temporary prescription to a pain reliever like Gabapentin? Calling them on Friday with a list of symptoms and even offering to send video might help expedite care. You can also try to see if she's willing to have you ice her neck and shoulder area for a few minutes, a few times a day, to see if that helps.
Stay strong and keep us posted OK?
After I posted, last night while watching TV I tried to examine it more closely while she was sitting by me. I didn't see anything stuck in the paw, but there seems to be minor swelling in the paw. There are two things that make her cry out in pain - rubbing/squeezing the middle of the leg - which I did because she was hanging it so limply. The other thing that hurts is moving the leg at the top which I did because of how she was holding it. She only lets on to the pain when she steps on it. My regular vet frustrated me with the other cat so bad last week that I didn't call them for Sugar. Nobody's open today. The only local emergency vet will open later today so I'll give them a call tonight or tomorrow because this isn't right. She can barely move. My regular vet won't be open again 'til Monday. I can try to ice it as suggested 'til I can get her in. I feel bad for her. She's sleeping peacefully at the moment. I'll be gone in a little while for the rest of the day - if she sleeps the day away which is what cats do anyway I guess she'll be alright.
Aww poor Sugar. You are right, that swelling and crying out is concerning. Yes follow your gut instinct and get in touch with someone tomorrow. Even an online vet consultation with an Ask a Vet service may help with suggestions to help with the pain until a more thorough visit can be done.
How is her appetite? Is she staying hydrated?stay on top of hydration to make sure she doesn't become weakened by whatever is going on.
Please keep us posted, we are thinking of you.
Sugar is doing well. I never got to a vet, I called one and was planning on getting her in but last minute decided not to because she improved so much. She's pretty much 100% her tripawd self now. I did ice the foot a couple times including Saturday morning when I almost took her. I think the ice helped with the issue. I got to thinking (observing) and am embarassed on her behalf, but I think I know what happened. She's been extra greedy lately in regards to food - her greed in the past is what led us to using microchip bowls. Long story short, but she's been in jealous mode causing her greed to come back with vengance. I caught her a couple times pushing her sister aside and using her head and foot forced the microchip bowl to stay open while stealing. The lid that closes is a hard plastic and I suspect she may have hurt the foot doing that. I can't remember if it was Thursday or Friday when she was trying to move more and she went to her bowl and I caught her in the act of sliding over to Spice's bowl even though she was still not moving well.
After 11 years I'm still learning how to not overreact, but not underreact. The way she meowed when she tried to walk scared me the most (it was loud and sounded excruciating), but I'm grateful she's moving without meowing at all now. She's getting sturdiness back too.
Thank you!
HAPPY AMPUVERSARY SUGAR!!! We are celebrating with you and soooo Happy to be part of this spectacular milestone!-
You had me laughing ao hard chronicling how you think Miss Sugar hirt her paw. Apologies because it's not funny.....but it is s funny😂
I'm glad you figure things out and glad Spice gets to eat her food without interruption from Miss Sugar!
Thanks for the update. Wonder to hear from you and all the shenanigans of our Tripawd RockStar😎
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!
YAY Sugar! You are the world's top expert at food stealing and recovering! 
I'm so glad this wasn't serious.
What's a microchip bowl? That's a new one to me. Is it like an auto-feeder that closes when a cat or dog is done eating their portion?
benny55 said
HAPPY AMPUVERSARY SUGAR!!! We are celebrating with you and soooo Happy to be part of this spectacular milestone!-You had me laughing ao hard chronicling how you think Miss Sugar hirt her paw. Apologies because it's not funny.....but it is s funny😂
I'm glad you figure things out and glad Spice gets to eat her food without interruption from Miss Sugar!
Thanks for the update. Wonder to hear from you and all the shenanigans of our Tripawd RockStar😎
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie!
benny55 said
HAPPY AMPUVERSARY SUGAR!!! We are celebrating with you and soooo Happy to be part of this spectacular milestone!-You had me laughing ao hard chronicling how you think Miss Sugar hirt her paw. Apologies because it's not funny.....but it is s funny😂
I'm glad you figure things out and glad Spice gets to eat her food without interruption from Miss Sugar!
Thanks for the update. Wonder to hear from you and all the shenanigans of our Tripawd RockStar😎
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie!
Laughter is the best medicine and now that Sugar is back on three and doing ok I think I can laugh too even though she is still trying to get in Spice's bowl.
jerry said
YAY Sugar! You are the world's top expert at food stealing and recovering!What's a microchip bowl? That's a new one to me. Is it like an auto-feeder that closes when a cat or dog is done eating their portion?
Microchip bowl is one in which the cats chip is programmed to individual bowl and when they go to it it opens and when they leave it closes. If non-programmed cat visits it won't open. There is also a button for humans to push to open it. Sugar has always been a greedy eater - it's not uncommon for her to eat all her food at once. Spice has always been a grazer. This microchip bowl allows Spice to graze without Sugar eating it before she comes back to it.
Ahhhhhh wow that's a pretty high tech bowl. Thanks for the enlightenment. Now it's even funnier that Sugar was swiping from the other one! Just glad she's OK from the lid hitting her foot. Silly cat!
Ohhhh that was such a happy surprise ending to the tale of the greedy cat!!! I'm so pleased she's doing OK and thoroughly relate to your immediate reactions and anxiety. Isn't it amazing how resilient animals are especially if we do not give up on them?
I wonder if Sugar will learn that crime doesn't pay, even if it's tasty crime
Regretfully Sugar hasn't fully learned crime doesn't pay she is still committing the crime. I stay nearby to stop her as best I can and try to prevent another injury. So far she's not gotten the foot caught again at least she's mostly head butting the bowl when I don't stay nearby. Last night I said I'm going to have to separate their eating place. The good news is, usually all I have to do is say her name in a certain tone and she mews and backs off.
And yes, it never ceases to amaze me how resilient they are.
😁😃😁😃
Silly girl! I wonder why she is sooo hungry she's willing to do a crazy stunt like that. Maybe there's something in her current food that just isn't satiating enough for her? Has she always done this even with other foods?
I think it's a mental/emotional problem not hunger. Though I admit she might need something more filling. She's actually gaining right now and as we all know that's worse for tripawd. She had been doing better but it's picked back up. Her sister is a sick (yet still active crazy girl). When her sister started on medication for gi lymphoma our routine fell off. I said that to say that I think that caused this revival. I think there's jealousy. Sugar also has an overgrooming issue which has also gotten worse in the last couple weeks. Feliway was vet recommended but as I told him, that made her worse.
Sugar & Spice mom said
I think it's a mental/emotional problem not hunger. Though I admit she might need something more filling. She's actually gaining right now and as we all know that's worse for tripawd. She had been doing better but it's picked back up. Her sister is a sick (yet still active crazy girl). When her sister started on medication for gi lymphoma our routine fell off. I said that to say that I think that caused this revival. I think there's jealousy. Sugar also has an overgrooming issue which has also gotten worse in the last couple weeks. Feliway was vet recommended but as I told him, that made her worse.
I wonder if a food puzzle toy would help? It's something that might keep her busy while trying to get the kibble treats out. It's potentially a way of playing, hunting, being busy and getting yummies - a bit like a pacifier.
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