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.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
benny55 said
You've gotten great advice and, as you can tell, your are not alone!!This stupid piece of crap disease leaves us no choice but to take some really tough "forced choices" and hope for the best!
We often say "age is just a number"' around here, and it's more about how fit and healthy our lets seem and how much zest for life they seem to still have. That said, in my unprofessional opinion,age cannot be totally discounted as the scales can be tipped pretty quickly someimes wth very "mature" pets. Regardless of age, every surgery has unforseen risks.
Obviously, all of us here took that risk as we felt the need to at least TRY. We felt the need to give our pets a chance at a pain free life. So we move forward with no regrets because we make our decisions out of love...and that's always the right decision!!
Remember, Lynx doesn't care about days on a calendar. He just wants to continue to be loved and spoiled and out of pain. Lynx liives in the moment and has no worries! Take Lynx's lead a d make every day the best day ever!!
As far as sister, how 'bout putting her little cranky butt upstairs so Lynx can be downstairs!!?
Keep us posted!
Hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Thank you Sally for the words of wisdom and the suggestions. Lynx does a lot of sleeping upstairs on a pillow in a separate bedroom. And it would be hard to get Leah to stay upstairs and him to stay downstairs (like herding cats as the expression goes). Looks like there are some other suggestions like pheromone diffuser which I might try (who knew?). Lynx is very youthful in spirit and has never been sick until until now so hopefully we will have the amputation and it will all go well. Oncologist appointment is set for Tuesday
purrkins said
Lynx is so Handsome! Love his avatar picture !I’m sorry on your diagnosis. Now that you know what your dealing with you can proceed. Let us know how oncology goes please.
We had the same problem with our Purrkins and his brother . Have you tried a pheromone diffuser? (Feliway MultiCat )
It helped us a number of times when they went thru the hissing and fighting stage.
You might need to separate them when Lynx comes home. I think everyone does things a little different depending on situation and if your there to supervise or not and how aggressive his sister is.
In our case it got better when Purrkins was in recovery.
Cats do sense sickness or weakness. That's there instinct of survival.Listen to Sallys great advice !
Hugs to you both and to grumpy sister😉
Holly & Purrkins
Thank you Holly. What a great suggestion. If the diffuser works even a little, I will get it asap. Your other cat stopped the hissing after the surgery? Hugs to you too!
purrkins said
Lynx is so Handsome! Love his avatar picture !I’m sorry on your diagnosis. Now that you know what your dealing with you can proceed. Let us know how oncology goes please.
We had the same problem with our Purrkins and his brother . Have you tried a pheromone diffuser? (Feliway MultiCat )
It helped us a number of times when they went thru the hissing and fighting stage.
You might need to separate them when Lynx comes home. I think everyone does things a little different depending on situation and if your there to supervise or not and how aggressive his sister is.
In our case it got better when Purrkins was in recovery.
Cats do sense sickness or weakness. That's there instinct of survival.Listen to Sallys great advice !
Hugs to you both and to grumpy sister😉
Holly & Purrkins
Thank you Holly. What a great suggestion. If the diffuser works even a little, I will get it asap. Your other cat stopped the hissing after the surgery? Hugs to you too!
jerry said
Holly thank you for sharing Jimmi's story. Lynx's people, if you proceed with amputation, I think it would be great to continue his story in "Size and Age Matters." That way others can more easily find your story. I'd also love to profile senior Tripawd cats for the Tripawds News blog at some point, and am very interested in following along.Anyhoo.....I'm sorry that you are faced with this situation. It's not easy, especially when it comes to senior cats. But you are doing all the right investigative work now, and you have a wonderful, knowledgeable community here you can bounce questions off of when you need to OK? Let us know what the oncologist says.
Thank you Jerry. I will do that. I'm technologically challenged and have never been part of a forum or posted on blogs before. But I'll figure it out. I'm not sure if i"m replying correctly because seems to be stacking everyone else's reply but whatever. Anyway I sure do hope that we are getting the amputation because there is no other alternative it seems. This forum has already been a godsend with the info. e.g. I did not even know that others cats besides Leah hissed when members of the cat family were ill.
purrkins said
Lynx is so Handsome! Love his avatar picture !I’m sorry on your diagnosis. Now that you know what your dealing with you can proceed. Let us know how oncology goes please.
We had the same problem with our Purrkins and his brother . Have you tried a pheromone diffuser? (Feliway MultiCat )
It helped us a number of times when they went thru the hissing and fighting stage.
You might need to separate them when Lynx comes home. I think everyone does things a little different depending on situation and if your there to supervise or not and how aggressive his sister is.
In our case it got better when Purrkins was in recovery.
Cats do sense sickness or weakness. That's there instinct of survival.Listen to Sallys great advice !
Hugs to you both and to grumpy sister😉
Holly & Purrkins
Thank you Holly. What a great suggestion. If the diffuser works even a little, I will get it asap. Your other cat stopped the hissing after the surgery? Hugs to you too!
Kerren, yes they look like family members 🙂 Funny you should mention the vaccination. The first thing that the doc said when she called with biopsy results last night was that it was not related to vaccine. I had no idea what she was talking about. Then saw your post. Lynx did have a feline distemper shot when at the vet just 3 weeks before this cancer emerged last weekend. He got it in the butt. My understanding from reading briefly is that the cancer would emerge near the vaccination sight? I need to read more about it. I went back with Leah 2 weeks later and they said she didn't need the shot because she is a senior cat. I asked why they gave it to Lynx and they said because he had one 3 years ago according to his records. anyway this is all new to me. My 2 cats have been healthy and maintenance free for 15 years so haven't needed to scrutinize what health care workers are doing to my kitties. Live and learn.
Yes it helped us many several times. We don't use it all the time just when we have issues and when Purrkins had his bad leg we had issues. We kept it going for a couple months. We have tried other pheromones and the multi cat is the only one we saw a difference in.
It helps alot !,its not 100% but I definatley would recommend it. It will makes things better, for them and you ! It did for us!
After Purrkins was recovering things got back to normal with them getting along. So hang in there ! This isnt going to be easy but your will get though it! We are here and will be to help in any way we can.
Everyone here has been thru this so your not alone. We will all do our best to help in any way we can.
Holly & Purrkins
Kerren is the expert in VAS and will answer your question , I will share this article link with you for the future.
http://healthyp.....1773125376
Your right on we live and learn! Good and bad.
. I'm technologically challenged and have never been part of a forum or posted on blogs before. But I'll figure it out. I'm not sure if i"m replying correctly because seems to be stacking everyone else's reply but whatever.
Hey you're doing great for a first-timer!
Here's a forum post that will help with your quoting of replies:
How to Quote Members in Your Reply
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I had to laugh about Sally's comment to move your female's cranky butt upstairs
Yes, a vaccine associated sarcoma would be in the leg where there was a vaccine injected and it could have been from many years ago. You'd have to find out from the vet what was injected where and the type of vaccine with the lot number. Some vets don't keep these records.
My tripawd Mona, is generally a little grouchy with my male Eli. She allows him to sleep beside her but not to touch her. If he touches then he gets a bonk on the head. Eli was very sweet to Mona after her amputation and she is sweet to him when they go to the vet together. He whines and she lies on top of him.
One never know how our cats will respond to different situations.
Recently one of out cat members did a blog on a multiple cat house: http://chelleb7...../#more-423
Kerren
So Lynx is at Tufts Vet Walpole MA now and they are doing an ultrasound on him.Then if all goes well and they dont' see any mets, they are going to do amputation today. They fit me in with a very experienced surgeon. He has good margins according to the surgeon because the tumor is lower on his limb, not at the top. She will take the scapula. I just bought another low cat bed, a low litter box, some pill pockets for meds. Also waiting on the Feliway multicat pheromone diffuser to arrive (although this may not be an issue for long after surgery). I have a gate to put across the stairway and I took down the 2 cat stairways to the 2 beds. The tech said they would not want him jumping or going on stairs. What else? Once they confirm amputation, I will post on the other blog suggested by Jerry.
Becky and Lynx
Oh Lynx is getting GREAT care! You couldn't ask for better vets, really.
It sounds like you've got your bases covered for Lynx. Don't forget your needs too. Stock up on groceries and whatever else makes you feel comforted, cause you probably won't leave the house for a few days. I know I didn't!
Keep us posted (and thanks for hopping to a new topic!)
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
First off sending you pawsitive energy for today we are with you! Thats great they fit you in and your in GREAT hands!
Scary day we know hang in there! You are helping Lynx never doubt that!
Some things you might want to consider are where will Lynx recover?
Most important when he comes home you will want to be able to access him when it is med time!
We used a spare bedroom. If he will be in a bedroom and there is a human bed:) You want to make areas he could get under NOT accessiable! You can put blankets or pillows anything under it so he wont go under there.
If you have help and can put the mattress on the floor great. Purrkins chose the closet as his safe place to recover. They usually will find somewhere they chose to recover not where we want them too. LOL I made a makeshift bed for him in the closet.
You kinda have to just go with what Lynx decides. Less movement the better.
We used baby onesies instead of a cone. We got permission from surgeon to do so.
Rugs on the floor if you have hard floors. Yoga mats anything to make the floor softer as he is learning.
We got some different canned foods for Purrkins just in case , some cats don't want to eat because of the meds.
Have you pilled Lynx before or syringed him? You want to be prepared if he wont eat the pill pocket. I always syringe. Whatever you are comfortable doing.
We had a liquid pain med and a pill. The pill I opened the capsule and put it in a little bowl ,mixed it , added a little tuna water or sardine water and syringed it back up to give to him. Little amounts! That helps mask the medicine so they don't froth. Just depends on what you are sent home with . If you have problems just ask can get more detailed for you.
Raise the food and water bowl on something, it will make things easier for Lynx. Books , crocks anything to get them up higher.
Like Jerry said get stuff for you too, and please try your best to get some sleep while he is at the hospital!!
You will need it trust us on this!
We are here if you have any more questions please just ask.
Sending big hugs!
Holly & Purrkins
Thank you. He waited there 5 hours for them to do the ultrasound and it was negative for mets! They asked me to take him home for the night and they will do the amputation tomorrow. Wait until he finds out he has to go back there at 6am before I go to work. Then I will pick him up on Thursday.
Very good advice. I will take it all in and reread it. He has never been sick so I never had to give him any meds. They gave me liquid antibiotics for 1 day until the biopsy in case it was infection. I could only get 1 dose in. He eats only dry food so he's not used to eating anything else. I gave him some cheese when I was trying to give him antiobiotic. He just licked it, he didn't know what it was lol.
There is no closet in the guest room that he has chosen to hang out in. He rotates between guest bedroom and my bedroom - mine during day and other one at night. There is a closet in my room; I wonder if he would want to hang out there.
For how many days will he be stationary?
Great news on no mets!
Your Vet will tell you on restricitons ours was 2 weeks .
It was a battle trying to keep him in the room by the 2nd week .But we did.
You could get some baby food turkey and gravy see if he will lick that for you. Its another one of our go to's for meds or supplements.
Every kitty is differn't on what they will eat. Its worked for 3 cats thru the years. Your biggest thing will be to get his pain meds in and on time. I hope he will eat his pill pockets for you , not sure he will .
Ask you vet to show you the best way to give him the medicine he is sent home with.
I do syringe because I wouldn't give them a choice to take meds. I hate fighting with a pill . This way there is no fight. Again thats just what worked for us.
1 Guest(s)
