Help! Vet says that the only help for injured paw might be amputation...

jil05

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Hi everybody,

Our cat injured her paw and the cut went down to the bone through tissue. The vet says that even if the paw heals the paw will be cumbersome, She will not be able to stand on it. The vet is recommending amputation of the front paw, halfway up the leg.
Approximate cost will be $1,000.
I don't know what to do... We are really low on money right now and $1,000 is so much money.
Can anybody who might have experience with a cat that has had an amputation of any legs especially the front paw please send comments on the quality of life for the cat? Do they do well? How about when she tries to clean herself? Go to the litter box? We are a multi-cat household. How about when she deals with the other cats?  She is about 11 years old.  
Can you also please send prayers for our little Trouble. Nothing is 100% definite yet, but very probable.


Thank you so much!
 

cprcheetah

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My dad has had both a tripod kitty (missing rear leg) and one that is missing his paw.  Both cats were healthy, used litter box without problems.  The one he has with the missing paw is Alvin, he climbs on the cat trees, gets on the table and uses the litterbox without problems.  I am sorry you are dealing with this.
 
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jil05

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Thank you for your response. Can I ask you a bit more about the tripod kitty as this will probably be the case?
How did he get on during the day? It was not an encumbrance at all?
I am so worried because this will be the front paw, right above the joint.
Thank you again!
 

cprcheetah

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Edith (the tripod kitty) did just fine, hers was a back leg,but she had no issues from it.  It may take some time for your kitty to get used to is but it should do just fine.  Edith was able to jump on furniture and everything without problems.
 

denice

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I have known of several people with tripod kitties and they did just find.  They adjusted quickly and got around as well as they did with four legs.  The one thing that would be good is to keep her weight down.  Of course that is best for all kitties but it's particularly true for a tripod kitty.

I think you will be surprised at how well she adjusts.  I think if the paw isn't going to heal up so that she can use it she probably will do better without it.
 

diegojames

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Is it at all possible to keep it? When will the surgery be? When did it get hurt? How is the paw right now?
 
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jil05

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Trouble will be getting her bandage changed on Friday, then we should know for sure.
Not sure how the injury occurred. She is a climber and she had gotten into a room with a lot of tools and an air conditioner etc. My father recently passed and we got alot of his stuff we just stuffed into the room for the time being. She is a climber and we think she may have climbed up to the top of the window and fallen on something. Or else they think it might be from a tumor.
I personally can't understand...:(
She is on target with her weight, maybe a little under, so that shouldn't be a problem. I'm thinking about getting a second opinion just to be 100% sure. She is just so unhappy with it wrapped right now. It's so sad.
Thanks again everybody. I truly do appreciate all of you.

 
 

hissy

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My feline specialist has a saying that is so true. All cats are born with an extra leg. Running a sanctuary for abused/abandoned cats and kittens, I have had many experiences with cats whose limbs were amputated. They get along perfectly well without the leg. Keeping an injured paw intact does a disservice to the cat, because it will turn out to be a hindrance to her movement. Most amputations only run about $600.00 perhaps a new second opinion might be an option?
 

diegojames

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I'm so sorry you are just going through to much hurt first your dad dies now you cat is severly hurt. All prays and good vives go to you!
 

di and bob

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We will all send you and your Trouble healing vibes, I would like to give you a little hope with the fact that I have seen a LOT of cats with pretty horrific injuries, so bad in fact I truly did not expect them to live, much less function normally, and they were all right! So don't give up hope! Cats are wonderous creatures!  I'll pray for you both.

 
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jil05

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I am so sorry for replying so late, so much has been going on...
Many, many, many thanks for all of your prayers and well wishes for Trouble. After getting her checked at a hospital then a second vet, it was decided to continue to let her leg heal and see what happens. Well, after about another 4 weeks she began putting weight on it! She favors it a bit, but it is now healed. I believe it's a true miracle!
Again, Thank you!
 
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