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.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
just found this site and it's a wealth of information for us. Our couch Charlie 11 years old sustain a pretty bad dog bite and dislocated his left shoulder it was put back and casted but he dislocated it again under the hospitals care. So far he's hobling around on three legs for short distances but today he hobbled the entire length of the living room and managed to make it down the stairs before I could stop him!! We have an upcoming visit on Weds to take sutures out. Amputation was mentioned but not full discussed and we will know more on Wednesday but I'm thinking that amputation will be suggested. what are the pros and cons of this? Can he hobble around on 3 legs and let the L front leg dangle? I'm worried about a lengthy recovery in our advanced age cat! Thanks!!
Welcome to Tripawds, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
I'm sorry to hear about Charlie. I don't have a cat, but from what I've learned here cats do quite well on three, even better than dogs some say. If the leg is not working at all then I would think removing it would be better in the long run. Is 11 old for a cat? How is Charlie's health otherwise?
There should be some cat members by soon to give their input.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Awww, poor Charlie. It's just not fair that a dog gets to do that to a cat.
My kitty Mona had her front leg amputated 18 months ago and she's doing great. In fact, she was racing around the house the day after her surgery because she was wacko from the drugs. It's best they sleep as much as possible during recovery. Mona can easily jump up and I've strategically placed boxes and chairs for her to climb down rather than taking large flying leaps. Landing on one leg can add too much stress to the joints.
Pros of amputation: the pain is gone. Cons: its more work to walk, more of a hop. Running is no problem but it probably wears them out faster than when on 4 legs.
Your vet/surgeon could help you determine if Charlie is a good candidate for amputation. If Charlie is healthy and joints are generally in good condition then 11 years old isn't too old for amputation. There has been cats here older than 11 when they had their amputation. Remember surgery is always risky for any cat but I believe the anesthetics are better these days.
As for leaving Charlie's leg dangling... Sorry, I can't help you with that. I would think it would be in the way. Cats can recovery quickly, although some do it fussily, from the surgery. The biggest challenge with recovery can include: getting the cat to eat; using the litter; managing pain meds; protecting the surgical incision; monitoring/controlling activity. They really are very resilient and do adapt well.
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
Geez Charlie! I know this can't feel very good!
You've gotten great advice from one of our Champion tripawd cats, Mona, and her mom Kerren.
Just wanted to lend my support and send a cyber hug. I will add that I would thing a "da gling" leg would make him a prime candidate for scrapes, cuts, infections, etc. Of course, yoir vet will advise you about that.
Looking forward to hearing more about Charlie when you have time.
Sending (((((((((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!
Charlie is hanging in there- moving around more and compensating nicely. I feel badly bc he seems to realize that he cant use his left front side but still tries to such as when burying waste in the litter box :-/ Hes not eating great but we hope this will get better with time. I really appreciate all the support will have more info on Weds when we see the vet.
1 Guest(s)
