Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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It's been almost a year since I've posted (although I'd visited), but wanted to thank everyone who took the time to give me advice on what I was experiencing when my older adult cat needed an amputation of his scapula and front right leg. Jerry celebrated his 2nd Ampuversary this past June, but sadly in October, I came home from work one afternoon to find he had gone blind (according to vet) and he was "drunk walking," then falling over. Took him in of course, they drew blood and suspected toxoplasmosis infection. He had lesions on his retinas as well. Jerry did not make it through the weekend for the test results to come back on Monday/Tuesday. He had stopped eating, drinking, and had multiple seizures that were so traumatic for me to witness, let alone for him to have. He passed after such suffering over that weekend. I miss him terribly. He died on October 9. He lived a wonderful life for 16 years and was so beloved. I cannot even entertain adopting another cat right now - such huge paws to fill.
The main reason for stopping in, is again, to say thanks to those who were so helpful to me with all his issues after surgery. But I also want to encourage anyone who is perusing this forum and wondering about amputation should your vet recommend it. I was given about 5 minutes to make the decision over the phone when I received Jerry's diagnosis. It was either that or euthanasia. At the time Jerry was 14 years old. The vet assured me the amputation would take care of the chondrosarcoma issue as it hadn't yet spread. We opted for the amputation and were SO happy we did. It was the right choice for our cat and our family. Jerry lived over two years after the surgery. He could run, jump, and play just as he had before. We were gifted with two more years of his companionship because of the amputation.
This is a great place to learn from others who are experiencing the same types of struggles and questions. I am glad I found this forum in 2015 and hope Jerry's success story helps - even if it is just one person.
Thanks again,
Hattie and Jerry Cat
Hugs,
Hattie and Jerry Cat (right front leg and scapula amputation due to chondrosarcoma at age 14, lived 2 1/2 years post amputation, succumbed suddenly to suspected lymphoma at age 16)
10/2001 - 10/9/2017 R.I.P ~ Love you always
Hattie I am so very sorry to hear this. That sudden onset of the toxoplasmosis must have been so traumatic for all of you. Poor Jerry! In the end you did the best you could for him and let him go so he didn't suffer and went in peace with his favorite people by his side. I'm so sorry for your loss.
Thank you for returning to let us know, and for your kind words about the community. It's stories like yours that inspire us to continue making Tripawds a place where people can turn to in one of the scariest times of their life. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness.
Meanwhile we still want to feature Jerry in Tripawd Tuesday (I'm pretty sure we haven't yet right?). If you'd like to Private Message me a few paragraphs and photos I'd be happy to run his story so it can be one more inspirational post that will help someone else some day when they are faced with the amputation decision. Let me know if you'd like any help submitting his story.
What a sweet angel kitty.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
What a beautiful boy! I'm so sorry that you lost Jerry 
But glad that you were able to spend 2 more wonderful, happy years with him! Thank you for sharing him with us.
Hugs from us!
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
Hattie, both you and Jerry are a great inspiration to the tripawd community. Jerry for being an senior kitty rebounding and enjoying life as a tripawd. And you, for your hard work and determination to help Jerry heal. I've used you and Jerry as an example when people are concerned their cats are too old for an amputation.
I'm happy to hear Jerry had two more years of running, playing and giving you his love. I'm sad to hear of his sudden passing.
My condolences. I'm sure you have many fond memories and those will replace the pain of your loss.
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
Hi sweet friend 🌺
I didn't know about your lovely Jerry and am really sorry to hear he earned his little silver wings 🕊
He is an Angel, your sweet boy, and is now flying from cloud to cloud with his new friends 😻😻😻
My Angel cats, Punkie, Marta, Nancy and Tiramisu were there to welcome him, I am sure they will all be there to welcome my cat Romeu who does not have long to live but could not be more loved by our family.
That is all we can do, love them, give them but happy days and do anything and everything in our power to help them when they are ill ...
Jerry had a wonderful life and the most wonderful Mom too 💗
Time will ease your pain and Jerry will send you another sweet ball of fur when the moment is right 😻
Sending you a huge hug, sweetie, you can be sure Jerry is right next to you meowing softly "I love you Mom" you may think it's the breeze but no ... it is your baby boy 💕😻💕
😘🐮💫✨🌟🌹
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
Thanks for the kind words, everyone. I would come to the forums when I could and read from time to time, but my two older pets kept me busy this past year. Jerry Cat's little Pug sister was 12 this summer, and developed DM and lost control of her bowels and ability to walk. She passed in June, and then Jerry all of a sudden in October. I have one dog left and just hope he stays healthy :-/
The vet ended up calling me a few days after Jerry died, and told me the toxo test came back negative. I don't know a whole lot about toxoplasmosis, but didn't understand how he could have contracted it anyway, since he never ever went outside? Vet gave his best estimation that it was a fast spreading lymphoma or brain tumor that he succumbed to within a weekend. Cat seizures are no joke. The most traumatic thing I've witnessed a pet go through.
I have some guilt because he suffered so much over the weekend. He was such a tough old man kitty. It was very hard to see him like that.
I truly am grateful for the help I received here.
I'd be honored to have Jerry Cat on Tripawd Tuesday. I'll send you a PM. Thanks for the offer; it will mean a lot to me.
Thanks again,
Hattie
Hugs,
Hattie and Jerry Cat (right front leg and scapula amputation due to chondrosarcoma at age 14, lived 2 1/2 years post amputation, succumbed suddenly to suspected lymphoma at age 16)
10/2001 - 10/9/2017 R.I.P ~ Love you always
Aww thanks Hattie, I see you messaged me. Will hop over and check it out.
I don't know anything about toxoplasmosis either, I've only heard of it. I'm so sorry that you and sweet Jerry had to endure the seizures, how heartbreaking. But please know that you did your absolute best for him, none of it is your fault. However much he went through during those last few days are a minor blip in time compared to the good life you gave him overall.
Thanks for sharing his story, I can't wait to check it out.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Dear sweet Hattie, I'm just now reading this and it certainly wasn't what I was expecting. You already knkw you are surrounded by people who understand the depth of your love and devotion. We also understand the depth of your grief and how much the void hurts. And then to have lost your sweet Pug just a few mo ths before. I'm so sorry. I know Pug was there to welcome Jerry when he got to the Bridge. You now habe two Guardians watching over you and protecting you.
An acquaintance to has seizures says that there is no fear, no nothing, no pain while they are happening. And afterwards, still no fear, perhaps some confusion and exhaustion, but no vear or pain. So what you were seeing as they were happening, is not an indu of what Jerry was feeling. I wanted to share that with you.
As Rene said, hiwnhe passed was just a blip compared to the thousands of halpy times you and Jerry shared for SIXTEEN YEARS!! 🙂
Jerry definitely has made an eternal impact here with all of us. He beat the odds for over two years and he did it as a SENIOR!! 🙂 He was @oved and cared for every second of every day and could not have picked a better hooman to travel by his side while in his earth clothes.
We all look forward to seeing thepis little miracle kitty highlighted on Trilawd Tuesday! I'm so thankful for the privilege of getting to know Jerry Cat. I remember thinking when his jkur ey first started how hopeful I was that he would "do well".''He far exceeded "doing well"! 🙂
STAY CONNECTED and let js know when Jerry "connects" with you. He will. He'll make his presence known.
Love and hugs
Sally and My Chunky Spiritual Being Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie
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 Sally. I have to tell you that a few weeks after he passed, I was cooking in the kitchen and could SWEAR I saw Jerry darting across the kitchen around the corner. It was pretty freaky. Our house is so quiet and just plain weird. We went from three pets to just one in four months. Our Boxer is 6 1/2, and doing ok health wise (knock on wood), but it's very obvious he misses his companions too.
Once again, you guys have gone out of your way to extend your well wishes. I really appreciate it and am grateful! I sent in my Tripawd Tuesday info so maybe we will see Jerry Cat featured soon.
Hugs,
Hattie
Hugs,
Hattie and Jerry Cat (right front leg and scapula amputation due to chondrosarcoma at age 14, lived 2 1/2 years post amputation, succumbed suddenly to suspected lymphoma at age 16)
10/2001 - 10/9/2017 R.I.P ~ Love you always
I'm sorry to read about Jerry- so hard when the end is so traumatic, such a helpless feeling. You gave your boy a chance with the amputation and he lived large for those additional years!
I'm also sorry to hear about you losing your Pug girl too!
When my Tri-Pug Maggie crossed the bridge it was sooooo quiet at home even though her little sis Tani was still there. Tani really missed her big sister too.
And I wanted to second what Sally said about seizures. One of Tani's challenges was hydrocephalus which led to epilepsy and seizures for most of her life. While scary to witness our neurologist said there was not pain involved, and I have to say that once I had seen a couple of her seizures it did not seem like there was pain- she was so out of it.
I'll be looking for Jerry's Tripawd Tuesday story.
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
So glad you got a "visual" of. Jerry Cat still hanging around!!! 🙂 🙂 Don't dismiss what you saw....jist say "hello Jerry"! 
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 Karen,
I have to believe that the seizures looked far worse than what he was actually feeling or I'll never forgive myself.
I am going to a foster home today to meet a female cat that needs a home. I made it really clear to the rescue group that I might not be ready and just want to see what it feels like to be around a cat other than Jerry. I didn't think I'd ever want another cat, but this house is too darn quiet!!!!!!
Hattie
Hugs,
Hattie and Jerry Cat (right front leg and scapula amputation due to chondrosarcoma at age 14, lived 2 1/2 years post amputation, succumbed suddenly to suspected lymphoma at age 16)
10/2001 - 10/9/2017 R.I.P ~ Love you always
Good morning Sally,
I think about Jerry and my Pug, Kiki, all the time. I hope they are together and watching over us! I welcome any "visits" too 😉
Thanks,
Hattie
Hugs,
Hattie and Jerry Cat (right front leg and scapula amputation due to chondrosarcoma at age 14, lived 2 1/2 years post amputation, succumbed suddenly to suspected lymphoma at age 16)
10/2001 - 10/9/2017 R.I.P ~ Love you always
Ohhhhh boy! 'Cannot wait to see what Jerry has in store for you! Yeah, yeah, JUST a foster....for now anyway! 🙂 🙂
Update when you can...with pictures!
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!
💕💕😻💕💕
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
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