My cat has had a rear leg amputated. How can I help him adapt and what should I help him to avoid?

Answer 1

I had to have my cats back leg amputated this summer because of bone cancer, she is 10 years old. I was amazed how well she adapted.

She doesn't miss it. The first day home, she jumped from my arms and ran up the stairs. I cannot tell any difference in her at all, except she's out of pain now. I forget sometimes that she only has 3 legs.

I didn't have to do anything special for her. She goes up and down stairs daily. Jumps on and off the bed, etc. I was so scared that this would really be terrible for her in the long run, but she doesn't seem to know the difference.

Just love him and treat him normal and everthing will be fine.

Answer 2

Cats and dogs who have had a rear leg amputated, adapt very easily without any special help. I've had several cats who had lost a rear leg at different ages, and all adapted fine. If an animal has lost the leg at any place BELOW the hock joint, it will need to have a vet do a surgical amputation above the hock joint. The point for a correct surgical amputation is generally in the middle of the long bone of the leg, the femur. If an animal loses a leg below the hock joint, it will try to walk on the stump which creates sores, infection etc. If the amputation is above the hock joint, then the animal will go ahead and learn to get around on three legs and not try to use the other leg.

Cats and dogs with a rear leg amputated do very well, they can still outrun the humans in their lives, cats can still climb things, and dogs can still run and do things, including climb over fences!

Cats and dogs also can do well with a front leg amputated, and there are also cases of cats and dogs who had lost two legs and still did fine.

Answer 3

I'm so sorry your poor cat went through that. How wonderful that you are looking to help him out (some people don't). Our cat, who is 12 years old now, had his rear leg amputated at 4 weeks of age.

I worked for a local vet and animal control brought him in to have him put to sleep because he had been clipped by a car and it broke his leg. The nerves were severed so even if the bone had healed, he wouldn't have been able to use the leg.

I don't honestly think he has ever missed it! Animals are not like people. When they lose a limb their only concern is "how are they going to get around", and they do just fine. It's usually the people who have the problem with it.

Fortunately I think it's easier for them to lose a rear leg, the front leg seems to be a little more difficult for them. Everyone who worked at the animal hospital I worked at had at least one "three-legged" pet! You'd be surprised at how many people want their pets until they need to have a limb amputated (that's how we all ended up keeping them).

Wish there were more people like you - God bless you and the best of luck. Your cat and you will be just fine!

Answer 4

My friends cat had a road accident and had one of its back legs amputated. After coming home to recover she was up and about in a day. She found her own way of getting about and adapted very quickly. They have a garden with a lot of trees which the cat used to climb but she never bothered with that anymore. She does run around fine with the other cat they have and she's just as quick so I hope your recovers as well. The vet had said that there should be no problem with the loss of one limb if the cat is not too old, they wouldn't have carried out the operation if they thought it wasn't in the cats best interest I assure you.

Answer 5

My vet had a cat who had a rear leg removed and it moved with the same agility as a cat with 4 legs. I dont believe it causes too much of an issue for them after a while, its just a case of letting the cat get used to not having the leg to use. It might be more difficult for it to climb trees etc so i would try to keep it away from dogs etc....just incase it gets chased.
Your cat needs to carry on doing what it does now though, so it gets used to it. Much the same as a person would.

Answer 6

A cat at my vet has only three legs, missing the left back leg and I asked the vet home come he does so well, he climbs and jumps just like he has four legs. Her reply to me is that they adapt, they start acting as if they never knew they had four legs to begin with. Just like people, cats will take chances and learn what they can and can not do. So let your kitty explore and learn on his own. I am sure he will be just fine. Good luck.

Answer 7

kitties can adapt very easily, mainly because they are both clever and curious. Also a kitty is very proud and would never complain or whinge like dogs often do.
It will only take her a couple of days to adapt to the new situation. She will use her other 3 legs in such a new way that she won´t be even limping.
Still in the beginning, you should keep her calm and make her environment less dangerous, e.g. don´t let her walk on the stairs, don´t let her out on the streets, etc.
she will be fine, don´t worry. She surely happy she survived.

Answer 8

I had a left hind leg amputee that adapted just fine. Ask your vet how long you should confine this kitty before letting him/her move about in your home. Alot will depend on when he had his surgery, if he still has sutures or staples etc. I would definately recommend that you discuss this with your vet. Good Luck to you and your kitty.

Answer 9

I'm not sure what you can do but my aunt had a cat who lost a front leg and he got around just fine.
Your best bet is to ask the vet what you should do to help your cat.

Answer 10

He'll adapt by himself. We know someone who has a blind cat, he climbs trees and everything.