Posted by "cj" (force1959 at msn dot com) [28/02/2010 10:18:16]

Hello all Since i have last talked to everyone Onyx is now spayed and doing just fine. Pic of missy and Onyx Onyx seems to need closeness and the mother companionship. I hope all kittens are doing well. and tillymint is getting better day by day. This site is just what owners of loved amputees need we have all been there and have different stories to tell and have experienced. Your cat will be fine after surgery. It is just something they get used to on there own. I also agree that to tape a leg up to see what happens is not necessary. I do not blame them for being upset. This is something they learn and deal with it on a dividual basis. You will go thru emotion up and down and will think you are making the right/wrong decision. I was there myself. I had cried for nights and i am blessed with this site and the people here to listen and been thru the same. Please your decision which everone you make will work out in the end. Please keep in touch for we all care deeply.

Posted by "Barb" (campbell dot 64 at hotmail dot co dot uk) [26/02/2010 08:33:31]

Hi all, I cancelled Tillymints x-ray as i noticed some scabbing and bleeding on her remaining back leg which she kept licking like mad. She has an allergy of some kind and the vet has given her an anti inflammatory jab which should last 2 weeks. Apparently, as the leg is sore from licking it she is trying to protect it, so basically she is "limping". I am just so pleased that she hasn't damaged her hip or back and it is "just an allergy". Hopefully the only way is up for her now.

Posted by "Maiken - Lala" (maiken85 at hotmail dot com) [21/02/2010 02:47:10]

@ Chris: That is what I also thought, so after about 5 mins with the hissing, meowing and so on, the tape went off. Then she whas hiding for som time and now she's herself again.

I did see the video and it's incredible to see him runing like that. It really is possible :)

I will read the stories and hopefully it will give me some peace in mind. Thank You

@SueH: The vet it's actually very good and has been a great support in the entire process. But the strapping was not the best idea.

Thank you for the input concerning her weight. She is on a diet now and hopefully the weightloss will continue, even after the leg is removed.

Posted by "SueH" (sue dot harris at dsl dot pipex dot com) [20/02/2010 07:26:16]

Maiken

I really think that doing that to your cat is not a realistic way to see how she would manage with three legs - it is at best uncomfortable and at worst painful for her, and she is going to be concentrating on freeing herself rather than on getting about. Are you happy with this vet? Does s/he have any experience with amputation/amputee cats? If not I am sure you could change....

As stories here show, cats manage very well with three legs after initial adjustment.

Good lcuk. I wouldn't worry about the weight as far as the op goes although it will be good to lose it for her mobility and health in the future.

Posted by "Chris" (christatedavies at gmail dot com) [20/02/2010 05:32:03]

Barb, perhaps Tillymint hasn't quite adjusted properly. I think running is more natural for the limb movement...

Let us know what the vet says...

Posted by "Chris" (christatedavies at gmail dot com) [20/02/2010 05:30:37]

Taped it under her belly? I'm pretty sure I would be hissing and angry if someone was taping my broken leg!!!

That must've hurt, a lot.

Anyway, your cat will adjust fine with a missing leg. Just read some of the stories on here. If she's only 3 years old, then I personaly think she'll be fine.

Did you have a look at the video on the front page? It shows Archie running around fine with a missing leg. It doesn't affect him at all any more.

Not sure how a pound over weight will affect things, but I don't really think a pound is a lot. Someone else might know better...

Posted by "Maiken - Lala" (maiken85 at hotmail dot com) [20/02/2010 04:19:25]

Hi Guys I'm sitting here in Denmark searching the net trying to find information about amputation, there's not a lot to find. I have have a almost 3 year old cat, who is going through surgery on monday. She has a broken ligament on the back right leg. The vet thinks the only way out is an amputation of the leg. The problem is, that my cat is apox. 1 pound overweight. She is on a diet now and has lost 110 grams in 14 days, so it's going in the right direction. I'm very anxious about having a 3-legged cat and I can't help thinking what kind of live she will have afterwards. I'm just tearing up, because I dont know what to do. The wet took the leg on friday and taped it under her belly, so we could see how it would be. She was very upset, biting, scrathing, and meowing like she never did before and the tape went off. Did any off you try this before the amputation and how did your cat react? How did your cat react after coming home from surgery without a leg? Best regards, Maiken

Posted by "Barb" (campbell dot 64 at hotmail dot co dot uk) [19/02/2010 13:46:15]

Well, Tillymint is having an x-ray on Monday morning. The vet (and Tilly) are not happy, she is still dragging her good leg - he wants to check she hasn't damaged her spine in some way. He said she is still in pain and is compensating for that. She walks fine for about 3 steps then squats down and drags the leg. Anyway, i will let you know what happens on Monday, fingers crossed she has just decided that that is the best way to walk!! Watching Archies video, Tilly runs exactly the same, it is only when she is walking. We live in hope.

Posted by "charlotte and jasper" (charlottemoir at hotmail dot com) [17/02/2010 00:10:36]

Jasper spent 5 weeks in a cage following his amputation (he had damaged the other leg too). It's now 11 months on and he moves around fine - hopefully she just needs some rest and possibly she hurt that leg a bit at the same time

Posted by "Mur_meli" (mur_meli at hotmail dot com) [16/02/2010 15:21:38]

Poor Tillymint! Hope she will be fine soon!! Lots of TLC!!

We take one day at a time with Tuhka. Her remaining back leg is very swollen, but I don't think she's in pain. She hops around, plays with her toys, aso. Sometimes she slows down a little and at those times I wonder if there is some sort of sensations in her leg.. As long as she doesn't feel pain...

Posted by "Barb" (campbell dot 64 at hotmail dot co dot uk) [16/02/2010 12:49:56]

We had to take Tillymint to the vet in the end, she could hardly walk. Apparently, after much scratching, hissing, spitting and general nastiness from our baby the vet (god bless him) was able to ascertain that she has strained her hip and is in terrible pain with it. She is now on antibiotics and painkillers and is confined to a cage to stop her moving around. She also had a temperature and he gave her something for that as well. This poor little cat is just trying to have fun. Hopefully in a week or so she will be able to walk properly but at the moment she could do with a wheelchair. I will keep you posted anyway, thanks for the replies.

Posted by "charlotte and jasper" (charlottemoir at hotmail dot com) [15/02/2010 09:28:12]

Jasper does not seem to have problems walking and is fine on his remaining back leg. When he was first 'up and about' he stuck close to walls etc but I think that's just cos he was wobbly at first but seems fine now

We saw a siamese hopping on 3 legs last night whilst holding up a front leg - couldn't get it to come close to us so we could check it but really hope it's OK and was on its way home -I felt so guilty having to leave it (it looked OK otherwise)

Posted by "Chris" (christatedavies at gmail dot com) [14/02/2010 11:02:43]

Yes, Archie sometimes walks a bit funny. We think its because he tires quickly (or is after some sympathy!) - it must be quite hard to grow the muscles required for walking on one less leg...

If you're worried or she keeps doing it, then I would recommend a visit to the vet.

Is it sore? Will she let you massage that area?

Posted by "Barb" (campbell dot 64 at hotmail dot co dot uk) [14/02/2010 10:54:21]

Hi, it's me again regarding Tillymint. Has anyone noticed with their 3 legged pet who has lost a hind leg that they went through a phase of not walking properly.

Tillymint started yesterday walking like a rabbit, meaning she is not walking on her back leg as normal but is "hopping" on the lower leg part - like a rabbit does. She is also swinging the leg out to the side and almost dragging her "stump" on the floor.

We are debating whether or not to run her to the vet tomorrow for a quick check and to put our minds at rest that she hasn't had a fall and hurt her back, but i said let's see what Archie's site has to say first.

Thanks guys.

Posted by "Chris" (christatedavies at gmail dot com) [11/02/2010 05:56:32]

Hi Barb.

Yeah, Archie quite often tries to scratch his ear with his missing leg. He goes through patches of doing it a lot, and then not so much. Although he doesn't hiss at us...!

I would suggest that perhaps a good brush should sort out a few knots that might cause an itch. We do brush Archie more often these days to try and keep his stump wiggling down to a minimum.

And its winter so he brings back twigs and leaves and all sorts so we constantly have to brush them out!

Perhaps Tillymint is in a bit of a strop about being shaved and having her leg taken from her. Its probably been a very traumatic 10 months to be fair to her. Time is a great healer and she'll soon forget about it.

Posted by "Barb" (campbell dot 64 at hotmail dot co dot uk) [11/02/2010 05:47:21]

Hi everyone, this site is fabulous for the parents of amputees. Archie looks great on the front page.

Tillymint is doing great, running around like an idiot and loving life to the full. We've just had her spayed (last week - she's only 10 months old god bless her) so she is looking a bit bare from the waist down :).

I have a question though. She had her back leg amputated and can't scratch behind her ear. If we go to do it for her she spits at us and walks away in a huff and then carries on trying to scratch. Its actually quite heartbreaking watching her - does anyone have a suggestion or will she sort it out herself?

Many thanks and love to you all.

Posted by "charlotte and jasper" (charlottemoir at hotmail dot com) [08/02/2010 04:14:09]

Hi Chris

It would appear he has had a few episodes but my OH did not know what they were and never told me!

I witnessed one but it was literally 5 seconds of him throwing himself around then he was fine so i'm not too worried about them.

Posted by "cj" (force1959 at msn dot com) [07/02/2010 10:06:25]

Thank you so much for your response. I do beleive in what you are saying. yes here in the US it is exceptable--for i also do not feel this is necessary and inhumane for any animal. Being harsh is a good thing for the support i get on this site is very valuable. Thanks for taking the time.

Posted by "SueH" (sue dot harris at dsl dot pipex dot com) [06/02/2010 15:28:10]

No, no, no!! Don't even think about it! It is cruel and barbaric mutilation and is illegal in the UK and in many other countries unless done for medical reasons. Vets in the UK can be struck off if they declaw. I know that in the US sadly some vets will do it because ignorant people demand it and pay for it, so it can seem that it's acceptable - but how would you like your nails pulled out? The Humane Society's statement to many this side of the pond would seem pretty wimpish in its opposition but it does state the downside very clearly. Board won't accept the link but put the usual in front of this - http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/cats/facts/declawing.html
The only reason anyone would do it knowing the damage it does to the cat's welfare would be if they value their soft furnishings above the cat's wellbeing.

An amputee cat in particular might need their claws to act as crampons when they move about.

Sorry to sound harsh because you clearly love your cats very much and would not do anything to harm them, but please realise that declawing does just that

Posted by "cj" (force1959 at msn dot com) [06/02/2010 12:27:33]

Need some help: what do u all think about getting declawed. It is time for Onyx to get spayed and just want to know all opinion on declawing our cats. Hope all is well.

Posted by "Chris" (christatedavies at gmail dot com) [05/02/2010 06:25:41]

Hi Charlotte, has Jasper had any "phantom" pains yet or have you managed to dodge that particular problem completely?

Posted by "charlotte and jasper" (charlottemoir at hotmail dot com) [29/01/2010 12:04:13]

I love the video of archie, I couldn't even see that he has a leg missing!

Jasper is less fluffy so his is more noticeable but he can run very fast which amazes me considering how damaged his remaining back leg was.

He's doing very well now, over 10 months on from his amputation.

He's more sedate now and doesn't roam far from the house (none of our 3 do really anymore) but I'm happy with that.

He still manages to put a good fight with his 'brother' and 'sister' and pull's the sympathy vote when he feels he's not getting enough attention!

Hope everyone is recovering as well as jaspie xx

Posted by "cj" (force1959 at msn dot com) [27/01/2010 19:07:49]

Archie has come along way. The video says it all. The care that you have provided and the love you have given, it really show a happy cat. I just love it. Keep safe and in touch.

Posted by "Chris" (christatedavies at gmail dot com) [27/01/2010 12:12:47]

I have put an online video of Archie running on the site. It can be found on the front/home page of this site; if anyone is interested.

Thanks, Chris

Posted by "anita" (anitatk at iol dot ie) [20/01/2010 14:49:49]

thanks to you all again, the support given on this forum is second to none and such a wonderful help to us all.