Hi Amanda (and Brandy)! 

I'm so sorry that you find yourself in this situation, but really glad that you've found this place. It's been a life saver for me over the past several weeks, since I started this whole process with my kitty - Harry. Everyone is hugely supportive, and the shared experiences have gone a long ways to assuaging some of my panic and worry. 

Well done for making the decision to lose the leg and save your girl's life! I love your attitude. I've just been sitting here reflecting on the fact that every time I look at Harry I think how thriled I am that he is still here and that I made the choice I did, despite the expense, fear, and emotional trauma. I'm very grateful to past me. My crazy cat lady vibe has definitely intensified as my love for my furry little family member has been compounded by gratitude and appreciation of the time we have left as a result. 

I'm sorry to hear that Brandy was impacted by vaccines. That's so hard, to think you're trying to care for your pet and find out it's had such an upsetting consequence. I've read about other cats on this site, or in the member blogs, having amputations for the same reason and I'm sure some of them will chime in soon. Harry had bone cancer. It was also his front leg that was amputated, so my experience is different in that way..but again, there are members who have had hind leg amputations and have lots to share. 

I think you're right that cats do bounce back quickly. I was expecting months of downtime when I first heard the word amputation. Today is exactly two weeks since his surgery and Harry is very much like his usual self - just a bit slower, and quicker to tire, at the moment (he is still on painkillers, which I don't think is super common for cats based on what I've read of others....and is a big boy. Next step is a weight loss regimen!). You can read my thread in this section, or my blog (harrypawter.wordpress.com), for a blow by blow account of our first couple weeks. I've been majorly needy so there is lots there! But to sum up, he was very quickly moving around, using the litter box, and eating. Most of the time he slept, and I have kept him confined to a room without anything to jump up on (which he may have fallen off of, initially, though already I'm not terribly worried about that anymore) or hide under (making administration of medication hard). 

Between worry and meds, I didn't get a lot of sleep week 1, and there were some tough moments - be prepared for a LARGE shaved patch and a big nasty frankenstein incision (there are pics of Harry's on my blog and the thread below) - but I saw improvements almost every day, and now we're pretty much back to our regular routines (still within the confined room for one more day. Stitches out tomorrow!). 

Stay connected here, and ask anything you need to. Members will try their best to help and will be incredibly supportive. 

- Kayla and new tripawd Harry (currently snoring at the foot of the bed, in his dashing onesie)