Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

Harry is feeling better he wants out of that room! lol Great picture! 

Purrkins hated being confined in his room, once he started feeling better thats all he wanted was out of the room.

I dont know what others advice will be ,I think we all do things a little different. I personally would guide him to the steps. Once he sees its easier for him he will use them. We wanted to lessen any potential mishaps if possible .We also wanted to protect Purrkins remaining front limb from the strain of jumping down. He uses his steps or furniture spaced closer down to get down. On a rare occasion that I saw he jumped down and it didnt go so smoothly.  As far as I know he hasn't done that again.

As for his business I helped cover his in recovery. It will take Harry a little longer to cover things up. I wouldn't worry about it but thats me. You aren't hurting him by showing him how, he knows how, its exhausting for him right now to cover. He will build up more muscle in his remaining leg in the next few months. Watch it and you will be amazed how much bigger that leg gets to compensate . Things will get easier for him it just takes a little time to get stronger. 

You will see big changes when his stitches are out and off his medications and not in pain! He's not sad he's drugged;) 

If Harry hasn't been affected by his meds on appetite at all. You can start measuring and cutting back a little on his food. Go slow and measure everything he gets. Its not fun you will get a lot of protesting, be strong and know your helping him ! 

2 more days and Harry is a free of stitches and onward and upward! You guys made it thru yeah to you both!

Hugs 

Clarify can't blame i mean can't blame harry for lashing out! I just reread what I wrote. 

Mona had free run of the house as soon as her stitches were out. Actually she kept taking free run before that whenever she could escape. I watched her quite closely and showed her ways to go down and she usually tried them on her own. She quickly realized the boxes were for her to go down and would swat at my other cat if he was sitting on them.

I didn't restrict her from going outside to sleep in the garden which is her favourite thing to do in the summer.

Mona did a few face plants and made a few jumps that made me cringe but I think she quickly discovered better ways to get off of things. She never hurt herself. Over time I would see her decide the best way down. I didn't baby her but gave her lots of encouragement and praise.

I'm sure Harry will adapt quickly and hope the stitch removal goes well. I don't see any reason to restrict Harry from doing what he always enjoyed. You may just want to add the steps to places he enjoys going.

Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona

Yes, Mona went back to the way she lived before. Although she can go in and out of the house when she wants she tends to stay on the front step or on the deck and in the garden. She does not venture far and can run really fast. I don't think of her as agile and she has a bit of a buddha belly. I did do exercises with her to strengthen her core by getting her to sit up like a meerkat. It took only a few times of holding her food bowl above her to get her to sit up. She now does it every meal time while I prepare her food and she also does it for head scratches. Here's a photo of her doing it for the first time (she finally got annoyed and just grabbed the food bowl):