Conference misery::feline_v1

    I can't advise you as to what is best for the cat - but I do know
    that my cat always surprises me with her ability to adapt. 
    
    Clare

    While I have known quite a few three-legged cats, my intimate
    experience includes only one.
    
    [a very litle background here:  I lived 'in the country' north of
    Dallas for four years and it didn't take long for word to hit the
    street that I was a sucker for anything with fur.  Purely by accident
    I became an un-official way-station for abandoned animals.  I found
    a vet who will surely have a special place in heaven for his assistance
    to me and my foster children -- treatment at cost, frequently free]
    
    Anyway, I got home from work one night to find a box in my drivewayng.
    It took me several seconds to work up the courage to open the box as
    there was some dried blood very near it.  What I found was a large
    grey/black long-haired tom-cat in shock with his left rear leg cleanly
    severed near the knee[?].  I immediately called my vet and raced to
    take this pitiful creature in for treatment.  Obviously the leg
    could not be replaced.  It was touch and go for awhile because
    of blood-loss and shock; and when he stopped being listless it became
    apparent that he was a mostly-outdoor cat with a profound distrust
    for people in general.
    
    His adoptive mother was an elderly woman who kept chickens and did
    a lot of gardening.  She named him Bartemaeus -- shortened to Bart
    -- for the blind beggar in the Bible [don't ask me why, because
    his eye-sight was spectacular] and gave him the run of her house
    and about 10 acres.  While I never had seen him run before his injury,
    I assure you that he was as quick as lightning after healing up.
    
    While Bart's injury wasn't spinal connected, I did have a cat [this
    one was one of my permanent children] who was nearly literally chewed
    to a rag by a large dog [NOT one of mine] at the age of 3.  The vet was 
    going to put him down as hopeless until he raised up an licked my hand 
    and started purring. The vet & I are now BOTH in tears, and he allows
    that someone as concerned for mommy while in that condition deserves
    _everything_ that can possible be done.  There was a bit of spinal
    connected injury and Aslan walked stiffly until he died at age 16;
    but he could run like the wind.
    
    I hope that this helps.  If the Thing were mine, I would continue
    the therapy while there might be hope; go ahead with the amputation
    if it becomes necessary and let her make her own decision about
    whether or not she'll be happy as a three-legged kitty.  Aslan taught
    me that cats have their own priorities and that while I _could_
    make life and death decisions for him, I couldn't get inside his
    head.
    
    I also hope that I haven't depressed the socks off of everyone first
    thing in the morning.  Bart & Aslan's stories are very _happy_ ones
    for me even though they began badly.
    
    Annie
    

    
    So sorry to hear about your dear kitty's misfortune!  There is a
    recent note in this file about a cat that was adopted after having
    a leg amputated that is doing just fine...  I have known of dogs
    and cats that are missing a leg, and seem to be able to adapt
    remarkably.  
    
    I would opt to do everything possible to help her recover fully, and if
    amputation is necessary, then you may have to make some changes for
    both of your sakes.  You should probably strongly consider keeping her
    inside, and creating her own rooms or areas where she can hide and feel
    secure without too much physical effort, but I think you'll be
    surprised at how mobile she will still be with only three legs!
    
    I agree with Clare, cats are amazingly adaptable, and remember,
    her first instinct is to survive, so I'm sure she is making every
    effort to do so, and if she doesn't recover completely, unless she
    is in constant severe pain, or unable to perform bodily functions,
    you'll be able to help her adapt to a different lifestyle.  Who
    knows, after such a traumatic experience, she may come to trust
    you even more when you come through for her!
    
    Good luck, and our prayers are with you and your kitty! :-) 
                                                               
    Amy.
        

    Marvin,
    
            I would like to give you an open invitation.  I have a tripod
    kitty who's name is 3-way.  If you would like to come over and meet
    3-way and watch her and see just how well and how fast she can run
    on her 3 legs I would be more then happy.  3-way was born this way
    and it is one of her front legs but cats adapt so quickly that at
    least maybe it would help ease your worries about what a 3 legged
    cat can do.  If you think this would help you at all please get
    in touch with me...........  I also know of someone else that adopted
    the kitten from the pelham shelter that later had one of his legs
    amputated off.  I will get to her by mail in case she hasn't seen
    your note yet.  She just put in the note about kitten antics and
    if you read it you'll see that Jake seems to be quite pleased and
    gets around quite well missing a leg....  My prayers are with you
    to make the best decision.  I'd like to help you by letting you
    actually get to know some tripod kitties.  I'm sure that will help
    make your ordeal a little easier......
    
                                                              KIM &
                                                              3-way
    

    Marvin,
    
    Sorry to hear about yours and Things bad luck.
    
    I just had to write because, when I read your note, my first opinion
    was "put the kitty out of its misery".  I have two beautiful babies,
    and know how attached we become.  But, after reading the experiences
    of fellow noters, I agree with them.  Let Think decide.  
    
    My prayers are with you.
    
    anna, Zildjian, Paradiddle
    

    RE .5
    
    Sorry I called "Thing" "Think" in my last sentence.
    
    

    I currently have a cat (Dorrie) who did not have a spinal 
    injury BUT who threw a blood clot in her rear left leg 
    surgery to correct a birth defect. When she "came to" after
    the operation she tried to stand and just fell each time as
    she had no feeling in her leg. The doctors tried to correct
    her condition but to no avail. 
    
    HERE'S THE GOOD NEWS - The vet asked me to try therapy on her 
    leg to see what would happen. Well, 2-4 times a day I would
    massage her leg, push against the pads on her feet and then 
    gently extend her leg, over and over, and over. I would do this
    for as long as Dory would let me.
    
    When I set her on the floor, she would fall down, and I'd pick her
    up. I must have stood her up at least 700 times. Result, she
    can now walk alot and even tends to run. Running is somewhat
    sideways but she does walk and run, and she is doing VERY well.  
                                                        
    I would opt to try working with "Thing", sometimes really good
    results happen when you least expect it.
    
    Good luck to you and to Thing.

    
    
    	I am also sorry to hear about thing.......I don't have any
    immediate experience with three legged cats, however i do know
    of a person who's cat was lost during the winter for about three
    weeks during a real cold spell and suffered some kind of trauma
    that resulted in the loss of use of one leg (frost bite was also
    a contributor).
    The Vet wanted to amputate, but the owner worked with the cat
    extensively and the result was the cat got part of the feeling
    back.  So I guess what I am saying is that you may want to get
    an additional opionion before making any decision. But I have to
    agree with some of the previous responses. As long as all the bodily
    functions will be fine, then I would Make thing an indoor cat.
    
    
    					Bob
    

    
    
    There isn't much more that I can add to what has already been
    said, just that I agree with giving Thing all the opportunity
    to come through this.  My prayers are with you both.
    
    Carole

    I haven't had any experience with three-legged animals either, but
    if amputation does become necessary, you should be encouraged by
    all the reponses about three-legged kitties.
    
    I feel certain that the love and tender care you are giving Thing,
    especially the leg massaging, will help develop an even stronger
    bond between the two of you ... and might even result in a personality
    change!
    
    As other replies have suggested, Thing should be able to adapt to
    a new lifestyle -- hopefully, an indoor one!
    
    Good luck, and please let Thing know that there are lots of FELINERs
    out there thinking about her!
    
    Cindy                          

    Poor baby.  I don't have any three-legged experience either, but
    (and I don't mean to be cold) three legs is better than death
    if the animal is otherwise healthy.  Sounds like you love that
    baby a lot - love is a wonderful replacement for loss of a leg.
    My kids and I will be thinking of you both.
    
    ZhivagoCat Lady

    Marvin-
    
    What wonderful advice you've gotten here!  I'm inspired!  It's not
    an easy choice but I'm betting on Thing's adaptive ability and your
    love --- Thing will survive and adapt even if there is an adjustment
    period.  
    
    Good luck making a decision.  We know and Thing will know that you
    are doing what's best for her.
    
    Elizabeth
    Jingle's mom

	Marvin,

	If you have any concerns at all after reading all these 
	replies, please take some time and come meet Jake.

	Have no fear of the amputation.  My new addition, Jake, 
	recently had a leg amputated and is doing just fine, as a 
	matter of fact I don't think he even misses it.  Jake lost 
	his left front leg up to and including the shoulder, much 
	deeper than a straight amputation.  He looks a little funny 
	still because his hair is just starting to grow back and he's 
	narrower in the shoulder area than usual, but other than that 
	he's adorable (no, I'm not too biased ;-)).  

	One thing I have noticed is that he runs more than he walks, 
	(actually he's more of a flash he moves so quick) I think he gets 
	around easier that way.  He also sits up on his hind feet like a 
	squirrel or kangaroo and balances quite well.  The funniest thing 
	is when he's use the litterbox.  After he's through he climbs out 
	for better footing, balances on his hind feet and digs to cover 
	everything up.  

	I realize that your puss will have a different leg taken off, but
	I'm sure Thing will be just fine.  It may take a day or so to 
	adjust, but she should be just fine.  The vet operated on Jake on
	a Thursday afternoon and I took him home that Saturday afternoon.
	He was pretty quiet for a few days, but more from the grogginess
	of the anesthesia than anything else.  He was a little slow for
	the first couple of weeks, but he's an adorable sweetie now.

	When I was growing up we had a dog that got hit by a car and had
	it's back leg taken off and some spinal injury.  Once she learned
	how to get around again (which was quick) she ran around as if
	nothing happened.  The only sad thing was that she couldn't wag
	her tail because of the spinal injury...so she wigged and wagged
	her whole rear end instead!  

	Animals are marvelous, they will compensate for injuries beyond 
	our comprehension.  What Thing needs from you right now is not
	fear and trepidation (they know when you're upset) but lots and
	lots of love and concern.  As long as YOU can still love her, 
	not pity her, she'll know it and turn out just fine.  If you 
	still have doubts, please come visit Jake.

    	
    	Conni 
           .....and my 3-legged sweetie, Jake

    Even though I don't have any experiences with 3-legged animals,
    I really feel that your kitty would adapt well, especially if she's
    kept inside and treated with TLC.... I have a VERY skittish kitty
    (McCafferty) who will take off at the slightest noise, but with
    me she is very loving and I don't know what I'd do without her.
    I hope Thing continues to get well and you certainly have my prayers.
    
    Good luck with your decision.  
    
    Erin & McCafferty & RumTum Tugger

    My neighbor's cat Jasper was hit by a car a year or two ago, and
    really badly hurt.  The function in one of his rear legs (and tail)
    came back very slowly over several months (4 ? 5?).  The vet was
    not sure it would come back.  So, you might ask if the amputation
    could be delayed (while your puss lives indoors), and see how things
    go.  Jaspy does very well now.  You have to really look to see that
    he limps slightly.
    
    It also seems to be true that "wild" and "very shy" cats when turned
    into indoor cats slowly calm down and bond more strongly to their
    owners.
    
    Everything I've ever heard about three legged dogs and cats says
    they do fine.
    

    Marvin,
    
    If you're willing to give Thing all your time and love, I'm
    sure you can pull through this terrible trauma together.
    His life is gong to have to change/adapt.  He would survive
    better as an indoor cat, and being indoors will change his
    desire to 'run'.  If he's confined to the house which is more
    familiar to him, there won't be as many things to intimidate
    him as there would be outdoors.  I know there are debates over
    indoor/outdoor cats, but there are special circumstances for
    special cats.
    
    When I found Jasper she only was using 3 legs, as she was born
    with a rear leg fused to the pelvic bone.  She would run along
    using 3 legs, and did just fine.  Now that she's older she seems
    to be using all 4 with no problem, but it showed me the ability
    of an animal to adapt.   So long as Thing is not living in pain,
    the best thing you can do is give him a shot at life.  When he
    pulls through you'll know it was the best decision you ever made.
    
    My prayers are with you both, give your baby a special hug for me.
    
    Cheri
    

    Marvin,
    
    Sherlock, Serena, and I will all pray for Thing.  I've seen many
    cats (and dogs) with three legs and they look just as happy as their
    four-legged conterparts.
    
    Please let us know how you and Thing are doing.
    
    Ande, Sherlock, and Serena

    
    	Marvin -
    
    	My heart goes out to you and your cat.  We had a cat 16 years
    and last Fall a dog down the street attacked him while he was
    laying under the apple trees in his own yard!  (so much for leash
    laws).  Well when I got home I noticed he wasn't right and a 
    neighbor called and told me what happen.  Popeye had a broken
    tail which I noticed right away and I immediately took him to the
    Vet.  Well he had massive internal injuries and the broken tail
    which was up at the base would affect his bowels etc.  They advised
    me to out him to sleep.  I was in SHOCK!  I had this cat since he
    was 6 weeks old.  The Vet said he would not be able to function
    normally and he would no longer has QUALITY of life.  You have no
    idear what a hard decision it was.  I cried so hard I couldn't see
    the checkbook.  But I knew this was the right decision for Popeye,
    he loved the outdoors and had lived a good life.  
    
    	I think your cat has a chance for a good life, but I always
    think QUALITY before I make a decision on my animals life.  Will
    he be happy, free of pain?  You will know in your heart what is
    the right decision.  My prayers are with you.  Good luck and let
    us know how you make out.