Anyone have experience with a cat losing a leg?

Vet called yesterday afternoon to say surgery went very well and Molly was waking up. They're going to see if they can get her to eat this morning, and if all is (relatively) well, they'll send her home today.

Lots of vibes for a speedy recovery for Molly!


We have several cats in our rescue that have had legs amputated due to accidents (hit by car, etc.) and they all do just fine once they are healed and used to it.

my dog is a tripod, they get along just fine. I didnt have her when it first happend but they say that they adapt almost instantly.

sending lots of healing for molly.

she is a beautiful girl and i'm sure she'll be up and running around really soon.

Originally Posted by ahab

Vet called yesterday afternoon to say surgery went very well and Molly was waking up. They're going to see if they can get her to eat this morning, and if all is (relatively) well, they'll send her home today.

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I am sure that Molly would rather be home.

You might want to call before you pick Molly up and talk to the vet's tech.
Ask if you will need any special supplies for her care when she comes home.
You might need a different litter, food, dressings etc.
That way you will already be stocked up and ready to care for your girl.

Be sure to write down her care instructions from your vet and if you have more questions after you get her home, don't hesitate to call your vet to get the info you need. You are now Molly's advocate and care giver.

More healing vibes on the way for you beautiful girl.
Molly

Vet just called to say she's up and alert, isn't eating for them yet (which isn't that surprising I guess), and is fussy (which isn't that surprising at all). They want to keep her for a few more hours, but said I can get her later today.

They'll have detailed care instructions printed out for me, and from what they've told me she won't have any bandages or dressings to change. I'll ask about food and litter just to be sure--thanks for that advice.

From what I have heard, cats heal really quickly from an amputation.
Thanks for updating the latest info about Molly.

If you go to youtube and search for 3-legged cats, you'll find plenty of videos of such cats getting along just fine. There's even one (at least) that has only hind legs, having lost the front two in an accident.

Molly's home from the vet now. She's doing very well (went right for some food) and won't sit still. The stitched area looks much better than I was expecting. She's clearly glad to be home.

Thanks for all the encouraging words.

That's good news.

i am glad to hear she is home and doing well - my cat had to have 10 days cage rest after her amputation, and a cone to stop her messing with her stitches, but that was the only thing really - she happily used the tray etc with no probs.

Oh yeah, even with the cone (well, e-collar) she's still going after herself

Molly is doing great...
I know that you are relieved.

A recovering kitty can never have to many vibes.
Molly

Thanks for keeping us updated.

Hope Molly is feeling good!

I think this issue depends a bit on the age of the cat and which leg is amputated. I knew a cat once who was getting on a bit and had a front leg removed. She struggled alot getting around, had to hop everywhere and got tired out very quickly. It seems losing a back leg generally leaves them with alot more mobility. They can get the spring from just one back leg and still balance on the front two feet.
Still, no vet in their right mind would amputate a leg off a cat unless it was absolutely necessary, and I'm sure even with difficulties, most cats would adapt and be much happier on three legs than four with one hurting or impeding them. Removing more than one leg however, I think you'd have to do alot of soul-searching and have a long talk with your vet about what would ultimately be kindest for the cat in the long term.

I know everything with molly is fine now - just incase other people in the same situation come by the post

Sat. evening check on sweet Molly.

We been watching TV in bed with the kitty napping on/near us...Molly's enjoying all the attention, I'm sure

Molly is getting lots of love and attention....
exactly what she needs.

Sunday vibes on the way to Molly.

Just as an update, Molly went back to the vet today and had the stitches taken out and -- perhaps even better -- the OK to remove the e-collar.

Now she gets to move around the house instead of being locked up in the bedroom! Makes it better for all parties involved

Way to go Molly.
She will feel so much better with her e-collar off.

Please continue to keep us informed about how your sweet girl is doing.

Hi there,

Looking for some other info on the Cat Site and I thought I would join this conversation.

I have a healthy 3 and a half year old tripod called Trinity. We found her on the street with a badly injured (severed) hind leg and so it was either amputate or put her to sleep, and I just couldn't do the latter! She was only about six months old and very malnourished/underweight but survived it all well.

Getting her through the weeks after the operation were interesting (adapting to a new home, another cat and no leg) but we got through it. Your cat might seem a little depressed, because Trinity certainly did, in the weeks after the operation. Her wound took ages to heal and had to be restitched as it wasn't healing. After a few months, she had a go at climbing a tree, and I think to all our surprise, she could do it!

Her muscles eventually got really strong on the front of her body, and her tail eventually moved to the other side for balance and the muscles are also strong there too. She can pull herself onto anything - the bed, couch etc, but she can still jump with ease.

One major issue with tripods is weight management, you really have to make sure they don't get overweight and put too much weight on that one leg.

She is a very tough little thing now and I usually forget that she only has three legs because she gets around just like any other cat.

Good luck and please contact me if you are having any trouble.


Kim