Trying to cope with a recently adopted kitten that needed his hind leg amputated

I just recently adopted a kitten from a feral cat that had 7 kittens, 4 of which were born dead.  Little Simba, had just a stump of a hind leg that he managed with until he was about 10 weeks old.  He would have episodes of screaming and backing up moving the little stump up above his hip.  Very tramatic for him and his new family.   After seeing a vet, they suggested amputating the leg because there was damage to the nerve and the epidodes would continue until it was dealt with.

I agreed to the amputation and begrudgingly brought him in for the operation. 

I have had many animals operated on from double TPLO surgeries, to fibro miopathy removal in horses but nothing has preparred me for this.  I arrived to pick up my little kitten to find him screaming and thrashing in his carrier.  I was so upset that the vet would send him home in this condition but when I asked, she said she had just given him another injection and couldnt do anything else for him. 

I took him home and was so distressed by his vocal misery, I took him to another emergency vet.  They were able to get his pain medication under control but when i went to see him 2 days later, he is still growling and so distressed. 

Has anyone experienced anything like this.  All of the comments I have read state that their cats are playing and following them around after a few days after surgery.  I understand that all animals react differently to surgery and trama but this is more extreme than I have ever encountered.

Welcome to TCS and poor baby!!

I've heard and read the same stories that you have, but have never experienced an amputation first hand. Part of me suspects that if his mom was truly feral, that part of his reaction is the fear response to humans that his mom taught him early on. I've socialized many feral kittens over the years, and this is the time in their lives where you focus on socialization, not trauma from surgery. Poor little guy has to be terrified - not just from the pain, but his change in surroundings. Perhaps a part of him is relating his pain to humans?

My mind goes to finding things to comfort him right now. Either an adult cat who has a proven track record as an ambassador cat (e.g. embraces any kitten or new cat that comes into their lives), a friendly female who has just had kittens, and if those are not available, something like a Snuggle Kitty. If part of his reaction is from his feral upbringing, he needs something he can relate to while he heals from the surgery. The more you can relax him, the quicker he will heal. Keep working with the vet to maintain his pain medication in the mean time. Pain makes them more tense.

Sorry can't help any more than this. Someone may come by with experience with amputations to offer their insights.

So does it seem to be caused from pain?  I also don't have any experience with amputations, but this reaction doesn't seem normal. Withdrawal would be more the norm, wouldn't it?  How long was he with his mother? Was he not socialized before the surgery?  Plus, it sounds like he was in quite a bit of pain before the surgery.  I suppose he could be having ghost pain?  You said you went to see him after 2 days and he was still growling and distressed.  Where IS he that you had to go see him?  If at the Vet's, what do that say about it?  If not at the Vet's, perhaps he needs to go to a different Vet, or at least perhaps a phone call to a different Vet is in order, since the original Vet said she has "done all she can".

for the little one

If continuing along the trace of a friendly cat companion, to use Feliway should also help some, to lessen the psychical distress. It should be possible to administer Feliway already at the vet...  Doesnt they did it?

Good luck!   *vibes*

That sounds awful!  I am so sorry!

You may try bringing him home and letting him out of the cage/crate/kennel.  My old man cat, Blue, is HORRIBLE at the vet...but the most loving cat ever at home.  When he has to go to the vet, he will howl, cry, thrash, scream, bite, hiss, growl...you name it.  He hates everyone when he is there and will even hiss at ME (I have had him for 13 years..he head butts me and sleeps with me normally).  He will go on hissing and growling - especially if he has had to be under anesthesia - until the next day or two and then he settles down.  I don't take him unless he absolutely HAS to go, because it stresses him out so very much.  Maybe just bringing him home and giving him time to settle is all he needs?

Many hopes that he turns a corner soon!