Posted by "joanne" (jolouise1972 at googlemail dot com) [6 days ago]

Posted by "joanne" (jolouise1972 at googlemail dot com) [6 days ago]

Posted by "joanne" (jolouise1972 at googlemail dot com) [6 days ago]

Blaze had lots of nightmares and phantom pain in the first month after having his leg removed, he also walked a lot with his remaining rear leg in the air and did lots of tumbling which upset us all, it looks like Nala has more bone left on here area than blaze, i think he had a higher injury, so his wound was more central to his body where as i can see Nala;s is more lower down. He has always been a lover of being outdoors and would constantly catch mice, birds and even climb trees and steal birds eggs, within days of being home he would get to the cat flap and look out which made me feel so guilty, he has only been allowed outside in the back garden for the last week and i keep as much of an eye on him as possible, i have 7ft fences around the whole of my garden so hope it will be a while before he is strong enough to go over them. I am awaiting a move at some point this year and i have decided that i am going to go to a remote as possible village for blaze

Posted by "Chris" (christatedavies at gmail dot com) [6 days ago]

Yeah, we've always said its harder on the owners. The recovery process doesn't seem to bother them much after the first week or so. Whereas we struggle to come to terms, and we think they are suffering more than they really are.

We didn't want to let Archie out, and it would have been easy for us to convert him into an indoor cat (he had gotten used to staying in while the stitches were healing) - but he is an outdoor cat and after a few times we were fine with it. (Apart from the first time he stayed out late!)

When we moved house, it was scary too. But you just have to let them do what is natural to them. I think if its a road accident, they learn to stay away. Archie for sure was very scared of lorries after the accident!

We bought a leash to take him out the first few times, but he was less than impressed.

He's fine now. Coming up to the fourth anniversary of his amputation and we can hardly remember him with four legs now (although I found this video the other day - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhZnIpyczfI). He sometimes thumps his stump when he slips when running, and he definitely plays on it when he wants fuss. But he's still the boss of the house and gets whatever he wants when he wants.

Good luck with the release!

Posted by "Sheryl" (shezzieg at aol dot com) [6 days ago]

Hi Joanne,

Since the surgery and becoming an 'indoor' cat Nala has become extremely dominant also. Before she would have never taken on the other cats, and especially not have won! But now she is a little rascal, always trying to protect her toys and humans from other mean kitties!
I too had to stop myself from helping Nala move around, watching her come down the stairs was very difficult as first. She races up and down them now though so all worth it in the end.

I am planning on letting Nala out in the garden again. Once I summon up the courage! Finding it rather hard to let her be an independent kitty again.

Has Blaze had any trouble with 'phantom' pains at all?
Nala has had a few bad moments where she lashes out due to this. It was happening quite often after the amputation but has luckily calmed right down now. Every now and then one of her brothers does get a good wallop from her because she blames them for it hehe

Sheryl

Posted by "joanne" (jolouise1972 at googlemail dot com) [7 days ago]

Thank you Chris :) Hope archie is ok

Posted by "Chris" (christatedavies at gmail dot com) [7 days ago]

Joanne, its not a problem about the youtube link, I have made it clickable for you though.

Posted by "joanne" (jolouise1972 at googlemail dot com) [1 week ago]

Glad to hear Nala is doing well and yes nothing prepares you for the 24/7 watching of them, i am so glad i had my son here to help me out as needed a few catnaps by the end of the 4 weeks, blaze spent first 2 days at home in his cat basket and i would lock the door at night as bayley is such a mummys boy and i couldnt lock him out of the living room without him crying the house down for me so needed to keep blaze safe as bayley hissed at him for first few days due to smell of the vets, which shocked me as they aint the closest of brothers but after seeing Bayley looking for him out of the window for 2 days solid i wasnt prepared for the hissing, poor bayley was told of lots and im pleased to say now they are back to there normal selfs, even with 3 legs Blaze is still the more dominant one and loves nothing more than jumping after Bayley if Bayley goes near his play tunnel. After 2 days in his basket i got a cage and thought it would be the answer but no as soon as Blaze was put in there he freaked and was hanging like a monkey from the top of the cage, i put a blanket over the cage, removed his food bowls and litter tray and cover the bottom with pillows and bedding which worked perfectly and blaze felt very safe then, first night of leaving the cage door unlocked was a nervous time as wasnt sure how Bayley would be as he kept sneaking up to the cage but within a few days Blaze was out of the cage so much i got rid of it and had him on a quilt next to my put up bed, was a worry the first time i took him upstairs but he went under my daughters bed so i asked my son to watch him as i was about to cook all of a sudden he was with me in the kitchen, so glad i never saw him come down the stairs as i know i would have been trying to help him. Its been a major rollercoaster of emotions for us all and ive had my days of tears and anger. He was so desperate to go outside that i let him have a wander and sniff and he now sits out there bird watching for 20 mins at a time then seems bit scared and comes in, i dont want him going further than the garden and am going to try my hardest to keep him there only as i dont want people laughiing at him with 3 legs and i also dont want him getting into fights which he did daily lol am putting a rare pic of the 2 of them sleeping near each other which was taken 3 weeks ago :) xxx

Posted by "Sheryl" (shezzieg at aol dot com) [1 week ago]

Hi Joanne, Quite glad to hear I wasn't the only one who had an extreme lack of sleep after the amputation. Nala too kept trying to pull the stitches out. We tried all different sizes of buster collar, even going up to the 15cm one, which the poor little thing couldn't walk in. In the end it was a case of constantly watching her day and night until the stitches were removed. Once the stitches had come out she was back to her old self again..charging around after her brothers Percy and Bertie like nothing had happened! I am so impressed (and relieved!) that she has adapted so well and so quickly to life on 3 legs. Very pleased to here little Blaze is doing so well also! Although he doesn't look like he enjoyed wearing that baby grow! I haven't had the courage to let her outside yet, for a 3 legged baby she's incredibly quick! Too worried she'd rush off up the garden hehe How did your other cat take to Blaze after he returned from his operation? My other two were ever so mean, hissing and spitting and trying to sound big and mean. I gradually re-introduced them to her and now they are the best of friends again. Sheryl (Thank you for fixing the board Chris!)

Posted by "joanne" (jolouise1972 at googlemail dot com) [7 days ago]

Hi Sheryl, been trying to reply to you for a while now (thanks for fixing message board Chris) :) Had the most horrific time with Blaze for 4 weeks after his leg was removed, i slept downstairs with him all the time, xmas was tough but im glad to say we are past the worst and Blaze is doing really well, he was opening his wound and i tried everything to stop him, head collars were constantly removed and vet even suggested a baby grow which after 2 days i couldnt bear to see him unhappy so we went back to the collar and he had good periods of ignoring it but the min i was asleep he would remove it, so i was surviving on prob a few hrs sleep per night, think it irritated him with the new hair coming through. He is now back to his bullying personality and his twin brother bayley gets his own back by climbing the garden fence and glaring at him as if to say look at me up here lol Blaze climbed the 7ft fence the other day after being allowed to go in the garden supervised and was wobbling so much i got him off, i have started doing some videos of Blaze as had many friends asking how he was doing and if ok with Archiecat would like to leave my youtube link (i will understand if you want to remove) http://www.youtube.com/user/jolouise1972?feature=watch Hope Nala is doing ok

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

Sorry the message board broke. I have fixed it now. Sorry for the inconvenience. I will try to keep an eye on it more often!

Posted by "Sheryl" (shezzieg at aol dot com) [2 months ago]

Hi Joanne, Very sorry to hear about little Blaze. My Nala was hit by a car on Monday and she too had her left hind leg removed. How is Blaze doing now? Nala just started jumping onto the beds and sofa so she is really getting her strength back. Blaze is beautiful by the way, I really hope he is adapting well. Here's a picture of my little girl.

Posted by "joanne" (jolouise1972 at googlemail dot com) [2 months ago]

Arghhh i just wrote our story and it was very long and now not there :( anyway pic is off Blaze below who got hit by a car on sat and had his left rear leg removed sunday, will rewrite our story tomorrow

Posted by "joanne" (jolouise1972 at googlemail dot com) [2 months ago]

So glad i found this website as its helped me loads I am the proud mummy of Blaze

Posted by "Sheryl" (shezzieg at aol dot com) [2 months ago]

Thank you all. It's so nice to be able to speak to others who have experienced what me and little Nala are currently going through.
We just got back from the vets an hour ago with Nala. Am so glad to have her home so quickly. To my surprise the first thing she did was run up the stairs! She's now found herself a little spot on the laundry and is sleeping peacefully, obviously as glad to be home as we are to have her here.
I really think she'll adapt quickly.
Seeing her initially was a bit of shock. No matter how much you prepare yourself when it's your baby with all the stitches its rather heart-wrenching.

We will keep you updated on her progress and if there are any questions you all will be the first to know. It's lovely to have people to speak to about this.
Thank you ever so much.

Sheryl.

Posted by "Cilla " (cilla at cillaroberts dot freeserve dot co dot uk) [2 months ago]

Hi Sheryl,

I can also say the same thing - she'll get used to it ever so quickly! We have just passed the first anniversary of my cat William's front leg amputation - last Nov. It was a shock to see him at first but you get used to it. Hasn't slowed him down at all and he goes out as much as he did before and gets around just the same. The bouncing rather than walking took some getting used to for me but doesn't seem to affect him at all.

Best of luck to you and Nala!

Kind regards
Cilla (and William)

Posted by "Chris" (christatedavies at gmail dot com) [2 months ago]

Hi Sheryl

That's a shame about Nalas, but as Pauline said, it won't be so bad. As long as you know what could happen, it shouldn't be so surprising if it does. The back flips, and phantom pain squeals are the worst really, with the shock of seeing your cat for the first time after surgery...

The first day is kind of tough as Nalas might not quite understand why she can't balance as well as used to, but they adapt so quickly that'll be soon forgotten.

Be strong for her and it will be easier. You'll be surprised at how quickly she recovers I think. And before you know it, you won't remember her with 4 legs. We can't remember Archie with 4 legs, only have pictures to remind us he did have them.

Chris

Posted by "pauline pattinson" (thepattinsons at yahoo dot co dot uk) [2 months ago]

Hi Sheryl

Sorry to hear about Nalas accident - hoping surgery went ok - I have Charlie cat who has a hind leg amputation and he is now doing fantastically!!! He sits on top of my husbands van and jumps the fences no problem. ALL his fur has now grown back so he is looking 'normal'.

I have to say the most scary thing i found post surgery was the 'flipping' over when Charlie was trying to get his balance and in the end he used to sleep up against something so when he woke up he could right himself without flipping. Be prepared for this and then it wont seem so bad.

Lots of cuddle for Nala and please let us know how you both get on

Pauline and Charlie cat x

Posted by "Sheryl" (shezzieg at aol dot com) [2 months ago]

Thank you for your kind words Bev.
Nala's surgery went very well and I should be able to see her some time today.
Seeing all your pictures and videos really is helping me prepare for Nala's return. I shall keep you updated and let you know how she is doing. She's a brave little soul and I have every confidence she'll adapt very quickly.

Very happy to hear your Tanuki is doing so well!

Sheryl

Posted by "Bev" (bhbevieh at googlemail dot com) [2 months ago]

Hi Sheryl
Sorry to hear about Nala who must be out of surgery by now. Don't worry about her being able to cope, she like the rest of our furry loves adapt very well. It is two months today since Tanuki's amputation and he is dashing round the flat faster than he did on four legs, in and out the cat flap and today found him sitting on top of the wooden arch in the garden chewing on the clematis stems. He is beating up my other cat who is twice his size and although he has become more loving his frenzied biting (me) episodes have returned.
So no, Nala's loss won't change her life as much as your worry about her affects your life. You will both be fine.

Posted by "Sheryl" (shezzieg at aol dot com) [2 months ago]

Hi All,

My name is Sheryl and my little 8 month old kitten Nala is currently in surgery as I type having her left hind leg removed.

She came back home yesterday morning limping and I was shocked when I got a closer look. Her hip appeared to be badly dislocated (resulting in her whole leg pointing inwards) and her leg was swollen to almost twice the size. I called our emergency vet immediately and had her down the vets straight away.

After a few scans they concluded that they wouldn't be able to save the leg, she is so young and her bones simply would not be able to mend if they attempted surgery, they say that 2cm of bone was just shattered. It was terrible having to make that decision, to think her life would never be the same. Her being so young I'm slightly afraid of how she'll react to the change, she's always been such an active affectionate girl I just worry for her.

I am so thankful to have found this site and read your stories. It is such a comfort right now and your photo's have really prepared me of what to expect when I see Nala after her surgery.

Thank you
Sheryl

Posted by "Chris" (christatedavies at gmail dot com) [3 months ago]

Hi Bev

Sounds like you had a torrid time with Tanuki. But I think everyone here has had a bad time in one way or another.

Its interesting to read the change. He was clearly not happy with the injuries and it shows his gratitude to you for getting it sorted (even with his dribbling on you)

Also found it amusing that he likes cheesecake. Archie was eating baked beans last night.

Rest assured that his fur will grow back, it just seems to take an age at first. And I think we've all experienced the "stump" wiggle for ear scratching.

Its great to hear another "success" story, and we're all glad if the site helped a little bit in answering any questions you may have had. Its hard when you can't find any answers...

Chris

Posted by "Charlotte (and Matt)" (charlotte dot cotd at gmail dot com) [3 months ago]

Hi Bev,

It's so good to hear a success story and Tanuki sounds like such a character! You went through a terrible time and glad you have come out the other side with a smile. Fur grows back pretty quickly and you find it looks like they never had a fourth leg there. Matt has definitely put on weight that we have to watch...but that is because he is a greedy little so and so and pinches Jack and Tinkers food too! It's not through lack of exercise as he flies around the house as fast as the other two!

Let us know how you guys get on :)

Posted by "Bev" (bhbevieh at googlemail dot com) [3 months ago]

What a wonderful site. My 2 year old cat, Tanuki came home at 3 am 7 weeks ago, having been missing for 24 hours (had happened a few times before) but this time his right back foot was swollen and bloody then his breathing seemed laboured so called the vet and met him at the surgery. Told he'd been hit by a car and ring for an update at 9 am. They had x-rayed and operated but there was too much dead skin to sew it together, had dressed it and had to take him back every second day to have the dressing changed. Tanuki does not take anesthetic well, taking him 48 hours to recover, so dressing changes were done with mild sedatives and although he is a small cat he had a reputation of being a vicious biter so I had to put him in and out of the vets cages. He had to have a collar which freaked him even more, moved around, used his litter tray but wouldn't eat or drink and frightened my other cat so much that he only came in to eat and was gone again. I spent my time on the floor trying to tempt Tanuki with everything from chicken, fish, cat treats to cheesecake, my main worry was that he wasn't even drinking but had no problem putting his pain killers down his throat. After 24 hours of this I got some convalecent food from the vets which I fed him through a syringe every 2 hours as he would only take a little at a time. After a week his foot started to weep and smell and vet had originally warned me amputation may be necessary. I wish they had done that to begin with as when I picked him up that evening, (they had put him on a drip to remove the anesthetic) he went straight to his normal tinned food, finishing the whole bowl, then to litter tray, using his tail as a tripod then meowed at the locked cat flap to go out - don't think so! He accepted the collar but I did remove it to let him eat. Because of his bad reaction to drugs he was only given 2 more days of pain killers and showed no sign of pain, jumping up on the work tops, bed etc. but was also a transformed character. He followed me everywhere, curled up on my lap and let me brush him for hours, first time he'd let a brush near him in his life. He had scratches to his other leg and his tail from the RTA and they put a couple of stitches in his tail at the time of the amputation but it separated leaving 1/4 inch of flesh exposed,not smelling,weeping or bothering Tanuki but when I took him back to have his amputation stitches out they decided to amputate the tail leaving him with a 2 inch stump. As you all say we suffer more than our furry babies. I was so sad thinking of all the things he couldn't do without his leg but seeing him with a stumpy tail he suddenly became a cat of character and although he has every right to be angry now he only once has had a biting frenzy. Now all his stitches are out he is allowed out during the day, he was very nervous at first but once he'd caught up with all the smells and added his own he was off over the neighbouring gardens and worryingly for me is gone for hours but has accepted that he is locked in at night and can't wait for me to sit down so he can curl up and dribble and purr on me. From the start you could see his muscle moving to scratch the right side of his neck and seems satisfied but in the past couple of weeks he suddenly goes up on his front legs with his body in the air and walks backwards and sometimes flips right over. Somedays it is more frequent than others, occasionally making him hiss, growl and cry but doesn't appear to be in pain. I mentioned it to the vet who had never heard of it before neither was she aware of animals suffering from phantom limbs and never warned me to keep an eye on Tanuki's weight and I've just paid her over £600. The cost never crossed my mind, Tanuki's well being is all that matters and family will have to accept Xmas will have to be deferred till next year! Thanks to all those who have written about their tripeds and Archies various links I feel normal, more informed and reassured that Tanuki's fur will grow back before I have to get him a winter coat. Best wishes to all present and future amputees.

Posted by "Pauline Pattinson" (paulineapattinson at yahoo dot co dot uk) [4 months ago]

WOW what a fantastic picture of Buster - how brave you have both been and I bet Buster is loving you even more now he is outside in this gorgeous summer weather x

Have just got back from the vet with Charlie- had some stiches removed but still have 4left in due to the would area being slightly wet! So another week before fully removed - but been told to leave the collar off and if weahter lovely at the weekend then i can let him out for a little while but keep an eye on him!!!

I think at the moment Charlie is grateful that he doesnt have to wear the collar and can groom himself - which he has been doing for the last hour!

Take care everyone
Pauline x