Front Leg Amputation

Hello,

Last Thursday, I saw a stray cat hobbling across a very busy street in my town with a very obviously infected front paw.  He was taken to the pound (where we know the vet) with a 105 fever and massive infection caused by a cat bite.  He had surgery to try and save the leg Thursday, but too a turn for the worse and had to have the front leg amputated either Sat or Sun.  I picked him up Tuesday and while his appetite is good, he does not want to drink water and I am now using a syringe to force water.  I do not know this cat and have no idea what his life was like before I found him, I just know he's skinny, filthy and is covered in superficial scars, the vet says it looks like he's been in a lot of fights.  He has urinated twice since Tuesday and it is pungent, almost smells like he's sprayed rather than peed and had a nice BM this morning.  He feels hot to me and although he is talkative and purrs as soon as we start petting him, purring can be a sign of distress and I am worried.  He tested negative for FIV and FeLV and was vaccinatd for FVCRP and FeLV.  He also got a pain shot (Bupinex) and an antibiotic shot.  Does his behavior sound normal for an amputee?  Thanks.

Thank you for bringing this kitty into your life.  He's had quite the trauma.  With a fever that high and post-surgery, he's going to be understandably lethargic.  However, he might be dehydrated.  I'd at least call the vet and talk with him.  Tell him exactly what you've posted.  Do you know how to test for dehydration?  Just pinch the scruff on the back of the neck.  If it snaps back, he's hydrated.  If it goes down slowly or not at all, he's dehydrated.  The strong urine smell indicates he's not getting enough fluids.  Also, check his gums.  They should be nice and pink.  If not, then that needs to be addressed.  If he got a Convenia shot, he might be having an adverse reaction.  Be sure to feed him canned food with extra water added (4 or 5 teaspoons) to make a thick oatmeal consistency.  That'll help hydrate him. 

One way to assess hydration in an animal is to lift the skin over the animal's shoulder and watch how fast it goes back to its normal position. In a normal, healthy animal, if the skin between the shoulders is lifted up and then released, the skin will pop back to its normal position immediately.

In dehydrated animals, there is less fluid in the skin and it is less elastic. When lifted off the back, the skin of a dehydrated animal will not immediately fall back to its normal position. If a pet has lost 6-8% of its normal fluid, there will be a definite delay in the skin returning to its normal position. If the pet is 10-12% dehydrated, the skin will actually look like a tent and not go back to its normal position. Signs of shock may be evident. If a pet is over 12% dehydrated, it is an extreme emergency.

Other ways to assess dehydration are to examine the mucous membranes  (gums); they should be moist. In a dehydrated animal, the eyes may appear sunken in. In very dehydrated animals the heart rate may be increased, but the pulse would be weak.