can anyone help me please....

farthing · 06-03-2009, 12:55 PM

Hi, sorry to hear about Tinky, and hope the cancer is removed now.
We had a cat who lost a leg, he caught it in a snare and it was too badly damaged to save. His owners didn't want to pay for the op so he was going to be PTS, until we said we'd take him. We took him home 2 days after the op and the wound looked big and swollen, but gradually the swelling went down and the wound healed. 12 days later the stitches came out and he began to settle in. He was quite wobbly on the 3 legs to begin with, but soon learned and was as agile as the other 4 legged cats within a year.
In walk he looked a bit clumsy, but when running you couldn't tell he was minus a leg (it was his back, left leg).
The only thing we experienced initially was it was hard for him to toilet and he was a bit constapated, but he was given a painkiller and this helped.
Triger was an outside cat and could catch rabbits, sit on fence posts, we even caught him on the roof a couple of times.
We did also foster a 3 legged indoor cat, his only problem was he was too fat, and it is important to keep their weight down.
Hope this reassures you that you have done the right thing, and he will be his old self again soon.

Kim · 06-03-2009, 10:03 PM

Hi, I can't offer any help as no experience of amputee cats myself, however I really hope all goes well. x

dandysmom · 06-03-2009, 10:38 PM

Jo, I've no experience with an amputee cat, but with the love for him that comes thru so clearly in your posts, I'm sure he's going to be all right and adapt once the recovery period is over. Please do let us know how he's coming along, we care.

Moli · 06-03-2009, 11:18 PM

I have no experience either, but hope and pray Tinky makes a speedy recovery....

jan · 07-03-2009, 12:49 AM

Hi there,
I also think you have done the right thing for tinky winky - my neighbour s cat was run over and lost his leg amongst many other three legged cats I have and do see about at times, he recovered fine and even went out whenever he wanted. It didnt stop him doing anything he seemed to want to as far as I could see. I think you are in shock at everything happening so quickly but in a few weeks you will be used to it all and will know you have done the right thing. I wish you well, and Tinky Winky too of course! Jan x

pookyandjo · 07-03-2009, 09:53 AM

Hi all,
Thank you for all the posts.. they are a great perspective check. I have just got home from the hospital after spending the day with Tinky and doing his feeds... the first couple with help and the last couple by myself..and am feeling a little more confident about that.. I am going to go back tomorrow and do the same again.. one can never have too much practise..Tinky was VERY pleased to see me this morning when i arrived..he had been up on his leg and made some clumsy attempts at getting to the tray... and of course there was litter everwhere... He still has an i/v drip in and a urinary catheter so they can keep a check on his input/output rates.. the nurse was just about to tidy up his cage when i arrived... so she popped his bedding on the floor and I sat with him whilst she went about her duties.. well he tried to get up and show me how he could move around... and then.. under the cage next to his.. he spied his basket...that was it... he tried to get to his basket and get in it!
He had decided that he was going home!!!
I was pleased but scared at the same time.. because i didn't know how to handle him with his walking..(i use the term rather loosely!) how to support him /where to place my hands etc.. so as not to hurt or damage his suture line.. a few mins later we moved him back up into his bed... and he settled down and had a little sleep.. whilst i helped prepare his food ready for a feed.. That went well as did the following 3 feeds that i gave him through his tube..
again.. thinking about my situation overnight...(have you worked out yet that im one of those people who is constantly thinking about things..lol) i realised that my apprehension with him coming home is because i have lost some confidence in my ability to care for him.. after 4 surgeries plus other invasive procedures in the last 6 weeks that havn't worked...i have become a little paranoid about things concerning him.. because everything went pear shaped... i dont yet trust that this wont as well...I have an open mind yet it's till a day to day proposition at this point, but im working on that...

I have also realised that spending today at the hospital with him has been good... apart from him being happier whilst i was there and getting a handle on the tube feeding... I was also able to see how they handled him... and the things he did... asking question about things he was or wasn't doing...I feel a little bit more confident that i did at this time yesterday... I am going to go back again tomorrow and do the same thing..
The staff are happy with his progress.. he was doing a little bit of grooming today.. including my hand...his pain relief was working well but he was still a little more alert than yesterday..and he made some attempts to get up and try to move...so to sum up Day 2 post op showed further improvment ..
I will give a further update after i have been tomrrow

Thanks again

Jo and Tinky Winky

Mags · 07-03-2009, 10:24 AM

It's good to hear your day went well with Tinky at the hospital, Jo. Each day you spend there you will gain a little more confidence and gradually learn how to handle/lift him. Your visits are also good for Tinky too as he'll feel happier seeing his mom daily which is bound to aid his recovery.

Looking forward to your next report on your brave boy....

dinahsmum · 07-03-2009, 12:17 PM

Thanks for updating us Jo. Little TW certainly has a lot of world-wide support!

Talking of support, I've seen dogs who are recovering from injuries being helped to walk by their owner looping a towel under their belly and walking alongside, taking some of their weight with the towel. Nice and supportive without risking hurting either party. You could ask your vet team if it would be appropriate.

Best wishes, Tinky certainly sounds a character.

Edit: Hope this link works, to help explain what I was rambling about.

calismum · 07-03-2009, 01:47 PM

Hi Jo - just catching this post. I am glad things seem to be going well for his recovery. Once he is home he will be much more confident because he'll know where he is.

My sisters cat fractured her pelvis in a RTA and as a result was to have cage rest for 6 weeks. This was a very active outdoor cat. She adjusted very well and was not 'stir crazy' at all.

I look forward to hearing how you are both doing, and to hear of all his adventures once he is up and about.

angieh · 07-03-2009, 03:47 PM

I think that going to the vet hospital has and will do you the world of good, Jo as it will help you feel much more confident in how to nurse Tinky Winky. It has obviously helped himself to know that you are still there for him - you both have such a bond which is obvious from reading your post.

Great good luck to you both. Do you have any idea when you will be able to bring him home?

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