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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Thanks Kerren and Kitty Mona. I'll ask about the canned kitten food. I just read (on this site) about the importance of "wet" food for cats. That was new to me. Our Maggy Cat refused anything BUT dried food but we gave Sami canned food today and he went crazy for it! Just like kids with their different likes and dislikes.
Excellent link to the forum topic on costs. I'll share ours also once the total is calculated.
The advantage of the canned kitten food during recovery is that it's very moist so you don't have to worry about water intake. Of course you need to have a bowl of water available. I was able to add one of Mona's medication to the food as I knew Mona would gobble it up.
By the way Sami is very pretty. It's very unusual to see the white so even on the face with the M markings on the side. He looks so soft.
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
Sami Cat's Mom said
Cami,Thank you for the information about using the sweatshirt sleeve. If possible, a picture would be most helpful! Do they have to wear that plastic funnel-type collar after surgery? That would be awful. I did find fabric ones online so if he has to wear it I need to get it ordered!
Karyn and Sami
I'm sorry ,I didnt see your questions on hear yesterday. I only saw cat cat mom and April.
Im sorry about the loss of your Maggie, and your so good to be taking in be taking in Sami, I'm sure Maggie had something to do with that;)
Here is a link for surgery suits Jerry wrote a post on.http://gear.tri.....very-suit/
Purrkins is a front leg amp. We didnt use a cone we used a baby onesie. That wont work for a rear leg.
When Is Sami surgery scheduled for?
You'll want to be off work for after surgery, someone will need to be home with Sami in recovery to make sure he gets his meds.
As I mentioned earlier recovery is no picnic . The first day, the first hour, was the worst for us, I don't know if anyone can truly prepare you emotionally for that first day. The first hour, Just remember in recovery, you are helping Sami by getting rid of the leg. Getting rid of the pain.
Make sure you know how to administer meds if you are sent home with oral medications. We can help with that when we know what your sent home with. I see you already read up on those. Good for you! Thats so important ! Will make a difference for you and Sami!
I can't speak for back leg amp on what to expect . I know they have a harder time getting up to places, where the front amps are the opposite.
We set up a small spare room for recovery , added floor mats for cushion on the floor, rugs or yoga mats all work. Some people use big cages. Less movement the better in recovery. They usually like to hide when they get home. If you plan on having him recover in a bedroom, just make sure he wont have access to under the bed. Stuff pillows and blanket under it. Or put the mattress on the floor. Purrkin's chose the closet to recover in.
You will need to be able to access him for his meds.
Just provide some cushion and traction if possible. I wanted to prevent injury as Purrkins was relearning .
With Sami being a rear amp I think it will be easier? You might need to provide a lower access litter box. Check out some of the blogs on rear amp kitties, here are a few , I recall reading that were back leg amps.
http://chelleb7.....m/2013/02/
http://tiatheca.....ipawds.com
http://midnight.....m/2015/03/
http://jillsjou.....ut-anyone/
Life will get back to a new normal when stitches or staples come out. Usually 14 days.
Keep us posted and ask any further questions we will all try to help you thru.
Hugs,
Holly & Purrkins
Super helpful, Holly! Thanks! I work from home much of the week and my husband is retired so Sami will be watched over like a hawk. We'll follow Purrkins lead and set up the walk in closet in my son's bedroom (he's away at college). That way we can sleep near him if needed. I haven't FULLY read up on the pain meds but will do so soon. We have a third consultation with a highly recommended vet on Monday. He does surgeries on Tuesdays and Thursdays so it will probably be next week. I think I'm ready to just GET ON WITH IT as it has weighed on us over the holidays. I'll check out those litter boxes!
Thats great you guys are home! That is one less worry. Yep I slept in the closet with Purrkins the first few nights. Technically half in and half out because its not a walk in lol. Then we got to move to the bed on the floor a few days later.
I understand once the decision is made you want to get on with it and get going on recovery. Its a heavy weight to carry until then.
Yes read up on pain management , not all vets do the same from what I've seen here. I went in armed with notes for the surgeon. Purrkins came home with two differnt meds. Buprenorphine and Gabapentin. It all depends on the vet I guess on what your sent home with and for how long.
I dont know how rear leg amp do in the litter box, with Purrkins (front leg) we cut out the front of his box.
I would think lower box will be helpful for Sami. Or just a step up and out would help. Some cats donot like the change in box too. We just had that happen on here. So kinda stay with the same size box just lower sides if you change it.
Ask if he will be staying the night or longer ,and if so, that someone will be there monitoring all night.
Hang in there, do a bunch of reading so you are as prepared as you can be and ask any questions you have we will help in any way we can.
We've all been there and are on the other side to share our tips and knowledge of what we have been thru.
Please keep us posted!
Hugs to you and Sami
Holly & Purrkins
Thanks a million. And THANKS for the tip about under the bed! That is one of his favorite spots and it would have been a nightmare to get him out of there!
ByJust want to join in cheering along with Sami's new found Fan Club!! Isn't the information provided by our kitty families the best?! If you have ro be in this journey, you couldn't fi d better first hand knowledge!
Dog or cat, or baby chicken,we are all FAMILY TRIPAWD!! And that's a powerful family!!
Update us after your appointment. There is a sense of relief once a decision is made to
Proceed.
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!
I feel like I've taken over this forum and am anxious for an update on April whose person made the initial post. We both found out about amputations on the same day so I've just jumped in to the discussion. I'm so appreciative of all the support and for those who have blogged and taken videos of their Tripawd cats. It made me feel so much better!
Sami had his third consultation Monday and the vet referred us to a specialist about an hour away. He even negotiated the price for us a bit. (Every dollar helps!) He goes in tomorrow morning for amputation of his left rear leg due to a cancerous tumor the size of a tennis ball. Sami is feeling very chill but his parents may not get much sleep. He will spend at least one night at the vet hospital, maybe two. I have lots of prayers heading his way and hope I have good news to report so I can be as encouraging as others have been to me.
kazann said
The advantage of the canned kitten food during recovery is that it's very moist so you don't have to worry about water intake. Of course you need to have a bowl of water available. I was able to add one of Mona's medication to the food as I knew Mona would gobble it up.By the way Sami is very pretty. It's very unusual to see the white so even on the face with the M markings on the side. He looks so soft.
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
Thanks for this tip. I switched him to canned kitten food so he would become used to it prior to surgery. Thanks! He IS VERY pretty with little pink nose. I did not know that about the "even" markings as my two previous kitties were all black (Boo Boo Kitty) and tortoiseshell (Maggy). I'm going to pay closer attention to that.
We are glad you posted either way and not sure what happened with April.
We are sending all Tripawd power ,pawsitive energy and prayers for surgery tomorrow !
Please try to get some rest .Trust us on this your will need a reserve for when Sami gets to come home .
Update when you can we will be watching for a update.
Hang in there and know your not alone in this! We are all here cheering for you both !
We will do our best to help you thru!
Hugs to you and Sami!
Holly & Purrkins
I know this is stressful, but you and Sami will get through this recovery/surgery period just fine! That's not to say it won't be rough at first and full of some challenges!
That's why you need to stay connected so we can help you through this initial recovery phase and o to enjoying life to the fullest! Sami will feel so much better after that painful leg is gone!!
And, of course, you've got great "kitty wisdom" from Holly and Kerren!!
Let us know when surgery is done, okay?
Sending lots of pawsitive a d healing energy!!!
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!
Thnking of you and Sami!
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Thinking of you and Sami and sending Every positive (purrsitive?) wish your way for speedy recovery.
Meg, Clare and Elsie Pie xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, 23 November 2023, adopted 12 January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
Thanks everyone! Sami has his surgery midmorning, did well, and was awake and "sitting on his chest" when the doctor called. I checked back this evening and the assistant said he "wasn't happy" about the collar or the "situation" but was doing o.k. She said he was talking to her and that is a good sign because he clams up when he is scared.
We are debating on whether he should spend one night or two. Sami Dad is of the same mindset as in a maternity ward-let them keep him an extra day so they can make sure everything is o.k.- while Sami Mom wants her boy home.
Here is the surprise of the day...I thought I was well versed in everything tripawd but I was not prepared to hear about DRAIN TUBES?! Dr. suggested we house Sami in a large kennel with his food and litter box until the drain tubes come out in about 5 days because they...well...DRAIN! A friend is loaning us one but I hadn't read about this wrinkle so I'm not sure what to expect?
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