Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi Cindy, I'm sorry I didn't see this earlier to help ease your worries. Yes, it did sound like a seroma
(click on link for info) to me when you first described it. As long as it's more watery than bloody, doesn't smell or look greenish and the incision looks healthy and not irritated, it's normal and a sign that things are healing. Remember the fluid from that leg that was there has to go somewhere, which is the path of least resistance. Gross but at least you've got a kitty and not a Mastiff doggie or some other large pup, they can have an unreal amount of seroma
fluid! 
Here are instructions for uploading photos to the Forums. If you would like assistance just PM me, I"m happy to help.
I hope this week goes well. Keep us posted!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
rica55 said
Glad to hear! Sounds like she is doing just great. Jill had a big ole belly full of fluid. I was told that unless it felt really warm or if anything started to leak and smelled to be concerned, but definitely better safe than sorry!Keep up the great work Mom and Izzy!
Oh, if you want to post pics, you can post them on a site like photobucket and just post the link into your post.
Erica how long was it before Jill was getting up and about? Izzy has moments here and there but then takes herself back to bed. Then she's only up to eat and use the litter box. Last night about 1am we could here her meowing and came into the office to check on her and she was quite mobile. Dashed out of the office, down the hall and into our bedroom. Mind you, she doesn't know anything about our house as we just adopted her! We got her back into the office, fed her and she settled right down and went back to sleep. She has these little bursts of energy that maybe last 1-2 minutes and then sleeps for hours. I check on her constantly and try to encourage her to get up but she rarely will. Tomorrow will be one week since her surgery.
Cindy~
jerry said
Hi Cindy, I'm sorry I didn't see this earlier to help ease your worries. Yes, it did sound like a seroma (click on link for info) to me when you first described it. As long as it's more watery than bloody, doesn't smell or look greenish and the incision looks healthy and not irritated, it's normal and a sign that things are healing. Remember the fluid from that leg that was there has to go somewhere, which is the path of least resistance. Gross but at least you've got a kitty and not a Mastiff doggie or some other large pup, they can have an unreal amount of seroma fluid!Here are instructions for uploading photos to the Forums. If you would like assistance just PM me, I"m happy to help.
I hope this week goes well. Keep us posted!
Thanks Jerry for the links! That video on that page was very good also! Two days ago I am pretty sure Izzy had a phantom pain episode. Freaked me out but I was also aware it could happen. To my knowledge it hasn't happened again. LOL, I can't even imagine having a Mastiff going through this process! Thanks again for your help. Everyone on here has been so kind!
Cindy~
Jill was just like that - she had little moments of energy, but just wanted to sleep a lot. Is she still taking the buprenex? That seemed to make Jill really sleepy. I would say that Jill wasn't completely back to her normal energy level until 2-3 weeks out. Once her stitches were out (at 2 weeks) that made a huge difference, I could tell she felt much better. Also, keep in mind the anesthesia stays in them for a while, so she's definitely still feeling a little sleepy from that!
For the first two weeks it was a LOT of just laying around with me on the couch and her getting up when she was hungry or needed to use the litter box. As long as she's eating and getting up when she needs to potty, I wouldn't be too concerned!
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
You're so welcome Cindy, glad we could put your mind at ease.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
rica55 said
Jill was just like that - she had little moments of energy, but just wanted to sleep a lot. Is she still taking the buprenex? That seemed to make Jill really sleepy. I would say that Jill wasn't completely back to her normal energy level until 2-3 weeks out. Once her stitches were out (at 2 weeks) that made a huge difference, I could tell she felt much better. Also, keep in mind the anesthesia stays in them for a while, so she's definitely still feeling a little sleepy from that!For the first two weeks it was a LOT of just laying around with me on the couch and her getting up when she was hungry or needed to use the litter box. As long as she's eating and getting up when she needs to potty, I wouldn't be too concerned!
Sounds like everything Izzy is doing, or not doing, is pretty normal then! Yay! I ended up not giving her any Buprenex yesterday at all and so far none today. Really just trying to watch her to see if she's in pain. She definitely let me know over the weekend she was hurting. I was told that Izzy's stitches are the dissolvable kind. I hope that's true and I may call to double check.
We are having a very good day with her today. No trips or calls to the clinic! Haha!
Just wanted you all to know Izzy is doing really well. Her seroma is still oozing but remains pinkish/clear. She still has another 5-6 days of antibiotics I think. Haven't given any pain meds now for several days. She's getting around really well but has yet to try and jump on anything. She sleeps with us at night and last night actually slept through the night so I think she finally has her days and nights all figured out. I still need to call the clinic and double check on what kind of stitches she has.
On a bad note my other cat is very sick. A few days after bringing Izzy home Hazel started throwing up a lot and later stopped eating. Got her into the vet yesterday and her blood work shows her liver is in serious trouble. Her ALT is 700 U/L, normal is 12-130. Aggressively treating her now. I'm worried sick. She had a similar episode almost exactly a year ago but I got her in sooner. This time I waited a day or two longer thinking it was kitten stress related. I'm so upset with myself. Last time her blood work was normal. Praying she's going to be okay.
Overall the cats are doing good, curious about each other but if they get too close there can be a bit of growling. No hissing for several days now so that's good! Izzy is also getting used to our dog, a yellow lab named Sage.
That's what been happening at our house!
Cindy~
Izzy is gorgeous. My kitten was a stray that found us in July with a broken leg that was also too old to be healed. She was about 3 or 4 months old when she had the amputation too. You will be simply amazed at how well she gets along! It's been almost 5 months, and most of the time I don't even notice she's missing a leg. Smore bounced back fast. She had surgery on Thursday and came home Friday. Sunday she was running around trying to play. Mostly though she loved curling up in a lap for a nap.
The medicines though definitely made her sleepy and her energy was In short bursts too. Does she mess with her stitches?
Sounds like Izzy is adjusting well. I hope your other cat is ok. That sounds scary!
If you have any questions, feel free to let me know. Keep us posted on Izzy and your other sick kitty too!
Tina and Smore
(with the spirit of Pebbles watching from the Rainbow Bridge)
Smore is my tripawd kitty who adopted me one summer evening. She had an injury to her front left leg and had to have her leg removed July 17th. She was only 3 or 4 months old at the time. Now she moves faster than some four legged cats!
Cindy,
What a great update for Izzy but I'm really sorry to hear about your other kitty. Please don't blame yourself, you are doing the very best you can under some difficult circumstances. What's the other kitty's name? I hope she has a good bounce-back and is feeling better today. Please keep us posted.
Yay for Izzy, what a champ!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
tinav323 said
Izzy is gorgeous. My kitten was a stray that found us in July with a broken leg that was also too old to be healed. She was about 3 or 4 months old when she had the amputation too. You will be simply amazed at how well she gets along! It's been almost 5 months, and most of the time I don't even notice she's missing a leg. Smore bounced back fast. She had surgery on Thursday and came home Friday. Sunday she was running around trying to play. Mostly though she loved curling up in a lap for a nap.The medicines though definitely made her sleepy and her energy was In short bursts too. Does she mess with her stitches?
Sounds like Izzy is adjusting well. I hope your other cat is ok. That sounds scary!
If you have any questions, feel free to let me know. Keep us posted on Izzy and your other sick kitty too!
She hasn't messed with her stitches at all but she does lick at the oozing fluid. I have used the cone on and off which helps or I try to keep that section covered with a lightweight blanket. I will be so glad when that stops! I did call the clinic and they don't seem worried about it. I've been kind of worried as the shelter clinic is available to an adoptee for 2 weeks but today they assured me they would go past that in our case. What a relief that is! I did find out for sure that her stitches are the dissolveable (sp?) kind.
Your Smore is just darling! Glad to hear he is a normal acting kitty these days! Can't wait for Izzy to get to that stage too!
Cindy~
Ah. Smore had stitches that had to be removed. She's also a front leg amputee though. Izzy will get there in no time.
How's the other kitty doing?
Tina and Smore
(with the spirit of Pebbles watching from the Rainbow Bridge)
Smore is my tripawd kitty who adopted me one summer evening. She had an injury to her front left leg and had to have her leg removed July 17th. She was only 3 or 4 months old at the time. Now she moves faster than some four legged cats!
nvgal said
tinav323 said
Izzy is gorgeous. My kitten was a stray that found us in July with a broken leg that was also too old to be healed. She was about 3 or 4 months old when she had the amputation too. You will be simply amazed at how well she gets along! It's been almost 5 months, and most of the time I don't even notice she's missing a leg. Smore bounced back fast. She had surgery on Thursday and came home Friday. Sunday she was running around trying to play. Mostly though she loved curling up in a lap for a nap.The medicines though definitely made her sleepy and her energy was In short bursts too. Does she mess with her stitches?
Sounds like Izzy is adjusting well. I hope your other cat is ok. That sounds scary!
If you have any questions, feel free to let me know. Keep us posted on Izzy and your other sick kitty too!
She hasn't messed with her stitches at all but she does lick at the oozing fluid. I have used the cone on and off which helps or I try to keep that section covered with a lightweight blanket. I will be so glad when that stops! I did call the clinic and they don't seem worried about it. I've been kind of worried as the shelter clinic is available to an adoptee for 2 weeks but today they assured me they would go past that in our case. What a relief that is! I did find out for sure that her stitches are the dissolveable (sp?) kind.
Your Smore is just darling! Glad to hear he is a normal acting kitty these days! Can't wait for Izzy to get to that stage too!
Cindy~
Izzy's big sister's name is Hazel. She's actually doing pretty well today if she would just eat. She wants to but when we set something down for her she just walks off. Vet says it's good that she wants to eat but that the nausea is keeping her from it. But she been more active today, playing, etc., so that's good!
tinav323 said
Ah. Smore had stitches that had to be removed. She's also a front leg amputee though. Izzy will get there in no time.
How's the other kitty doing?
Most everyone seems to have had the removable kind which s why I called to double check!
Hazel still won't eat. She really wants to, gets all excited she she runs to the kitchen but turns her nose up no matter what I put down. Vet says it's good she wants to eat but that the nausea is keeping her from it. But she has also been pretty active today. She's never been lethargic, just quiet. Definite improvement there.
Noticed something kind of sad yesterday. Know how cats (and dogs) will use a hind leg to scratch an ear? Izzy tried doing that yesterday! She kept angling her head down and you could see her trying! Poor little thing! LOL! I scratched it the best I could but I'm sure it isn't the same.
nvgal said
tinav323 said
Ah. Smore had stitches that had to be removed. She's also a front leg amputee though. Izzy will get there in no time.
How's the other kitty doing?
Most everyone seems to have had the removable kind which s why I called to double check!
Hazel still won't eat. She really wants to, gets all excited she she runs to the kitchen but turns her nose up no matter what I put down. Vet says it's good she wants to eat but that the nausea is keeping her from it. But she has also been pretty active today. She's never been lethargic, just quiet. Definite improvement there.
Noticed something kind of sad yesterday. Know how cats (and dogs) will use a hind leg to scratch an ear? Izzy tried doing that yesterday! She kept angling her head down and you could see her trying! Poor little thing! LOL! I scratched it the best I could but I'm sure it isn't the same.
Do they know what's wrong with Hazel?
Yeah, Smore tries to bury things with her missing leg. It always makes me feel bad, even now. At least Izzy has you to help her out. 
Tina and Smore
(with the spirit of Pebbles watching from the Rainbow Bridge)
Smore is my tripawd kitty who adopted me one summer evening. She had an injury to her front left leg and had to have her leg removed July 17th. She was only 3 or 4 months old at the time. Now she moves faster than some four legged cats!
tinav323 said
nvgal said
tinav323 said
Ah. Smore had stitches that had to be removed. She's also a front leg amputee though. Izzy will get there in no time.
How's the other kitty doing?
Most everyone seems to have had the removable kind which s why I called to double check!
Hazel still won't eat. She really wants to, gets all excited she she runs to the kitchen but turns her nose up no matter what I put down. Vet says it's good she wants to eat but that the nausea is keeping her from it. But she has also been pretty active today. She's never been lethargic, just quiet. Definite improvement there.
Noticed something kind of sad yesterday. Know how cats (and dogs) will use a hind leg to scratch an ear? Izzy tried doing that yesterday! She kept angling her head down and you could see her trying! Poor little thing! LOL! I scratched it the best I could but I'm sure it isn't the same.
Do they know what's wrong with Hazel?
Yeah, Smore tries to bury things with her missing leg. It always makes me feel bad, even now. At least Izzy has you to help her out.
Not really, other than her liver is way out of whack! Can be several different reasons. But I think we turned a corner as she ate a tiny bit of baby food this afternoon. She has to be on a bland diet (which she will HATE!) for a while since she's not eaten in several days. We will also have to have the blood work repeated to see if her liver gets back to normal. Luckily she's a young cat (2) and she isn't over weight. Then we went crazy trying to find Izzy this afternoon and I was really panicking and here is where we finally found her! I have no clue how she got in the toy box as it's at least 13" high! I also think her oozing has let up quite a bit today, especially in light of how active she has been.
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