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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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My beloved cat needs amputation and I'd appreciate guidance
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Member Since:
10 October 2018
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29 October 2018 - 5:04 pm
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Hi Holly, As usual thanks so much for your help!!!

We got up out of bed and I gave Sky some food which was welcomed by him. He drank and then peed. i think poop may be incoming smiley

Sky is still on pain meds. He is on Bup 3 times a day so trying to wean him down to twice a day. Gabapentin is twice a day and will be ongoing. 

He has never had urinary issues. I may have been concerned for nothing as he peed well just now.

'Love Blinks' works. It's definitely how they communicate love! heartheartheart

Thanks again!!

R & S

Michigan


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29 October 2018 - 5:16 pm
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4js9zjCt9x-4.jpg

Yay for pee!

The pain meds can constipate so even if Sky does not poop today don't fret! Let's see if Sky poops today and what tomorrow brings. I had to give Purrkins Miralax he was constipated from the meds he did not poop for 7 daysoh-my Miralax works wonders your not there yet. 

Go slow on the reduction of meds go by hours if possible that way if he has pain you can just give it to him asap. We did every 8,10,11 to every 12 hours. Ok on the Gaba hope it helps with the back issues and it will ward off phantom limb pain! Will keep fingers crossed for no pred needed! 

Scratches to Sky, please!

heartheartheart

Florida
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29 October 2018 - 6:22 pm
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LOL sorry I meant 5 months big-grin

Michigan


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29 October 2018 - 6:46 pm
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laughingThat makes me feel better;)
Purrkins was shaved for an ultrasound too so his amp site and belly and leg a lot of fur and most of it was in at 4 months but 6 months all back to normal. I recall because Purrkins had to have an ultrasound in 6 months and I was not happy he had to be shaved again he just got it all back.

Any fur growing back Rebecca will make you feel better just be patient!

Update us when Sky poops, please!

heart

Virginia







Member Since:
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29 October 2018 - 7:56 pm
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The things we learn.  So I looked for a video  to see this cat version of  "I love you" blink.  😎  

And YAY for pee!   And YAY for Holly's brilliant pee splatter

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!

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29 October 2018 - 11:49 pm
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As requested: Sky pooped! It wasn't very much but it was a poop and well formed poopicon_png . This is what my life is about.. and many of ours clap

I hand fed him some tuna and he went to the left box and peed a LOT. Then he went under the chair next to the right-hand box and pooped.  It was a huge relief.. for both of us!

And yes, eye loves! Only Sky often closes his eyes all the way and you can just see him smiling. It's beautiful!!!

Sky has some peach fuzz growing back but with the Pred I'm not going to watch grass grow. It WILL help when it's back. But he has long hair anyway so to be normal must take a long time. I confess I'd love the body not to be so visible. 

I've been hanging out on the floor with him and giving him scratches. He decided he LOVES the space heater again. I think that's good. 

When he got back into his furry bed that remaining hind leg really stretched farrrrrr out. I was nervous it was stretched so far but he got it into the bed and curled up and is sleeping now. Have you seen your cats do that?

Sally, this is a cute article about how cats communicate love including eye blinks. Sky does almost all of them.. not spraying, thank goodness!!!

https://www.the.....nks-553911

Thanks all of you!!! You do help so much heart

Rebecca & Sky

Michigan


Member Since:
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30 October 2018 - 3:17 am
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clappoopicon_png.

Yep, we are all about pee and poop herelaughing Some of us more than others that is my life still with Purrkins brother all about poop and making sure he poops period. We need to be on it with cats I record the litter box and get alerts to who is doing what so tell me about it;)

Not sure what you mean on stretching far out exactly but no matter how many legs cats stretch like no other animal can;) I would not be concerned on the stretch;) They know what is needed and It felt good to him I'm sure.  Purrkins stretches his remaining front leg out all the time. I think you are noticing more since your watching sky 24-7 and that is NORMAL we overlook on this journey and we see things we never noticed before. And we question and get scared over things we would have never even noticed before! I can't tell you how many times I have compared the boys to see if one is the same as the other in a panic. 99.9% of those times it was needless worry;) 

Welcome to the worry club! winker

Here is to another good day and pooping and peeing on time!

Breathe Rebecca you are doing great & we are here to bounce any concern you have off of. Ok?

heart

We will have to record the love blinks for you Sally great find! Purrkins & Saxton both are more pronounced and close their eyes more like Rebecca is describing. 

Member Since:
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30 October 2018 - 6:15 am
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As a card carrying member of the Worry Club - and the Poop Watchers Club - I must report what just happened. I got up at 4am to give Sky a dose of Buprenorphine as we were off schedule. He drank a lot but refused tuna. I saw a couple turds under the chair and I thought "Good".  Well, that didn't last. 

I did what I could and went back to bed. Then Marlowe jumped down from bed and ran into the office - I knew something was up. Sky was standing in the doorway and Marlowe had beaten me there and was licking something up.  There was a trail of thick, dark, sticky poop. Quite a bit. I have no idea even how to describe it. I hope he got it all out of him. He came to bedroom and got in his hidey hole cabinet so I haven't checked to see if he is clean. But he is completely shaved in that area so probably. 

I am really wishing right now I hadn't done this. He is having such a hard time! Seems like he was better before. But I know I don't know. This must be so distressing for him too. I just don't know how to help him.

Rebecca

Michigan


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30 October 2018 - 8:35 am
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Oh please, Rebecca why do you wish you did not do the amp?

You helped Sky getting rid of that leg. He is doing well other than the poop issue. Right?

The runny poop is likely his IBD acting up? You switched to a grain diet I would go back to what you feed Sky before all this. Stay true to his IBD diet and nothing more whatever that was. No tuna no grains maybe no chicken, if he does indeed have IBD and it was not his painful leg diet, does need to be watched stuff you likely know but just in case mentioning.

The soft poop likely got stuck to Sky's rear and he scooted to get the poop off. Marlowe is not the first pup to eat poop.

I don't know what to say... I am not there to see what your seeing but from what you have posted I don't see that Sky is having a hard time. I see a cat in recovery who has IBD and litter box avoidance in the poop department having a bout of IBD. Also, remember cats/dogs do not have all these human emotions we have they are happy to be alive ok! He is not saying where did my leg go he is relieved the painful leg is gone. As for the poop and his rear he will clean it off, and I would assist him if it is all smeared on him with a warm washcloth, so he doesn't have to clean it all up. But cats will clean it off by themselves. I only intervene if it is a mess on the fur and I would rather Saxton not have to clean icky poo off.

Are you using an enzyme cleaner where Sky pooped?
Even if on a hard surface if it's not cleaned up 100% with a pet enzyme cleaner he will smell it and go back to the same spot. Same with the carpet. Just adding that just in case you are unaware of that. I'm not picking the battles herewinker

Remember the Amp was for Sky to get rid of the pain and to hop on what choice did you have? Put Sky down that was not on the table.

I have no doubt Sally will post with the right words of comfort. Sally always does she is gifted.

We are sending you calming positive vibes and a big hug!

heart

On The Road


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30 October 2018 - 8:56 am
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Rebecca you are absolutely helping him. Never doubt your ability to be a good parent, you are doing great!

His GI is likely upset from the meds, and the change in routine right? I'm betting it's the IBD acting up, which is something you know how to deal with. And I know it's a big deal in the heat of the moment, and now way do I want to minimize what you are experiencing, but in the big scheme, try to remember that the runny poop is a much smaller issue than him walking around with a bum, painful leg. No way would he have been happier with that situation. 

Based on what I'm seeing here, he is making a pretty good recovery compared to many we see that are much more challenging with serious issues requiring hospitalization. You have a great vet on your side, and lots of acquired wisdom from dealing with IBD in the past. You can do this! 

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

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30 October 2018 - 10:33 am
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I just hated seeing him so miserable. Trying to walk, dealing with a bad tummy and resulting poop - I could tell he was fed up. He wants his life back! The poop didn't look like the IBD stools. This was completely different.   But I have to say, Sky's poop doesn't stink. Oh, it doesn't smell like flowers but compared to my other 2 cats it's divine! Just like him. 

Anyway, after feeling like a complete failure and guilty for what I'd done to him, Sky had a breakthrough. When we left off Sky was in his hidey hole. I gave him love and scratches on the floor of my bedroom until he seemed comfortable and went back to bed around 7am.  Then I heard a noise.  Not only did Sky attempt the steps to the bed - He Made It!!!  Ever since then he has been cuddled up with me on the bed. My black cat, Chumley, groomed him (Sky's fur needs cleaning) and Sky drank from my water glass twice which is one of his "things".  He is curled up sleeping while I'm typing this.  So that warms my heart. He feels happier.

I felt that the recovery was worse than the problem but I was distraught. Maybe I was wrong. You say I am and I believe you.  I felt like I traded one set of problems for a new set of problems.

Looking at him sleeping peacefully now I think things are better. I'm sorry to hear that other people/pets have had it worse.  What a rough road this can be!

Yes, I have an enzyme cleaner - Simple Solution Extreme. Been using it for years with many pets. Great stuff. By the creators of Nature's Miracle.. but better. 

And as Sky has no fur left around his butt, I wasn't worried about any left there. I figured if there was a little he would take care of it. Nothing like last week!

So, here we are. The roller coaster is still in operation. But things are calm at the moment. 

Thanks Holly and Jerry (whoever his human is!)!!!

Rebecca

Michigan


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30 October 2018 - 10:49 am
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Human Jerry is Rene:)

You did not trade one set of problems for another nope your in recovery and yes as Rene said we are not minimizing what you are going thru but yes to us this is minor and again NOT taking away from the issue at all. We understand its' stressful and keep getting on and venting that helps!!

Be thankful Sky is doing great minus the poop ok Trust us all on that. Be thankful Sky is sitting beside you some people do not get this far, but that is rare thankfully. 

Sky is a little older too he is doing fantastic. We see things are going as scheduled and YAAAAY the steps whoo hoo Skyclapclap!!

He is going to show you what a tripawd kitty can do just wait and see! Celebrate each achievement to the new normal. He is the same loving kitty on three and will do all kitty things on three. Great on the cleaner just checking;)

heartheartheart

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16 October 2018
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30 October 2018 - 11:52 am
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Sending purrs, rubs, and hearts to you! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

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30 October 2018 - 12:16 pm
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Newsflash: Results came back. No cancer!!!!  
Very inflamed joint. Eroded. But no cancer to spread!! YAAAYYYY!!
I’m just off a long phone convo with Louise discussing all and sent her photos of the poop. She sees blood and concludes that he has some colitis. So back on the Met. ;-(  And I need to get him pepcid when I’m out today. And she is looking into another med as well. So we solved the leg problem but are still left with existing intestinal issue. She wants me to send her photo of every poop for a while. 
So one problem eliminated - I'm feeling better about the leg. 
One problem that existed before yet to deal with.  Made more difficult by the surgery but we will work through it. 
Upshot is: YAAAAYYYY!!!!! clapclapclap
Canada
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30 October 2018 - 12:41 pm
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Hi Rebecca and Sky

i am just reading through your thread and i am very pleased to meet you both. Although there are better places to meet, you won’t find a more supportive site like TriPawds!!! 

We all understand the fears, the squeamishness, the lack of sleep and the worry... the constant worry!!! Now i don’t have a TriPawd Kitty, but i have 4 very special Kitties who are siblings to my very loveable and larger than life, Super Stu!

Catsss are super sensitive as you know and will pick up on every nuance that you are sending out... as stressful and upsetting all of this recovery stuff can be, we need to stay upbeat and pawsitive for them. You have been doing a fabulous job with Sky so far as i can read! So please don’t feel so down on yourself... we here at TriPawds understand what you are going through and you are not alone!!!

i think it is brilliant that you are in constant contact with your vet. What does she think of all of this 💩 business? Sky is doing super well with getting used to be a TriPawd Kitty and a couple of weeks is not a long time for recovery, give Sky time to adjust and keep in contact with your very special vet as to how you can continue to help Sky return to his new-normal way of being a Cat!

Remember that Catsss and Dawgs live in the moment... they don’t dwell on the ‘yesterdays’ in life, they just want to know that we love them and that we are happy! If we’re not happy, they’re not happy! Each day brings a new surprise, as to how well our furkids can adapt on three. It has now been over 15 months that Stewie has lived a life as a TriPawd and i am amazed everyday as to how well he does on three!!! 

Stay pawsitive and Sky will show you just how amazing he can be on 3! If you need, come online and vent, scream and cry all you want... we are here to support! But keep telling your boy that he is doing amazing, ‘cause he really is!!!

All the very best and lots of pawsitive energy coming your way...

Petra, Super Stu, Spitfire Spikey, Chester McFluff, Prissy Miss Lily and Always Hungry Ted

heartheartheart

On July 10/17 I became a Super Tripawd! You can find out more about my Pawrents Allensong but first Check out my 🎗 journey Super Stu Remember...“live in the moment!“  

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