Anyone with a Three-Legged-Cat? I am a wreck deciding what to do with my boy....

[TheIvoryKitty]

Why not just do it and see if he adjusts. If he doesn't, you can euthanize then. Most likely he will adjust, animals are resilient and cats are survivors. If it were me, I would want to give him a chance to try out a life with 3 legs and improved health.

They are survivors, for sure. When Fang was little he caught himself underneath a chain link fence and wriggled and wriggled while he was suffocating to death. It was very scary. We couldn't lift the fence up, as it was too heavy, but in some crazy feat of mommy-strength my mom came over and yanked the whole fence up and he ran out. She still doesn't know how she lifted that fence - adrenaline I guess. Anyway, I think about things like that and I just feel like... He would make the choice to live, if he could tell me. I really think so.

 

[TheIvoryKitty]

Nancy has been an amputee for about 2 years now. It is hard to see them differently, but you get used to it. Every once in a while when she is snuggled up to my in bed and I see her paw, I do feel bad and wish it could have been different. However, for the most part she just seems normal to me. She is extremely friendly and will talk to you. With her missing leg, she has now become the star of the house. Every time someone comes over, they always ask where she is. I think she gets more attention now than she ever did when she had a paw. She used to never be allowed inside either, but now she gets spoiled and pampered all winter long.

Poor little Nancy, I bet she's just a little happy about her luck, seeing as now she gets all the love and attention she could ever ask for. I really hope that Fang will be able to get around as well as Nancy does, though she still has a stump to balance herself out.

 

[TheIvoryKitty]

Cats are very adaptive, you just have to give him time to adjust and that may be more than a couple of months. He will do just fine inside.

Arg, I hope it's not more than a couple of months! But, realistically, you're probably right. I see all of these quick recovery videos online but those are usually kittens, or back-leg amputees. Different things, I suppose.

 

[Mskayladog]

I had a 3 legged Tom, he got caught in some construction equipment and the vet had to finish the amputation of his frount leg. He was fine and dandy his amputation was high right under the shoulder. I don't have any pictures. He was young when it happened though 2 or 3.

 

[TheIvoryKitty]

I had a 3 legged Tom, he got caught in some construction equipment and the vet had to finish the amputation of his frount leg. He was fine and dandy his amputation was high right under the shoulder. I don't have any pictures. He was young when it happened though 2 or 3.

Oh so they left his scapula? Do you feel like it helped him balance? My vet wants to take his scapula as well, and I'm trying to decide if that's for the best or not...

 

[TheIvoryKitty]

In fact, now that I think about it, I'd like to ask that question to all of you with front-leg amputee kitties!!

Did the vet take the scapula along with the leg? Do you feel like having the scapula helps the kitty balance better? I am trying to decide whether I should have her take it or not, as she wants to take it.

 

[oesdog]

The Vet wont take more than she thinks is nessisary for the long-term well being of your cat. Honestly it will not make much difference as the cat will still need to adjust to ballance anyhow. Your cat is NOT OLD. - cats live longer than dogs and some into their 20s. Don;t right your cat off but listen to the Vet. Ask questions like why does she think a higher amputation is better. In the end this is your cat and what the Vet is treating it for is very different from a lot of reasons others here have amputee cats. You need to be at what is best for yours.

Oes -

 

[StinaD]

I'm sorry to hear about Fang. But I think he will be just fine with 3 legs. My Aunt has a cat with 1 eye, a dog with 3 legs (it is a front leg that is missing), another dog who cannot see or hear. I should tell you that my aunt does animal rescue and has many animals with disabilities and all of her pets are happy and healthy and even with their disabilities lead normal lives.

 

[theoldchick]

This post is an excellent reminder for all of us who work in the veterinary field to never forget the human component in pet amputation.

I've assisted in numerous feline amputations for many years and am glad to report the improvements of anesthesia and pain management of the feline patient has dramatically improved. While I'm not a true 'cat' person, I've always respected a 'cat' person bond to their felines. And thanks to the demands of all loving pet owners, veterinary medicine has developed surgeries that improve the patient's recovery time. It's no longer hack and slash, but Veterinarians now know how to perform amputations that give the patient the fastest recovery. I could go into detail but readers may find it a bit overwhelming or simply gross them out.

You know your cat very well, and yes, he should be kept inside after losing a leg. However, I've seen three legged cats still rule the outdoor roost. Nevertheless, remember losing a front leg takes one of his weapons away, so he will be at an increased risk of losing turf wars. You can do things to help your cat want to stay indoors by bringing the outdoors to him. He may enjoy looking out windows so you can make an easy access stairway to help him get to the window ledge. Keep him interested in cat toys.

Cats do fine when they wake up with one leg missing, but to be perfectly honest, and I tell all pet owners this: Our job was easy. Your cat was sleeping when we did our work, now you must do your work. You have to keep your cat from chewing at his incision. The much dreaded E. Collar can be devastating to a cat, but I've learned cats to tolerate kitty clothes much better than a large plastic cone around their neck. Baby onsies can be fitted to fit the fashion conscious cat for a temporary barrier.

You will be responsible for medicating the cat. You may have to apply a warm compress to the incision site. But I know this about cats: if they don't want to comply they won't. You may have to use your imagination to get medication into the cat. You can talk with your vet about putting medications in canned kitty food.

Post op care is what determines the success of the surgery. You'll have to make some adjustments to help your cat be safe, but you can do it. And remember, emotionally your cat will do fine. He will adjust and so will you. Express your concerns to your veterinary staff, and if they don't answer your questions in the manner you like, find another veterinarian.



Thank you for reminding veterinary community of the person behind the pet.

 

[Billy-jean]

Ihad a 3 legged dalmatian who lived happily to the ripe age of 12! he lost his back leg after
an accident when he was 2,,had it amputated with no choice,,and was so worried about his lifestyle afterwards,,but he
proved to us and the world around him that you can make it just fine,and live quite a good, long happy life regardless. And when you
have that much love around you,,you don't even notice