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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Hi
Figuring out how to post and ask question and finding the answers if someone does reply
I need help from experienced cat owners in regard to amputation
I am foster a 4 month old kitten from our local spca. We are falling in love with this little sweetheart and thinking of adopting him. My task was to observe his walking for two weeks. He can not put weight on one of his front legs. He can scratch in his litter and play with a toy using both paws but he can not put weight on it .
he came to us with a respiratory cold and I’ve been working with getting him through that. But now that the antibiotic is working and he is eating great we are starting to see more normal kitten behavior. Hunting toys, and he can jump up on a foot stool .
he has down very little since Friday 8/12 but now seeming to turn a corner. And we have spent a lot of time holding him while he sleeps. But as I said we are starting to great improvement so… his paperwork states he is a candidate for amputation and my family and I are question it
yes, he will not put it down to walk or run but it is helping him when in the litter box he can scratch with it , he uses to batt a toy from left to right and he is eating great we are starting to see more normal kitten behavior. Hunting toys, and he can jump up on a foot stool .
I don’t want them to amputate it. I was thinking of taking him to my vet or any vet that can get me in before 8/25 when I am suppose to return and have X-rays and second opinion. They never cgabevhim X-rays ! What is your opinion ? How can I pose this question to the group ? Thank you !!
Hi Patty, welcome! Thank you for registering as a member and sharing your kitten's story. Your future posts won't need to be approved so post away.
It's really good that your instinct says to get another opinion. I agree, totally. Just because a leg isn't functioning the way a leg normally does, doesn't mean it's not useful. Our Nellie also has a mal-functioning leg but at this point it's not causing her pain (verified by three vets), and we are trying to see if we can save it by trying rehab therapy and soon a custom support brace. She too uses it for a light toe-tap type of balance, and occasionally batting things with it. Very similar situation.
If you are willing to have your vet look at her on your dime, that's awesome. I would also see if you can get an animal rehabilitation therapist to take a look. Scroll down on this post for some directories of therapists. I'm also happy to help find one for you if you'd like. Between the two opinions you should know if the leg can be saved or not.
Also keep in mind that amputating a leg at such a young age can result in mobility issues. He's so young and still learning motor skills and coordination. Amputation would delay those skills and completely change the way he gets around. It also puts him at risk for earlier onset of arthritis, something common to all Tripawds at a younger age.
In my opinion, too many folks rush into amputation when there might be other options. You just need to find out what they are, if any. As a brilliant orthopedic surgeon told us, amputation solves one problem now, but creates many later on down the road. If there is a way to avoid it and not cause pain or discomfort, it's worth pursuing that route.
Hope this helps!
Hi, I'm glad you are managing on the site. You are doing better than you think you are. You were able to delete the first user name and create a new one. You are more tech-savvy than you give yourself credit for.
Jerry has given you excellent advice and first-hand experience on a wonky leg. First, get evaluated and make sure Ezra is not in pain now as you decide on the best path forward for Ezra.
QOL is always number 1 if it is keeping the leg or amputating. Rest assured if the leg does need to go Ezra will have an excellent quality of life on three. Purrkins can do all kitty things on three legs as he did on 4 with aids throughout the house i.e, steps, rugs for traction , raised food bowls, and a modified litter box. He is over 6 years post op he lost his leg from cancer.
Thanks for fostering Ezra (adopting him;) Don't hesitate to ask any questions. I approved your comment on the blog and took your email address out so you don't get spammed.
Hugs
Holly & Purrkins
💝💝💝
Thank you so much. I did take him for the second opinion and that vet spoke with me for a while. She said the injury looks has if he has had it for a while and has been compensating we with it for a while. Tonight he jumped up and tried to attack my husbands feet , jump up on a chair and was pretty active. He had an upper respiratory and finally improving so all around I think he just feels better. Everyone I talk to says he will do fine and do many cat like things no problem after the surgery. He is on Gabapentin 0.5 ml 2x a day and she thought he did have pain because she was checking his mobility above his elbow and it just didn’t move she said. Idk this is all so knew. I have three cats and 2 dogs already. My husband loves him though and wants to keep him.
thank you for the advice
Thank you. I did go for the second opinion and they said the same thing. I just feel bad for him. I did not see a list of therapists on the site. I live near Niagara Falls ny
this was my post to another member….
Thank you so much. I did take him for the second opinion and that vet spoke with me for a while. She said the injury looks has if he has had it for a while and has been compensating we with it for a while. Tonight he jumped up and tried to attack my husbands feet , jump up on a chair and was pretty active. He had an upper respiratory and finally improving so all around I think he just feels better. Everyone I talk to says he will do fine and do many cat like things no problem after the surgery. He is on Gabapentin 0.5 ml 2x a day and she thought he did have pain because she was checking his mobility above his elbow and it just didn’t move she said. Idk this is all so knew. I have three cats and 2 dogs already. My husband loves him though and wants to keep him.
thank you for the advice
Good job getting multiple opinions. I would do just one more, with a rehabilitation therapist.
Here's a list of "CCRP" therapists in New York
https://www.ncs.....-new-york/
and Nickel City Animal Hospital has Rehab Therapy, they sound great.
https://www.nic.....bilitation
Yes cats generally do really well after amputation if you have to go that route. It's just good to explore all possibilities just in case. Great job going with your gut instinct!
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