Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I'm so tired.
I am so, so tired.
Murphy, our beloved Maine Coon, is still struggling. Still.
His gait hasn't gotten better since his rear leg amputation on August 6th. He stumbles, he falls, he cannot walk without assistance. He sleeps all day, getting up only to eat, drink and use the box. It is clear that he is in an extreme amount of pain when he first stands up after laying down/sleeping. He walks straight for a few moments and then falls backwards. He yowls, he bites me. The only way for him to walk the right way is for me to gently put my hand on his side. I don't apply pressure, I just walk with him. It's like he needs balance. He'll take three steps with his front paws before trying to take one with his back paw. We have waited so, so long for him to improve... He has not.
The reason we spent the money on him--and I currently am a full-time college student living with her parents in a one-income household--was so that he could be out of pain. The little bit of pain he felt when he had the tumor on his back leg is NOTHING compared to this. I spent 500 damn dollars of my precious little money to torture my cat, who I love so so SO much. More than anything. Everyone, everywhere, has told us that he will "get it" and learn to walk again and I want to scream. Clearly, something is wrong. Someone screwed up or SOMETHING.
The area where his back leg used to connect twitches when he is in pain. It spasms. I touched the area today for the first time, kind of gently massaged around it to try to see if I could feel something that would explain this torture. Turns out that there is a small mass of soft tissue on the amputation site. Is this what is hurting my baby?
This whole thing has been a nightmare. Everyone else's cat seems to just GET IT and IMPROVE and my cat isn't! My cat, who we got at the age of around 5 from a vet. Who had been left there for months, his old owner just dropping him off and abandoning him, who we were told was around an abusive couple and hated yelling, who has been my constant loving companion for five years, who needs attention because he's afraid we'll leave him, cannot walk because of me.
What the hell do I do next? We had him on Glycoflex, the really hardcore one, for a month. Didn't do anything. We are pretty strapped for cash right now. I just don't. Know. What. To. Do. Why did every vet we talked to lie to us and tell us that he would get it instantly??? Why did no one ever say to us, "there is a chance that this will hurt him more"? Why did I go through with this???
Please help me... Is a small, soft, movable mass at the amputation site normal scar tissue, or does it indicate that the cancer is back? Is it normal for the hip to twitch where the leg used to be, or is that bad? Does phantom limb do this????
Hello Goddess of Typos 🙂
I'm so sorry that your Murphy is struggling. Every animal is different and your baby is surely having some trouble adjusting. I am speaking from a "dog mom" perspective, but I'm sure some things are universal, so here are my "insights" on this.
Twitching. YES. My dog's amputation site would twitch for about the first month. She would yelp and hop up and try to "run away" from the pain ... this is apparently typical (in dogs) for phantom pain . I started gently massaging her amputation site with an open palm, just gentle pressure in a small circle, not skimming over the wound, just pressing slightly and manipulating the area. It really seemed to help. She must've heard me typing about this, because she just woke up and did this, minus the yelp - progress! - and we are almost months post amputation.
That said, if Murphy seems to be constantly in pain, you might want to ask the vet about something like Rimadyl or Gabapentin. I know Gabapentin has been shown effective for managing chronic pain in geriatric cats but Rimadyl is not the preferred NSAID (apparently others are more effective in cats). The NSAIDs are not super expensive and can often be filled for $4 as a generic in a "human" pharmacy. I know this from experience!
The soft lump under the incision is likely just scar tissue. Izzy, my 12 year old American Bulldog, has a firm ridge along her entire scarline and a harder lump where all the skin flaps meet. (Sorry for the gross terminology) Definitely keep an eye on it - if it gets bigger, check with the vet ... or if you're nervous about it, take Murphy in for a recheck. Many vets don't charge for a follow up like that after a big surgery, so ask yours if that is the policy there.
I don't know if the Tripawds foundation is still doing the PT reimbursement, but it might be worth looking into. Even if you only can take Murphy for that first visit, you could work on the suggested exercises at home to help improve his gait and balance. You did NOTHING wrong, you simply wanted to ease your baby's pain. Surgery is a big deal and just like not every person recovers the same way, not every pet does either. You clearly have Murphy's best interest at heart so don't beat yourself up over this. You made your decision out of LOVE and selflessness for your baby and that is never a mistake.
I'm sure some cat parents will wander along with more relevant advice but I thought I would chime in anyway 🙂 Keep us posted!
Momma to the world's most beautiful American Bulldog, Izzy!! Lost her front leg to OSA 9/18/15. Diagnosed w MCT in June 2016. Celebrated her 1 year ampuversary with knee surgery on 9/18/16! MCT recurrence in Dec 2016. Happy & hungry til nearly 14, earning her wings on 7/31/17.
Aww . . . I'm so sorry to hear that Murphy is still having problems. My Tripawd was a doggie, so I can't offer any insight for your kitty either. But I am here to help you with this emotional roller coaster. I'm also here to tell you that your feelings of anger, frustration and guilt are all normal. Why wouldn't you be upset after watching your sweet Murphy suffer.
The hub-a-dub and I were having a conversation the other night whilst celebrating our Harmony's 1 year angelversary. She only lived 11 days after amputation which left us with huge emotional baggage. As we talked, we addressed questions like, "Knowing what we know now, would we have gone ahead with the surgery?" First the answer was no, but the alternative to that scenario would have been to put her down because of her pain and suffering. We believed that the surgery was the lesser of the evils. Either way, our hearts were broken.
My point is to try and stop blaming yourself and put the blame where it belongs and that's on cancer, the enemy. It will cause you to second-guess your decisions. If you're angry, get angry with cancer. Help Murphy kick cancer's ass. Your sweet Murphy isn't himself because of cancer, not because of you. Cancer is a demon, don't let it possess your heart.
Lastly, channel all that strong energy you're feeling and LOVE your Murphy well.
Heal your heart my friend, we're here for you.
pam
Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.
"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."
- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey
I'm so sorry, I can hear your sadness and frustration and can't blame you one bit. I honestly don't think you were lied to, it's just that there's a fine line between offering hope and not giving a clear picture and I think it got blurry. I'm sorry. Don't look back though, just move forward, that's what Murphy wants. We'll try to help.
So it's been a while and yes, he should be moving around more but first, try not to compare his recovery to others. I know it's hard not to, but Murphy is a very one-of-a-kind kitty and is on his own timetable it sounds like. That's OK and it doesn't mean he'll never get better, it just means he needs some extra help getting there.
Is Murphy overweight? As a Maine Coon kitty I'm guessing he's pretty large. What does he weigh? Has your vet recommended weight loss? Any extra pounds on a Tripawd is not a good thing and will affect balance, joints, etc.
Next, yes, the twitching is normal. Our own Wyatt Ray had his leg amp'd six years ago and his stump still does it. As long as Murphy isn't crying out whenever it happens, it's probably nothing to worry about.
Now, have you talked to your vet about this situation? And if so, what were her / his recommendations? Many vets aren't familiar with cats and mobility so if you need to go see a feline practitioner, do it. Here is a directory for cat-friendly vet practices that are members of the American Association of Feline Practitioners.
I know you're short on funds and it's hard to get the nerve to call but if you want Murphy to be better, you have to dig deep and understand that there are things you have to do that cost money, but lots more that don't cost and you can do at home, but first you need vet guidance to get there.
They can also look at the lump and determine what it is (probably nothing at all, but you can't tell by looking at it so I won't even guess). A feline practitioner will also determine if he's in pain, and what to do about it. For more info about how to tell if your cat is in pain, check out this blog post we recently published.
And yes, we are indeed still doing our Tripawds Foundation Rehab Therapy Reimbursement! So find a cat friendly practice, find a feline specialist who can point you to a rehab facility that can help, and we will pay for the first consult, which is generally the longest and most involved. Even that consult will help you do lots of things for Murphy that will get him back on his feet with a good quality of life.
Hang in there. Your feelings are completely valid and we get it. But be strong and know that this is just temporary, Murphy is a strong kitty who will bounce back!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Veronica,
When I first read this posting I was at a loss. I think the others have given great responses and I don't have much more to add.
I read your previous posts and it seems as though Murphy did not receive proper medication from the get go. Even so that surgical pain would be gone by now. So I wonder if he hurt his remaining rear leg and that is why he is stumbling. He didn't look very large in his photos, how much does he weigh? He could even be gaining weight by eating the same and being inactive.
What type of cancer did he have?
I think finding a new vet to assess the remaining leg and the pain along with cat rehab/physio will help you find answers.
I know this is exhausting and stressful. I hope you find the answers you need soon.
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
GREAT observation about the pain control Kerren, thank you, that totally makes sense.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
izzysmomma said
Hello Goddess of Typos 🙂I'm so sorry that your Murphy is struggling. Every animal is different and your baby is surely having some trouble adjusting. I am speaking from a "dog mom" perspective, but I'm sure some things are universal, so here are my "insights" on this.
Twitching. YES. My dog's amputation site would twitch for about the first month. She would yelp and hop up and try to "run away" from the pain ... this is apparently typical (in dogs) for phantom pain . I started gently massaging her amputation site with an open palm, just gentle pressure in a small circle, not skimming over the wound, just pressing slightly and manipulating the area. It really seemed to help. She must've heard me typing about this, because she just woke up and did this, minus the yelp - progress! - and we are almost months post amputation.
That said, if Murphy seems to be constantly in pain, you might want to ask the vet about something like Rimadyl or Gabapentin. I know Gabapentin has been shown effective for managing chronic pain in geriatric cats but Rimadyl is not the preferred NSAID (apparently others are more effective in cats). The NSAIDs are not super expensive and can often be filled for $4 as a generic in a "human" pharmacy. I know this from experience!
The soft lump under the incision is likely just scar tissue. Izzy, my 12 year old American Bulldog, has a firm ridge along her entire scarline and a harder lump where all the skin flaps meet. (Sorry for the gross terminology) Definitely keep an eye on it - if it gets bigger, check with the vet ... or if you're nervous about it, take Murphy in for a recheck. Many vets don't charge for a follow up like that after a big surgery, so ask yours if that is the policy there.
I don't know if the Tripawds foundation is still doing the PT reimbursement, but it might be worth looking into. Even if you only can take Murphy for that first visit, you could work on the suggested exercises at home to help improve his gait and balance. You did NOTHING wrong, you simply wanted to ease your baby's pain. Surgery is a big deal and just like not every person recovers the same way, not every pet does either. You clearly have Murphy's best interest at heart so don't beat yourself up over this. You made your decision out of LOVE and selflessness for your baby and that is never a mistake.
I'm sure some cat parents will wander along with more relevant advice but I thought I would chime in anyway 🙂 Keep us posted!
Thank you for your advice and support!
With Murphy, he doesn't run away so much as wake up to pee/eat/poop/drink and then stumble backwards, like the remaining leg won't hold him up right. ): I'm going to set up an appointment with our vet and just TRY to get him feeling better with my limited funds. I'm a person who gets stomach cramps a lot so I have a ton of extra microwavable rice heating pads for myself. I'm trying to figure out the proper temperature and application for him though--I was thinking that maybe I could wear my standard velcro-wrapped heating pad like I always do when my stomach decides to throw a fit and put on a sweater or something, then when we fall asleep together he can kind of rest up against my tummy and get that little bit of diffused heat that way. Or I could do it directly, but whether he lays on it or I lay it on top of him I have to be careful about how hot it is... Any ideas???
I just want a happy baby, damnit!
harmony said
Aww . . . I'm so sorry to hear that Murphy is still having problems. My Tripawd was a doggie, so I can't offer any insight for your kitty either. But I am here to help you with this emotional roller coaster. I'm also here to tell you that your feelings of anger, frustration and guilt are all normal. Why wouldn't you be upset after watching your sweet Murphy suffer.The hub-a-dub and I were having a conversation the other night whilst celebrating our Harmony's 1 year angelversary. She only lived 11 days after amputation which left us with huge emotional baggage. As we talked, we addressed questions like, "Knowing what we know now, would we have gone ahead with the surgery?" First the answer was no, but the alternative to that scenario would have been to put her down because of her pain and suffering. We believed that the surgery was the lesser of the evils. Either way, our hearts were broken.
My point is to try and stop blaming yourself and put the blame where it belongs and that's on cancer, the enemy. It will cause you to second-guess your decisions. If you're angry, get angry with cancer. Help Murphy kick cancer's ass. Your sweet Murphy isn't himself because of cancer, not because of you. Cancer is a demon, don't let it possess your heart.
Lastly, channel all that strong energy you're feeling and LOVE your Murphy well.
Heal your heart my friend, we're here for you.
pam
Oh my god... Eleven days? How heartbreaking. I lost my Emma about a year ago. 14-year-old Golden Retriever. Took her in to the vet for a little coughing and this vet told us she was fine. A week later we needed to stop her misery. I'm so sorry about your baby. That's one of the reasons Murph's cancer is hard. I have him and my other furchild, Abbie, left. Abbie is a 12-year-old corgi. Gorgeous dog, big dork, looks like a big furry sea cucumber with legs. But she isn't getting any younger and Murphasaurus isn't getting any healthier... ):
I've learned the 'f**k cancer' mantra well in the past few years. I actually lost my auntie to it in May and she was always getting pissed at the cancer. A sweet lady but hen it came to that cancer she swore like a pirate.
I actually have been 150% closer to Murphy since the surgery. For a while I slept on the couch with him so he was warm and comfortable and he had someone, and lately I've been letting him on my very low bed. He's such a love, I just ADORE him so, so much.
Thank you so much for your support and loving words. I really need them.
I'm happy to hear you are taking Murphy to the vet. I wanted to let you know that ice packs and hot packs serve different purposes. Ice is usually used for inflammation and to reduce swelling and ease pain. Simply using a cold wash cloth with an icebag (even frozen peas) over the cloth. You want to limit the time to about 10 minutes 3 times a day.
Generally heat is used after a few days of using ice. Heat increases circulation to the area. You can use a hot wash cloth - 5 minutes on and 5 minutes off until it has cooled off. If you use one of your hot packs ensure you wrap it in a towel.
I suspect Murphy will tell you what he likes.
I hope it helps.
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
Dear, Dear Veronica and Murphy.
I tell ya' what, you have nooo idea how strong you are! For you to still be going through this just breaks my heart for yiu and Murphy! But yiu ARE getting through it and you are NOT giving up!
You have gotten soooo much great advice and insight from Jerry, Kerren, Izzy's momma.
All I can do is offer encouragement. This is not hopeless. Something is yet to be discovered as to the cause of Murphy's issues. I agree with the others that there coukd possibly be something going on with his other leg...or his back perhaps.
As far as the heating pad, and I'm certainly no vet, but I would think a low setting with, as yiu said, a sweater, etc. in between. Slightly warm...not hot.
I'm just so sorry this has yet to be resolved. And I'm sorry you've had so much sadness. Again, you are stronger than you know. I had to chuckle at your description of Abbie! Do you scuba dive? I actually love the sea cucumbers! So for you to describe Abbie as a furry sea cucumber with four legs really tickled me!
I do hope you can follow up on some of Jerry's suggestions....especially trying to lpcate avet more feline oriented.
And you jave ALWAYS had Murphy's interest at heart! Every single one of js here would have done the same procedure to alleviate his pain.
PLEASE keep us updated.
Sending you love and healing enegy,
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!
izzysmomma said
I don't know if the Tripawds foundation is still doing the PT reimbursement, but it might be worth looking into...
Yes!
A limited number of rehab consultations will still be reimbursed on a first come first served basis, thanks to The Maggie Moo Fund For Tripawd Rehab!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
My Murphy is a dog, but I have 3 cats and I've had many cats over the years.
How old is Murphy? Saying that he sleeps a lot is probably normal, maybe just that you notice it more now - cats sleep on average about 16-20 hours a day. The losing his balance - hmmm...I would ask the surgeon if anything happened during the surgery? My thoughts go towards the brain, like could he have had a stroke? If not, then maybe something in his back - because his gait is different, could it be a pinched nerve or something? That would be where the physical therapy consult would come in. Our Murphy had his front leg removed and he had some stiffness in his back legs ...so we found that when he laid on his side we could massage his back & he would stretch backwards into a "C" and just arch and stretch...I think that helps the relax his muscles and joints of his back & hips.
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
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