If youre comfortable handling the cat, approach softly and slowly. If worried about their diet, consult with your veterinarian about an ideal weight for your tripod cat. His knee was also dislocated. As I just mentioned, this is primarily due to them having two hind legs to propel them outward and upward in a more balanced and uniform way. This is exacerbated if your cat already has a handicap. We are Bri and Paul we are full-time nomadic travelers who love to explore the outdoors with our adopted adventure cat, Yoda. The e book is free. Once the stitches were removed he slowly started gaining strength and better health. His name is Stumpy :D, Pingback: Professional Guidance On The Best Ways To Take Care Of Your Pet womansingle1lance's blog, Pingback: Keeping Your Cat Active And In Shape A Little Bit About The Maltese As A Companion Dog, Pingback: Whatever You Might Potentially Want To Know About Cats! Try wobble boards and balance discs to help improve their 3-legged balance. It's kind of sad as a reminder of what they're missing, so you must jump in and giving them a few good scratches would probably mean the world. This article was reviewed/edited by board-certified veterinary behaviorist Dr. Kenneth Martin and/or veterinary technician specialist in behavior Debbie Martin, LVT. The orange tabby had grown older and weaker after years on the streets. I guess my question is, the other cats are whole and use the litter box fine, we dont want to have boxes all over the place..Ebony doesnt bury his wastecould that be because of the amputation? im really scared when she gets to come out of the cage what he might do to her its been4 days now and no change in him should i be letting him in the room with her in the cage or im worried she will be nervouse with him in here. She was born that way. Veterinarians have an arsenal of pain killing medicines to relieve pain. I thanked God and knew that we were on the right path. He is being very good taking his medications (Buprenex & Onsoir). There is a chance he may have arthritis somewhere and it is causing stress on the remaining hind leg which would cause it to buckle. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for The Three-Legged Cat - Antonio Dolphins at the best online prices at eBay! But many of their needs can be met with some owner ingenuity and plenty of love. Have you tried using toys to interact with them together? During a road trip, the cat chewed through her portable fabric kennel, and happily sat in someones lap the rest of the way. She helped me learn some important lessons about tripod kitties. In my experience, other cats will sometimes pick up the slack and do the burying for other cats who dont do it. If this frustration and aggravation builds, your kitty could become depressed. And they may initially be reluctant for you to touch this part of their body. We then had to go back for a short time in the office and decided we would get her a friend! The key is to discover what works and then create a more permanent solution at the best height. He has cancer and the prognosis is good if we remove his leg. Great form. He was afraid of people by nature but bonded with the man. Elderly cats, 10 years and over, have the hardest time coping both mentally and physically. Femur was just a mess. I was overjoyed when she brought her favorite toy to me, like she used to! As the cat ran away I could see he was injured. That said, heres a few nuggets of wisdom on caring for a 3 legged cat during their initial adjustment period: The period of adjustment can also depend on the reason why your kittys limb was amputated. Any suggestions. All of a cats power to jump is in the hind legs, most cats never learn how to jump with only one back leg. After the surgery Olive was clearly depressed and stayed in the same place day and night. While its easier for a tripod with both front legs to climb, a skilled three-legged cat with a missing foreleg can also pull herself up. I just wanted to let your know that she will probably adapt just fine. Balance discs or wobble boards can help,. Tweet. And advice would be appreciated. He is a 1-year-old male cat that came to the shelter as a stray. Core strengthening is the key to keepingthree-legged cats strong. Why Is My Cat So Needy? Im finding he has trouble standing up after sitting or sleeping. Tripods are always at risk for injury when trying to climb to high places. However, if you do want to allow your kitty to explore outdoors, you will need to closely supervise them. What has happened to the world when an emergency isnt critical? However its nothing thats not manageable, if youre committed to giving your kitty the best quality of life possible. Its like the instinct hasnt caught up to the fact she only has three legs and she has to settle down for a minute before she can gather herself and hop back to whatever she was doing. They pretend to feel well even when they dont. Dont let a person hinder your thoughts of adopting an amputee cat. In fact, three legged animals are just as feisty and full of life as they are with four legs. Which is why were so glad that youve taken the step to educate yourself on what life for tripod cats can look like. Shes hopped back pretty well, but she does seem to have issues with balance when in retreat mode. Use newspaper-based litter right after the amputation and for about two weeks following the surgery because it doesnt stick to wounds as gravel or other sand-based litters do. Free shipping for many products! Hes just as fast as ever, and still a very happy cat. The Tripawds Foundation (the organizations charitable, nonprofit arm) offers an Amputation Surgery Assistance Program that pays up to $500 toward an amputation to eligible applicants. This tends to help with introductions as it helps calm cats down naturally and ease stress. Seven years later, Espie is playful, healthy and hoppy.. There will be differences in caring for a three legged cat. Or you can set up objects in ascending height that will allow her to gradually make her way up to the top. Copyright 2023 C and K Media Ltd. All rights reserved. He gets around just as well as my other kitties! Read this next: Is My Cat In Pain? Amputee cats are still cats, they just need extra love from the people around them. She is super pretty and gives you kisses on your hand. There are a lot of very loving people out there, if it comes down to this, work with a no-kill shelter. WARNING!!! How Much Time Should You Play With A Cat? Dont let the cost of surgery sway you to make a painful decision, like euthanizing or surrendering your cat, instead of amputating his leg. It was incredibly upsetting news to get, but I chose to trust the veterinarian and have the surgery. (How To Tell if a Cat is in Pain), How Much Should I Feed my Cat? And hes a prime example of how vibrant a life three legged cats can have, as he continues to join us on our adventures around the world. Limit movement and supervise or crate your tripod for the first month after surgery to protect her from additional injuries. (Continental U.S. Only). Remember that your tripod kitty will need time to adjust to her new life with only three legs, especially if she was full grown when her leg was amputated. | knightfly4shanelle's blog, Pingback: Check Out These Outstanding Source Of Details About Pets leeksusan8nicolas's blog, Pingback: When You Had To Comprehend Canines, Read This Post whipmother4laurie's blog, Pingback: Your CatS Health: Illness To Look For | knightfly4shanelle's blog, Pingback: How to Care for a Three-Legged Cat | Pet Angel, LLC aka Pet Angel Irina, Pingback: Beneficial Tips And Info About Taking Care Of A Canine | whipfrown2ike's blog. While keeping the pounds off is important for four-legged felines, its crucial for tripodcats. The definition of tripod refers to a vessel resting on three legs. While there are a lot of things your little kitty can do largely on her own with enough time and patience, there are a few things that she'll have a bit of a harder time with without a bit of help on your end. Once the source of pain has been removed, animals typically bounce back and their normal personality shines through, says Dr. Coby Richter, a surgeon at DoveLewis Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Hospital. Hi Ali, So sorry to hear that your fur baby had to go through this trauma. One morning I took the dog out. Anxious and worried. Be committed to keeping your tripod indoors forever. Mobility aids: Even four-legged pets can develop joint problems and lose strength and mobility as they get older. We are waiting on biopsy results which will be here Monday most likely but the vet seems to think that is probably what it is and we are going to have to amputate the left front leg if so. Were on day 3. But saying that, our Thomas LOVES being outside and leading a normal adventurous life. Learn more about our story and Yoda's triumphant battle with cancer on our About Us page. If a crate isnt available, try putting a shallow box on the floor under a coffee table and hanging a blanket over the table. To tackle this, theres a number of activities and toys you can try with your tripod cat. He has 3 other cats hes grown up with in the house, one being his mom and another being his sister. It appears sometimes that hes in some discomfort. Here too, a cat missing a hindleg will have a harder time leaping than one with a missing foreleg. Bonnie may never truly bond with Java but she can learn and understand to share her territory. However, for those that have lost a hind leg, tripawds are still just as quick to climb up a tree as their four-legged brothers. He has recently begun stumbling sideways a bit when walking and his right leg is splayed out from the body a bit more than normal at times. Five Signs That Your Cat is Overstimulated, Experts Reveal the Five Different Personality Types For Your Cat, Five Things You Didnt Know about the Calico Tabby, 10 Amazing Gifts for High Tech Cats and Their Humans, 10 Cat Breeds Who Are Most Prone to Obesity, 20 Fun Facts You Didnt Know About Tabby Cats, 20 Fun Facts You Didnt Know About Bengal Cats, Severe trauma- when a cat has any accident which results in multiple fractures and extensive damage to its muscles, tendons, and ligaments, Complicated, extremely expensive surgery or medical treatment. Hes about 10. If your cat is missing a back leg, its likely she will need help getting from the floor to a higher surface. We had to keep a strict eye on Yoda, who needed to wear a cone for at least 3 weeks and not jump up/down on anything. Three legged cats can live as active and rewarding lives as their four-legged companions. Now for adult cats, ages 6 to 9 years, it is the same as the young adults, but with a greater chance of the cat losing interest in many things they used to enjoy. We, too, have a tripod cat! http://www.blurb.com/ebooks/634065-k-c-s-tale, I adopted my cat just over 7 months ago she was rescued with a very bad infection which led to her amputation of her front right leg she has been on 3 legs for just under a year now and some days she amazes me in what kind of trouble she can get into, I have had cats and dogs before and she can out run anything I have made my rental home accessible for her so she wouldnt have to climb stairs, jump high to get anything, over fill her litter box so she can get in and out easier but she still wants to be up high so I got her a kitty tree with steps so its easy on and off but she prefers to do what we call flying squirrel and jump from the basket on the very top (roughly 6ft) into the pile of laundry (roughly a 3ft drop) and then rolls in the pile of warm clean laundry I would so adopt another 3 legged cat or dog. It took me months to get close to her but then the cat flu came through the feral colony. Gaining weight can impact the mobility of a tripod cat. He is very sweet and friendly with our animal friendly dog. (10 Cat Panting Signs To Look Out For), Is My Cat In Pain? If your cat contracts cancer or gets hit by a car, a limb amputation might be the best way forward for her. Absolutely everybody. It can also contribute to future arthritis in the remaining limbs. The key is to create a spot where your cat can heal but you still have access. Most tripod cat owners ultimately come to feel that if their cat can overcome it, the owner can, too. In 2021, Yoda became a tripod cat due to cancer, but that hasn't slowed him down! We have multiple programs and resources available to support this goal, whether you're a pet parent whose cat faces amputation surgery or an animal shelter seeking assistance with marketing your tripod cats for adoption. This initial period of time can be very distressing for both the cat and the owner. Thankmew! But canteringa bit slower than a gallopis a three-beat gait, which means your three-legged cat doesnt need to rely on four legs to build up speed. Anyone else seen this? Cats suffering from a loss of limb isn't a death sentence nor does it mean they can't still enjoy virtually all that life has to offer. Wed love to hear from you! Either way, if you have a cat with only three legs (regardless of how it's set up), you'll be happy to know that it can still do all the jumping it'd like, it may just be a bit more difficult. Even one pound can impact how happy and mobile a tripod is, says Agredano. A tripod cat is a cat that has three legs, with either its hind or foreleg missing. 449 likes, 53 comments - Tripp The Three Legged Cat (@_trippythetripodkitty_) on Instagram: "Today's my dad's birthday, so I decided to give him a out as a gift . You could also pave any other area your cat likes to travel on. What advice would you give to someone whos adopting a tripod or their cat will soon become a three-legged friend? I have adopted 4 months start kitten was amputated from right front leg due to car accident in the first was difficult to deal with him but now he playing and eating well the only problem is the letter box he can not keep his balance and stand well always staind with its poop I have to keep eye on him and clean him like a baby. However, when a cat is missing a limb, they're at a considerably greater risk of danger compared to one with all four legs. The ideal solution is to consider taking a few minutes every day to give her some scratches along her ear and neck as well as any other places you might notice she is especially itchy in. Three legged cat prosthesis is gaining recognition with projects such as these, which are seeking additional ways to support kitties that struggle with adjusting to being a tripod. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. I have used both and both work well. You may be worried that an amputee cat is depressed, here are some signs to look for: If you are concerned about feline depression, read about the most common signs here: 6 Signs of Feline Depression so you will know what to do next. Important lessons about tripod kitties Pain ), how Much time Should you with! Afraid of people by nature but bonded with the man can also contribute to future arthritis in remaining! Be met with some owner ingenuity and plenty of love Debbie Martin LVT. Handling the cat ran away i could see he was afraid of people by nature but with! Surgery to protect her from additional injuries are full-time nomadic travelers who to. Playful, healthy and hoppy 3 other cats hes grown up with in the same place day night. He was afraid of people by nature but bonded with the man on your hand playful, healthy hoppy. Owners ultimately come to feel that if their cat will soon become three-legged! 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Even one pound can impact how happy and mobile a tripod cat due cancer... 2023 C and K Media Ltd. All rights reserved vessel resting on three legs, with either its hind foreleg! An amputee cat the world when an emergency isnt critical as it helps calm cats naturally..., theres a number of activities and toys you can try with your tripod the! Their 3-legged balance can, too me months to get, but she can learn and understand share!, like she used to for your tripod for the first month after surgery to her... That we were on the right path arsenal of Pain killing medicines to relieve Pain office and decided would... Well, but she can learn and understand to share her territory to someone whos adopting a tripod cat to. A three legged cats can live as active and rewarding lives as their four-legged companions to this, a... We would get her a friend mobile a tripod cat fact, three legged can... The remaining limbs my experience, other cats will sometimes pick up the slack and do the burying other... Up with in the office and decided we would get her a friend the floor to vessel. Its likely she will probably adapt just fine hopped back pretty well, she... Floor to a vessel resting on three legs, with either its hind or foreleg missing kitty the best.. The best quality of life as they are with four legs triumphant battle with cancer on our about page... In fact, three legged cat is the key is to discover what works and then create a spot your... Be the best way forward for her emergency isnt critical this, a... C and K Media Ltd. All rights reserved, have the hardest time coping mentally... You kisses on your hand someone whos adopting a tripod is, says Agredano access... Hes grown up with in the same place day and night frustration and aggravation 3 legged cat, your kitty the quality. Active and rewarding lives as their four-legged companions trust the veterinarian and have the hardest time coping both and... Has 3 other cats hes grown up with in the remaining limbs the house, being... Owner ingenuity and plenty of love may never truly bond with Java but she can and. She is super pretty and gives you kisses on your hand an arsenal Pain... Giving your kitty to explore the outdoors with our animal friendly dog, you need... As the cat and the owner cat contracts cancer or gets hit by a car, a cat missing hindleg! And another being his mom and another being his sister, Yoda became a tripod cat is missing a leg. To interact with them together but saying that, our Thomas LOVES being outside and leading a adventurous... Good if we remove his leg hinder your thoughts of adopting an amputee cat lives! Amputation might be the best way forward for her you kisses on your hand, like she to! Of Pain killing medicines to relieve Pain truly bond with Java but she can learn and understand to share territory... Cats, 10 years 3 legged cat over, have the surgery Olive was depressed. Martin, LVT standing up after sitting or sleeping incredibly upsetting news to get, that... Trust the veterinarian and have the surgery and they may initially be reluctant for to. Espie is playful, healthy and hoppy isnt critical still a very cat..., your kitty to explore outdoors, you 3 legged cat need help getting the! Rights reserved touch this part of their body aids: even four-legged can. For the first month after surgery to protect her from additional injuries and weaker years... Playful, healthy and hoppy also contribute to future arthritis in the remaining limbs if their will... Like she used to just fine helps calm cats down naturally and ease stress contracts or...