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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I want to start by thanking everyone in this community for sharing their stories. It has been a great comfort to read all of the positive and empowering information while I prepare for Scout's amputation. I know I'm not alone thinking "what can I do to help my best friend!?" and feeling completely powerless.
Because I've found others' stories so helpful I'll share ours. Scout is a 16 year old barn kitten from West Texas that I adopted just after she was weened. She's been by my side ever since. About a year ago a lump on her left front "wrist" appeared out of nowhere and was quickly diagnosed as a nerve sheath tumor. We had an operation to remove it and her vet warned it would likely be back. It returned about 6-8 months later and since there was barely enough skin to close her leg the first time a second operation was not possible.
Thankfully it was not paining her at the time so we began treatments of lomustine to shrink the lump. While the lomustine was slowing the growth it was doing more harm than good. She also has renal failure and thyroid issues so we had to stop. It began to pain her quickly afterwards and we settled on pain management with gabapentin due to her age. Well... about 2 weeks ago the gabapentin has stopped working and we have made the choice to amputate. Good news is her regular vet and oncologist agree she is a good candidate and she is scheduled Thursday morning.
To tell the truth I am very eager to have the procedure finished because the poor thing is in terrible pain. She's taking both gabapentin and buprenorphine to try to stay comfortable but it never seems like enough. I only wish they could get her in sooner. Thanks again for allowing me to share our story and by sharing all of yours.
Hello and welcome to you and Scout, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
I'm sorry you are at this point with Scout, but as you have seen this is the best place to be when facing cancer and amputation.
Have you seen the Three Legged Cat forum? Lots of great info and links there specific to cats facing amputation and recovery.
Do you have any questions we can help you with?
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
Well one thing for certain, Scout sjre hitnthe kitty lottery when she was born in your barn that day. She is clearly very loved and you are clearly a wonderful advocate for her.
Just throwing this out there. Maybe if the Surgeon knows how much pain she's in and the meds are no longer working, maybe they'll fugue out a way to get the amp done sooner.
Eo chexkmout the kitty forum link Karen gave you. Itnos chock full of everything you could ever need tomknow about kitty recoverie. And we have plenty of examples of "senior" kitties who handle amp just fine. I know Scout will be so glad when thst vum leg is gone!
We're right by your side the whole way. STAY CONNECTED and let us know any questions you have, okay?
Would love to see pictures. Here's a link to help. adding images
Srock up on lots of chocolate! It helps calm the nerves.
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!
Hello and Welcome to you & Scout
Sorry, you have to join us. Purrkins had a low-grade Soft Tissue Sarcoma at 6 he will be 8 in June. Purrkins was also on his wrist (carpus)
I am sorry Scout is in pain how often are you giving both the Gaba and Buprenorphine?
Purrkins was on both after his amp every 8 hours on the Gabapentin and every 8-12 hours on the Buprenorphine. We were to space that 1 hour apart from each other. If you're not giving that Scout his meds that often ask the Vet about increasing times to help Scout get to Thursday if they cannot get him in sooner.
Let us know if we can answer any questions. We got permission for Purrkins to wear a baby onesie instead of a cone.
DIY Baby Onesie/T-shirts Cone of Shame Alternative
We understand wanting to get this over with into recovery and Scout feeling better. We have had many senior kitties go thru amps and hop on.
The first couple weeks can be tough if the pain isn't managed and it sounds like you're already on the pain meds come home with at least the same.
Purrkins was on the Buprenorphine for 12 days Gaba for 14 days and then to acupuncture to help him get off his meds and heal. Every kitty is different just giving you an idea of Purrkins recovery you can read about him on his blog hit Purrkins in his signature or the globe both will take you there. We documented his recovery hoping to help others. Purrkins also has a youtube page. Hang in there your not alone we will do our best to help you & Scout.
Hugs & chin scratches to Scout!
Holly & Purrkins❤️
Thank you everyone for your support and the excellent tips. I've been lurking the site for about a week before finally joining and posting. I feel much better equipped due to everyone's posts and responses. Scout is on .22ml gabapentin every 12 hours and .1 ml buprenorphine every 12 hours but the oncologist said today I could up that to every 8 hours. I'm nervous about her post-op pain management if this isn't doing it for now. Sadly they could not get her in sooner but we're only one full day away now which makes me feel a little better. I'm spending the time shopping on Amazon for recovery items and mapping out my apartment to figure out how to best make her comfortable when she comes home.
Off to read more of everyone's experiences so I can find more excellent (and adorable) tips like Purrkins's onesies 🙂 Also going to start a blog so I can share some of her super adorable pics with you guys 🙂
I believe bumping up to every 8 hours will help Scout. You will know and if it doesn’t cut the pain call to see if they can add or tweak the cocktail?
In recovery, we started with every 8 hours on both Gaba and Bup. But one hour apart.
Then as recovery went along we started to stretch Purrkins Buprenorphine out he was most comfortable at every 10.5 hours Buprenorphine and 8 hours Gaba, but all kitties are different just know you have room to move Gaba every 8 hours with permission from your Vet of course.
I know our instructions were they had to be an hour apart not given at the same time.
Is Scout staying in the hospital at least the first night? They can monitor her and keep her comfy.
Scout is adorable in her avatar pic. I apologize I called Scout he earlier. She is not a he! My boo boo!
It was fun shopping for the onesies when I never had human children;)
Excellent on the blog we look forward to following along!
A sheet on meds
https://ivapm.o.....t-2017.pdf
Oh, I see the blog is up already good for you!!
I will hop over there next.
Hugs,
Holly & Purrkins
Hey there, welcome. I'm so glad you decided to chime in because YES Scout's story will definitely help someone else in the future. Thank you!
Hopefully the revised pain medication schedule will do the trick. You may also want to ask your vet about a post-op pain management injection called Simbadol, it's supposed to be reallllly helpful for the kind of pain that results from amputation.
Keep us posted on how things are going. Scout is lucky to have a good human like you watching out for her.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Holly, I had not heard the instructions to space the gaba and bup one hour apart. Perhaps because I give both at the same time this is the trouble? I'll be sure to ask about this next time I talk to the doctor. She is staying in the hospital overnight for monitoring and I'm so glad for it. No worries about the he. Like RuPaul says "You can call me he. You can call me she. You can call me Regis & Cathy Lee; I don't care! Just as long as you call me" 🙂
Jerry, thank you so much for the simbadol suggestion. I'll be sure to bring it up with the surgeon. Knowing which questions to ask is so important.
Yes, those were our instructions. I wish I could tell you why? I did not ask why we just followed what they told us to do. I would not give them both at one time only because we were advised not too. Absolutely call and ask. Maybe they will tell you differently?
Great on overnight Purrkins stayed a total of 3 nights four days it was too long for him, but he was in great care. One night was before surgery. It is hard to leave them, but it is best to be monitored the first night when possible. They will be on everything and monitored 24-7 pain controlled as it should be.
They took Purrkins arm and scapula fyi most of them do take the scapula. We were told he would be more comfortable without it and we didn't have a choice one way or another.
Write all your questions down and hold onto them & go down the list so you get everything answered, our hospital was great and took all the time to answer all of our questions and it sounds like your in great hands! If you have any questions for us you know where to find us!
Hope the increase in meds makes Scout comfortable tonight!
Holly & Purrkins
Hi and welcome! Sorry that you had to find us but you are in good company, glad you're here!
You're already getting great info on pain management , you may find it easier not harder to manage post op once that painful leg is gone. It may be a little tricky a few days after surgery because they will probably give her a long acting pain shot, and the anesthesia will stay in her system for a few days. Once that all wears off you're already ahead of the game giving meds that a lot of us don't get until after surgery.
Your list of items is purrrfect! I saw your blog, you got this! I don't remember if you had mats or throw rugs for traction , that will be important for her once she starts hopping around the house.
Your girl is beautiful! Look forward to seeing more pictures ( we're picture hounds here, lol )
Hang tight, stay strong, and keep in touch. This part will be behind you soon and we'll be here to help as much as we can!
Jackie and Huckleberry ❤️
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
How is Scout doing? Did the change in pain meds help her at all? I hope all is well.
Jackie and Huck
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
Checking in on Scout, she has had her surgery, yes? I hope all went ok for her and hopefully by now she is resting comfortably. Please check in when you have a moment.
Jackie and Huckleberry
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
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