Hello and welcome!

So nice to meet you and Elvis, just sorry it had to happen under this circumstances.  Tuxedo, my adorable chunk of a kitty, was 9 almost 10 when he had his rear leg and partial pelvis amputated due to a dog attack.  Tuxedo was and still is on the heavy side 15# prior 13# now, though he is very active.  Now over a year later, my 11 year old boy constantly amazed me with what he can do.  Truthfully, I do not think of him as disabled in any way these days, because as I and many there here will tell you it is amazing how well animals adapt.

I did not get any prep time before I found myself a tripawd owner.  However, I am not sure I really needed much either.  Tuxedo due to his stubborn nature pretty much did what he wanted, no matter what I was told he should or should not do!  Many here have set up a recovery type room or spot at home.  A place free of obstacles and in a controlled environment, such as a spare bedroom, a large dog crate, a tent, etc.  If Elvis will be in an area near a bed, take care to block the underneath area fully off.  He will get under it, I promise.  Some have used or made low sided litter boxes.   I used pizza boxes that a local restaurant donated.  Many use regular cat litter.  My vet recommended using coarsly shedded newspaper as litter while healing to minimize the chance of getting any tiny grains of it in the incision.  The local newpaper donated and shredded this for me.  I had a terrible time getting Tuxedo to eat afterwards.  I literally tried everything.  Others comment that really smelly food triggered appetites.  In m case it was a certain type and flavor of cat treat.  When I wrote to the manufacturer and thanked them for whatever made that one special, they sent me enough coupons for well over a year's worth of food and treats.  Notice a trend here?  If you ask for help, just about everyone will if they can.  So please do not be afraid to reach out to others.  This site, for example is a great source for emotional support.  I am certain that had this thread been in the cat section you would have had a ton of responses by now from proud tripawd feline owners, not just me.  

Elvis will come home with a cone of some sort.  As a rear amputee he needs (really needs) to wear this while healing.  Many cats are somewhat of a Houdini with respect to cones.  Tuxedo was constantly escaping his, which was likely part of the reason his incision got infected, turning what should have been a two week healing period into close to two months.  Some have had luck with soft cones (I did not), others with donut type cones, hard cones, see through cones, etc.  Hopefully you and Elvis won't need to go cone shopping.

As to getting around, Elvis will probably try to run through your place when he first gets home (not kidding) and then mostly rest for the next several days.  Many use throw rugs/exercise mats on hardwood and tile areas once their babbies are allowed to officially explore again (usually around 2 weeks when the stitches come out).  Tuxedo and throw rugs were not a good mix as he kept running to launch himself on to the like some sort of an amusement ride, causing even the rubber backed ones to slide.  Yes 3 legged cats can run fast, very fast!  For getting up on furniture, like the sofa or bed, some sort of step or stairs helps.  Though usually Tuxedo ignores the ones I have and jumps straight from the floor.  Every now and then though I do see him using them.

Tuxedo's biggest problem is balance, or as I sometimes call it grace, with respect to doing things.  I do not know if this is because of him only having half of a pelvis or if this is common for all rear tripawd cats.  By this I mean he sits very crooked, is easily toppled, has a hard time standing still if getting a scratching session, etc.  However, this really does not hamper him.  He literally can do anything he wants to do and more.  

Two things that I would recommend is that you get your support system for yourself set up and make sure the vet sends you home with adequate pain medication.  This is a very emotionally tyring time for you.  Having people you can talk to helps a lot.  This site is an excellent source for some of that as everyone here has been through the same situation in some fashion.  Elvis will have a better recovery if you take care of you.  That way he does not feel that he has to.

Also it seems most vets only send cat owners home with 3 days worth of pain medication.  Yes, they did that to Tuxedo and me.  I ended up going back for an additional 4 days worth.  But knowing what I know now, I would have insisted on it at the time.

Best wishes to you and Elvis.  You both should get through this fine.  Being a big older boy may mean he needs a bit more time to adjust, but if Tuxedo (who is currently sitting on my head) is any example, he will not just adapt but thrive.

-Dawna, Dazzle, & Tuxedo