Posted by "Chris" (christatedavies at gmail dot com) [1 week ago]

Researchers are looking into Phantom Limb pain, which could be beneficial to animals I guess.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-10725254

Posted by "Chris" (christatedavies at gmail dot com) [4 weeks ago]

That's great Barb. Its nice to see other 3 legged cats in action. Interesting that she is feisty. Archie is too, I wonder if they get a chip on their shoulder with a missing leg!

Posted by "Barb" (campbell dot 64 at hotmail dot co dot uk) [4 weeks ago]

This link below will take you to Tillymint in action. Alfie is next door's cat which Tilly takes great delight in ripping the face off everytine she sees him. She makes his life hell, but he comes back for more every time. Hope this link works :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Fix3lyw9cQ

Posted by "Chris" (christatedavies at gmail dot com) [4 weeks ago]

That's super to hear about your cats. What a great outcome for you all.

Barb, that must've been a little odd having Tillymint bring home a yorkshire pudding. Archie left us a little pile of intestines the other night, which was nice. He'd never leave a yorkshire, far too tasty to leave!!!

Mur_Meli - we had some issues with the website but they should all be resolved now. Thanks. 8 months to grow back the hair! Thats a long time, poor Tuhka.

If you missed the programme on BBC1 last night about Oscar the bionic cat, then you can still watch it on the iPlayer here http://bit.ly/aoh0iu

Happy to hear you all are doing well.

Posted by "Mur_meli" (mur_meli at hotmail dot com) [1 month ago]

Hi!
It's great to hear about Tillymint!!
I also have some good news. Tuhka can still go without (everyday) painkillers!! The glucosaminepills she takes, have so far been enough! Every now and then, when she is more quiet, I give her some painkillers, because it's so difficult to tell, if she's quiet because of the pain.. A year ago I didn't believe she would still be around!!
And it took 8 months the hair to grow back...

Thanks Chris for putting up this site!! It has been a friend in dark times!
(lately i've had some difficulties opening this page - error code keep showing up...)

To ALL of you and your furry friends: Have a GREAT summer!!!

Posted by "Barb" (campbell dot 64 at hotmail dot co dot uk) [1 month ago]

Hi everyone

Its been 6 months since Tillymint lost her back leg and she is doing just fine. The scabbing on her remaining limb turned out to be a food allergy (only Tilly!), she can't have "cheap" cat biccies, only the real expensive ones!!

So far she has brought home mice, various birds, baby chicks, butterflies, pegs, a yorkshire pudding(!) and the list goes on.

Losing a leg has not hindered her in any way and i hope people feel encouragement from this message. Your pet will cope better than you, believe you me!

This website was my saviour in a time of great need and we all thank you in our house xxxxx

Posted by "SueH" (sue dot harris at dsl dot pipex dot com) [1 month ago]

People might be interested in Oscar, the bionic cat. He's had his back feet amputated after an argument with a combine harvester and has been fitted with revolutionary artificial feet. The clip/article also has mentions a TV programme to be shown on Wednesday 30 June at 2245 on BBC1 called the Bionic Vet.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/jersey/hi/people_and_places/nature/newsid_8762000/8762217.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/jersey/hi/people_and_places/nature/newsid_8762000/8762326.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/science_and_environment/10404251.stm

Posted by "JJ" [4 months ago]

What a great story. Well done archie!

Posted by "Chris" (christatedavies at gmail dot com) [4 months ago]

That does sound like an awful position to be in. There is only so long that medication can make your life better...

When she's not in pain, I bet she's still a happy bundle of fur... Such a tough time for you all.

Posted by "Mur_meli" (mur_meli at hotmail dot com) [4 months ago]

Hi Chris.
No, it's not arthritis. It's an autoimmune disease, that's affecting the joints. Or then it's some sort of tumor (the pathology result didn't tell us what's causing this). Anyhow it is destroying Tuhkas joints from the inside. The outcome is similar to arthritis, that's why I'm thinking of possible ways to cope with it.. And as I found out earlier the cortisone injections make Tuhka sick, so we can't use them.. This sucks!!!!

Posted by "Chris" (christatedavies at gmail dot com) [4 months ago]

Sorry to hear about your elder cat. Sounds like you did the right thing though.

Not sure about arthritis. But, as over 8 million people in the UK suffer from the most common type of it, I am sure there are medications available. How much different could it be for a cat?

Did the vet say it was definitely Arthrtitis?

Posted by "Mur_meli" (mur_meli at hotmail dot com) [4 months ago]

Ooops... Felixe's duck. Got the names wrong, sorry.

Posted by "Mur_meli" (mur_meli at hotmail dot com) [4 months ago]

It's great to hear, all your little huntters are doing so good! My cats are indoorcats, so they only bring me toys... Jasper's duck made me laugh (in a good way)!
I had to put my old cat to sleep 2 weeks ago. He was 18yrs, had kidney-, thyroid- and bloodpressure problems. So it made sense..
This weekend I realized I might have to do that decision again soon with Tuhka. She woke me up crying on night, clearly in pain. Luckily the painkillers calmed her down. I don't know how people handle animals with artheritis - how they can keep the pain in control? Is it even possible? I have to figure out all the options or then I have to face the only option.
With a heavy heart..

Posted by "Chris" (christatedavies at gmail dot com) [4 months ago]

Archie brought back a vole this weekend. I'm waiting for him to bring us back a duck. That'll go nice with some red wine gravy!

Posted by "charlotte and jasper" (charlottemoir at hotmail dot com) [4 months ago]

WOW a duck! Jasper has brought a mouse once but it was ages ago - he seems to have lost interest in hunting

Posted by "Alice" (alice dot corkill at education dot nsw dot gov dot au) [4 months ago]

Felix is doing quite well now. he managed to catch a full size duck and bring it inside. He doesn't seem to be expriencign any more phantom limb and seems quite happy with three legs.

Posted by "Chris" (christatedavies at gmail dot com) [4 months ago]

Hello.

I've uploaded a new video of Archie to the front page of his website. I tried to get a video of him walking to show the 'hops' but he was less than helpful...

Posted by "Chris" (christatedavies at gmail dot com) [4 months ago]

Yeah, he didn't have any problems last night.

Perhaps its not something to worry about.

Posted by "charlotte and jasper" (charlottemoir at hotmail dot com) [4 months ago]

sounds like a bit of muscle strain from extra activity - jasper is out more now too so will keep and eye on him for signs of it

Posted by "Chris" (christatedavies at gmail dot com) [4 months ago]

He does chase the other cats, but he's twice their size so its not really fair to class it as a fight. More like he sits on them. He play fights with us more. And his back leg does give it some but I think he forgets sometimes. Plus we've noticed he's going out more in the nicer weather/brighter evenings. So perhaps he's just more tired.

Posted by "charlotte and jasper" (charlottemoir at hotmail dot com) [4 months ago]

Does Archie play fight with other cats? When Jasper does he is on his back kicking like crazy with 3 legs and i'm amazed he does not hurt himself.

It's generally after a vigorous fight that he is a bit stiff/wobbly and not able to jump so well.

Posted by "charlotte and jasper" (charlottemoir at hotmail dot com) [4 months ago]

Hi Chris

I notice that with Jasper sometimes but it never lasts long - think it may be a case of pulling a muscle or something similar whilst out and about.

It was a year this weekend since Jasper's accident and I'm pleased to say he is doing exceptionally well and is loving all the sympathy that comes from new people who meet him - he is so spoilt!

Posted by "Chris" (christatedavies at gmail dot com) [4 months ago]

Archie seems to have suddenly gone backwards in his ability to jump.

We have a small thing for him to sleep on, which is about the height of a coffee table. He had no problems jumping onto it before, but in the last few days he doesn't seem to be able to make it first time and has to have another go.

Has anyone else had this?

Posted by "cj" (force1959 at msn dot com) [5 months ago]

Onyx was sleepy for about 48 hours and plus the help of the pains meds given during the day. Be reassured that all will be fine. Phanton pains do go away i beleive for that is what onyx has showed since her surgery. Just make sure that keep them quite for some time. Keep us up to date and we will be more then happy to help with any questions that you might have. the main thing i am working on is to watch on Onyxs weight. and have also noticed that the back leg that remains is checked on for i have noticed when she is in the litter box some of the litter will harden on the leg so daily checking and cleaning is needed. She also gets tired after play time for it takes alot of energy

Posted by "Chris" (christatedavies at gmail dot com) [5 months ago]

Hi Rachel.

Archie was also very sleepy after the operation. Probably a mix of drug effects, and a little depression. He slept under a chair in the bedroom for a couple of weeks after the operation - but that's probably also because he wasn't allowed outside.

He didn't take long to get back to normal, and we've not had any phantom pains for months now. He's either got used to them, or they've stopped. I really did think they'd last longer to be honest.

Chris