Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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rebeccac said
Thanks, Jerry. I have "What have I done?!" moments. It's a lot to deal with and also make sure my other pets are OK.I AM tired and frustrated. Hopefully we will get better.
What you have done is taken an excruciating painful leg off Sky who was "not ready" to leave this world. Things WILL GET BETTER!!!! I had the "what have I done" the first day home, and I think we all do that in recovery at some point. I never have since!
The poop issue although its a mess and no fun to deal with it is minor in the big scheme of things. I am not taking away from all your frustration! We get it and Ditto Sally no sleep is the enemy!! It makes everything worse, and things get easier to deal with when we get some sleep.
If you want to share more on the poop issue be happy to listen and maybe we have ideas to help get Sky back in the box pooping. Here are some thoughts. The litter box needs to be large enough for the Sky to turn around in comfortably if its too small that can be a factor. You have multiple kitties it is suggested to have one box per cat plus one. Sky having arthritis and back issues etc. now a tripawd the box should be accessible a very low sided or cut out litter box uncovered would be best. It should be placed where Sky does not feel trapped and can see all kitties coming.
Another thing to think about is sometimes cats poop in one box and pee in one box. Purrkins now does this since he is tripawd and I know it is because he has trouble covering up his business. I have two litter boxes side by side, and they are cut out. He pees in one hops out and poops in the other. The boxes need to be kept clean. I have a total of 3 boxes for two cats. 2 on the main floor one upstairs. One more thing is the type of litter has that changed since Sky started having poop issues? Things to ponder and possibly help if not disregard.
I hope you got some sleep and today is a better day all around and 🤞🏻no poopy mess!!
Hugs
Holly & Purrkins
Holly, you are amazing! Thank you!
We had a good night last night. Around 3am I got up and fed him a bit of food. Spent a little time loving on him then back to bedroom (he is hanging out in office where that heater is and happy there but door is open). I looked down from bed and there he was in the bedroom. He hung out with us and also went in his little hidey hole in the cabinet. I thought he might want to poop so put newspaper down in my other closet and showed him that. (I'm not worried about that carpet as it needs to be replaced in that area due to shower leak.)
Didn't find any poop in there.. or anywhere yet this morning. I'm just up and he was curled up sleeping in a fuzzy pet bed in the office.. instead of right in front of the heater. This is a good sign
I will heed your advice and get him another box - it's a great idea! And I'll try to make it a bit larger than current one. Only problem is the other cats are using his box. They are spoiled and do as they please. They have a HUGE box downstairs - it's an underbed storage box. Worked well for the 3 of them in the past. Using same litter as before and he has no problem peeing in the box I provided. The poo is just the hurdle that needs to normalize.
Time for food and meds. I'm feeling better. Hoping for a good day today!
Gratefully,
Rebecca & Sky
AGREED! HOLLY IS AMAZING!! And that gal really knows her
So glad Sky is getting the Sky sparkle back!😎
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!
You are all amazing! I appreciate your concern and input so very much!! Thanks Virginia!!!
R & S <3
NEWSFLASH: Sky just had the most beautiful poop!! YAAYYYYY!! 
So discontinuing the Metronidazole 
Major progress!
That makes a huge difference.
Happily,
Rebecca & Sky
YAAAAAAY for beautiful poop!! & Sparkle showing!!
Where did Sky poop on the newspaper?
I'm not spoiling the moment just a notation for later;) Going outside the litter box should not be accepted there is always a reason if someone is not using the box. Instead of me retyping it all here is a forum post I started hoping to help our tri-kitties.
Litterbox tip for tripawds member tips
Trackback, when did Sky, stop pooping in the box an event you can think of. Something triggered Sky to not to poop in the box but pee in it. He is telling you something.
You can do litter box size & location now. Add at least one more box. Worked in the past keyword.
Have the litterbox/ storage box in an area you can see what is happening with Sky the closet is a trap for kitties if there are any issues amongst them it takes longer to poop of course and now we are minus a leg. You can work on the ideal spot later but no hiding it please;) Let's get Sky pooping in the box for you both!! New normal 3 legs and pooping & peeing in the box
YAAAAY for normal poop and fewer meds!
Hugs
Holly & Purrkins❤️
P.S. Benny55 is Sally she is from Virginia just an FYI on how to read the avatar box;)❣️
Ahh -thanks for clarifying how to read avatar box. Learning... and distracted.
Sky has ALWAYS had litter box issues. He was at the shelter for 6 months and returned once because of it and was only a year old. Most of his life he was happy to go outside in the back yard. And often there was poo just outside the box. Then a couple years ago he refused to go out in the winter cold and started going in other rooms. That was also when we determined he had arthritis. I did buy another litter box today and will try my best to make that work. He didn't poop today on the newspaper - he pooped next to the existing box actually under the chair where I was sitting! Yes, I've heard from my vet that inappropriate pooping is a cry for help. But all his life? Anyway, I would certainly prefer he used a box and will try. I do keep it pristine. This will be complicated by the fact that at least one of my other cats thinks it's splendid that there is another cat box upstairs. So it's not just Sky's.
Dr. Louise wants me to encourage him to walk up and down the hall which is carpeted a few times a day. So that's next on my agenda.
In any case, today was a HUGE step/hop forward!
Rebecca & Sky
I knew you were distracted and it is all a learning curve. I figured I would let you know so when you were not you distracted and wondered why we did not let you know. We all love Sally, and she would know Virginia too;) Just wanted you to know who you were thanking or if you call the helpline and get Sally you will know its the same Sally!
Awe Sky that breaks my heart and Rebecca I LOVE you rescued Sky and have dealt with the issue. We can work on it I am suspecting something happened at some point that has caused the box and pooping to associate pain or bad experience of some kind.
I didn't figure Sky used the paper he has no idea what that newspaper was for. You are giving me clues in each post so keep it up, please. Next clue is Sky pooping under your chair that was a safe place to poop he was hidden under your chair safe from all kitties and likely could see all of them. Beside the box is another clue If you can watch and see what happens each time we are on to something.
Baby steps getting the other box is a tremendous start and see if that changes anything. Another idea is to get some Dr. Elsey’s cat attract cat litter. I know money is tight just an idea IF you can make it happen or in the future. My uncle had a kitty did the same thing as Sky, and we changed the box to a bigger box, added a box and changed the locations to a low traffic area, added cat attract litter and boom poop in the box!
We are going to Celebrate a fantastic HUGE /HOP Forward today and what Is most important is Sky recovering and If your up to problem-solving the rest later we will give it a go:)
Dr. Louise wants me to encourage him to walk up and down the hall which is carpeted a few times a day. So that’s next on my agenda.
If Sky is food motivated use treats or food to lure him to walk back and forth in the carpeted hall. Do it before he has eaten, so he is hungry. Hunger is motivation. We will celebrate each Hop forward and there still maybe hops back. You will handle them and keep hopping forward!!
Prayers for the pathology report coming and no matter what it says the plan was the same remove the bum leg.
I'm up way late for me. I'm signing off have a good night and will see you again this weekend I'm sure.
Hugs,
Holly & Purrkins
Thanks, Holly! You are obviously brilliant at this and I'm grateful for your help. And guess what?! I put the second box right next to the first box, which is very close to/under the desk chair, and Voila! A beautiful poop inside it tonight!!! WOW. I'm not sure what the long-term outlook for this is, but I'm impressed.
I lured Sky down the hall earlier today with roast chicken and it worked. Like Goldilocks trail. 
I tried again just now but wasn't as successful. I think he's tired. And perhaps not as hungry. I'll keep at it.
I had some of that litter attract here a long time ago but not sure if I still have it. I'll look.
I can only speculate about what it was that caused Sky litter box issues, but I do know he was relinquished to the shelter by a woman who was on her way to an abused woman's shelter with her daughter and wanted her cat to have a good home. One can imagine that perhaps he wasn't kind to Sky either... 
I'm so lucky I was the person who got him. He is super special and I treasure him.
Thanks for every single thing you are doing to help me through this. I had breast cancer. This is harder!
xoxox
Rebecca & Sky
PS My rationale for the newspaper was that his second soft poop after the diarrhea episode was on newspaper that litter box was sitting on. He was interested in it as was one of my other cats. So I figured it was worth a shot. Better than the carpet. Today's was on the floor of my office which is laminate. No biggie. Anyway, so far so good with the second box!!
Your welcome WHOO HOO !!! SOOOOO HAAAAPPPPPY for you both
You made my day and the PURRFECT PLACEMENT of the box !! The long-term outlook will be pooping in the box!! If he misses, evaluate is it clean, where the box is, did he get spooked, add another box, etc. You may not need the cat attract but until it is a habit and ongoing it would be worth it if possible.
You guys had a brilliant day even walking down the hall!! Yea go slow and try when Sky thinks he is starving hehe!
I was speculating too on Sky we have to when you don't know what happened and we are just happy you rescued Sky. Too many sweet souls are surrendered. Investigation and effort put in, trial and error and boom back in the box!!
Aha ok yep I understand on the newspaper and certainly worth a try, but i think that box might have been too small why it was outside of the box or possibly the placement.
That's what we are here for we have all been on that side and we understand!! Glad we can help!!
Big hugs!
Scratches to the kitties and belly rub to the pup.
Holly & Purrkins
WOW! This is fascinating! I had noooo idea cats gave so much thought to their poop rituals!!! What we learn here! Amazing!
Holly, your Disco Poo....speechless😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣.
Clearly Holly was a well loved kitty in a previous life before she came back in her hooman earth clothes as a "cat whisperer"!😎
To hear how well Sky is responding is such good news! And he, like all your kitties, have the best hooman as their partner! You clearly are a survivor and I'm sure they are energized by your strength!
Keep on keeping on!-!
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!
I'm doing a hoppy dance over here knowing that Sky has made such big progress (and ) this week!
Holly the second litter box idea is pure genius. I am so glad it's working for Sky. As for your disco poo ... OMG! Where on earth do you find these things
Rebecca, 3-paws up to you for being so strong and pawsitive. As a cancer survivor you have such a unique perspective to offer throughout this journey. Thanks for inviting us along.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
All of you are amazing! And the Disco Poop is priceless!!
Haven't seen any new treasures today but only a matter of time, I'm sure.
It was a nice day...for a while.. so I got Marlowe out. He has taken such a backseat this past week. It was good for us both.
When we got back, Sky was looking alert, so I got some chicken and he did his best hopping yet down the hall! As a reward I put him on the bed to hang out with us. But I think Marlowe was a little too excited so Sky decided he didn't want to be there. Before I knew it, he jumped down! Landed on all 3!!! I was astonished. Then he went back down the hall to the office. Much better movement than I've seen yet.
Wowza!! I'm going to give him food in a minute.
As far as my own cancer experience, it wasn't nearly as emotional. It was a major hassle and I just pushed through. But seeing my poor baby going through this is so much harder.
Thanks again for your support, great ideas, and laughs!!!
xoxo
Rebecca & Sky
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