New life for our kitty!

miss_perfect · December 16th, 2005, 09:53 AM

A few months ago we were faced with a difficult decision. Our senior kitty had been having trouble with his leg, and what we thought was arthritis turned out to be cancer. The tumor was very large and it was clear he was in a lot of pain. Senior pets don't typically survive anesthesia, but we had the option of amputating the leg or putting him to sleep.

Well, today he's doing great! His strong heart pulled him through the operation, and he adjusted amazingly. We have ramps everywhere so he can keep his normal routine, and he has a special food dish and litter box. There is no evidence of cancer anywhere else in his body.

This is a recent photo of the Big Boy!

He even snuck outside the other day and started running around like he still had all four legs.

Glasgow53 · December 16th, 2005, 10:48 AM

Oh this is a nice story. Many animals seem to do just fine with only three legs, even those who at one point had four. They don't seem to miss it, just adjust to life with three. Your little guy looks fine, better you didn't decide to put him to sleep. I saw on Animal Planet once a dog who only had two legs, both on the same side. He was running all around, he just learned how to balance on his two legs. He was big, too a Golden Retriever. That encourage me that if I ever had to make that choice, I would, too, because I have seen how well they can do. Good for both of you!

miss_perfect · December 16th, 2005, 10:53 AM

Thanks! As you can see, he's learned to center his back leg to steady himself when he stands. It's amazing how quickly he adjusted - he handled it a lot better than we did!

ourmaninBusan · December 16th, 2005, 11:31 AM

What a resilient little critter. I'm glad he's okay.

SVZ · December 16th, 2005, 12:18 PM

Wow, I've never seen a cat with 3 legs before, it's quite nifty looking imo

miss_perfect · December 16th, 2005, 12:32 PM

He thinks he's invincible. We have to force him not to try and jump from high altitudes.

You'd be amazed at how many resources there are out there for handicapped pets. It really makes me happy.

WickedHo · December 16th, 2005, 05:27 PM

Yea!!!!

And that picture is too cute! It's like "Yeah, I got three legs. So?"

ConstanceSpry · December 16th, 2005, 08:02 PM

What a lucky kitty to have you for a mama.

How old is he? He looks to be in very good shape, not elderly at all.

miss_perfect · December 17th, 2005, 11:43 AM

^Thank you! He's 14. He's huge, his mom was about a fourth of the size of him. We had to help her deliver him, he was such a big kitten!

panda · December 17th, 2005, 12:03 PM

Bless his sweet heart. He's a beautiful boy! He's very lucky to have a good Mama like you to take care of him.

moomies · December 17th, 2005, 01:52 PM

Your kitty is a survivor! I'm amazed at his will to live. I'd be so devastated if I was amputated myself.
You have a wonderful cat miss_P.

miss_perfect · December 19th, 2005, 11:36 AM

I'll be sure to add some new photos as he gets more used to hopping around.

Melzawelza · December 20th, 2005, 06:07 AM

what a little fighter!! he looks fantastic!!

miss_perfect · March 31st, 2006, 10:01 AM

Poor guy developed a middle ear infection and now he just lays in his new bed/house most of the time. The infection makes him circle and it really pisses him off (he howls whenever he has to walk). He's a fighter, but we just didn't want any more stress for him! Keep your fingers crossed!

Glasgow53 · March 31st, 2006, 10:16 AM

One of my really good friends has a three-legged kitty. She is a British Shorthair, I think, and you really can't tell she has only three legs. When she walks she kind of hops, but when she runs you really can't see it. She can climb trees, is a major snake hunter, and bullies the other cats. And she is pretty close 15 years old.

Missperfect, your poor little guy will be fine, he sounds like a fighter. That ear infection just makes him feel weird and probably unbalanced, and it upsets him, but when that clears up he will be back to normal. Good luck.