Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Well, this week has sucked. Tomorrow is the big day. Harry (who is actually not a baby, but a middle-aged chap) will have his front right leg removed while I sit at home and worry.
Any tips for how I should prepare our home? Budget tips especially appreciated. We're in a two bed, two bath apartment with hardwood floors, if that makes a difference. I've already made some flat, easy access, hiding places for him in closet corners...
Ahhhh...the bliss of "Being Cat"! Harry isn't worried about a thing!
Remember you are doing this FOR Harry, and not TO him! Recovery is no picnic for a bit, so stay connected here for support. We've all been through and we can all tell you Harry will get his sparkle back bigger and vrighter than before!
Our kitty contingent will chie in, but I know many make a kind of a "safe hiding place" where they can recover. I knoohers can give you a lot of tips on how to help them get used to using the litter box on three legs. That can be a bit tricky but they soon figure it out.
If you can put non slip scatter rugs down for traction that will be helpful for Harry.
TRY and get some rest. This is very intense getting to this point and the worrying can take its toll physically and emotionally.
Is Harry spending the night at the Vet's? That's a perfect time to try and get some rest.
The only ither advice is indulge in as much chocolate as you can!!!
Sending lots of 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!
Thank you!
Harry's not spending the night. He's coming home same day. I'm glad it's a long weekend (Canadian Thanksgivg is Monday) so we'll have three full days to see how things are going to go. I have stocked up on stress-eating supplies already 😛
I have a few area rugs. His favourite place since our last vet visit (Maybe the drugs?) has become the rug by the door. He's there pretty much all day except at night when he's on my bed. It's funny becuse that's one of his spots at my parents' house when we visit, and its their old rug...maybe he's seeking familiar comfort (or I'm reading too much into it!).
Is it better to have options and leave the place as usual or should I try to set up a specific, enclosedish area with everything close at hand for him? He has never in his life had a litter accident (not counting a misguided attempt to human toilet train him whe he was brand new) and is very fastidious, but I'm prepared for that to change. I've already transferred his litter into his smaller 'travel' (for long car rides) litter box which has a lower lip but is still a step.....I'm considering using letter filing box lids if he needs something even easier to get into...
I appreciate the reminder that he's not worrying. I think he must be confused though...and sad....about my continually drugging him, and being in pain for so long 
I'm gonna try and find you some more kitty links, but here's one discussing litter box "issues".
http://tripawds.....liter-box/
Yeah, I think the rug may be a comfy thing.
Bringing Harry home the same day as surgery .ay be aa little rough... .moreso for you than Harry. He'll probably be a bit whacky because of the hospital meds. He may not have much of an appetite at first.
Okay...gonna go search some more and see what I can find.
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!
Thank you! I admit that I was surprised when they said he would come home same day...but I hate thinking of him in a clinical cage in a strage place so I'm glad despite being wary.
Here's a link to Mona's blog that is chock full of info. Si ce I know you aren't going to go to sleep tonight, it makes for good reading!
I know itsq a Canadian holiday, so make sure the vet gives you good discharge for and a contact number. Make sure you have plenty of pain meds.
I may have already asked. Most cat members are given Bup.....okay......can't remember the name again but the vet will know what it is. Nust thinking maybe Harry won't be as whacked out on it as he is Tram.
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!
Thank you, yet again!
I think buprenorphine or something like that? It's mentioned by someone on my other thread. I'll definitely spend some time reading tonight.
Yes that's the medicine we used.
I would add the places to hide but I wouldn't change too many of his surroundings just because cats like familiarity and routine. If you're worried about him getting into the tough to reach places and want to keep a door closed, that's fine too. Because he's a front amp getting up and over things will be easier. Landing is the rough part.
He'll probably have a bandage but Smore's didn't stay on well. I mention this only because seeing the suture site was not something I planned on seeing and it was tough to see at first.
I kept cone on for a bit but found it made her have more trouble maneuvering. I believe you said you had a onesie ready? Even if you have a cone, I'd recommend it only because it made me feel better about not getting stitches messed up which I think you were worried about. She stumbled in her box but shirt kept it from contacting litter.
All cats handle injury differently. Smore preferred being in my lap rather than hiding so there's a chance Harry might not hide. Not sure how he's handled things before so you might know how he is when he isn't feeling well.
You made it sound like he's a mellow cat who doesn't mind laying around all day which is good I'm this case. It was hard keeping a kitten calm, lol.
My guess though since he's already been limping on and off is that he'll get through recovery faster than those who lose it suddenly.
It will take a couple days I think it was before he'll poop just FYI because of meds.
Take a deep breath! You and Harry are going to get through this and share all sorts of happy adventures together!!
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!
Sally had some great suggestions. I don't have much to add other than to make sure Harry can't hide in places that you can't reach him, such as under a bed. I have a spare room that Mona stayed in and she slept on a mat under a shelf in the closet. I could slide the mat out when I wanted to reach her.
You can expect Harry to sleep a lot the first day or so. The vet will advise you on what to do if there is a drain.
Harry will likely have some bruising so don't be alarmed. I bought baby facecloths and Mona liked when I cleaned her with a damp cloth. Of course she still liked being brushed.
I think it's good to act as "normal" as possible around Harry. I would get on with my day and checked in on Mona regularly and she was generally sleeping. I did sleep in the same room and my other cat would join us. It all becomes a lot easier when the stitches are out.
Please take some photos so we can see more of that handsome fella.
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
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