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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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Won’t use his litter box
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Member Since:
13 October 2019
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13 October 2019 - 1:50 pm
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Hi all. Our cat Tommy, age 9, had is front leg amputation this past Thursday afternoon and was discharged late Friday afternoon. When we got home I held him in his litter box and he peed. I did the same Friday night and he peed again. They gave him lots of fluids in the hospital. My concern is he hasn’t used his litter box since late Friday and today is Sunday. He won’t drink water but he is eating, so I started adding water to his wet food and also giving him syringes of tuna water. When I put him in his litter box he just stands there or lays down. He’s not straining or anything. He’s just not going. I have tried two brands and textures of paper litter, and even resorted to his regular clay litter. I called his vet today and she said that as long as he isn’t straining and as long as he is eating, give it another day before I bring him in. He gets his pain meds 3xday, and he is so wiped out and groggy from them. He spends the day laying in my bed, mostly sleeping. Does anyone have a similar situation and can share some litter box advice? I will feel so much better once he goes. Thank you. 

Livermore, CA




Member Since:
18 October 2009
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13 October 2019 - 3:31 pm
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Hello and welcome, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.

Humm, I know if a dog hasn't peed in that long the vet (or owner) will express the bladder, not sure about cats though.  I'm sure some of our kitty experts will be along soon with their input.

In the meantime did you see the Litter box Tips for Tripawds in the cat forum?  Maybe something there might help you.

Why did Tommy need an amputation?

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

 

              Maggie's Story                  Amputation and Chemo

Member Since:
1 October 2017
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13 October 2019 - 9:22 pm
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Hi and welcome!

Let me make sure I understand you correctly.  He urinated twice on Friday,  nothing Saturday,  nothing today? 

They do usually give lots of iv fluids during surgery,  but after that it's really important to keep them hydrated once they get home.  Adding water to their canned food is great,  you can also try low sodium broths,  and wet treats like delectable Squeeze ups and fancy feast broths.  Jarred baby meats,  kitty "milk ", anything wet.

Do you know how to feel for his bladder? If he has not gone,  has not attempted,  isn't incontinent on his bed,  i would call the vet in the morning.

He may be getting dehydrated which can be bad for cats. 

It's not uncommon for then to not poop for s few days but peeing is important.  

Definitely check out thr litter box tips.  There are great ideas there to help them while recovering. 

Sorry for the late response. have been out on the road tonight. 

Please let us know how you make out! Sorry you are going through this but I'm glad you found us!

Jackie and Hucksp_hearticon2

Hugs,

Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry

Huckleberry's Blog

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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14 October 2019 - 11:39 am
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How is he doing today? Has he urinated yet?

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet


Member Since:
13 October 2019
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15 October 2019 - 1:21 pm
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Hi all. Since this my post Tommy has peed around four times! Yay! But he still hasn’t pooped. He ate lightly on Saturday, a bit more Sunday and Monday. And he is drinking. I put his regular clay litter in two separate litter boxes, even his usual litter box. I think that’s what led to him peeing. Now he just needs to go number two. He regular vet wants to check him. He’s not going to like that! I know that the hospital that did his surgery said that the pain meds can cause constipation. But I’m getting concerned. He’s moving around pretty well. He jumps up on our bed and even climbed our stairs today! 



Member Since:
27 July 2014
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15 October 2019 - 2:16 pm
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That's great that Tommy is peeing. I really didn't have any advice on litter box usage because my tripawd Mona didn't read any of the recovery books and follow instructions. She did it her way including peeing in inappropriate places (the back of a desk drawer was the worst or the most creative in her opinion). I went back to her original litter box with the old used litter before she would tenderly balance on the rim to hang her butt over and pee. She would lean into the box to cover it up. SIGH... It sounds like Tommy and Mona don't like their litter messed with.

I'm sure the vet will have some suggestions to help Tommy.

Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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15 October 2019 - 2:23 pm
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Drats I'm sorry! Yeah it's probably time to let the vet find out what might be going on, to rule out any other issues. Hopefully it's just a matter of adding some fiber in but better to be safe. Let us know and don't furget to celebrate that Tommy is doing so well otherwise!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet


Member Since:
13 October 2019
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15 October 2019 - 4:37 pm
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Hi again. We took him to his vet today and she checked his belly. She said his colon really wasn’t full enough yet to poo and she feels no blockages. Well, after all of her squeezing and poking, he poo’d in his crate on the way home! It was loose, and a mess, but we are happy he went! Thank you all for your advice. This has been such a stressful time for our family, but we are celebrating each milestone that Tommy reaches. Next week is suture removal. Then he’s a free man! 

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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15 October 2019 - 5:55 pm
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Jist catching  up to  say YAY FOR poopiconpoopicon and YAY FOR PEE!!  So glad to hear the great news.  Yeah, even messy. poopiconIs goodpoopicon

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!

Member Since:
1 October 2017
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15 October 2019 - 6:09 pm
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Oh crap... my post didn't post!!! It said it did...dang. Huck took a week to 💩💩💩💩

If it's only going in in small amounts it's gonna take time to come back out...

Doing the poopie dance with you❤❤❤

Many of us here are well versed arty the poopie dance 😉😉😉

Big hugs, 

Jackie and Huck❤

Hugs,

Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry

Huckleberry's Blog

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