Activities/toys/care For Cat Missing Two Paws

[Pegs_with_the_legs]

Hi all,

I am hoping you can help me or provide some suggestions for my cat Peggy (1 1/2 years old)

I took Peggy in as a rescue over year and a half ago, she was 6 weeks old. She has a sweet little pet, and likes to think she is a full cat, however this is not the case. Peggy is missing her back two feet, if you can imagine, she has almost her full back legs but were her foot should bend to help them jump, is two small stumps. We are not sure why or how this happened to her, but she was found like that.

One as calloused over and the other one is very soft, so if it touches the floor or a hard surface it begins to bleed, we are trying and have tried multiple ways to stop this/prevent this from happening, but as you can imagine it is near impossible to keep a sock on a cat.

She only goes outside during the summer for a while under supervision, (also providing her stumps are hard and not bleeding to prevent infection)

I am just wondering if anyone has any ideas of toys to keep her entertained, she likes cat nip and toys that also involve treats. I just want something that can provide some mental stimulation for her. She lost her best friend (Opi, older male cat I had for three years) who loved and cuddled her and also played with her.

Can any one recommend anything or post links to toys?

Thanks in advance guys

 

[Kieka]

I've heard of that happening with new born kittens before. Usually It's the umbilical cord gets wrapped around the feet when being born. It either cuts off circulation enough to kill the feet or mom accidentally bites them off removing the cord. All the cases I've heard about it's just one foot and they usually end up apputating the remaining leg to prevent them using the stub as a foot, which leads to the bleeding problem you've experienced.

In your case, that isn't the best option. Cats can and do adapt very well to being tripods but loosing two legs would be a real challenge. I would probably look into some sort of wrap and padding situation to prevent the bleeding for now. Not a sock, but some gauze with no chew wrap. Likely that will go over just as well but it doesn't hurt to try. What she really needs though is likely some sort of artifical foot or a wheelchair type device. Something like this might work, HandicappedPets Rear Leg Dog & Cat Splint, X-Small - Chewy.com. But from what I understand on the subject the best option is something custom fit. Try contacting local vet training centers and just anyone really. The ones I've heard of are usually some sort of 3D printed project for the pet in question.

 

[Pegs_with_the_legs]

I've heard of that happening with new born kittens before. Usually It's the umbilical cord gets wrapped around the feet when being born. It either cuts off circulation enough to kill the feet or mom accidentally bites them off removing the cord. All the cases I've heard about it's just one foot and they usually end up apputating the remaining leg to prevent them using the stub as a foot, which leads to the bleeding problem you've experienced.

In your case, that isn't the best option. Cats can and do adapt very well to being tripods but loosing two legs would be a real challenge. I would probably look into some sort of wrap and padding situation to prevent the bleeding for now. Not a sock, but some gauze with no chew wrap. Likely that will go over just as well but it doesn't hurt to try. What she really needs though is likely some sort of artifical foot or a wheelchair type device. Something like this might work, HandicappedPets Rear Leg Dog & Cat Splint, X-Small - Chewy.com. But from what I understand on the subject the best option is something custom fit. Try contacting local vet training centers and just anyone really. The ones I've heard of are usually some sort of 3D printed project for the pet in question.

Thank you for your reply; We did get two prosthetics costume made for her but unfortunately it didnt work out. One leg is shorter than the other, the shorter one experiencing the bleeding, but this one also rotates in and out of the hip socket, so when prosthetics are on, she is forced to keep it in this uncomfortable and painfull position, she was extremely depressed and sad when they are on. I would rather her be happy than feel like that. She will use the three legs when on carpet,, keeping the shorter on raised she will only the front two on hard floor.

We are going to test out a toe cap (for humans with corns usually) but basically it is like a little sleeve with gel cushioning inside and on the bottom where the cap is. Fingers crossed this might help.

 

[Kieka]

If she tripods it normally, I wonder if amputation would be a good option for the one leg. Especially if that one is popping in and out of the hip socket. It definitely sounds like a specialist visit is called for to determine the best option. Hoping the gel cushion helps.

 

[Willowy]

Yeah, I'm wondering if amputation of the bad leg might be for the best. I'd definitely do a consult with an orthopedic specialist to figure out what would work for her.

Do you think she'd like one of the cat apps for tablets? Little birds or fish moving around the screen for her to bat at?

 

[GoldyCat]

What about a toy with a ball or mouse that runs around a track. She can bat the ball around without having to move to chase it.

 

[Pegs_with_the_legs]

Thanks for all the replies!

She generally plays with one of the teasers, she thinks she can run and play like a normal cat, so she dives onto toys, hence how this little stump started to bleed.

She enjoys the YouTube games actually, so maybe an app would help. She is very treat motivated, I got her a few Christmas presents that involve finding a treat under a door kind of think.

I thought about the amputation after seeing a cat page on Instagram Odin trio or something I think its called about a double back leg amputee cat adm he seems to be flying around without his back legs. And it gives me inspiration and hope. Im still so unsure because obviously there are risks. And I won't no if she will be happier without the legs or not.

She was so depressed after her prosthetics and the training with the vets to help her use them, she had to go on happy pills to help. She's off them now thankfully, but I would hate to see her like that again. I suppose the debate is whats best for her.

Thanks for listening, picture of her from Christmas 2018

 

[RCM mom]

How lucky Peggy is to have you! Can't really help with the stump problem but as for toys look into Undercover mouse, mystery mat, or it goes by other names. It is a round mat with a feather stick that goes around in a circle at different speeds. She can sit or lay down and catch it as it comes around. My guys love it. Feathers are the first to go so I just glue a piece of string from the weed wacker or just new feathers. It is around $15.00, you can find it at Walmart or on Amazon. I am on my 3rd one even though they last a long time. I also use rechargeable batteries. What a pretty picture!

 

[Pegs_with_the_legs]

That is great thank you, she would love something like that!

 

[Pegs_with_the_legs]

How lucky Peggy is to have you! Can't really help with the stump problem but as for toys look into Undercover mouse, mystery mat, or it goes by other names. It is a round mat with a feather stick that goes around in a circle at different speeds. She can sit or lay down and catch it as it comes around. My guys love it. Feathers are the first to go so I just glue a piece of string from the weed wacker or just new feathers. It is around $15.00, you can find it at Walmart or on Amazon. I am on my 3rd one even though they last a long time. I also use rechargeable batteries. What a pretty picture!

That is great thank you, she would love something like that!