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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.

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Preparing for Surgery :-/
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Member Since:
29 December 2015
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9 January 2016 - 6:19 am
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Hey All!

I'm really glad that I found this site before making the decision to tripawd our cat. It really set my mind at ease knowing that there is a great possibility of recovery!! 

A little background... My cat Harley is 10 years young and a beautiful calico girl! I received her as a high school student at two to three weeks of age, as the friend of mine who had the mommy cat suddenly had to move out of her ex-boyfriends home and had to take her cat and the two kittens out in a hurry! Thus... I received my little purrbaby. She joined my brothers cat, and for the next ten years appeared to be a bonded pair of girls... When I moved in with my (now) husband, I didn't feel right separating her from the other cat and uprooting her to various apartments and finally a home of our own, so I made the decision to keep her at my parents place where I could see her each week when we came to visit. 

In November, my Dad notified me that he had a felt an odd lump beginning to form on her right hind leg. At first it was a small thing, and upon feeling it we felt like it was a fatty tumor, but as it started to grow, we became more concerned. Sure enough..... it's cancer. Fibrosarcoma to be exact. 

What ensued was a panic and grief stricken state of mind. What would and could we do for her? Why hadn't I just taken her with me when I was moving around so much? I wasn't prepared to bury my baby... as 10 years is nothing to a cat... My previous cat had been 22 when she finally passed and she had been with my family since before I was born. Thus, being the nerd that I am... I took to the Google Machine. I found this forum, connected with another woman on Facebook who's cat was around the same age and went through the same procedures and went into the biopsies, xrays, ultrasounds and bloodwork prepared for whatever options we could come up with. 

Her demeanor remains unchanged, and she's happy and perky and claiming herself the top floor in mine and hubby's house, now that we have snatched her up and brought her here to live instead! Of course, from the moment we got her home, she was quite content and doesn't appear to miss my brothers cat at all... It's also quieter, as there's only my quiet little shih-tzu to contend with and not three other dogs that are rather loud and boisterous. We should have and could have taken her years ago but who knew? All other health scans have shown that she's incredibly healthy aside from the tumor which has multiplied in size to a drastic extent... there's no sign of metastasized cancer elsewhere in her body, and so we have made the decision to amputate the cancerous leg and proceed with chemo!

Surgery is scheduled for this Thursday, and hubby and I are both taking some time off work (he's a roofer, I'm a kindergarten/first grade teacher) to devote our time to being home with her during this transition process. We've been researching different adaptations to make as sort of "physical therapy" and to help her adjust and have begun making carpeted ramps, small steps, and finding materials like under the bed tupperware bins that are low and can be used as an alternative litter box until she's back on her feet. What else does any veteran of pet amputation suggest that we prepare for her to make this as successful a time as possible?? 

Thanks so much for any insight! I'm so glad that there are people to ask about this sort of thing... the Google Machine didn't have too much for me on this one... Pictures hopefully to follow soon of my beauty! 🙂 

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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9 January 2016 - 10:52 am
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Hi Jessica, Harley and family, thanks for registering and joining us, your future posts won't need approval so post away and yes we'd love to see pics! Here's how to add photos.

I'm sorry you're dealing with the amputation ordeal but as you can see here, cats get along really well on three (and better than most dogs, but don't tell them I said that!). Have you had a chance to review our Trpawd Kitty Bloggers or our blog tips for TriKitties? We have a lot of good details there, as well as here in the forums, so stay tuned and wise folks with more experience than I have with cat amputation recovery will chime in so hang tight.

Meanwhile don't beat yourself up over the choice you made for her early on. She always had people to love her and care for her and that's what counts. You'll find in this journey that animals have no regrets and even when they lose that spare leg, it never occurs to them to look back and mourn. Nope, they hop on and live life as best they know how, which is pretty darn good! Look to Harley for inspiration, you'll be amazed!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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9 January 2016 - 11:17 am
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Hello Harley and Jessica! Geez, sorry you have to be here,under the circumstances, here is no better place to be for support and information. It can be scary at first, so stay connected and we'll help you through the maze!

Its really good news that all his test are showing this is a very fit kitty. That's a real plus!

We have several members here who can give your great firsthand tips on how to help your Harley through the recovery lrocess. It's usually full of some ups and downs. Some cat, like dogs, recover slower than others, some faster. Every cat and their recovery is very individual.

And ditto Jerry as far as leaving Harley at the only real home he had known surrounded by love. That was very selfless of you to not uproot him for really valid reasons. It says a lot about how strong your bond is. I'm really glad to know that he seems to be adjusting just fine though! He clearly is going to be spoiled and loved 24/7!!

Can't wait to see pictures!

Deep breaths,relax and remember, Harley isn't worried about a thing!

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!


Member Since:
29 December 2015
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9 January 2016 - 3:55 pm
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Thanks Guys! 🙂 

Hubby made the outline of the ramp for her bedroom today, and we're working on getting carpeting.... figure we will start her with that then up her therapy sessions to include small stairs! 

My parents came to visit her today pre-surgery and she insisted on staying under the bed until they left.... almost as if to say "YOU'LL NEVER TAKE ME ALIVE!!!" I don't think she wanted to go back so it was a good thing we planned on keeping her! 😛 

I've got some cute pics of her hanging out at the house over the last few weeks too... I'll start up a blog and get those rolling... I was lucky enough to have two weeks off for holiday break when we moved her in so I could moderate dog-cat interactions until she was comfortable... 🙂 



Member Since:
27 July 2014
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9 January 2016 - 7:40 pm
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Hi,

My cat Mona also had a fibrosarcoma which was caused by a vaccine injection. With the amputation the margins were huge and no other treatment was required.

I already posted a response in your blog so won't repeat myself here. It's obvious you are getting prepared. One thing you might want to think about is where Harley will recover. Make sure it's not a space where she can get in a place where you can't reach her, such as under a bed. Mona slept in a spare room in the closet under a shelf on the floor. Cats like hiding places when not feeling well. I've heard of others covering a coffee table with a blanket for the cat to sleep under. Some crate their cat or have them recover in the bathroom. Mona spent her first night after the surgery at her vets house in his bathroom with a heated floor!

Check back if you have any questions. As Jerry said it's worth reading the kitty blogs.

Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona

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