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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Okay, so this is a cat story, not a dog story, but the only difference between our situation and most of yours is that our beloved, stricken pet meows instead of barks. And I didn't find a three-legged cat website. 
Our Tammy Faye has a sarcoma on her right flank that requires immediate amputation of her rear leg and probably quite a bit of her hip and follow-up radiation. Separately, she also has an intestinal problem that could be another, different cancer--we won't know the results of the endoscopy until next week. If it's not cancer, then its something else quite serious but either way, we're told, it should be "controllable" until the sarcoma returns to end it all. Surgery will reset the clock by a year or so, a lot of which time would be spent as a patient not to mention the adjustment to life on three legs. She's 13 and has never had any other illness.
We're struggling to 1) absorb all this and 2) decide what to do. Three days ago I was praying for options and now that we have them I almost wish we didn't. Quality of life for HER is, of course, key, and it's so hard to look into the future and understand whether or not we're buying time or simply putting off the inevitable. How do you KNOW?
Hello and Welcome! I'm sorry you're in this tough spot. Whether you're talking about a dog or cat, facing amputation is never an easy decision, all of us get that. I really hope she doesn't have another cancer.
We love cat members here, wish we had more of them so we could gather more information about feline amputees. In fact we recently interviewed Dr. Marty Becker about feline Tripawds, you may want to listen to our Tripawd Talk Radio show for some tips.
What Dr. Becker told us is that felines tend to bounce back even faster than dogs, and have an easier go of things in general.
So how do you know if it's a good decision? Well, every case is different of course, and amputation isn't right for every creature. But even though she is 13, if you feel she still has that youthful spunk and a real zest for life, and if your vet thinks she is a good candidate to be a Tripawd, then listen to your heart and have a talk with her. Look into her eyes and ask her what she wants. She just might meow an answer right then and there!
Feline, canine, equine or otherwise, we're happy to welcome members and will be here to help you any way we can. Thanks again for joining.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome Tammy Faye and family. As Jerry said, it doesn't matter if it is dog, cat or pig, this community will help however we can. We are all animal lovers, not just of the canine nature.
I, too, am sorry that you are facing this decision. It is not an easy one to make, we understand that. It is a very personal decision to make for each family based on your emotional and financial circumstances as well as your ability to provide support and care.
I cannot offer advice on a feline amputation, but I can tell you this: the time that it buys, although limited, is something special indeed. You will find that you don't take even one minute for granted and you will become closer to your animal than you ever believed possible. It's something about making the journey together and fighting together that just bonds you in a way I can't explain.
Whatever your decision, I wish you peace and strength.
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
Sorry you had to find us here. I don't have direct experience with 3 legged cats, but when our dog had to have her leg amputated the vet at the shelter where I volunteer said cats do well and usually recover quickly, like Jerry said above.
I know it's a hard decision to make! Whatever decision you make will be the right one because you will make it with the love of your pet in mind.
Hang in there,
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Welcome to Tripawds. I'm sorry you are dealing with cancer- I hope it is one and not two.
I was a bit concerned when I chose amputation for my little Pug Maggie. She was only 7.5 but was very obstinate and not very adaptable, she did not like changes to her routine. But for us amputation was really the only choice. It was not a matter of pain so much as Mag had mast cell cancer, but that the tumor would rupture and make a wound that would not heal.
I did the amp and Maggie proved me right- she was very unhappy for several weeks. Most stories you read here the pups are back to themselves in 2 or 3 weeks. I convinced myself that I had done the wrong thing for Mag. But she did adapt, and came back to herself on her own time line.
And to be honest- we are in a sense buying time and putting off the inevitable when we choose amputation for cancer. But in most cases that time is invaluable and some of the most rewarding you will ever have with your pet. It is about quality time for our pals- no matter how long that is.
No matter what you decide to do I hope you hang around and let us get to know you and Tammy Faye. Cancer sucks no matter how many legs you have- or what species !
Karen and the pugapalooza
Hi! I had a cat go through amputation about 12 yrs ago. It wasn't because of cancer, but an injury. He had to have his front leg amputated because of a bad fracture. At that point I had never had an amputee pet so I didn't know what to expect. I can say comparing the amputations between dog and cat, my cat definitely bounced back quicker. And he never missed a beat! That cat would shoot all over the house, jump and play like nothing had changed. So while I can't comment on the cancer you're facing, I am a voice Of experience when it comes to cat amputations and how they cope. I hope for the best possible outcome with your kitty's tests.
Leslie
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