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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Oh yes what we learn going thru this. It sounds just like Purrkins, I read so many times cats just get up and go and well as you can see not always! Dont worry about waking him for his meds! Its most important thing to get that in on time and keep Lynx comfortable!
Purrkins slept most of the first night and the next day he slept most of the day. I kept notes during recovery ,just takes me a few to sort thru them.
Glad the floor padding helped! I still have some down fyi and some throw rugs. I will add some pictures of the litter box we cut down . We used the grey one for recovery, we cut the bigger one out too , Ill include both pictures for you.
Purrkins now uses the regular box and the cut out box .
His brother never minded the alterations!
This is how you Lynx will eventually stand ! See how the one leg is almost in the middle now? Thats what I tried showing Purrkins on day one. Does that help any?
I will tell you some people think you should let them figure things out by themselves. I couldn't stand watching him be so frustrated and not get anywhere and as soon as I guided him it just worked!
You do what works for you and your animal that is my advise. Take all suggestions and take what works for you.
No right and wrong here! We do whatever works!
Its a hop now , not like before walking , its louder , like a bunny rabbit does? That make more sense to you ? Check out some of Purrkins You tube videos, that will help you see how he gets around and Lynx will too! They are slower walking/hop and really fast running! You can't tell they are tripawads running you will see in time! I dont have one of him running yet.
Thank you! So helpful. I will cut the litter box down tomorrow. I do see the issue with the feet and I understand. Lynx lost his right front leg so maybe he will start putting left foot in middle more. Or maybe will compensate with right leg being moved over to right more. Now I get it.
So after Purrkins got over his initial agitation, he slept that night and next day. Lynx appears to be pretty quiet now that it's dark. I wonder if he's settled in until morning. I'm sitting in the dark in his room typing lol.
It is so helpful to get info from someone who has been through this before. Thanks again. I never would have guessed that being agitated and flopping to an escape was a norm for some kitties after surgery. Makes me feel infinitely better.
Okay now I see that he lost front leg too. Cute videos. Okay that is probably what Lynx will do. Will look at more videos. I get it now!
Yes after the first hour he settled down once he saw he was home I think all was ok! We stayed in the room with him, I slept part way in the closet lol part way out for couple days. We set the alarm for med time .Then we got to sleep in the bed few days later.
Happy to help in any way! We know how scary this is! Been there ! Your not alone !
We can read all about everyone else surgery and it still doesn't prepare you for your own animal.
I can assure you Lynx will figure this out!
Tomorrow will be a better day and each day after! You may have set backs and you may not.
Nothing is out of the normal unfortunately . We just learn as we go. Get some rest when you can!
We are here if you need anything we will try to help you thru, and you will get thru!
Big hugs to you , and Lynx Rest is Best, heal buddy! Eat for mom too please!
If you get bored you can read some of the kitty blogs. That will help also. It helped us alot!
We have one for Purrkins if you want to read it,
I did not get all notes on there from the first 2 days yet but there are pictures and how things have gone for us to date.
Thank you for all. All is quiet for now. Thank goodness the first day is almost over. And thank you for the virtual hugs; they are needed and appreciated.
Becky and Lynx
Your welcome happy to help in any way!
Yes truly understand the hugs ,why we are sending them! 
Keep us posted please!
And I'm sending some virtual hugs too! I know this is sczry and you are exhausted...and probably will be for several more days!
And how 'bout that HOLLY!! She and Pjrrkins, and allmojr kitty members, really are pavr the way to make it easier and easier for future kitty members
HUUUUUUUGS!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too! I
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!
Thanks Sally. Yes Holly definitely made life easier for me yesterday. Well today I am pleased to report an improvement (thank goodness). I slept in his room to help him navigate without hurting himself. At 3am I woke up to him drinking a LOT of water (first time since home) so I was thinking that he'll need help with the litter box in a couple of hours. But then I heard him in the litterbox and he got out by himself although his face flopped into the litter. I was so happy. He seems to have taken to pulling himself across the floor this morning. I suppose that's better than flopping. It's probably an intermediate step. He's more relaxed today and not trying to get out of the room.
But honestly I can't imagine him staying in this room for 14 days. I don't want to let him in my bedroom because he might try to jump up on the bed. And I can't imagine leaving him all day for work next week starting say Tuesday. But that's a few days away.
Becky and Lynx
Holly with what did you cut back the litter box rim? An exacto knife? The plastic seems pretty thick but I can give it a try
GRRRRRREAT UPDATE!!! Lynx IS improving, slowly but ssurely!!
Just keep talking it one day at a time. Slowly but surely, Lynx is getting through recovery.
As far as jumping on the bed later down the road, you can try pet steps. Kind of block as much area as you can so Lynx has to use the steps.
Keep these great updates coming!
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!
Hey Lynx, you're doing great! Mona would flop around then suddenly race around. Lots of face plants but she has short legs so didn't hurt herself.
Mona disagreed with using the litter and had other ideas. Lynx used the litter once! That's perfect!
I spent a lot of time in the room with Mona and would take her out of the room to cuddle with me and to watch out the patio door. Every night she cuddled with me on the bed. Eli, who became her guard cat, would also sleep with us.
Try different things with Lynx and you'll find what keeps him happy. I released Mona out of the room once her stitches were out.
Happy healing!
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
Thank you Sally
"As far as jumping on the bed later down the road, you can try pet steps. Kind of block as much area as you can so Lynx has to use the steps."
Good idea. I do have pet steps for the beds. But my understanding is that he's not supposed to use any steps for 14 days. Sure would make it a lot easier on him if he had the "run" of the whole top floor. (Of course, he wont' be running as he's not supposed to be lol)
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