Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Sally made a very good point that there may be something else going on from the run in with a car. Good for you following up on this.
Have you tried cold compresses? A cold pack wrapped in a towel, or even a cold facecloth, can reduce inflammation and is soothing. When I used a cold wet facecloth on Mona's surgery site she would melt and then start grooming herself.
Your vet is a bit annoying in my opinion. It would have been good to know what happened during surgery. My vet did mention to me after Mona woke up after the surgery her heart rate increased (they had her on a heart monitor) so they assumed it was from pain and gave her more meds. The vet took her home with him that night to monitor her. What the vets can do with the monitors, IV drugs, their experience, etc is very different than what we can do at home. We are excited and somewhat anxious to pick up our pet. Generally we go in, pay the hefty bill, may have a conversation with the vet, then they present our pet to us loaded up on drugs, sweet as heck, then we take them home. We have no clue how to monitor the pain, how to keep the cat comfortable. I couldn't even open up the med bottle! The vets do not have our experience of lacking the knowledge, experience, language or equipment. All we have is the love for our pet.
It's obvious you love Mr Darcey very much. And yes, there are animal rehab clinics in the UK! There was a blog of a cat doing hydrotherapy: http://dreve.tr.....pawds.com/
It may be too soon to do something like hydrotherapy until the "episodes" are dealt with. I'm sure you can find a vet who does chiropractic, massage or acupuncture to give some relief. At the very least you can get a second opinion of what is happening to your cat.
I hope things improve soon. You have my sympathies.
Kerren and Trikitty Mona
And a second opinion sounds like a GREAT idea! Even if it's just a regular vet for now! The fact that she just now....just n ow...mentioned he had a reaction to the anesthesia? Yeah, I can certainly understand why y our confidence is shaken! Even IF it is some sort of "stroke" thing, I bet a Rehab specialist can definitely help with that.
And remember, these episodes are "just a blink of an eye" in Mr. Darcey's day in snd day out routine. He IS enjoying his life and soaking up all the loving and spoiling ! He's not worrying about if another episode happens...he's just loving in the moment.
Hang in there! Try to stay positive, upbeat and confident...that kind of energy transfers to Mr. Darcey. He's a happy boy just being with his humans!
We'd love pictures!! HINT!!
Love to all!
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 guys ..so good to hear from you lifting my spirits with your positive comments.
The video Kazann attached is very, very, similar to what Mr Darcey does and what I refer to as his 'episodes'. However he is very capable of walking, running, jumping and has no problem going up or coming down stairs though, so I guess he is doing well in that respect and does not have these episodes all day.
The stitched area looks very good today and although he is so fed up with the e-collar it is doing it's job but I do allow him 1 hour in the morning without it on but sit very close to him and watch him like a hawk so that he does not touch the stitches. And I take it off when he feeds and again allow about an hour, or so in the evenings so that he can wash his face and feel like a normal cat. It does rather restrict me but I love him to bits and I actually love just looking at him ... I will post some photos when I get a moment.
Will try the cold compress as that sounds like a good idea for relief and researching other vets now and rehab places. I have seen Fitzpatricks on TV and like the look of them but want to make sure I go to the right place when the time is right. also like the look of the Farabloc blanket but seems it is not easy to obtain from the UK.
Loads of thanks to you all ...not sure what I would do without you 
tracie121 said
also like the look of the Farabloc blanket but seems it is not easy to obtain from the UK.
It's not a problem Tracie, we ship them worldwide via the Tripawds Gear blog store.
We can't wait to see photos.
Each day your outlook sounds better and better, here's to many good days ahead with you and Mr. Darcey. I hope he has a good, peaceful weekend.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hello
This is just to update you all on Mr Darcey's progress.
I took him to the vets this morning to have his stitches removed (although he had already removed a couple himself!). The wound area is looking good, just a slight pink patch where he was able to get at it when he got his collar off!!! So unfortunately he will still have to wear the collar for a little while yet (with times of reprieve when I can watch him).
The strange 'episodes' are still occurring but yesterday there were none at all which must have been a relief for him.
I have now come across a lady who has had exactly the same experience with her cat and 6 months down the line he stopped having the episodes and one year later he is fully recovered. My Vet has said it is not neurological which is good to hear and the fact that he does not hide away from us would imply that this is more of a behavioural issue. She feels he is trying to do something that he has always done (probably walking backwards) and is frustrated that he can no longer do it. She is going to discuss the case with other vets who specialise in this area but is confident that it will pass.
I have also come across a few more videos online of cats doing the same thing post amputation and my partner has posted one of Darcey having an episode in the hope that it might help others. will ask my partner to help with photos and video attachments to another post as I am not very technical!
So all in all I am a lot happier but obviously still a little way to go yet.
Best wishes and thanks to all for your support.
Love this update!
Yes we want to see those videos, any research you can post here would be fantastic. Thank you.
Give Mr. D a big ol' ear scratch from us!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Well all in all, a very positive update!
I jnow it jas ro be reassuring to know it is probably behavioural and will subside. You've always thought it may be related to him trying to walk backwards...good insight!
Sounds like he is well on the road ro recovery now. You're a good team!
Hugs to all!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
I am a TERRIBLE support system to the tripawd kitty pawrents around here...I have been so absent as of late and I so apologize for this....I apologize, because I probably could have been of some help 🙁
A LOT of cat rear tripawds have something called a "backwards" walk for days-months after amputation....it can be quite normal from what I hear...I did a lot of reading before Jill's amputation and I was over prepared for her to do it and she never did...but here's a video...is what your kitty doing similiar to this?
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
JIIIIIIILL!!! OMC!!!! Yes! You are a terrific resource for our kitty cat contingent!!!
Kitty Mona has been carrying the load pretty much all by herself...and doing a wonderful job (and with a great wit too)! But having TWO valued kitty esperts is even better! Do NOT be gone so long! We miss you!
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!
i know i know im sooo sorry work is so friggin crazy i have barely been able to check in, but I think about you guys all the time, PROMISE!
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
Not terrible at all Erica, don't be silly! Thanks for taking time from your craaaaaazy day to chime in!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Jill
Thank you so much for getting in touch ...that is exactly what Darcey does ..only sometimes it seems more violently!
I'm not sure whether our vet or vets in general don't tell owners about this or show them a video before the amputation incase it changes their decision but it would have saved me a lot of worry and anguish if I had know what to expect and not just thought 'my god what have they done to him' ...and then blamed myself for the decision.
He has a lot of days now when I don't see this behaviour, which is great but of course leads me into a false sense of security where I think 'that's it now, no more'. He had a particularly long one the other night (on and off almost 10 minutes) and try as I might to do all that I had learned and that had worked in the past, I couldn't seem to get him to move forward. Heart breaking!
To complicate the healing process he has had to wear an e-collar for a long time because of a second procedure and the fact that he would have worried the wound area. He is still wearing it 7 weeks down the line but I take it off every morning for about an hour before I head off for work so that he can have a break and I come back at lunchtime too. The evenings are the best as I can take it off when I come in at 5pm and then leave it off all evening but it does mean that I have to watch him constantly, which is very tiring. Last night I let him out in the back garden with me and he was so happy and later he slept on the back of the sofa, without his collar, for almost 2 hours ....I couldn't wake him up to put the collar back on as he looked so cosy ...hence I went to bed very late and as a result am a bit weary this morning ...but it was worth it.
I am very grateful for you getting in touch as I have trawled the internet searching for videos of cats doing this behaviour and they are few and far between. what is good is that it seems that this behaviour does eventually stop, even if it can sometimes take up to 6 months ...so there is always hope!
Oops, now I'm late for work ...oh dear!
Many, many, thanks xx
I'm glad you found comfort. I'm sure Mr Darcy will go longer and longer without episodes. He is very lucky to have you. Wish I could see some pictures or videos of him!
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!
SMORE! Yet another invaluable and inspiratioanl kitty!
DARCEY! You ARE improving! YAAAAAAAAAY FOR DARCEY!! And YAAAAAAAAAY FOR MOM!!
You are a devoted and loving Mom! Darcey is soooo loved!
So glad Jill posted that vide (I wasn't able to see it on my tavlet) as I know it brought you some much needed reassurance.
Gosh, how much longer does she have to wear that cone? Its WONDERFUL that you are able to give her breaks from it. It must be so annoying...to both of you!
Keel on keeping on Darcey! We are all cheering for you!!
Lots of hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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 everyone for your continued support ...
At long last I have managed (hopefully) to attach a video of Mr Darcey during one of his 'episodes'. This was a few weeks ago now and probably one of his worst ones ... thankfully we have not seen so many of them now.
The wound site is looking really great now but the moment he knows I am not watching him 100% he will try to lick it and we need the fur to grow back a bit more so that he cannot damage the scar tissue whilst it heals ...we will both be so relieved when he no longer has to wear that awful collar ...there may even be a ceremonial burning of it !!! 
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