Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Our cat Henry had his front right leg amputated last Tuesday due to osteosarcoma. He seemed ok Wednesday night when we brought him home and during Thursday. He went to the vet on Friday to get his drain out and the vet thought had scratched his Fentynl patch off on Wednesday night. I thought he was in pain on Thursday night (head up but eyes closed and excessive licking on the other leg) so the vet put another one on late Friday night. It irritlated him immensely (to the extent my husband and I were up all night trying to stop him scratch it off) and by Saturday morning despite our best efforts he'd kicked it off again. So we took him again back to the vet lunchtime on Saturday. He's now having a drug which I pop into his check 2-3 times a day which is a lot easier for us all and j believe it's working. However, since we got home from the vet yesterday he's been lying in our spare bathtub asleep. That's now a day and a half ago and apart from when we pulled him out for a while this afternoon he's still there. He occasionally comes out for food/to go to the toilet which is in the bathroom. He seems afraid of us and I'm worried about him, as retreating is quite out of character for him. Is this quite a normal thing on day 5? Should I be worried? Thanks everyone!
Hi Henry and family, welcome to the club nopawdy wants to join. I'm sorry to hear about the diagnosis but did you know we have other osteo kitties here too, like Jill the Cat? I know she'll chime in soon. Osteo is super rare in cats but we've had at least 3 others here join us who had the same type of cancer. Be sure to check out all of our other kitty bloggers too!
Cats are especially sensitive to pain medications and I know you must be worried. What kind of pain meds is he on right now?
Pain meds make both dogs and cats feel crappy and dopey. They see pink elephants! For the most part the reactions you are experiencing are pretty normal, and if he's getting up and eating, going to the bathroom that's a GREAT sign! He's on the road to recovery, and sleeping and resting, which is what you want. You don't want him in pain and up all the time.
The reluctance and timidness he's showing is probably another side effect of the pain meds. Once he's off them you're going to see his sparkle come back! But if you're at all concerned don't hesitate to call your vet OK? It's better to have another opinion that can ease your worries.
Stay tuned for more feedback, and thanks again for joining us!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome to the family. My Smore is a front leg amputee as well, but she lost her left.
You have to remember that medicines do make animals and people different. Not to mention, many cats when they are feeling ill choose to hide because they are both predator and prey. I wouldn't be worried because Henry is still eating and usimg the bathroom. Losing a leg is major surgery and every cat hops back at their own pace. I know several of the kitty bloggers mentioned their cats chose to hide and wanted nothing to do with their humans. It's how they cope with feeling badly. Of course, my kitty chose to cope by laying in my lap, but she was a different case in many regards (stray, already hurt, found by me and bonded quickly to me, and very young).
This first stage of recovery is daunting. I know I second guessed myself all the time, even though she bounced back fast. Henry will bounce back too, and you'll be amazed at how well he does. You've found the best support group for this. Hugs to you and Henry!
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!
Come on Henry, nothing to fear, your humans are taking good care of you!
As others have said, this is indeed a daunting esperience...especially while on drugs. I do know from others' experiences that hiding and being timid seems to happen for many kitties. Smore seems to be the exception!
I think tripawd lotty Jill and tripawd kitty Mona experienced the same hiding routine. Pain ...along with pain meds...can cause a lot of wackiness sometimes.. woozy too. They'll chime in later. I think the pain med most of their kitties had started with a "b". I know...really helpful, huh?
Dog Shelby stayed in the bathrrom on a purple rug and wouldn't come out for days and days!!
Double check with your vet of course. But going to potty and eating, all really good signs!! Patience is really hard during the first two weeks, but it WILL.pay off!
Deep breaths...sleep when you can and stay connected to us! You are not alone!!
Looking forward to your updates when you can...and pictures too! We love pictures!!
((((((((((((((((((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!
Yes, Sally is right, the pain med that Mona was on was Buprenex, which is morphine for cats. Mona was nutty on it and peed everywhere except her litter box. If not sleeping she was racing around the house. She even escaped from the house 3 days after her operation and I didn't find her for over 24 hrs. She liked to sleep in a closet under a shelf where I made a bed for her. In retrospect I loved her sleeping, at least I knew where she was. She became much better on Medacam. Jerry's right about the side effects so just phone the vet if there's any concerns.
I'm not sure what the normal is for cats. As Smore's mom says they like hiding places when healing. I slept and worked in the same room with Mona when she was recovering and she would come out of the closet to cuddle up with me. I think they are looking to feel secure.
I don't think there's anything to worry about. He's sleeping which gives him a chance to heal. Things start looking a lot brighter every day and when the stitches are out you'll start seeing rapid recovery then. I think it's a great idea to take him out of the room for cuddle time as you've done. Henry might want to go back so just take the cues from him.
All the best in his recovery. Eating and using the litter is can be the biggest challenge and Henry's doing great in that respect.
Kerren and Tripawd Mona
Hi everyone,
Thanks so much for your words of encouragement, it has been really helpful!
Last night we had a breakthrough - we just moved him onto our bed and he slept there for quite a while. He eventually hopped back in his bath but then got out again when he heard his dinner being served downstairs, and with a bit of coaxing, he walked down the stairs and ate down there! When he went back upstairs, he didn't go straight back into the bath. He did sleep in the bath again overnight but was up eating and wandering a slight bit this morning. So I think we have progress which is great.
He's been taking temgesic....and since he's been on that he hasn't actually done a number one! He's been eating furiously and we've been trying to encourage him to drink to bring on such number one's lol. No success as yet. It's been almost 2 days now, but hopefully he will go today. I know not to expect any number 2's for a while...the vet told us not to be too worried.
Has anyone had experience with their cat on this drug and them not doing number one's? If he hasn't gone today I will definitely be in touch with the vet.
My lovely mother in law is minding him at home today so my husband and I could go to work. She sent me an update this morning (as of course I am going to worry about him ALL day!) and said he'd put himself in our bedroom (and not back in the bath!!) and gone to sleep which is great news.
I will keep you updated as to his progress and will try change my profile picture to a picture of Henry 
Thank you so much again!
Gosh! A lot of lottle victories! YAAAAAAAAAY FOR HENRY! Glad you're seeing little bits and pieces of normalcy seeping back in!
And yeah, stay on top of the pee situation, and I know you already are. Perhaps Kerren is familiar with that drug. Don't know if "pee issues" are a side effect.
We're all looking forward to doing the HAPPY PEE DANCE" with Henry!!
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!
Hello! sorry I am just getting on here to post now!
My kitty is Jill - she had her leg amputated (oh gosh i just realized today is her ampuversary!) 28 months ago, also for osteosarcoma. She is now doing great!
It seems (from google) that temgesic is the same as buprenex, that's what most kitties are given after their amputations, since they can't have nsaids. Jill did very well on it. I am sure Henry is just adjusting to his new "lifestyle". The bathroom tile might actually feel cool on his little boo-boo so that may be why he's spending lots of time in there?
Jill's recovery was actually pretty smooth - shes a very clingy cat and always wanted to be just right next to me but I have heard from a LOT of kitty owners whose cats hid for a while after their amputation. It's very very normal!!
It is a little odd that he hasn't gone number 1 yet....but if you said hes not having a lot of water that could be it? I would call your vet and ask about that. It's DEFINITELY normal that he hasn't gone number 2 yet!
Keep us posted and get well soon Henry!
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
Are you feeding Henry dry or wet food? Because they get so much moisture from wet food they tend not to drink much water but should be peeing. My vet put her on wet kitten food and she LOVED it.
My vet took Mona home to his house after the operation. He said she used the litter box but when I got her home she would not use her litter box because I changed the litter to dust-free Yesterday's News or perhaps it had something to do with the drugs she was on. Did you change Henry's litter? If so, that may be why he's not using the litter box. Could he have a secret spot to pee in? Mona peed in the back of my desk drawer and other creative places. Ahem.... I finally tossed out the Yesterday's News and replaced it with the dirty litter out of the garbage and she used the litter box. Hard to believe that she's usually a very sweet cat.
I'm happy to hear Henry is sleeping on your bed. Now if he would just pee... The vet could help with that.
Kerren and Tripawd Mona
Henry still hasn't done a wee today so I'm getting in touch with our vet for them to see him tonight. I just don't want to leave it too long - I would hate something bad to happen. I suspect it's the medication, as it directly coincides with when he stopped peeing.
I would actually be stoked if he peed on my furniture right now as horrible as that sounds lol!
He has one teaspoon of wet food per day, plus dry food throughout the day. He's been eating plenty of dry food, and occasionally drinking - though he's needed some encouragement to drink.
Thank you again for the helpful hints - I will let you know how we go. I must admit I am personally really stressing out. Every time something happens I immediately worry that something terrible is going to happen. I am just struggling with this whole process and knowing what is best and right for him. It's like 2 steps forward, 10 steps back. Perhaps I am unrealistic/unfair on him and myself about what this process was? Unfortunately I only discovered Tripawd's on Saturday, and not before his operation. Otherwise I would have perhaps been more educated as to what to expect as part of this process.
Ashley
rica55 said
Hello! sorry I am just getting on here to post now!My kitty is Jill - she had her leg amputated (oh gosh i just realized today is her ampuversary!) 28 months ago, also for osteosarcoma. She is now doing great!
It seems (from google) that temgesic is the same as buprenex, that's what most kitties are given after their amputations, since they can't have nsaids. Jill did very well on it. I am sure Henry is just adjusting to his new "lifestyle". The bathroom tile might actually feel cool on his little boo-boo so that may be why he's spending lots of time in there?
Jill's recovery was actually pretty smooth - shes a very clingy cat and always wanted to be just right next to me but I have heard from a LOT of kitty owners whose cats hid for a while after their amputation. It's very very normal!!
It is a little odd that he hasn't gone number 1 yet....but if you said hes not having a lot of water that could be it? I would call your vet and ask about that. It's DEFINITELY normal that he hasn't gone number 2 yet!
Keep us posted and get well soon Henry!
I read your blog, it is great! Looks like Jill is happy and healthy now Happy ampuversary Jill! I hope we have the same outcome for our Henry. The vet says we picked it up early and it was near his wrist which is apparently a good thing (and lung xray's were also clear!). The vet didn't even recommend chemo (I hope that is the right decision)....
I wonder if I am negative/worried about this whole process due to my Mum actually dying from cancer? I am so petrified of something happening (and weirdly enough the whole "waiting for results" etc. progress with Henry was almost identical to how I used to feel when my Mum was waiting on results).
benny55 said
Gosh! A lot of lottle victories! YAAAAAAAAAY FOR HENRY! Glad you're seeing little bits and pieces of normalcy seeping back in!And yeah, stay on top of the pee situation, and I know you already are. Perhaps Kerren is familiar with that drug. Don't know if "pee issues" are a side effect.
We're all looking forward to doing the HAPPY PEE DANCE" with Henry!!
Hugs to all!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
I will totally do a HAPPY PEE DANCE when Henry goes lol!! I did a HAPPY BATHROOM DANCE when he came out the bathroom yesterday lol!! Thank you for your kind words and support.
HAPPY LITTLE PEE DANCE!
After taking Henry to the vet, she had a feel of his bladder and said, "yep, he's fine. He's done a wee sometime!" So that is great news. Where he has done such business, is a mystery to us! He might have done a wee in the bathtub and aimed right into the hole, or even walked downstairs and used our other cat's litter while we're asleep (which is a possibility, as he has been walking up and down the stairs with no hesitation). Sneaky little bear.
He's grumpy at us again though and has popped himself back into the bathtub!
The vet did mention to us that she'd like to do some further research and speak to an oncologist about steps forward from here (she said Henry was basically the first cat she'd ever seen with osteosarcoma in her practice, and she works for a cat-only vet!). I was slightly taken aback at this, as the surgeon and vet at their associate surgery (where Henry had his operation) basically told us chemo was not required (after I questioned them 2-3 times on it) and that this will be a 80-90% chance of cure. Our usual vet tonight didn't seem convinced by this though and said she'd like to check. It's horrible to think he has to go through something more, but I am all for it if it means he is cured and lives many, many more years.
I'm not sure whether this is off topic and I should post somewhere else, but how did your feline's with osteosarcoma go and cope with chemo? Did all of you have chemo or did some only do surgery?
How long did you leave it after amputation before you started the chemo? Is it ok for us to wait a few weeks? I just know how aggressive some cancers are 
Thank you again for your support!
yay for pee!!!
OK, so here's the deal with the kitties and osteosarcoma...it is very very rare, Jill was my vet's first kitty ever with OSA as well. Typically chemo is not recommended for cats with OSA, since amputation alone in cats can be curative. OSA spreads much slower in cats than in dogs.
Jill's case was a little odd though. Jill's original tumor was in her toe. So she had her toe amputated first. At that point, we talked about amputation (and amputation only, no chemo per the oncologist), however we thought the margins were good enough to just leave her. However, 6 months later, I found a lump in her leg (same leg as the toe), so it had unfortunately spread. At this point, amputation and chemo was recommended. The only reason Jill had chemo was because it appeared the OSA was a bit more aggressive in her than usual. Jill did extremely well on chemo. She had four rounds total and it honestly didn't seem to affect her at all. She did have low white blood cells twice, so we had to postpone treatment, but I never would have known her WBCs were low if they hadn't done blood work.
It doesn't hurt to meet with an oncologist to go over the results once the biopsy is in just to go over the results and see what they say. I would suggest doing that to put your mind at ease. I completely understand about your Mom (and I am so sorry to hear about that!)....it's totally understandable that it can bring back memories. At this stage, it's so easy to go crazy with worry! I STILL worry!
Please let me know if you have any questions at all about Jill's case or chemo or anything!
xoxo,
Erica & Jill
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
Oh and just saw your other question....we waited about 3 weeks to start chemo.
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
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