Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Spencer had his back leg amputated last Wednesday. We put a cookie sheet with litter in it in his room, thinking because its low he will be able to use it better, he goes in it but just kicks the litter around. We cut two sides off on a litter pan, he goes in, but doesn't do anything. He will pee in his bed, and poop on a throw rug. Is this normal for one week after amputation, and should we just let him figure it out, or is there anything else we should be doing? He is overweight and has stubby legs, so I'm sure that's not helping
Hi and welcome, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
I'm sorry you are having issues with Spencer, why did he lose his leg?
I can't help with your question but some of our kitty members will be along soon I'm sure. In the meantime I did a forum search on Litter Box and got these results- there should be something in there that can help!
We always love to see pictures here. When you get a chance here are the instructions for adding images to your posts.
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
Most cats seem to adapt well to using a litter box but my Mona didn't, so I'm not an expert. She had her front leg amputated and I followed advice to cut down the front of the litter box so she could walk in. I was told to use a litter with less dust such as Yesterday's News. For the first night after her amputation she went home with the vet and used a litter box they had for her. When she came home she went every place else except for the litter box. She even went in a desk drawer.
Eventually I replaced the new litter with the old used litter I retrieved from the garbage can and then she used it. The only thing was she did not go in the box but balanced on her 3 legs on the lip of the litter box and then leaned over it to try to bury her droppings.
Cats don't follow suggestions, they do what they want. All I can suggest is to go back to whatever was used before and be patient. As the drugs come out of Spencer's system and when the stitches come out he'll feel more like himself and go back to whatever he did before.
Hope he heals well.
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
WELCOME SPENCER! You sound adoravle....a little bit..er...chunky and three stubby legs! Cannot wait to see pictures!
I know that the "won't use the litter box"' does seem to be a temporary issue during recovery. The pain meds can definitely alter his bathroom habits! As Kerren mentioned, she had that challenge with Mo aa. Another kitty that comes to mi d is kitty Steve. It seems that patience and aFrankie little bit of "dumlster divi g" seems to eventually do the trick.
Hang in there! Recovery doesn't last forever!
Yep, cats don't follow suggestions! Great insight Kerre !
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!
Spencer actually peed in the two sided litter box last night. It wasn't pretty because he peed all over his good leg, and had litter stuck to it, but he tried, and that was great. He's coming off his meds today, so hopefully he will be more alert. We are going to keep him confined in a spare room for quite awhile, we have too many stairs and other cats to let him loose right now. He is so sad looking, and I worry about him, but he's tough and I'm hoping will do good.
I hope coming off of some of the meds will help little Spencer. Might help his balance and therefore aim! 🙂
Reduction in meds may make him perk up a bit, too.
One suggestion might be to try Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract Litter - have used it in the past with ailing cats who seemed to lose their litter box skills and it worked for us.
Best wishes,
Lisa and Pofi
Lisa, Minneapolis
On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly. His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.
Good going Spencer! You follow suggestions well. It will get better.
I doubt that Spencer is sad. It's probably the drugs. He may need more stimulation such as brushing, playing with a toy, catnip. Could any of the other cats come in for a visit or cuddle? My other cat Eli would visit Mona and stand watch over her and just follow her around. Could you take Spencer outside on your lap for some fresh air?
It gets so much easier once the stitches are out. By the way stairs are fairly easy for cats. For Spencer going down will be easier than going up but he will build up his strength in his hind leg so he'll be a whiz at it.
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
Sally, thanks for the kind words, I've never been called as "dumpster diver" before. Things we do for our pets...
Oops, I forgot to add the link for my search.
Sounds like Spencer is doing better but if you need here are the results I got searching on Litter Box.
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Thank you for sending the site, it helps to read that others have gone through the litter box ordeal, and that Spencer isn't unusual. He definitely isn't peeing as much as normal, even though I am making sure he is drinking water. I'm thinking maybe that is because this is his first day off meds, and I hope he isn't in much pain without them. I visit him every two hours, but I'm afraid to let the other cats in his room because they will be scratching at the door all the time to get in, and I'm not sure how long I am going to isolate him. Putting toys in his room is a good idea, even if he doesn't play with them, they will be there if he wants to. Thanks for the tips, it helps to hear from others that have gone through this, no one I know has
Sorry to be late to the discussion and I hope things are going well.
Freya (Freya's tale on the blogs) is a rear amputee and she had a little balance problem with the first wee and the first poo was a mess, literally - I think she hopped on it. But after the first day she was fine if I recall correctly.
I did change the litter from the crystals to clay as I felt it would be easier on her feet and for her balance.
Stairs will be fine shortly, I think Freya came up my flight of narrow steep stairs a week or two after the operation - or maybe it was three weeks (I kept her downstairs for a few weeks and shifted a mattress down there for myself, priorities you know LOL)
Going up is the struggle, it will be slow and it will sound awful until you get used to it - a ker thump. But heading down the stairs was still a race!
Take care
Mschelle and Freya
Jack is a front paw amputee, but has been a litter tray user overnight for the time he's lived with Mum.
Recycled paper litter is the best for cats with sensitive paws and a tripaws will be sensitive because there is more weight through less paws.
Love our TriKitty members, thank you so much for taking time to offer some input!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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