Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Thanks yet again! Everyone is being so helpful. I know I'm high maintenance when it comes to my kitty, and I appreciate it
Harry's surgury is tomorrow - Friday. He's coming home same day. I hadn't thought about getting to him....one of his favourite hiding places is in the lining under my mattress (which is split open). He sits in it like a hammock. I may have to close the door and sleep on the couch or blow up mattress in the living room...or maybe put my mattress on the floor and make the bedroom home base...
I will be home for three days straight with him as it's Thanksgiving weekend, so I'm not worried about leaving him alone (yet)
Here he is on his last evening on all fours...
HARRY is so handsome! I am so SORRY I called him Henry before ! You are NOT high maintenance ! Your a worried mom!
Just wanted you to know we are here for you. Thinking of you both! Harry will do great on 3! Please post if you have anything to ask or just nervous waiting for them to call.
I'd only add I'd be afraid he would get under the bed and you wouldn't be able to reach him at medication time.
You can block under the bed with stuffed pillows comforters anything to make it so he can't get under. Or you can put it on the floor.
We started out stuffing pillows under the bed. Then ended up putting the mattress on the floor. There is no right or wrong its what will work for you guys. You will know what to do, follow his lead. If you don't thats how we are we can help tell you our experiences .
Sending you and Harry the biggest of Hugs! 
All your advice is so good Tina!!!
And you called Harry Henry because you couldn't get that dream outta' your head where the Fonz was the vet!
Great picture of Harry!
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!
lol, don't worry about calling him Henry. I assumed the same thing about the fonz. I sometime call him Harold as well, in more formal situations or if he's in trouble (:P) although he's named after Harry Potter. I think I will go with putting the mattress on the floor as it will reduce worry. I did the same thing when I first got him because I was a paranoid Mama and worried he'd get stuck and I wouldnt be able to get him or something. I think my bedroom with walkthrough closet/ensuite situation is a good enclosed space ,too, in case I need to cut down his roaming at some point.
It's 3:45am now. I drop him off at 8:30. I don't know exactly when his procedure is. They will call when he's ready. He's not seeming terribly bothered at the moment. He's returned to bed after his middle of the night drugging and purrs away when he gets his head scratched.
I saw you posted in other forums , Whatever rugs you have take in the room you guys are going to stay in. Purrkins brother loves any rug ,I agree with Sally its a comfort thing. For tripawd or 4 pawd. The rugs will help him in that room as he learns life on 3 legs. Your flat sounds ideal for Harry being tripawd. You don't have to worry about making two floors tripawd friendly .
Boxes can work as a step down. I would fill them with something for weight tape them shut and flip them over ,so they don't slip around.
Getting up is easy for them as Tina mentioned . The going down will be the learning process. But rest assured he will learn I promise you that! The first days wont be great just know it will get better ok? I promise you that! Purrkins stayed in the hospital 3 nights .
I picked up him the 4th day. Make sure you have a vet contact number just in case since its the weekend.
If you haven't already watch some of Purrkins videos you will see he does fantastic! It helped me watching others videos and pictures and experiences. You will have free time while he is recovering and sleeping. Try to rest when he does!
I'll be working at home today and be in and out ,but will have my alerts on if you need anything .
Prayers for you both ,sending you strength for today !
Hollu, thanks so much for all the invaluable kitty advice! I know it's very reassuring and so helpful! 🙂
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!
Yes, thanks a million. This is such a miserable experience and it hasn't even happened yet.
I just dropped Harry off and bawled the whole way home. It's awful leaving him there. Turns out he IS staying the night as well. That's fine I guess - good really, that they want to keep an eye on him and keep him on intravenous drugs a bit longer. I was just expecting to have him back today because that's what the receptionist said and it was an unlpeasant surprise to have to be told I'll have to wait longer, plus he hates the vet and strange people so much. He's going to be scared and miserable the whole time he's there 🙁 She's going to call this afternoon to tell me how things went.
I'm going to try to go back to bed for a while
If its any comfort at all. Its good he stays the night and being monitored . Like i said Purrkins was there 3 nights it was longer then I would of liked. But they are cared for and if something is needed he will get it ! You wouldn't want to deal with a emergency! Thats what you want most is for Harry to be ok! I understand your disappointment.
He will be drugged really well ,not sure they know whats going on. He will be home before you know it! Definitely rest you will need it! Please let us know when you hear all went well!
We are here with totally understand what your going thru!
Big hugs to you
Yeah, ditto!
Harry will be high as a kite and think he's home anyway, while riding a few pink elephants!!
This is a great time for you to get a good night's rest!
It reallys is a good idea for Harry to stay the night where he can be monitored.
Hugs!
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!
The advantage of staying with the vet is that they can monitor his heart rate. My vet told me that Mona was doing well after surgery but her heart rate increased so they gave her more pain meds. It's close to impossible for us to determine if our cat is in pain but obviously the vet can tell. My vet also took her to his house overnight to monitor her and she was perfect (for him and his family). I suspect she loved all of the attention she got. You may find the Harry takes to the people at the vet clinic and will find some friends.
I doubt that Harry will be miserable while at the clinic because he'll be sleeping or too stoned to care. I did go for a visit after the surgery and they presented Mona all swaddled up in blankets like a baby. So sweet but she had no clue who I was and didn't care. I realized then that she was in better hands with the vet for the evening.
Harry's a black beauty and will do well. Take care of yourself this evening.
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
Thanks again, everyone. Harry doesn't really like making friends. He loves me and my parents. He tolerates my grandfather, my sister (from afar) and one or two friends who are cat people and leave him alone until he comes to investigate...everyone else he just kind of glares and growls at from one of his perches. He does semi-like one vet, but she's not where we are now.
It's comforting to think that he'll be totally out of it for most of the time until I get him back. I already feel a bit better after napping. My folks sent me flowers, which was nice to wake up to.
Im glad your feeling better. This takes a toll on you and you'll need to rest anytime Henry is when he gets home. We deal things better when we get some sleep. He's out of rest assured ! I know its awful thinking of them there alone and afraid but they aren't alone! I Iwent to visit Purrkins while he was at the hospital. I wasn't sure he knew it was me. He was so drugged! See how huge his eyes are. I had to leave him there again that night it was awful. Very thoughtful of you parents on the flowers! Have you looked at what incisions will look like so your sorta prepared ?
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