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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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My tiger - only option: amputation - Worried
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Member Since:
13 March 2023
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23 March 2023 - 1:07 am
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There is a room that is often rereferred to as "Truls room", where he has his litterbox food etc. He can be confined there easily enough. But alrighty, and yes cone of "shame" very important.

I have a "trick" so he can't remove it. I've had to change the bandage and clean his leg every day for months now, since he was diagnosed. But the vet also said it's very good to let the leg air, be without bandage for a couple of hours everyday. Which means cone on so he can't touch it. So to accomplish this I just put the cone on with his collar, ta da. Has been working absolutely fine since I started having the cone on like that.

Another pickle I was thinking about, how the heck do I keep him from jumping? Of course I can move things so instead of one long jump it's two short jumps. And he probably won't try to jump much the first couple of days considering a missing paw being groggy and all that.

I recall when he was younger and had surgery to remove a urinary stone. When he came home with stitches on his belly and would jump up and down from places. I was terrified he would tear the stitches. He didn't, but yah I was worried.

So I'll do my best to prevent jumping. But if he does jump places, that's no problem...or?

The Rainbow Bridge



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23 March 2023 - 9:33 am
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Oh that's a cool cone trick, you'll have to post photos. It's ironically a good thing that you have been able to "cone train" him prior to surgery. What a good boy to put up with that thing!

Jumping is harder for a rear-leg amputee dog than a front leg. They have all the jumping power in the back legs. But for cats, well, oftentimes these rules don't apply! So do your best to prevent him from jumping by blocking off really high areas, and providing perches and steps so he can climb up, and hopefully down. And if by some chance he still jumps, try not to panic. Chances are he'll be OK.

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23 March 2023 - 1:17 pm
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jerry said
Oh that's a cool cone trick, you'll have to post photos. It's ironically a good thing that you have been able to "cone train" him prior to surgery. What a good boy to put up with that thing!

Jumping is harder for a rear-leg amputee dog than a front leg. They have all the jumping power in the back legs. But for cats, well, oftentimes these rules don't apply! So do your best to prevent him from jumping by blocking off really high areas, and providing perches and steps so he can climb up, and hopefully down. And if by some chance he still jumps, try not to panic. Chances are he'll be OK.

  

Well the trick is quite simple. Know how a piece of rope or a strap usually comes with a cone, to put it on. What I do instead is remove that and place his collar in the cone instead. If one really wants it to be secure can always use a harness with the cone. Some cats may get stressed being unable to remove the cone. But Truls is chill, even sleeps with it on.

Yap indeed cats use their hindlegs a lot for jumping. So minor jumping is okay, but avoid as much as possible. I shall do my best. 🙂
About 12h to go.....man I'm nervous! Shall try to keep myself from worrying.

The Rainbow Bridge



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23 March 2023 - 6:04 pm
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Now that is super smart! He is a VERY chill cat if he can sleep with it. I have a feeling recovery will be pretty smooth.

You'll chuckle when you see what Ziggy's people had to do:
https://gear.tr.....-of-shame/

Good luck tomorrow! I will be at my desk and have the chat open after 9 am Pacific if you want to stop by.

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24 March 2023 - 2:15 am
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jerry said
Now that is super smart! He is a VERY chill cat if he can sleep with it. I have a feeling recovery will be pretty smooth.

You'll chuckle when you see what Ziggy's people had to do:

https://gear.tr.....-of-shame/

Good luck tomorrow! I will be at my desk and have the chat open after 9 am Pacific if you want to stop by.

  

Hehe thanks. When he comes home I think I will use the harness technique. Just to be 100% certain he can't remove the cone. Since a harness goes not just around his neck like a normal collar, but also around his front legs. And of course as we have discussed, it is crucial for the cone to stay on for the first couple of weeks or so.

Ohh I've seen that, it's similar to using a harness. Because there is something (a rope or a strap, or in that case shoelaces) going under his front legs. I have looked around to find different ways to secure a cone, like completely secure, no way a cat can remove it. That method is one of methods that I saw.

Well our cats may not like it, some hate it. But it's for their best.

Truls is there now, under the knife or about to be. Gonna try not to worry and drive myself crazy. Just plan for the future, for when he comes home tomorrow. 🙂

The Rainbow Bridge



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24 March 2023 - 10:40 am
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I woke up thinking about Truls today, and send all my best for an easy, fast surgery and recovery! Stay strong, you can do this!

Where ever my car goes


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24 March 2023 - 12:16 pm
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Just hopped on to send some hope and pawsitivity to you and Truls. You guys got this.  You have done everything possible to prepare and Truls is now doing all he can to live up to your hopes. 

 

I suspect that soon you will get that call saying, "he made it and is resting.". Then tomorrow you will get the next call, "come get this walking, talking cat and take him home to fully recover", because yes, from what I have read, cats usually can walk the next day.  I can not imagine any human ever being that resilient.

 

Daily, Tuxedo is a daily inspiration to me of showing what one stubborn cat can do.  I hope soon Truls will be amazing you too.  How can he do anything else as he looks like Tux.  😸smiley2

 

-hugs and best wishes

Dawna, Tuxedo, Lilly & Angel Dazzle

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24 March 2023 - 1:38 pm
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Update:

Yap Truls is alright. I've had the "he's awake and doing well" phone call. Going to pick him up tomorrow. 🙂 😀

So now I can relax a bit puh, no more worrying.

Now it's just the recovery, and hoping Truls fully recovers from this. That this makes him completely healthy and happy. 

A bit nervous about the recovery. Helping him get around on three legs, keeping the wound alright. But yap mandatory cone for the next 10 days or so, 24/7.

The Rainbow Bridge



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24 March 2023 - 6:20 pm
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YAY! So happy to know he is on the road to recovery. Of course you are nervous but you and Truls are quite a team. You can handle this, I know you can.

Try to get some sleep and prepare to be even more in love with him when you pick him up. Let us know how it goes.

Virginia







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24 March 2023 - 8:58 pm
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YAAAAY!!  SURGERY IS DONE AND TRULS IS ON SOME GREAT PAIN MEDS RESTING. Now is the time for you to get some good rest, okay?  It's exhausting  mentally and  physically getting to the day of surgery and now that is done!!

Recovery sounds scary, but you 'll be amazed at how quickly you relax into it and master the new norm.

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!

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25 March 2023 - 12:37 am
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Yep big yay! 😀 We were a bit worried if he could handle it, given his condition.

Gonna be strange to see him later. Now let's just hope that this actually cures his ailments. That he now gains weight, blood values go back to normal etc. That this cancer was the only "villain" and now that it's gone he will be alright. 🙂

Yah I plan to redecorate his room, where he will recover. Just so everything he could want or need is easily accessible on the floor. I always get nervous when a pet has stitches, worried that they will be torn open buy a jump or excessive movement or such.

Truls has officially joined the Tripawd club hehe.

Where ever my car goes


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25 March 2023 - 12:48 am
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Yeah!!!

It is literally all down hill from here.  Lots of rest (for both of you!) and time.  These next two weeks will seem rough, but mostly because of that cone.  A blessing and a curse.  I doubt if you will need to help Truls get around much.  Chances are he will mostly sleep.  And likely can already hop pretty good on three due to the tumor in the past too.  Around day 3 most of the surgery meds work their way out of the system, so expect a crash of sorts where Truls seems "different".  

 

One thing I have not seen mentioned is cat litter.  The emergency vet recommended I not use the clumping kind until the stitches were out.  I guess on a rear amputee, there is more risk of wound contamination when using the litter box cause the stuff is so small and easy for them to kick around.  But others on here have also posted they were told to keep using their regular litter.  So if you see this before picking Truls up, please ask if your vet recommends any change.  I was recommended to use coarsely shreded newspaper.  

 

Hugs and best wishes

-Dawna, Tuxedo, Lilly, and Dazzle

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25 March 2023 - 6:04 am
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mommatux said
Yeah!!!

It is literally all down hill from here.  Lots of rest (for both of you!) and time.  These next two weeks will seem rough, but mostly because of that cone.  A blessing and a curse.  I doubt if you will need to help Truls get around much.  Chances are he will mostly sleep.  And likely can already hop pretty good on three due to the tumor in the past too.  Around day 3 most of the surgery meds work their way out of the system, so expect a crash of sorts where Truls seems "different".  

 

One thing I have not seen mentioned is cat litter.  The emergency vet recommended I not use the clumping kind until the stitches were out.  I guess on a rear amputee, there is more risk of wound contamination when using the litter box cause the stuff is so small and easy for them to kick around.  But others on here have also posted they were told to keep using their regular litter.  So if you see this before picking Truls up, please ask if your vet recommends any change.  I was recommended to use coarsely shreded newspaper.  

 

Hugs and best wishes

-Dawna, Tuxedo, Lilly, and Dazzle

  

Alrighty so I shouldn't expect Truls to behave normally, because he definitely won't with all the drugs and such. But around day three or so he should start to bounce back to normal, more or less.

When I talked to the vet yesterday we did talk about the litterbox a bit, but there was no mention of changing material. Truls is going to have this band-aid on the stitches, to keep dirt and such out. I'm gonna change it once a day while also checking so the wound is healing well. I will ask if we should to make some change to the litter.

Haven't picked up Truls yet. But I will also get info papers about his at home care and such, so I'm sure a lot of things will be explained and answered there. 🙂 

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25 March 2023 - 1:33 pm
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Truls is hoooome! 😀

I did ask about changing anything for the litterbox and the vet said it wasn't necessary.

He's doing great. 🙂 First thing he did was use his toilet and ate some food without any problems. He is insanely cuddly, but hehe yah guess that is the drugs making him feel somewhat funny.

This morning the nurses were positively surprised by how active, energetic and good he was. How he so quickly was able to move around and perk up after surgery.

Now I just feel silly, like I need to check on him all the time, like once an hour or such. I probably don't and hehe yah that's not really possible like at night when I'm supposed to sleep.

Seeing him like this now....not so strange. I mean it is strange sure, but not this "omg! 0.0". If anything my parents were more surprised than me.
Truls seems to have no problems at all getting around and doing what he wants. Back to the vet in 10-14 day or such to remove the stitches.

Now cone on, 24/7 and that band-aid he has covering the stitches should be removed in 2-3 days. Sure this is gonna take some getting used to, Truls being three legged. Judging by his initial behavior, I'm almost convinced that he'll be fine.

Dawna did you check on Tuxedo all the time? Like every hour or so?
I'm just uncertain how often I should check on Truls. If he's chill and asleep I don't wanna bother him unnecessarily either.

The Rainbow Bridge



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25 March 2023 - 5:46 pm
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Wheeeeee! That's awesome, so glad he's home and even using the litter box. And eating? WOW!!!

You are not silly, and that's totally normal about wanting to check on him all the time. If it makes you feel better do it but remember to get your sleep. I would just check occasionally to make sure he's breathing normally, and relaxed. Maybe set your alarm once or twice at night.

Truls is going to be more cuddly than ever. I'm glad you are almost convinced he will be fine. We are too!

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