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.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
I posted this video to share my story as when I came on here for support before my cat's surgery I couldn't find many cat related info... 99% of the info was about dogs. I posted a video on here yesterday thinking it would be nice for other cat owners facing amputation to see a positive success story. Apparently I was wrong as my post was deleted without warning except a "remove notice" in the user admin bar. Guess I won't be coming back. What a shame.
Here was the post:
Due to the recurrence of a mast cell tumor, my 10 year old cat, Wesley, had to have his left front leg amputated on March 25, 2016. It was an agonizing decision... What would his quality of life be? Was he too old for the surgery? My vet was very supportive and helped give me all the information I needed to make the decision. I want to share this video in case anyone out there is hesitating due to the concerns I gave above... EVERYTHING that Wesley did on four legs, he can do on three legs! He was always a very active cat and I worried that this would slow him down... He runs, jumps, and plays every bit as well as he did before. It is amazing! If you are leaning toward putting an animal to sleep rather than having a limb amputated, please watch this video. While not every cat will do this well, this quickly (based on what I've read), in the long run, they will adapt! He was never once depressed or upset acting about the loss... Ultimately I was more distraught over it then he was. He was up and walking the same day as his surgery!
I went home to my parent's this weekend and Wesley got to play with his best friend, Buddy (my mother's 10 month old kitten) -- these two play like this continuously. My cat is weird and loves other cats... He didn't get the memo that cat's are supposed to be territorial
This video was shot 1 month and 21 days after his surgery. The hair is still growing back, but the incision is completely healed.
Oh gosh!!! I cannot speak to what happened.as far.as.the deletion. Don't know if it was just a fluke ir there was some techie reason. Anyway, won't pretend to guess.
I do know we celebrate with so.much joy in our hearts when we hear a success story like your adorable kitty!
We LOVE having success stories around here and we LOVE especially.having kitty success stories!!
I didn't get to see the whole video as my stupid network keeps flipping out, but what I saw just warms my heart!! I'm coming back to see it in it's entirety! What an inspirational story!
We love celebrating great stories like this!!
Again, cannot speak to what happened or why. Just ask that you hold on until you get an explanation as it may, indeed, just have been a fluke.
I hope you'll continue sharing this incredible story of how well a cat can adapt and live their lives to the fullest!! Good job!
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!
Just wanted to add we actually have several kitty blogs, I'm just completely inadequate at figuring out how to "search" links. I also know a forum was "thread" was started by the site trying to get feedback specifically from.our cat family members in relation to the issues that are cat related. Again, not techie enough to find the link.
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!
Here it is !!! Here's your post!!!! It just looks like the video was dynamic enough to be put u.der this thread (below). And also the Admin Guy gave you the link.to kitty blogs!
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!
Well, that makes me feel a little better... but it's buried on page 5 on an older thread. It doesn't even show up when you search "cat" in the forum search engine. It is just really disappointing... I am sure that the intent was not hide it, but that's what it feels like. Anyway, best of luck to everyone on here. Hope my video helps someone make this decision... if they are lucky enough to find it anyway. 
Cats are TOTALLY welcome here, I didn't delete your post as you already know (thank you Sally).
Wow so very sorry, I didn't mean that at all and was going to send you a note today. Was just thinking in my moderator point of view it was useful in that pinned topic, because it's specifically about before and after surgery. With utmost apologies, I am really sorry and will move it back here for you.
We love Tripawd cats, and hope that you'll reconsider being a part of our community.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Here's your post:
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
My kitty Mona lost her leg in June 2014 and she has been more than welcome here. Yes, there are more dogs primarily because, I believe, there are more dog amputations and likely more cancers that require limb amputation. I also hate to say it but folks are willing to spend more money on dogs than cats.
I've learned a lot about the differences between dog and cat amputations, their medications, and how they respond. I hope to not get the dog people angry with me (I love them just as much as I love cats) but I think dogs are bigger babies during recovery and cats are fierce. Mind you, dogs do have bigger legs to amputate... By the way Mona was a crazy cat during recover due to the pain meds.
You video shows you have a very sweet cat and I love how he plays so well with a youngster. Very unusual and lovely. It is a great video to show what is possible.
By the way the word "cat" cannot be searched for because the search won't find a 3 letter word - so it won't find dog either.
Everyone here is great and Mona has even won prizes! She'll never win one for best costume or most active or most photogenic but I will show off her meerkat pose (this is how she waits for her food now):
You're obviously very proud of your cat's recovery and so you should be. Sadly, some of the dogs and cats don't do so well and this site, along with celebration, is a place where folks can share their challenges, fears, and grief.
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
Thanks Kerren & Mona, we appreciate your insight as always.
And yep, cats usually recover waaaaaay better than most doggies. Some day we'll have a book just about cats and life on 3, but I have a feeling it would be very short, they usually bounce back so quickly!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Alrighty, moving right along....WAIT!! MONA!!! Did you just call dogs BIGGER BABIES??!!
Okay, okay...truth be told...shhh....very true!!
Wesley is a wonderful role model for how well cats adapt and just get on with living!! And ten yrs young too! Good job Wesley! Way to represent tripawd kitties everywhere!
And HAPPY TWO.MONTH AMPUVERSARY!! Catnip for.everyone...topped with a scoop.of.ice cream!
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!
For what it is worth, I saw your post this morning and posted a comment. I hope you had a chance to see it? Although my tripawd is a dog, I also have three cats, and loved your video.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
I also commented on it.
And Kerren is a HUGE contributor on this site, and there are several others on here too! (I'm horrible with names, sorry I can't think of everyone off the top of my head! lol) Admin guy does a wonderful job of moving posts to the appropriate places for those of us who don't find the right spot for our posts. It really isn't a big deal. But attitude is a big deal - we all treat each other with respect around here. We celebrate with each other, we brainstorm with each other and we cry with each other.
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
I'm another doggie mama but I wanted to say that I've never felt anything but love and support from the Tripawds community. Even when one is a way for a while and comes back all the friendships made and support is still there. This group welcomes all with open arms regardless whether it's a cat, dog, or other animal parent. I'm sorry that you felt like you and your adorable furbaby weren't welcome and I do hope you reconsider being a part of this wonderful community of folks.
Sahana and her Angel Leland and Lucian too
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
I agree with the above comments. We WELCOME everyone and support everyone even if someone decides amputation isn't possible for their dog/cat they are still welcome within our community. I am sorry you feel the way you do.
I have been with this community going on 4 years and my Sassy has been at the Bridge for nearly 3 years. I still place posts in the wrong place. I feel our Admin/moderators do a great job trying to make sure posts get approved and placed into spots that they feel can be the most useful.
We still welcome you if you decide to come back
hugs
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
I too agree with everything everyone has said. In fact, I have never found a LESS judgmental place in my life. I don't always have the same opinions as others and even if the choice is different than what I would do for my pet, I make the choice to be supportive because i know how personal and gut-wrenching this journey can be. Or I just chose not to post! As my mama told me ... if you ain't got nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all.
I am really sorry you felt less than welcome and do hope you will stay with us as you go through this journey. Lots of kitties here ... and lots of great resources.
Hugs!
Alison with Spirit Shelby in her heart (and little jasper too)
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
1 Guest(s)
