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  #1  
Old June 22nd, 2010, 04:40 PM
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URGENT: 3 Legged cat needing another leg amputated!

http://www.pets.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=70618

Help guys!! We had Missy's leg all cleared up with the antibiotics and we put a cast on it 2 weeks ago. I brought her in for a recheck today to change her cast and make sure it was healing properly and her entire leg was infected!! The cast was filled with blood and puss and all her wounds opened back up.

We really need to amputate the leg to keep her from getting septic. The only other option is euthanasia. She has been doing AMAZING though... eating, drinking, using the litter box, etc. So I imagine if we take the leg off she will do just as well, right?? I really have no idea what to do

She was on Clavamox for a few days then on Orbax.. she finished that out and her boo-boos were all cleared up when we put the cast on but I guess they just re-opened up from the cast rubbing.

I gave her a penicillin shot and the vet at the shelter (Timmy's vet) put her on Clindamycin. But we don't really hold any hope of it clearing up enough to be able to save the leg.



I think it's worth a shot to take the leg off and give her a chance... she's not really that miserable... she's living in a dog crate right now....


No idea what to do. I'll grab a few pictures of the wounds in a bit to show you guys how bad it is.
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Old June 22nd, 2010, 04:48 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kathryn View Post
http://www.pets.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=70618

I'll grab a few pictures of the wounds in a bit to show you guys how bad it is.
Oh please don't. A lot of us wimps can't handle open wounds. Once the leg has been amputated and somewhat healed than feel free but for right now........

Does the vet feel she will have a good quality of life after losing yet another leg? If so then I would say go ahead and amputate. If the vet feels she would suffer then I say you have to put your head ahead of your heart and let her go. If you leave it the way it is is there a chance she will devolop gangrene? Or will it eventually heal without a cast?
Such a hard situation to be in. I don't envy you your decisions.
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Old June 22nd, 2010, 04:55 PM
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Well he said she probably can adapt because she's been doing so well already. He's realistic and if he thought it wouldn't help he wouldn't agree to do it. I work with him all the time and he took care of Timmy so I'm sure you can understand that if he thought it was useless to take the leg off he would have just told me.


I mean she's getting around without using it. She uses the litterbox better than half my other cats

She's pretty out of it right now from the anesthesia but I mean she's eating and she took her medication. I have some friends at the shelter that deal with special needs animals so I'm trying to see what suggestions they have.
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Old June 22nd, 2010, 05:02 PM
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That is great! If that is the case then go for it! Maybe someone can devise a little wheelchair/ramp thing like they do for dogs but I doubt she would adapt to that. If she is using the litter box that is fantastic!!!!
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Old June 23rd, 2010, 10:22 AM
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She is still doing okay today and doesn't seem to be in any major discomfort.. the leg still looks horrible. I'm going to give her some canned food and her medicine in a bit.

I think I'm just going to go ahead and take the leg off tomorrow. I had that little paralyzed kitten a few years back and he was incontinent so atleast this will be a step above that.. she's totally able to use the litter box. Right now the leg is sort of just getting in the way so she will probably be able to get around better once the leg is out of the way.
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Old June 23rd, 2010, 10:24 AM
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kathryn,,,it just dawned on me this morning,,,RickC's kitty polly is a double amputee and seems to function just fine..if you look in his new thread on abby there is a picture of polly there. Good luck with the poor baby,,,geez talk about a rough life.
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Old June 23rd, 2010, 10:33 AM
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I agree with others on here, if the vet deems that it would be ok to remove the leg, then go for it. after while she'll be zipping around, as if she had all fours. Animals adapt really fast.
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Old June 23rd, 2010, 10:56 AM
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Thanks guys... sent RickC a PM. I also posted on a site for handicap pets and there are tons of other double amputees on there so it doesn't look so bleak anymore.
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Old June 24th, 2010, 01:52 PM
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So the surgery went well and her leg was really unsavable.. she tried to eat her stitches when she woke up so she has a cone on now Here's hoping for the best... I think she should adapt well.
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Old June 24th, 2010, 02:10 PM
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Happy to hear Missy's surgery went well. Lots of good thoughts going to her and you!!
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Old June 24th, 2010, 04:58 PM
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Not a happy cat right now... hoping for a fast recovery
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Old June 24th, 2010, 05:03 PM
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Awww, what a sweetie. She will have to stay indoors now. Sending lots of for a quick healing for her.
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Old June 24th, 2010, 09:12 PM
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I wish you the best in taking care of your kitty, you a very good person for giving her another chance. I pray she adapts well.
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Old June 25th, 2010, 02:32 AM
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Speedy recovery Missy
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Old June 25th, 2010, 09:48 AM
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I feel so bad for cats in cones! Good luck Missy!!!
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Old June 25th, 2010, 09:50 AM
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Kathryn i am so glad you gave the surgery a shot i hope Missy recovers quickly and has no more limb accidents..
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Old June 25th, 2010, 10:00 AM
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awe, poor muffin! I hope she has a quick recovery!
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Old June 25th, 2010, 10:06 AM
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Aww, poor sweetie. I just saw this thread now. I'm glad the surgery went well (that looks like one stoned kitty!). Hopefully she'll feel better with the damaged leg gone, and I'm sure she'll adapt. The only thing I could thing of being a problem would be chaffing/rubbing of her pelvic area on the ground when she pulls herself forward...watch for that, and maybe rig a little belly band for extra padding if it's needed. for a speedy recovery!
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Old June 25th, 2010, 04:37 PM
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Good luck to Missy.... may her recovery be smooth and easy.

Here's a neat story about a kitty in the UK with bionic back paws: http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/SciTech/20...ic-cat-100625/
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Old June 25th, 2010, 05:29 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sugarcatmom View Post
Here's a neat story about a kitty in the UK with bionic back paws: http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/SciTech/20...ic-cat-100625/

The vet that took her leg off actually sent that to me earlier! I replied back asking if he want's to make my cat a pair

Anyways, here's a video of her getting around
http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/7...6251618mp4.mp4
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Old June 26th, 2010, 07:53 AM
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you have one heck of a fighter on your hands....glad to hear the surgery went well. from the video it looks like movement is not much of a problem.
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Old June 26th, 2010, 09:01 AM
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What an amazing girl! Wonderful to hear how well she is doing.
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Old June 26th, 2010, 05:39 PM
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What a doll...such a strong girl! Hope recovery is quick and that this is the end of her hardships!
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Old June 27th, 2010, 05:51 AM
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Aww, look at the beautiful girl.

Prayers and blessings for a speedy recovery. A friend of mine
adopted a greyhound with 3 legs. He gets along perfectly and
doesn't even seem to know he's missing something.

She will adapt. May she have many great times ahead.
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