Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello
Came across this site while trying to find some info to help with my poor cat.
Troy is a 10 year old domestic short hair. He was diagnosed with osteosarcoma
In his rear rt leg. It came on fast and on the advice of the Vet we dealt with it fast.
The amputation went well and we brought him home. On day 2 home he wasn’t feeling real well
And was very lethargic. Rushed him back and he was in renal failure. He was then
Put on 5 days of IV fluid and has really made a wonderful recovery. He was administered
Metacam during surgery and with no pre op issues and good blood work I believe that
Was the problem. I found a lot of info about post op renal failure and metacam so I feel
Pretty good that was the cause. He is now also on Sub-q fluids every other day for 2 weeks.
Now as if that wasn’t enough the incision opened up in the rear due to all the fluid he was given
And became a nasty infected mess. He has been on a daily oral antibiotic and we restarted the buprenex for the new pain.
Last night during the sub-q visit the vet removed the big scab and put in a few staples to help that heal.
It looks so much better now and I’m sure feels better as well.
Today is 15 days post op and he will drink
But still won’t really eat much. He will eat treats and pick at the food but really has no interest in it yet.
I have been feeding him manually with AD and some mushed regular food in a syringe.
My wife, young son and I am completely in love with troy and will nurse him through this the best the we can.
It’s starting to get rough with holidays and all but things are looking really good. If it wasn’t for the renal issues and wound
He would be really doing good by now but it’s just going to take a bit longer for him. He is doing good and gets around great
And can jump on the bed and bounce around the house bit still has a ways to go before he can be left alone and return to being a regular
Cat.
Thanks for reading and if you have any advice I’d love to hear it.
Thanks!!
Cats are way harder to entice to eat than dogs so you've got your hands full. One thing I have tried in the past is Chicken baby food. Like Gerber or that other one Beechwood? not sure of the name. Its puréed so they can just lap it up. Sometimes I'd mix it with rice baby food cereal for more calories too. Something to maybe try? Sounds like you are doing an awesome job with Troy and are really on top of the situation. Give yourself and your family a huge pat on the back for being so vigilant. Hopefully the rest of Troy's recovery will be smooth sailing for you.
Linda & Max
Hi Fastlane and Troy, welcome. You guys have been through a lot, I can't imagine how exhausted you must feel! I'm so sorry. As if having a cat with osteosarcoma isn't shocking enough. Did you know that we have other cats who've been diagnosed with it, like Jill the Cat? If you haven't already, check out her blog, you will be so inspired, she just celebrated her 3 year ampuversary/diagnosis and she's rockin! Our other TriCat bloggers are also really amazing too!
Glad to hear that your vet is really managing everything well and staying on top of things. As far as getting Troy to eat, our other kitty members will have way better insight on that than I do so stay tuned and they will chime in shortly. I can almost guarantee though that once he gets off the medication his appetite will perk back up.
It sounds to me like you're doing great though, which is so impressive. Cats are tough patients but you guys are hanging strong! Kudos to you all for giving Troy such love and care. Please let us know whatever we can do to help OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
After my adult cat's amputation my vet sent her home with tins of wet kitten food. Mona loved it! Out of curiosity I tried giving her regular food but no way, it had to be the kitten food. It is higher in fat, protein and calories so maybe that made it more delicious. She went back to her regular food after 4 days.
I know someone who blends up a can of sardines with the juice from a big can of mackarel and adds some chunks of mackarel. All of her cats lap it up.
I've read some cats don't like AD, some love baby food, others love Fancy Feast (also known as Kitty Crack). I hope you find something your cat will devour.
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
Thank you all for the replies. It’s comforting to know there is a community out
To help support us through troy’s recovery.
I have read the other blogs and they really help to see how well the other
Tricats are doing. I didn’t realize how common this was and how well the cats and
Dogs recover and adjust. Its very reassuring to us during this time of despair.
I do have some good news. Mr. Kitty ate dry and wet food today.
And he didn’t just pick. He gorged out to the point I was afraid and wanted to
Pull him away. He has lost so much weight. I hope this is a turning point.
Thank again for the comments and support.
some Pics of Troy
His Recovery is the best Christmas Gift EVER!
Lookin' good Troy!!! 🙂
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Awww . . . what a sweetie!
Still snickering over the "Kitty Krack" info!!
I sure hope this reply finds him, and you, doing great!
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
Just catching up too! Very, very sweet kitty pictures of a very sweet kitty!
YAY FOR EATING A D YAY FOR BEST CHRISTMAS PRESENT EVER!!
Update when you can.
Higs!
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!
Hello everyone. Hope you all had a great Christmas and New Year’s!
Today is about 27 days post-surgery. Troy is doing really good and has finished
His 2 weeks of sub-q treatments and we will be taking him down to see his vet tonight
To remove the stitches and the staples. His incision looks really good and I’m sure he can’t wait
To remove them after a month. Hopefully the cone of shame
can go away as well.
I try to give him as much supervised cone free time as I can but
He will power lick his incision as fast as he can as soon as he sees me let my guard down,
Troy has been eating and drinking really good and for the most part
Has returned to being his old self. It’s amazing how fast he can run when he wants too and he is
Trying to jump and do all the cat things cats do. We are so happy!
One question.. how long does it take for the fur to grow back. He just has a real light coating of fuzz after a month.
I really expected the hair to grow in at a much faster rate.
Thanks!!
fastlane said
...how long does it take for the fur to grow back.
It may be different for cats but this blog post and forum topic have lots of comments and feedback from others about fur regrowth after surgery...
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
It's good to hear that Troy is doing so well.
I think the fur grows quite slowly. Of course it depends on the thickness and length of the coat. Here is a photo of Mona after 7 weeks. As you can see her skin is covered but it still has a long way to go for length. (Mona is winking at Troy)
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