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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Hello
My cat Dino was attacked by an animal when he was outside a couple weeks back. His leg is severely damaged. Surgeon is offering 2 options. One would required extensive surgery and several months of recovery. The other is amputation. He is already suffering being wrapped up and in pain and in drugs so the thought of subjecting him to several months of treatment and possibly risk further complications just doesn’t seem right. I feel like amputation is the more humane choice in this instance. I had an extensive consultation with the surgeon and asked and answered a million questions. just don’t know and perhaps I never will know all of the things to expect or consider so looking for thoughts or contemplation from those who have actually gone through it. I appreciate all of you who have gone thru this and admire your strength, just trying to wrap my head around this hard decision I have to make.
Hi and welcome! I’m so sorry you found yourself here but you’ve come to the right place.
I’m on my phone now but wanted to get your post approved so others can see it. Meanwhile be sure to check out our ebook Cool Tips for Tripawd Cats for some answers and to put your mind at ease. Cats do so well on 3!
Back in a bit with some feedback...
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Dino is very lucky to jave sich a strong hokman fot jis advocate. Good for you for checking out options and doing your research.
Your Vet is spot on with the recommendation of amputation and explaining all the reasons why. We seeattempts to save the leg often end up with infection, repeated surgeries, extensive recovery time...and amputation ends up being the end result anyway.
It is one surgery, a two to three week recovery time, some mobility adjustments and then Dino can get on with a pain frre quality life!! Not saying it's an easy decision to wrap your head around and, like any surf6ery, big or small, there are risks. If the Vet th Dino is a good can (and it sounds like he does), and he does all the proper pre-surgery work up, Dino should be just fine.
Recovery is no picnic for a week, or two or three (every cat is different), but it sounds like that leg is pain6 and it needs to be gone!! Yes, he will be on some pain meds fot avout two weeks, maybe less, maybe more, but you will be so thrilled at how well he does once his sparkle starts to come back!!
Our very knowledge kitty members will chime in and share their stories. The Cool Tips for Cats that Jerry references will give you a ton of information! It was compiled by Holly, hooman to Purrkins, and is comprised of so much incredible information from her experience and the experience of others. You will feel so reassured after reading that!! You'll read about kitty Mona, kitty Fuzz and so many more tripawd heroes!
STAY CONNECTED!!! YOU ARE NOT ALONE! We are all here to help you nab thrpugh recov6 snd fo celebrate Dino as he gets all his sparkle back bigger and brighter than before!
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!
Sorry to hear Dino suffered this trauma. We see cats require amputations from congenital abnormalities, animal attacks, human attacks (being shot), accidents and cancer. All stressful and painful situations but for most amputations take the pain away and give the cats a happy life. Cats are very resilient and adapt well to 3 legs.
My cat Mona had cancer and her leg amputated in June 2014 and she's doing well, is very confident, enjoys car rides and even going to the vet clinic. I had no doubt that Mona need to have her leg removed to save her life. If Dino is healthy he should be able to easily adapt to 3 legs. I would recommend any cat with 3 legs be given steps or boxes to reduce the strain on remaining limbs when accessing couches and high beds. Initially Mona, a front leg amputee, would do flying leaps off the bed and do a face plant. After I put a box and chair beside the bed she started using them to go up and down.
It's really important the vet gives proper pain medication for recovery. Mona seemed to be pain free by the time she had the staples removed about 2 weeks after the surgery. She started to go back to "normal" at that time when I gave her more freedom.
All the best in your decision-making.
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
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