Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi guys,
Our cat is 16 years old, he has had epilepsy for the last 18months, in that time he has had about 10 seizures? they are quite aggressive in that if he is on the bed when he has a seizure he has literally fallen off the bed twice 🙁 They last around 30 seconds, his recovery is always quite quick, and his first need when he stands up is to look for food. Since his seizures started he has slowly started showing signs of alzheimers. But that appears to have stabilised.
2 months ago 2 of his toes became what at the time appeared to be infected. We assumed it was from one of his nails. Nothing helped and one ago he had 2 of his toes amputated. He recovered well from that and was walking within hours of coming home! For the 3 weeks following the amputation he went from strength to strength and apart from not putting his amputated paw onto the tiles in the ensuite, he was walking around normally every where else.
Over the last week he started holding his paw up again, and there is a growth happening. Took him to vets who gave him an anitbiotic shot. Two days later we took him back as the growth had appeared to almost double in size overnight. Vet has basically said he would require a leg amputation.
The day we took him back he was miserable. I honestly expected him to be gone by the morning. But yesterday and today he has perked up again and is his normal self. I got some pain relief for him but even prior to the pain relief he had perked up.
I am feeling so conflicted. I feel that if we go ahead with amputation and he ends up worse I will be making him uncomfortable in his old age, and that it is selfish. However if i don't go ahead with the amputation then I am being selfish by not giving him the best chance. On the day we took him back to the vet two days ago both my partner and I were not keen to even think about amputation purely as he was so miserable. But now he has perked up and is pretty much his normal self (with a hobble walking on 3 legs) we are wondering if perhaps he will cope with the surgery after all.
He has also coughed a few times, nothing significant but small coughs here and there which may or may not be relevant but thought I would mention it anyway.
I have read the positive and negative experience blogs. I am still conflicted. I get that ultimately its our decision but I just thought i would put this out there to hear feedback from those of you who have had to face this 🙂
Welcome to Tripawds, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
I assume you are dealing with cancer? Did the vet tell you what kind? Was any other treatment offered? What about any testing before the amp (if you choose that path) to see if there is any mets? That information will help members reply.
Also, does the vet think Oonga (that's his name?) is a good candidate for amputation?
I had a pug tripawd, I'm not too familiar with cats- but we have lots of members here you can offer their experiences and advice.
This is a very supportive and knowledgeable community when it comes to amputation and cancer. No matter what path you choose to follow you will find friends here who will help you on this journey.
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
Hi Karen,
Vet said tumour. Then when i said cancer he said yes. No tests have been done. I am assuming they would have done bloods when he had his toes amputated a month ago.
I did ask about Xrays and they said definitely can be done but nothing showing up doesn't mean his lungs are clear either. 🙁
Last night i noticed a patch of scaly skin on his other foot. Not a lump but raised scaly skin. I will take him back to the vet on monday and ask for tests and do I ask for aspiration? or blood tests?
He seems to be coughing more daily now over the last 3 days. Not all day or anything just coughing say twice a day, which is more considering it was more weekly or so previously.
Today he is not so alert again. I know on Thursday he seemed so frail i could tell he wouldn't cope. But then friday and yesterday he was his normal self. Today he hasn't gotten out of bed, unless one of us picks him up 🙁
Oh he did get up to eat this morning 😀 Woke my partner up to feed him at 5am 
Sorry forgot to add as far as is he a good candidate vet seems to think its not that big a deal, however he also says he is old and with his epilepsy PTS needs to be considered as well. Basically there is no wrong or right answer.
I think we were both a bit in shock when we went in so tomorrow when i go in i will be a bit more armed with questions and such thanks for the feedback.
I am so sorry you guys are going through this. I don't know anything about amputation in cats, hopefully some of the cat parents on here will chime in soon. I just wanted to lend some support and send positive vibes your way.
HUGS
Mom to Tripawd Angels Jake (2001-2014) and Rosco (2012-2015) and Tripawd Tanner. “Whatever happens tomorrow, we had today; and I'll always remember it”
Sorry to hear your cat has cancer. 16 years old! That's pretty darn good!
Cats generally adapt very well to amputations. I think the things to consider are:
- the type of cancer. Will it be gone after amputation? If any other treatment is required, such as chemo or radiation, you'll need to weigh that out with quality of life.
- general health of the cat - how will he respond to the anesthetic, pain meds? How does a cat with epilepsy respond? You might want to talk to your vet about this. I hate to say it but some pets do not survive the surgery. I think it's rare, always a shock and so sad.
- I had a cat with malignant melanoma and was warned that it would spread to his lungs. He started having a cute little cough, very intermittent but I knew it was in his lungs.
- you can get a biopsy done of the new growth but I'm wondering if there was a pathology done of the previous toes that were amputated? That information is very useful and may guide you so you don't have to get an unnecessary biopsy.
Amputation can get rid of the pain but many times it is not a cure for the cancer, particularly if it's an aggressive cancer. It sounds like you are getting prepared with a list of questions for your vet. You may also want to get a second opinion. After gathering all of the information I'm sure the answer will be clear as to what is best for you and your cat.
Let us know how you are doing.
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
I am so sorry to hear about your cat, Oonga.
I would definitely recommend chest x-rays before pursuing aggressive surgery. In addition to the fact that many tumors will metastasize to the lungs, cats are also prone to developing something called "lung digit syndrome". (For reasons poorly understood, the toes are a common site of metastasis for primary lung tumors in cats.) Hopefully this is not the case for your kitty... there are many causes of coughing other than cancer.
My cat began having mild, intermittent coughing episodes a few months after his amputation (osteosarcoma). I suspected the worst, but it ended up being asthma. We're nearly 20 months post-op, and his lungs are still clear. (In contrast, my cat who had what ended up being stage 4 primary lung cancer didn't cough at all.)
Best of luck with your appointment, will be thinking of you guys tomorrow.
Sorry you're having to deal withnp this. Clearly she is a well loved and well cared for kitty. SIXTEEN YEARS! WOW!
You've gotten some great insight from Kerren...really good stuff!
You already have some "known" factors that certainly make major surgery more "complicated".
As far as him not feeling well off and on the last couple of days. What does the vet attribute that too? Is it the painful leg? Maybe just the ups and downs of old age itself? Maybe something else going on?
This sometimes cruel journey forces us to make such hard decisions. All we can ever do is make them out of love and not have any regrets when we do.
The statements that you made may hold the answer:
"I am feeling so conflicted. I feel that if we go ahead with amputation and he ends up worse I will be making him uncomfortable in his old age, and that it is selfish. However if i don't go ahead with the amputation then I am being selfish by not giving him the best chance"
Without question it's about doing what's best for your precious kitty. When the solution is so "murky" and unclear, there's perhaps another factor that may help guide you. As horrible of a choice as it is, which one could you best live with. Either he doesn't make it through the surgery, or only gets a very short time afterwards and recovery is rough.....or.....you do not proceed with surgery and do palliative care to keep him comfortable for his remaining time on earth.
We feel your agony and we understand it all too well. Perhaps after you talk withnyiur vet now that your are better prepared, you will feel stronger about a specific approach. And, as Kerren said, you can ALWAYS get a second opinion. We're big on those around here.
Just know that we are here with you and support whatever decision you make. And we'd love to see pictures of your sweet boy.
Sending lots and lots of hugs to you.
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
Just saw your post "nicholas & company. Very informative. Thanks! And CONGRATULATIONS on twenty months!!!! Very inspiring!
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!
Hello and welcome. I'm sorry you're going through this, it's an even tougher situation when you have a mature animal. But yes you are definitely in the right frame of mind; there are no 'right' or wrong answers.' Everyone is different. I'm assuming you saw our Tripawd Kitty Bloggers list?
Well, you've gotten great feedback here from everyone. What I would add to that is, I would want to consult with an oncologist before proceeding. Not knowing exactly what tests your vet did or didn't do, it makes me nervous that they jumped ahead to amputation without giving you more information. If at all possible, seek a referral to an oncologist who can make sure all the appropriate tests are done before moving forward.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
nicholasandcompany said
My cat began having mild, intermittent coughing episodes a few months after his amputation (osteosarcoma). I suspected the worst, but it ended up being asthma. We're nearly 20 months post-op, and his lungs are still clear. (In contrast, my cat who had what ended up being stage 4 primary lung cancer didn't cough at all.
OH my gosh, we HAVE to hear more! CONGRATS! Please start a new topic, we don't get too many kitties with oste here and would love to know all about your story. Thanks!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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