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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We brought home our new tripawd male cat today. I am amazed at how well he is getting around. I wonder if he is doing too much. But my bigger concern is his sister. She is very aggressive toward him. Hisses and groans. He seems to just ignore it. But I have had to separate them and put the sister in the basement. Any suggestions?
I just found and joined the site. So I'll be reading all your great information to see what I have in store. Our cat had a cancerous growth on right front paw. With two good hind legs he jumps up on the couch to perch on the back. When he jumps down, he smacks his face on the floor a little. Should I be concerned? He seems to be getting around quite well for his age. (Almost 15).
Thanks for any advice or thoughts.
Welcome to Tripawds, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
What are your cat's names... your user name?
Did your boy just have his surgery yesterday? If so his activity should be restricted including jumping up or down. I've only dealt with my pug after surgery but I would think it would be the same for cats.
Your female cat may be reacting to the funny smells your boy brought back from the vet. Hopefully some of our kitty members will stop by soon with some insight for you.
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
It was my female cat Mona who had the amputation. For recovery I had her isolated in a separate room to try to contain her a bit. The male, Eli, desperately wanted in the room so I let him in and he was very sweet to her and would lie down a couple of feet from her and watch over her.
Mona has always bonked Eli on the head and hissed at him. He would like to cuddle with her but she won't have it. She'll allow him to lie down near her, but no touching is allowed. My vet said females are like that. I've come to realize that Mona would be happy in a one cat home and Eli would like to have a playmate.
They never have fights and don't hurt each other. And she does comfort him at the vet by getting in his box with him. Eli sometimes touches her to get her to hiss and run and then he chases her. It's quite funny to watch but I have to tell him to stop when she hisses, makes strange sounds, and makes her fur go crazy (I think she's trying to look big).
Are your cats actually getting into fights? Has their relationship changed since the amputation?
Mona is also a front leg amputee. I controlled her activity until the stitches were out. I set up boxes and chairs for her to use when getting down from high places. When the height was much more than a leg length then she did face plants. Initially she did some flying leaps from heights and probably found the landing hurt. After some time she decided to only use the boxes and chairs to go down. She knows they are for her and gets annoyed if Eli is sleeping on one.
Please tell us more about your senior fellow. He seems to be doing quite well.
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
Thank you for the replies. Sparky is the male amputee and Cookie is the female.
Cookie seems afraid of Sparky. Especially when she sees him walking. Sparky does not seem to be bothered by her hissing and groaning. It does almost seem that Cookie does not know Sparky.
They do fight sometimes.
This is day 2 and Sparky is doing well. We are having a hard time controlling him from climbing into his favorite spots. His stitches look good and his walking is already much improved. He must be tired but seems to want to do what he always did.
For now we separated the cats. Cookie is in the basement where I have my home office and Sparky has the first floor level. We've blocked off all the stairs
Hi and welcome!
I agree with everyone's insight here, I'm thinking she is reacting to the funky smells on him because he was at the vet's office. She may also be reacting to the pain meds he's on, which cause temporary behavioral changes in animals.
My best advice is to keep him as confined as you can. Blocking off the stairs is a great start! If you can prevent him from jumping of/on things right now (I know, good luck right?) that will help prevent a seroma from forming, which are very common and usually harmless but does slow things down a little. Right now he should be getting a lot of rest.
Here's a blog post about front leg tip for Tripawd cats that you'll find helpful:
Front Leg Tripawd Cat Tips and Tricks
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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