Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi everyone! My cat Salem a few weeks ago started to walk on his front paw incorrectly. I took him to the vet twice and was then told to take him to the neurologist. We were told that they believe a mass in between his heart and lung is the culprit. They feel that amputation would not be best, however this cat is full of life and happier than ever. The only issue is that now the limb is practically dead. The paw is hard and cold. So I'm wondering if maybe I should give amputation a shot... it wont make the mass go away but could it possibly make his life better? I really do not want to put an animal down that is still so alive. Plus hes only 8. For a cat that's pretty young. Has anyone on here had anything like this happen? I have read some posts where the mass was actually on the leg, but that is not what is going on here. ANY recommendations would be great.
<3 Kendi
Mommy of furbaby Salem Bynx
came to my home in 2007
Lost his leg due to cancer
Left us Dec 2013 :(
Welcome and thanks for joining! Your future forum posts will not require moderation.
You will likely here from other tri-kitty members soon. You might also consider getting a second opinion and posting in the Ask A Vet forum for professional feedback.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hello and welcome! My Jill is one of the kitty members here. She had her rear leg amputated 11 months ago for bone cancer.
I'm sorry to hear about your boy! I don't have any experience with that type of tumor, I would definitely recommend posting in ask a vet!
On the amputation front, I can tell you kittys do GREAT as tripawds. You should check out Henrys blog and Fangs blog (I'll post links below)...of course you are more than welcome to check out My Jill's blog as well, but Henry and Fang are front leg amps, so it might give you a little bit more of a perspective. 8 is a great age, definitely still young, that's exactly how old Jill was when she had her leg amputated.
Let me know if you have any questions about the amputation or pop on over to the chat room if you get chance, theres usually a bunch of us in there in the evenings!
Jill's Blog: http://jillsjou.....pawds.com/
Fang's Blog: http://cldavis......pawds.com/
Henry's Blog: http://blueeyes.....pawds.com/
Take Care,
Erica & Jill the Cat
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
Hello there and welcome! I'm sorry you're in this tough spot.
So did the vet say amputation is NOT an option? I think that's what I'm reading from your post? If that is the case, why don't they believe she's a good candidate?
It's always good to get a second opinion, especially in challenging diagnoses like this. Even if they agree with the previous opinion at least you'll feel good knowing you did all you could to find the best answer.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi there! Sorry to hear about your kitty Salem! I assume it's not an option to remove the tumor? We have kitties here in our house, but don't have any experience like you've described. Just wanted to say "welcome!" and that we'll be sending Salem positive thoughts!
Thank you everyone for replying!!! My mom got from the specialist... "Salem will die in a few weeks anyway." I got from the specialist "well...your poor and have no money so......" He basically said that he felt the mass was what was causing everything and that I could amputate if I wanted but Id be wasting money and that I'd just waste money on finding out what the mass was and everything. I just didn't like the attitude but I was honestly too busy looking down at the bright beautiful full of life eyes of Salem to really think at that point. A week later and the leg is well... it remind me of a stuffed animal leg 
But hes walking, climbing, playing, eating, drinking, everything like he normal has minus the leg. So I just don't know. I DID however make an appointment at a new family vet to see what they say. (they also do surgeries there) I feel that the vet I go to is more like a learning place until they move elsewhere the docs are always so young and never stay around long. This place is a vet thats been around for years and is the same vet since open. I would feel SO much better if I just had that other voice in my head.
I made this video for a fundraiser site for Salem (cause yes Im poor LOL) you can kind of see the leg. We have it in a bootie at the moment cause he walks on it like that.
<3 Kendi
Mommy of furbaby Salem Bynx
came to my home in 2007
Lost his leg due to cancer
Left us Dec 2013 :(
Hi Salem!
My tablet's actingup so I'm having trouble seeng the video...I've seen enough to kw Salem is a very handsome fella'!
I can only imagine how difficult itis getting such negative responses and I'm really, reall glad you're going for a second opinion!
It may be that the vets were TRYING to say theh didn't really know how to treat the tumor and they felt an amputatuon still wouldn't elimate their main concern. Should an amputatin be a possibility, as you have probably already seen, cats and dogs are amazingly resilient!
Take a deep breath and just staymin thepresent with Salem. He's feeling breat andisn't worried about any diagnosisor statistics! Satistics don't mean squat toyour Salem! He just knows he's very loved and enjoying life!
Get a list of yor questins together. It may be that amutationis a possibility downthe road, but right nowit's avout shrinking the tumor. Perhaps a co sultation with an oncologist could be helpful too.
Please keep us posted and let us know if this vet is able to develop apla for you. He's not in pain...he's eating anf drinkng and he's having a ball, right? Stay focused on all that is good with him right now and take it one day at a time.
There's a great saying arond here that was posted a while back by a fellow member.... "When you start missing what you haven't lost, you lose what is left."
We are here with you You are not alone, okay?
Don't forget to B R E A T H E! Now go hug Salem and save a hug for yourself! B R E A T H E!!!
Hugs!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
Thank you Sally!!! I have been spending most of my time laying around with him and loving him and petting him. Hes getting all kinds of extra love and attention. It was because of me doing this I realized I did indeed need a second opinion. It brought me here as well, during my research. I am so very thankful for all of the support here!! It just seems like the specialist I saw was more worried about if I could pay HIM. He gave me no options at all. Maybe there is no options. But Im trying to find the silver lining. Hes such a young cat and has so much more to do and love to give. He hasn't given up so I won't either!!!
Ill also try to breathe... Im not good at that at all LOL
<3 Kendi
Mommy of furbaby Salem Bynx
came to my home in 2007
Lost his leg due to cancer
Left us Dec 2013 :(
I don't really have much to offer as far as advice but wanted you to know that we are thinking of you and Salem. Glad you decided to get another opinion. Just like people doctors some vets just don't have good "bedside" manners. Can the mass be biopsied so you know what you are dealing with or does it's location make that impossible? Going with a list of questions is a good idea like Sally said. I know when I'm at the vet I have a "mental" list but then I get so sidetracked I forget to ask everything!
Good luck at the vet appointment!
Marla, Daisy and quad-cat Maybelle
My Two Tripawds...Biscuit 
and Spirit Daisy 
Holy smokes I can't believe a vet said that! Eeeek! Good for you for being such a terrific advocate and getting a second opinion. Please keep us posed, we are thinking of you and sweet Salem.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Sometimes supportive care can give a good quality life. We had a kitty with a brain tumor that was given a couple of weeks to live. We took him home to just love and keep as comfortable as we could for as long as he wanted to hang around... which turned out to be almost 2 years. So you never know. A vet can give you an idea of what to expect, but YOU know your kitty the best. Sometimes the fight in the kitty (or dog) makes a difference.
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