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.
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Hey guys! I'm new here and a relatively new cat-mom in general. I adopted Vinnie this past April, and in the last three months have completely fallen in love. I knew when I adopted him that he'd been hit by a car and had a broken leg that had never quite healed properly. I also knew that amputation had been considered in the past but, because he was still using the leg, they decided against it.
Everything seemed fine for the first few months, sure he was a little clumsy and his leg stuck out a little funny when he sat down, but nothing he and I couldn't adapt to....until Tuesday morning. When I woke up, I immediately knew something was wrong. Vinnie always sleeps curled up next to me and this was no exception..only that morning, when I reached to pet him, he started growling at me. 
I knew something was bothering him so I picked him up (still growling) and brought him downstairs. When I set him down, he tried to get away but his back leg was pretty much useless, and really swollen. I rushed him to the vet where it was decided they wanted to sedate him, X-Ray him, and keep him overnight. I'm not going to lie, my heart sunk a little. I pretty much knew what my vet was going to tell me when he called later that day...After a little back and forth we decided that removing the leg would be in Vinnie's best interest. As for now, he's still got all four legs as we wanted to bring him home for a little R&R before the surgery (Scheduled for Monday 6/20).
Ever since my conversation with the vet I've been trying to find forums, support groups and videos that reassure me that this decision is right for Vinnie and I. Every person I've spoken with thinks I'm being ridiculous for "spending" so much on a cat and I can't even count the amount of coworkers and family members who have suggested I just "put him down". Which..is completely not an option for me. I know I've only had him since April, but when I adopted him he became my responsibility - no matter what. I don't think I'd bat an eye if he needed a surgery that cost thousands and thousands of dollars, I would just figure out a way to do it End Rant. I think I just need a little reassurance here and would love to hear some stories about your own tripod cats as well. 
Thanks
Ohhhhh! I just want to give you a big giant {{{{hug}}}}! You have found your tribe! Welcome!
Thank you for adopting this sweetie and being there for him in a big way. You have Pawesome Pet Parent written all over you and we're so glad you're here.
Yes, you will encounter negativity right now. Even dog parents get it. I imagine it's worse for cat parents, so I feel for you. But, you are most definitely doing what's best for this beautiful creature who will give you so much love and happy memories through the years. After he recovers he will feel so much better and happy that he can go on.
What a good boy for just growling, not even biting you when he was in such horrible pain! That says so much about how much he trusts you.
Tripawd Kitties are still a relatively small, but growing part of our community. Our information about kitty amputees and recovery is growing every day, so we appreciate your sharing your journey as well. For now you can hop on over to the Tripawds Kitty blogs, and check out our informational posts we do have about life on three legs for fabulous felines like Vinnie!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'd had my dog, Sadie, less than 1 month when she was hit by a car and had to have her leg amuptated. Didn't matter. I was totally and completely in love with her, and would have let them break my leg if it would have fixed her. Heck, I would have done it myself!
As for your "helpful" friends and family, it's your cat and your money. Besdies, as a friend pointed out to me when I was taking a deep breath to write out the check, you can always make more money.
My experience has been that people who tell you what they would "never" do, have never actually been in the situation. And, those are the types of opinions that truly have no value, to me at least. Vinnie is a living creature, and if you have both the means and the ability to provide him a pain free life, why in the world wouldn't you do it? And, since this is accident related and not cancer, you truly have the ability to provide him the chance to live out his natural life span. I am also a tripawd dog owner, but I am 100% happy with the decision to move forward with amputation, even though I know that cancer will likely end Otis' life sooner rather than later. The past 4 months have been precious, and whatever time we have together will continue to be a gift.
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.
Hi Vinnie and family! What a beautiful guy you have there and how lucky both of you are to have found each other!
I have a dog who had to have her leg amputated a couple of years after a traumatic injury. I was so scared before the surgery and took a while to decide whether amputation was the correct decision, but we were both relieved after the surgery. She no longer has to protect that leg and I don't have to worry about storms that would cause her joint to become swollen and painful.
He is going to feel so much better after the surgery without that bum leg to bother him!
Hi and you definitely have found your tribe!
There are not as many cats here as there are dogs, but you are so welcome to be here. So many of our pets have lost their leg due to cancer, but a number have lost them due to accidents or trauma, even birth deformities.
When our Murphy was diagnosed with cancer, the one thing that helped to make our decision easier was that he was only 7 years old and perfectly healthy, other than that bum leg. We knew we had to give him the chance to live a pain-free life for as long as he had left. We've been incredibly blessed to get 3 years so far. Our vet's office is always so tickled when we go in for any reason - the techs tell me each time how we saved his life! We consider ourselves the lucky ones - we've learned so much these past 3 years, and we've made such wonderful friends here at Tripawds
You are so wonderful to have adopted Vinnie knowing that he was facing an unsure future with that leg. The people who are trying to talk you out of doing the surgery have probably never had to face this type of decision with any of their pets, and given the same choice, they probably would do the same thing, they just don't know it yet. Once they see how wonderful Vinnie will do, they will join his cheerleaders!
Recovery is usually the hardest time for any of the dogs & cats. Cats being cats may have litter box issues. You might want to get some baby onesie t-shirts to help cover the incision so he can't lick or scratch it. He may need to be crated or kept confined in a room, although I think Kerren wasn't able to confine Mona (if I'm thinking right). I'm sure she'll chime in here for you, or you can search.
Keep in touch with us - we'll be here for you! Even those of us with dogs will try to jump in & help 
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
Sometimes friends and family can be the worst in expressing their opinion right? And especially in your case where amputation isn't related to a cancer and Vinnie will no doubt go on to lead a happy life pain free. All those naysayers will change their tune when they see how well Vinnie will learn to adapt. Bless you for being the best advocate Vinnie could ever have! Hugs to you and beautiful Vinnie.
Linda, Riley & Spirits Mighty Max & Ollie
You are the perfect pet parent. I think we even have another Vinnie tripawd kitty here.
My kitty Mona had her leg amputated 2 years ago and she's doing great! I did confine her to a nursery where she slept under a shelf in the closet. A few times however she did the great escape. She would go from worming around on the floor to running around the house to find an inappropriate place to pee. For me, the hardest part was getting her to use the litter box. Other cats here were more willing. When they are on pain meds they can be a little out of it so that may be part of the litter problem.
Some folks confine their cat to a crate or closet. Cats like to be in hiding places when they don't feel well. One person even draped a blanket over a coffee table and the cat stayed under the table.
Have a search around here and read the cat blogs and please come back if you have any questions. Mona did not need to wear a cone or anything to protect her stitches because she wasn't that interested in them. I slept in the same room as Mona and she cuddled up with me on the second night home.
One suggestion I have is to find out about the pain medication before the surgery and not after. I found I was a little stressed and couldn't even open the bottle of pain medication when it was time.
I hope the surgery goes well. Vinnie will do very well as an amputee since his leg is not very useful now and he'll be pain-free. He'll love you for that.
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
Hi:
I just want to join team Vinnie!! I am sorry you had well meaning friends try to talk you out of what is right for you and Vinnie and is only your decision to make. As others pointed out, this is an injury and he is your family and you are going to treat the injury in the best way for him. You'll restore his quality of life and yours!
And he will be so happy to not have that useless leg to carry around - as Kerren said, his adjustment is likely to go very well since he was already a virtual Tripawd.
Look forward to hearing the surgery is done and he is coming home!
Lisa, Minneapolis
On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly. His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.
Well DITTO everythi g said!
Just want to add my "open arms of welcome"'to you and Vinnie!
And I'd also like to add a standing ovation for you! Yiu are a WONDERFUL advocate znd a great furever home for your Vinnie!
His avatar picture is adorable! Canw wait ro see more!
We look forward to following his progress as he begins his new adventures with you...And without that bum leg!
Lots of hugs to you!
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!
Hi and welcome.
Let me start by saying that while I've never been a 'cat person' I have always been a compassionate person. You have an animal in your life that brings you love and joy. That animal is in pain ergo you are in pain. You have the means to make that pain go away and give your Vinnie a long and comfortable life. Do not pay any regard to the opinion of others. If they are not walking in your shoes then their opinion is of no value and maybe you should be questioning your relationship with them if they won't support your relationship with your cat! PS I can't think of a better name for a three legged cat than 'Vinnie'... it's absolutely purrrfect!
Best of luck with the surgery. He will do just fine.
Thanks everyone for your kind words I know in my heart that this is the right decision for Vinnie, it's just so crushing to hear other people be so negative. I think I just needed some 'pawsitivity' 
. I'll definitely post updates and blogs on how Vinnie adjusts to a three-legged life.
You've got all the pawsitivity you need! We've got your back. Keep us posted!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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