Leg Amputation. Please help :(

lamiatron

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I've been away from the cat site for a very long time. almost a year or more i think??

I'm back because i really need your help, and advice.

From those of you who know me, know that Charlie is my first cat. I've had him since he was a kitten. He's my best friend, he's my world (as are my other 2 cats), however Charlie holds a very special place in my heart. 

On Friday, I came home to find the net on my bedroom window gashed and torn. My heart sank to the bottom of my stomach. I frantically searched the house for my 3 cats, but i couldn't find Charlie anywhere. i ran into the streets looking for him, in the hopes that maybe he was still nearby. but no luck. in the middle of my search from him, i received a call from ASPCA telling me that they have Charlie. When Charlie fell out of the window, which might have been around 3pm (i was still at work), a lady, no, and angel that lived in the building next to mind found him, cared for him, and eventually brought him to the ASPCA, where they scanned Charlie, and contacted me (around 5:45pm)

The vet says that, his leg is broken, which would have been fine, but, also his ligaments are torn. all of them. poor guys leg is all wobly, with no support at all. She says that this could heal, however it well be VERY painful for him. She is recommending an amputation. BUT, nothing can be done until Tuesday, as the surgeon for the ASPCA hospital where he is does not come back until then. We brought him home last night. And he is in just so much pain. :( 


Charlie at the ASPCA


At home last night with a towel wrapped around his cast, because he was defacating and urinating on himself


Trying to get Charlie to eat.

I've created a go Fund me page to help with some of the cost for all this.  I have a thread in the SOS section about that. 
 

I would really appreciate it if you guys look at it, if you're able to help with even a dollar I would appreciate it, and even if not, if you could please share his page with others. And please keep my baby Charlie in your prayers. It is a miracle that he is alive. God was watching over my baby, and sent an angel to help him, and returned my baby back to me. 

Someone told me to get a second opinion and not to amputate. what are your thoughts on this?? His surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, and I'm thinking of maybe taking him elsewhere for a second opinion, but even with that, i don't have the money for a second opinion :(. I"ve just paid 1200 to get him home from the ASPCA and i'll have to pay another apx. 1500 for the amputation. I'm just super confused, and would love any feedback from others here..who have gone through something similar (hing leg or limp amputation for pet). The ASPCA is telling me if I can't pay for the amputation, he will most likely get a bacterial infection and get sick and could die. IF i do the amputation, and cannot pay for it...then they will keep Charlie and put him up for adoption :'( I don't want to lost my baby I can't.

Charlie is my best friend. I appreciate any and all help and support from you guys :)






I also want to stress..how IMPORTANT it is...to have your pets MICRO CHIPPED. had it not been for that, i would have NEVER found Charlie. 
 
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denice

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I am so sorry that this happened but it is really a good thing that he was found quickly.  I personally, and I am a layperson, would go ahead with the amputation.  Kitties adjust to being tripod  kitties very quickly.  I used to watch an emergency vet show on Animal Planet.  I remember the older experienced vets went to amputation very quickly.  One of them said that he used to go through months of trying to save the leg.  He realized how well tripod kitties and dogs do and he quit moving heaven and earth trying to save a leg.

One thing with a tripod pet you do have to be extra careful about helping them stay at a normal weight.
 
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lamiatron

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I am so sorry that this happened but it is really a good thing that he was found quickly.  I personally, and I am a layperson, would go ahead with the amputation.  Kitties adjust to being tripod  kitties very quickly.  I used to watch an emergency vet show on Animal Planet.  I remember the older experienced vets went to amputation very quickly.  One of them said that he used to go through months of trying to save the leg.  He realized how well tripod kitties and dogs do and he quit moving heaven and earth trying to save a leg.

One thing with a tripod pet you do have to be extra careful about helping them stay at a normal weight.
Thank you Denise for this insight.

My mom says to get a second opinion, because Charlie is 3 years old now, and she things he might have a hard time adjusting to having only 3 legs. 

However, she does not live with me, and does not see the pain that he is currently going through...which I'm assuming would be the same pain he will go through if we go the route of saving the leg.

Yesterday when i went to pick him up, there was a lady there with her chihuahua. And she was saying her how doggy is in a lot of pain, because he as arthritis...and she was there to get meds. she was saying how her dog is 4 years old, and has arthritis because he had tore ligaments in one of his legs and is in a lot of pain constantly. I felt like that was a sign for me...because Charlie has the same thing...his bone is broken, and all ligaments torn :(

I feel like...i failed him. My fiance says this was an accident...and accidents happen...and there is never a "why", but i feel like...i let my cat down...and I don't know. I"ve been really torn up about this. 

Denise please share his page if you can I would really appreciate it :) thank you.
 

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Thank you Denise for this insight.

My mom says to get a second opinion, because Charlie is 3 years old now, and she things he might have a hard time adjusting to having only 3 legs. 

However, she does not live with me, and does not see the pain that he is currently going through...which I'm assuming would be the same pain he will go through if we go the route of saving the leg.

Yesterday when i went to pick him up, there was a lady there with her chihuahua. And she was saying her how doggy is in a lot of pain, because he as arthritis...and she was there to get meds. she was saying how her dog is 4 years old, and has arthritis because he had tore ligaments in one of his legs and is in a lot of pain constantly. I felt like that was a sign for me...because Charlie has the same thing...his bone is broken, and all ligaments torn :(

I feel like...i failed him. My fiance says this was an accident...and accidents happen...and there is never a "why", but i feel like...i let my cat down...and I don't know. I"ve been really torn up about this. 

Denise please share his page if you can I would really appreciate it :) thank you.
He is a fine age for amputation, a second opinion is fine however, and you might find a better price somewhere else.  But he should adjust very well, i've seen cats adjust quickly.
 

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I am so sorry.  We had to have Blackberry's front leg amputated after a gunshot wound inflicted by a stranger (or worse yet, somehow) a neighbor we have been kind to.  The cost was significant, but she has had a good recovery. She jumps, she plays, she wakes me up early in the morning so that I will chase her back to her "room".  For some reason, she thinks this is funny.  She gets along fine with my other cats.  I had a Persian cat as a child who had a partial back leg amputation and it didn't slow her down a bit.  

I agree with getting a second opinion.  Maybe you can get a lower price on the surgery.  I would also try animal rescue groups, anyone I could think of, that might be willing to help with the financial part.  If you could get his story on the local news, maybe someone would contribute.  You never know from where a blessing might come.  I would also like to say that it is not your fault; you did not fail your cat.  I've gone through the guilt of knowing Blackberry spent the night in the doghouse on my back porch bleeding and suffering, but it hasn't done me (or her) any good.  I would have never allowed harm to come to my beloved pet.  The only reason she goes out at all is because the neighbor left her when he moved away and she was an outside cat. We turned her into an inside/outside cat, but she still longs to be out there, even after what happened.  I should add that I am a layperson, too, and not qualified to give advice on animal health issues.  I am only speaking from my personal experience with amputations, especially the most recent one, as it just happened a few months ago.

Your fiance is right.  What happened to Charlie was an accident.  It's obvious how much you love him.  You would have never allowed harm to come to him.  You and handsome Charlie will be in my prayers. Please keep us posted.  
 
 
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nurseangel

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I would like to add that my vet did offer three options before Blackberry's x-rays were ready.  The first was to go in and remove bone and bullet fragments, the second was amputation and the third was to have her PTS. For me, the third option was off the table unless it was absolutely the best thing for her.  When the x-rays came back, her bones were shattered.  I am a people nurse, and don't know a lot about x-rays, but the devastation was evident even to me.  There were pieces of bone and bullet fragments everywhere.  So amputation became our only option.  I don't know anything about ligament injuries in cats.  \Please don't hesitate to ask your vet as many questions as you need before you are comfortable with your decision.  I am happy to see Charlie's gofundme page is doing good.  Every time I look at Blackberry, I am grateful that she is here.  And she doesn't seem to miss her leg at all; she doesn't have the emotional trauma that would come with a person loosing a limb.  I don't mean this in any way to sound disrespectful to human amputees, but she doesn't see herself any different or worry that anyone else does. In that respect, it's been no problem at all for her. 
 
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catpack

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Firstly, is Charlie on any pain medication? Buprenex, Tramadol? What about an NSAID? Meloxicam, Onsior?

I've not dealt with amputation before; however, I have dealt with surgery to fix a ruptured tendon in a kitten.

Achilles had surgery when he was 12 weeks old and the recovery time was a total of 12 weeks. From my personal experience, this particular surgery (which included screws placed above and below the ankle joint.)

Achilles received Buprenex for pain, as well as Meloxicam. I have to say that my opinion is that Achilles's pain level was less than that of another cat that had luxating patella surgery.

Both surgeries were performed by the same board-certified surgeon and both cats received top notch pain management and post-operative care. I saw both cats after the completion of surgery and Holly was definitely in more pain the night following surgery. (As a note, Holly had surgery done on both knees, one at a time, 4 weeks apart, and her total recovery time for both knees equaled Achilles's recovery time.)
 

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My heart goes out to you and Charlie. How awful for this to have happened and thankfully he was found quickly and brought in. Please do not be hard on yourself over this but I understand your pain and suffering too. :hugs: This was just a terrible accident. :shame: and no one is to blame. YES - Every cat and dog should be microchipped for so many reasons. I am thankful that he is going to survive this fall but very sad to hear about his leg being broken with torn ligaments. I also feel that if you want a second opinion to do so but I also know that kitties do very, very, very well adjusting to having only three legs. I imagine the recovery from his brake and the torn ligaments will be very lengthy and painful for him as well as expensive as he probably would need surgery anyway. I may opt for the amputation since it sounds as if the leg is really going to be difficult at best to heal properly and without constant pain. Loads of vibes for Charlie and hugs for you. I am so sorry this accident occurred but am thankful you still have your dear, sweet Charlie. All my best and keep us updated. :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes: :hugs: :hugs: :grphug: :grphug2:

AND mega vibes for your Go Fund Me to be a great success. :cross: :cross:
 
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stephenq

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Thank you Denise for this insight.

My mom says to get a second opinion, because Charlie is 3 years old now, and she things he might have a hard time adjusting to having only 3 legs. 

However, she does not live with me, and does not see the pain that he is currently going through...which I'm assuming would be the same pain he will go through if we go the route of saving the leg.

Yesterday when i went to pick him up, there was a lady there with her chihuahua. And she was saying her how doggy is in a lot of pain, because he as arthritis...and she was there to get meds. she was saying how her dog is 4 years old, and has arthritis because he had tore ligaments in one of his legs and is in a lot of pain constantly. I felt like that was a sign for me...because Charlie has the same thing...his bone is broken, and all ligaments torn :(

I feel like...i failed him. My fiance says this was an accident...and accidents happen...and there is never a "why", but i feel like...i let my cat down...and I don't know. I"ve been really torn up about this. 

Denise please share his page if you can I would really appreciate it :) thank you.
I have a friend who needed to raise money for her cat's treatment and she invited all her friends to a fundraiser at a bar in brooklyn that let her charge and keep the cover for band night.  The band was friends who could play a couple of instruments, nothing fancy but a reason to come out, and she raised a lot of the money that way.
 

jenny82

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I also think Charlie would be just fine with 3 legs, as a lot of people have said, cats can adapt to that very well.  How is he doing today? 


Lots of hugs and vibes for you and Charlie
 
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lamiatron

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Hi all,

I will post a link to a thread i started in a different forum regarding Charlie. I did not know where to start, so I opened 2 threads in two different forums:

Please read my latest post in this thread for an update on Charlie, as well as a time line of events:

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/305915/please-help-my-charlie-hind-leg-amputation#post_3835804

I also want to correct myself. In my initial post, I said that Charlie is almost 3, but he's actually Just turn 2 this summer. LOL I feel like i've had him forever.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH for the support and love. 

This weekend and week has been so hectic. The past 5 days felt like 1 month.

I don't have children yet, but I can't imagine how it would feel to have kids and go through this with them. Charlie, Jet and Gunther are my only children. and for me this past few days have been a roller coaster ride from hell.

Please visit the go fund me page for more pictures of Charlie, as well as the xrays.  

I  will try to post more pictures and the xRays here as well.

We went ahead with amputating his leg with the ASPCA. His surgery was yesterday, and he is doing well. He is not yet home. He will be released tomorrow. we're going to visit him today.

The vet said he was being very sweet and being a HAM. Which is very Charlie like...cus Charlie is a HAM HAHAH.

I feel like i can finally breathe. I feel some relief. to know my baby is not in pain. I will update more after visiting him today :)

Thank you all so much for your support and help and for being there for me. Thank you all so much for being there for my Charlie. 

i will post an older pic of Charlie here on this thread as well. This is from when he turned 1 (last year)


He's a fighter my Charlie :)
 
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lamiatron

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We have raised a little over 800 dollars, which will go A LONG way towards his vet bills :)

My fiance and I just did not have all the funds to put towards his vet bills, that's why my fiance's brother urged us to open a GoFundMe page. We really had no expectations, but thank you all those who donated. 

I'm so grateful. God bless you all...and thank you God for watching over my Charlie...
 

feralvr

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AWWWW dear Charlie. :rub: :rub: :rub: I know he will recover just fine and do quite well with three legs! Not to worry. I am sure he will be so much better off without that very painful leg any longer. You made the right decision for Charlie. :heart3: AND how wonderful that $800.00 has already been raised !!! :clap:

Mega, mega, mega vibes for Charlie and a quick recovery. He surely is a beautiful cat. All my best to him. :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
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lamiatron

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Thank you all for your well wishes and for thinking of me and Charlie today :)

Spoke to the vet this morning, and she said that Charlie is good to come home today..so can't wait to pick him up and bring him home.

I've set up a safe place for him with his toys, water, litter box, a crate with a bed in it in the bedroom. 

he's going to be isolated from the other two resident kitties for a while, at least until his stitches are removed and he's able to walk around and get around on his own.

When he was home over the weekend before surgery, i left him in the crate with the doors closed and the bedroom door open so the other cats can visit with him. Which they did. He cooed every time Jet or Gunther came by sniffing around, but Gunther got scared and ran off and Jet did the same but not without hissing at him first -___-

Poor baby, he's going to feel very lonely for a while with out the other cats. But he'll be fine.

Yesterday when the fiance visited him, Charlie apparently got up and tried to walk off with him...he tried. LOL he thought he was going home. 

My fiance said he's apparently quite the popular little kittie at the animal hospital. All the techs and vets love Charlie there, because he just wants pets and wants to be around people. He's never the type to be grumpy, hissy, angry, or withdrawn from others, even after surgery, and even after being in a lot of pain. And that's just the type of kitty he is. Super friendly, super out going..super curious. 

Again I can't thank you guys enough for your care, encouragement, support and the love you've shown for Charlie. God bless you all, and if any here are not into God, then...good vibes onto you from the universe :)

Of course I will continue to update all regarding Charlie's recovery with pictures and i'll try to upload some videos too!

I can't wait till he comes home. 

Any advice on the care for Tripod Kitties post op? or is there a better forum to post this in??
 

stephenq

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Thank you all for your well wishes and for thinking of me and Charlie today :)

Spoke to the vet this morning, and she said that Charlie is good to come home today..so can't wait to pick him up and bring him home.

I've set up a safe place for him with his toys, water, litter box, a crate with a bed in it in the bedroom. 

he's going to be isolated from the other two resident kitties for a while, at least until his stitches are removed and he's able to walk around and get around on his own.

When he was home over the weekend before surgery, i left him in the crate with the doors closed and the bedroom door open so the other cats can visit with him. Which they did. He cooed every time Jet or Gunther came by sniffing around, but Gunther got scared and ran off and Jet did the same but not without hissing at him first -___-

Poor baby, he's going to feel very lonely for a while with out the other cats. But he'll be fine.

Yesterday when the fiance visited him, Charlie apparently got up and tried to walk off with him...he tried. LOL he thought he was going home. 

My fiance said he's apparently quite the popular little kittie at the animal hospital. All the techs and vets love Charlie there, because he just wants pets and wants to be around people. He's never the type to be grumpy, hissy, angry, or withdrawn from others, even after surgery, and even after being in a lot of pain. And that's just the type of kitty he is. Super friendly, super out going..super curious. 

Again I can't thank you guys enough for your care, encouragement, support and the love you've shown for Charlie. God bless you all, and if any here are not into God, then...good vibes onto you from the universe :)

Of course I will continue to update all regarding Charlie's recovery with pictures and i'll try to upload some videos too!

I can't wait till he comes home. 

Any advice on the care for Tripod Kitties post op? or is there a better forum to post this in??
I'd just say help him exercise his rear length for strength and balance.  Congrats!
 

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Hoping to hear you have Charlie home with you very soon.  I do think it's best to keep him protected from your other 2 cats initially, esp as he will smell very strange (and of the vets surgery) to start with.  Let them all get reacquainted slowly and in their own good time once Charlie seems comfortable.

Give him plenty of opportunities to gradually build up his balance and strength using his back limb so he doesn't strain himself initially.  I'm sure he will be back to bouncing and running about very soon but he has a little learning and body-building to do first.   One thing you certainly don't want is a depressed Charlie so let him be a cat,  if he wants play let him play and if he wants snuggles let him lap them up.   
 
 

maureen brad

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I am so glad Charlie is doing so well. There is a very large rescue here ( typically over 400 cats are staying there) I see a lot of Tripods and they do just fine. BTW Charlie is very cute.
 
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