3 legged kitten :)?

Question

Disclaimer... I have NOT consulted a vet about this yet and would NEVER EVER seriously consider doing this until I have done extensive research by myself AND with a veterinarian.

That being said... I just adopted a kitten from the pet shelter. She is a beautiful little medium haired tabby kitten and is the sweetest thing. According to the shelter staff, when she was born her umbilical cord was wrapped tightly around her left rear foot and her paw ended up eventually falling off. She walks on her leg on soft surfaces like carpet, but when she walks on hard surfaces she hops to avoid walking on it. It looks like a little peg leg and the bone juts right up to the skin. I have done some research and it looks like amputation to avoid irritation is an option. Has anyone had a kitten that needed it's leg amputated? What is the cost? I know recovery isn't that long, but how did it effect the kitten? Any imput is appreciated! Thanks so much!! BTW... her name is NOT tripod. :)

Answer 1

I believe you are right -- this kitten needs to have the leg amputated further up. That would avoid having the stump touch the ground, which is obviously painful to the cat, and also avoid the infection that is inevitably going to set in on the exposed bone.

A vet can perform the amputation and the kitten can probably go home in a couple of days with a quick recovery and very little in the way of restrictions while the incision heals.

Take her to a vet for an evaluation and estimate of the cost of the surgery. The sooner she has it done the better for her, and the less expensive the surgery will be.

I work at a vet hospital where we occasionally see pets with leg amputations. They all do very well and get around fine. A rear-limb amputation is a little harder for a cat to cope with than a front-limb one, and the opposite is true for dogs, due to the way their body weight is distributed. Your kitten will adapt very well.

A simple amputation such as this should run $300-$400, just as a guess, possibly less because there is no recent trauma to deal with.

Thank you for adopting a handicapped cat, and for wanting to do the best thing for her.

Answer 2

Hi hun, have to say--your final comment made me lol! I didn't even think of that one! Quite frankly, I have not had personal experience with an amputated cat, so cannot advise you on the cost, etc. However, if at all possible, I would make this (total amputation) my very LAST option. You didn't say how old she is, but if she is walking around just fine on soft surfaces with this leg, she will be able to use it (most likely) on harder surfaces as she gets older. You should consult a vet who is thoroughly experienced in this field, not just any vet. They will have to do x-rays and perhaps, ct scan or MRI to see if perhaps there are nerve endings right at the tip of the leg, and this is what would be causing her pain when she tries to walk on harder surfaces. If this is the case, there are ways that your vet/surgeon can go in there and simply deaden these nerve endings so she will not feel pain when walking. Bless you for adopting such a sweet little kitty who most likely would have been put down, and best of luck to you both.

Answer 3

There's a handicapped list over on Yahoogroups (handicappedcat I think it's called) and there's been talk of a three legged kitten over there recently--go ahead and sign up over there, the people can help with your questions.

I don't think leg amputation is warranted if the cat adjusts to the foot. A vet would need to examine the end to make sure the bone won't splinter and that skin can be strong on it, so you can definately check with them for a professional opinion. I know they wouldn't recommend any unnecessary surgery especially in a young kitten.

There may be no reason to do any further 'removal'. If she needs a little 'sock' to go over the end for healing yet, those would be easy enough to make up.

Answer 4

I had a rescue cat that lived for around 14 years with just 3 legs. She never seemed any different to any of my other cats. She could run around with the rest of them and run just as fast too. She had no issues with the litter box either. This is almost certainly a genetic defect on either the part of the Queen or the sire though so I would be sure to have your cat spayed once the other kittens are gone. If she breeds again there maybe much worse defects in another litter

Answer 5

We have a cat that lives at the vet hospital where I work. She was injured in New Orleans during Katrina when she was just a kitten. One of our doctors was there helping out when he heard of her plight. He brought her back to our clinic and her left rear leg had to be amputated. Let me tell you, she was up and running in a couple of days and hasn't slowed down since! She keeps all of the other animals in line! So, in answer to your question, take her to your vet and let him take a look. If he decides that is the route to go, ask him for an estimate for the surgery. Most vets will/should work out a payment plan for you. If he doesn't, call around and explain your situation. Tell them that this is a rescue cat from the shelter. If you hadn't adopted her, who knows what would have happened! God bless you for caring! And by the way, our cat's name is...Katrina! Of course!

Answer 6

Lost: three legged, one-eyed cat. Answers to 'Lucky'

Sorry, couldn't resist.
As was mentioned before, take your cat to the vet and see what he has to say about it. If it is causing little Pegleg pain or might become a problem down the road then amputation might be an option.

We had a one-eyed cat (don't get your cat from a backyard breeder) and he was just fine. (Ok, he ran into a few walls because he had no depth perception at all). Just a normal cat who happened to have one eye.

Answer 7

Ok well my aunt has a 3 legged cat , its missing one of its front legs cause it was attaked by a dog but if ur kitten is missing its front leg it will learn to get around really good my auntys cat is a real fast runner...but if it is missing its back leg thats a little bit of a worry!! but i think you should just call the vet and ask about it but if the cats leg does have to be removed then hurry and get it done while its a kitten so it can learn and get its balance trained if it does have to be removed and you wait till its older it will probley be falling everywere? also people say cats have great balance yeah that can be true but missing a leg your going to have to help it out alot!
poor kitty ! it will defanantly get used to it but please treat it with care! and i think you should call the vet! but i think it will be fine how it is!!

Answer 8

if she can make do the way she is I would leave well enough alone....she will compensate for her loss and dont let her outdoors whatever you do she is definately meant to be an indoor cat....you have a great heart to have adopted her most people would have overlooked her....good luck send me a pic if you can i would love to see the cutie...