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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Hi All,
I am new to the community and while I'm certainly not happy to be here, I'm so glad I found Tripawds. I am here to introduce myself and am looking for a little support as I prepare for this big transition.
My 12 year old cat Ramona was diagnosed with soft tissue sarcoma right above one of her front legs. X-rays have shown that the cancer has not spread to other areas of the body. While amputation might not be curative, there is also a chance it could be. While my partner and I feel very resolved about this choice being the right one for our girl, it's still so emotionally difficult for us. Our surgery is Tuesday and I should be able to pick her up Wednesday. It's not how I expected to ring in my birthday but hey - I guess my present is a three legged cat!
I would love to hear from any of you who have gone through similar situations. Here are some questions I have.
1. What do you wish you would have known before surgery about your animal's recovery?
2. If you have other cats, how did they respond to their new tripod friend? Was there anything that helped that transition?
3. Ramona is a very snuggly cat (the bed is her domain) and while I don't expect that to change once she is recovered, I'm wondering how you dealt with your animal wanting to be close to you while they're supposed to be on a low level? (I also plan to check in with my surgeon about this one 
).
4. I'm also curious about anyone's experience with soft tissue sarcoma!
Thank you all so much for being here in this community. Finding this site and reading these posts has really helped ease some anxiety and feel more confident about our ability to handle this.
Hi Holly, welcome to you and Ramona. Your future posts won't need to wait for approval so post away.
I'm sorry you are faced with this tough situation! It's not an easy one but you've come to the right place for help. I'll try to answer your questions as best I can:
1. What do you wish you would have known before surgery about your animal's recovery?
That they handle it MUCH better than we do. And that good pain management is key to a faster, better recovery.
2. If you have other cats, how did they respond to their new tripod friend? Was there anything that helped that transition?
That's a great question! See these search results in our Three Legged Cats Forum Discussion for some examples:
https://tripawd.....;include=3
3. Ramona is a very snuggly cat (the bed is her domain) and while I don't expect that to change once she is recovered, I'm wondering how you dealt with your animal wanting to be close to you while they're supposed to be on a low level? (I also plan to check in with my surgeon about this one
).
She may be more snuggly, but also less as she is in healing mode. Many animals will retreat for a while, that's to be expected. I believe as long as she isn't jumping up or down to be near you, she will be fine. So, more floor sitting and floor sleeping is usually the way people handle this situation.
You are doing GREAT asking such terrific questions! I hope this helps, feel free to ask more.
Be sure to see our Three Legged Cats book for more tips, and our Trikitties posts, and stay tuned for feedback from the community!
Hello and welcome.
I don't have cats but I do have small dogs. My first Tri Maggie lost a back leg to cancer. She had always slept on the bed with me and I was worried about her trying to jump on or off so I tries sleeping on the living room floor with her the first couple of nights. Neither one of us got much sleep! I finally decided to risk it and just moved back to my bed. I was very lucky that Mag was so cautious and she never tried to jump on or off... she never did after surgery actually. I think getting back to our routine was important for her as well.
A few years later my quad Pug had knee surgery and he was on jumping restriction for 8 weeks. I put my mattress on the floor so we could all still sleep 'in bed' but if he jumped it wouldn't be far. Honestly I don't know why I didn't think of that for Mag...
Another consideration for the bed on the floor idea- I've seen several cat posts saying to be sure and block off access to under beds or anywhere a cat could get that would be hard to get them out.
I still have small dogs and one is a rear amp Tri, I have steps or stools near all the furniture they are allowed to access. I know some cat parents have done the same so their cats can access their favorite areas after they have healed up.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls and Boy
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
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