Hi all,

It's been a tough month. Murphy the kitty had his rear left leg amputated on the 6th of August, and for a week I didn't sleep.

His stitches are out, his cone is off, he is reasonably happy, but he still can't really walk. He stumbles, falls over, falls to the side, and yowls. I don't know what it's about--is his balance off? is he in pain? is the remaining leg hurt? I don't know.

He seems to be woken up by pain. It isn't consistent though--he wakes up and sometimes is fine, he turns over and goes back to bed no problem. But on many occasions, he can't get that remaining back leg underneath him. I don't know whether that's pain from the amputation or if his remaining leg just can't take the pressure. On these occasions, he is pretty much helpless. The only thing that myself or my mother can do is hold him until the pain subsides. I've been bitten many times. My baby never bites me, but when he hurts like this it's all he can do. I try to stay with him as much as possible, but I'm a full-time college student and that isn't easy. Because he can't jump up on to the beds yet, I sleep on the cramped couch every night so I can be with him.

I don't know what to do. I'm so heartbroken. What did I do to my baby? He isn't himself. I'm not myself. I don't know what to do.

Here are my questions for you, beloved tripawd community:

Does this seem like phantom limb pain to you? It isn't consistent, except with walking. Walking is very tough and is always tough.

If it isn't phantom limb, what does it sound like to you? Does anyone have any experience where their babies had such a hard time? I was told that recovery was fast and easy, and now when I call the vet they have changed their story.

What can I do? Are there any cheap pain meds for kitties out there?

Any and all advice needed and appreciated. I'm at the end of my rope. I don't want this to be the beginning of the long goodbye...