Does anyone out there have an amputee pet? Looking for advice.

[lala646]

Our poor kitty Stanley (my avatar) needs to have one of his front legs amputated due to a recurring, aggressive cancer. He's had surgery twice to remove the tumor, and each time it has come back faster and more aggressively. Though the amputation will be traumatic (for all of us), we and his vet thought it would be less traumatic for him than the alternative of aggressive surgery to preserve the leg, plus a month or more of daily radiation treatments involving daily sedation. All this to say, I'm worried for my sweet bub, and looking for any advice anyone who has been through this may have.

Picture here of Stan after his last surgery in February, being the Goodest Boy, and wearing All The Things to try to keep him from removing his bandages (again).

 

[yssie]

I’m so sorry you’ve had such a battle with poor Stanley Hopefully removing the leg removes the problem once and for all!

Our cat Alex had his back leg removed a few years ago - also due to cancer. They really do recover fast. Him losing his leg was 100% more traumatic for us than for him, I didn’t believe the vet but it’s totally the truth. He learnt to get around on just three legs unbelievably fast, and didn’t seem to “miss” his leg at all - this was just his new normal. And pretty soon that one hind leg became ridiculously strong, and he can jump (almost) like he used to…

The specialist we took him to made pain management a top priority, which was very very important to me. No reason for animals to be in pain. That said, we did have some wobbling around before we got his gabapentin dosage right

For about six months after his surgery we were at the vet monthly for bloodwork and ultrasounds. Then that dropped to every two months, then four months, and now he goes in every six months. They weren’t able to take much tissue surrounding the tumour - not nearly as much as they’d have liked - so we were quite worried about resurgence, but seems like we got lucky!

Wishing Stanley and his parents well!!

 

[mom2dolls]

Sending hugs and healing to you & Stanley. I am sorry he is going through this.

 

[Gloria27]

I feel for you and the poor kitty (I have cats too), sending good vibes your way.
Never been in a situation like this so don't have any advice or experience to share.

 

[kgizo]

So sorry to hear about your kitty’s cancer. Stan looks like such a good boy!! We adopt special needs pets and have had multiple amputees. Our cat did extremely well and it didn’t slow him down one bit. The only pet that had an issue was our dog that lost her front leg and went blind later in life. Blind dogs often stand on one front leg and use the other to feel around. We managed by wrapping any sharp corners with bubble wrap.
I do medical fosters and this sweet boy lost his leg on Wednesday (eyes are a little gunky because he also had cherry eye removed). I am struggling to keep up with him as he wants to run around the yard and it is too soon for that much activity. I expect Stan will do very well too, and surprise you with how fast he adjusts and heals. Since Stan has had limited use of that leg he probably has already figured out how to navigate around on three legs. Foster is wearing a tee so he doesn’t use his back legs to get at the stitches. My cats would NEVER wear shirts or costumes, so maybe ask your vet if this could be a concern for Stan. Sending him lots of well wishes and healing vibes.

 

[finerthings]

Oh gosh, I am so sorry, and I just want to send you and Stanley huge hugs and bucket loads of good wishes. (((hugs))) You are such a good Mommy, I know he will be in the best hands possible.

 

[stracci2000]

I hope dear Stanley pulls through quickly and has an easy recovery!

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

Aww, he'll adjust right quick to it, and then amaze you with it, you'll see. He'll make it cool. He can be nicknamed Stan, Stan, the Tripod Man now! I've known a few tripods and double amputee cats/dogs and they motor like nobody's business.
Stanley will be coming out of this like a boss.

 

[foxinsox]

Poor little guy but it’ll be the best thing for him. Happy healing Stan!

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

best wishes Stan
i know Stan is a cat but i thought this might warm your heart

in real life this dog's name was Blue
he recently passed away at 15 1/2
a pretty good innings

 

[missy]

Sending bucketloads of healing vibes to Stanley and gentle hugs to you both.

 

[tyty333]

20+ years ago my mom had a cat that had to have his front leg removed. It's like @yssie said. He recovered quickly and didn't even
seem to "miss" the leg. I think her other cats were a little more skeptical because he walked differently and they just didn't seem
to understand the change. They hissed at him for a little while but then they all calmed down.

Wishing you luck with your baby. Hoping this surgery takes care of the cancer.

 

[lala646]

Our sweet boy is gone. His surgery yesterday apparently went well, and the surgeon and our regular vet both reassured us throughout the day that everything was fine and he was recovering as expected. We spoke with the overnight technician late last night, and she said he didn't have much of an appetite, but was otherwise doing ok. Around 3 this morning, he passed quite suddenly, apparently from a blood clot. We got a call early this morning letting us know, and we spent the morning at the vet saying our goodbyes. We're absolutely devastated.

 

[yssie]

OMG.

OMG. JFC. Lala... I'm so sorry. I'm trying to figure out what I could possibly say that would be remotely helpful and I'm not coming up with anything. How completely and totally unfair and awful and... I don't even know. I'm so so so so very sorry.

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear this.
Words fail.


Words fail.

 

[junebug17]

Oh @lala646, I am so very sorry. What a shock for you and your family. Sending comfort and many hugs during this really hard time. <3

 

[stracci2000]

Oh no! This took my breath away.
Gosh, I am so so sorry this happened.
I can't even imagine your anguish.
((((((Hugs)))))))

 

[tyty333]

Oh @lala646 I am so sorry. I was hoping that the surgery would put an end to the cancer and that he could live out his days like a fairly
normal kitty. I am so, so sorry. Words are so inadequate when dealing with the loss of a beloved pet. I feel truly heartbroken for you.

Sending gentle hugs to you and your family.

 

[MamaBear]

Oh @lala646 I am shocked. I‘m so incredibly sad. What an awful day to go through. I am thinking of you and so so sorry

 

[kgizo]

I am so sorry for your loss, lala.

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Oh NO! Big hugs for a big loss. Stanley was a great name.

kind regards, Sharon

 

[Mreader]

Oh my God I’m so sorry to hear this. So so so sorry. I was just about to tell you about my friend’s cat that was on three legs and doing fine. And then I read the follow up post. My cat has surgery tomorrow so all of these things are on my mind. Sending condolences your way and I hope that you can hold onto your sweet memories of your sweet boy.

 

[Wink]

I am mostly a dog person, but such a story always hurts. Dogs, cats, they are part of our family. From my family to yours, our condolences.

 

[Calliecake]

@lala646, I’m so sorry for your loss. I wish there was something I could say or do to ease your heartbreak. Sending you hugs, Callie

 

[foxinsox]

Oh gosh. I am so sorry for your loss. How terribly unfair and awful.

 

[Ionysis]

So very sorry to hear about your loss. Our pets are part of our family and dearly loved. I hope the lovely memories you have of Stanley will help with the grief you feel at his passing. Sincere condolences.

 

[rcjtraveler]

So very sorry for your loss. Take good care.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

So sorry, we lost our cat Wednesday, sudden death, it’s been a tough week on PS for pet lovers.

My heart goes out to you at this difficult time.

 

[yssie]

More ::HUGS:: Lala, I hope you and your fam are doing okay. It takes me a couple of weeks to even start to feel anything beyond numb after losing a furbaby. I know everyone processes grief so differently. Thinking of you.

 

[finerthings]

I am so very sorry to hear such devastating news about your Stanley. My heart breaks for you and your family. Take care. (((((Hugs)))))