Amputation of hind leg :(

[Abby]

Im so glad I have found this forum!

Im in a complete dilemma with my cat George
He has been poorly for some time with his toe, he first started to limp so took him to the vets but they had no idea what it was (thought it was infected) so squeezed it and some puss came out. Sent him home & he was ok for about 2 weeks, however, he started limping again so took him back, they did an x-ray and nothing came up. Adivsed me taking the toe was the best thing to do so said yes!
He recovered really well from having his toe off, became an absolute pig with his food (as hes always been quiet skinny)
We didnt get any answers from the lab as they had no idea what was going on with his toe (the vet found a 'mass' when she removed his toe) - it was either cancer, gout or a fungal infection.
But, he then went off his food about 2 weeks later and started limping again, this time not putting his leg on the ground. I was devastated.
The vet x-rayed his leg again and couldnt see anything, she asked me if I wanted him put to sleep :'( I said no! cause I had no 'real' reason to and hes not even 2 yet!!

She gave him painkillers but once he finished them he started limping again and his next toe along is swollen so took him to the vets yesterday and she said whatever it is has spread and Ive only got 2 options...take his right hind leg and stop whatever it is spreading or put him to sleep.

I love my cat too much to put him to sleep but I also dont want him to suffer!! But the vet said because he is so young she knows he will be able to cope...he is also basically a house cat and we live in a very quiet area with few cars (which he hates anyway) so even when he is outside I dont really have to worry.

It would just really put my mind to rest if someone could let me know how their cat has reacted to having his/her leg amputated. I dont want him to be confused or hate me for it. I just want to know he will cope. Ive got him booked in on monday to have it done (4 days away).

The vet did say to me she wouldnt have suggested it if she thought he wouldnt cope as she said 99.9% of cats do fully cope after.

Thanks in advance for any reply and sorry about the long post.

Abby x

[yola]

Welcome Abby - sorry you're finding us under such distressing circumstances. I don't have experience of amputee cats but others here do and I'm sure will be along to advise soon.

My only comment reading your post would be to get your vet to investigate what exactly it is that's causing the problem. Possibly seek a 2nd opinion from another vet also. Amputation is a very drastic solution; do you in your heart of hearts think they have done all they can to get to the source of the problem?

[alexgirl73]

Hi Abby, and welcome to the forum. There are a number of cat owners on here who have amputees, and I don't think I've heard of one who hasn't coped brilliantly afterwards, and is running about quite happily within days. However, I'm a bit concerned that the vet wants to amputate without a proper diagnosis and that she doesn't know why she needs to remove the leg. Would it be possible to consult another vet first, just for your own peace of mind? Saying that though, if you are happy to follow your vets advice, then rest assured George will not hate you, and will have no problems getting around after

[angieh]

Hi Abby - I don't have any experience of amputee cats, but as the others have said, from what I've heard cats get along just fine with no problems from losing a limb.

I also would agree with what Yola and Alex above have said - and really I would want to know exactly what is wrong with George's toes before agreeing to this surgery. If George is insured, could you ask for a referral to a specialist?

[Abby]

Thank you alexgirl73 and yola for your replies.

I must admit I thought it was drastic but my only other option she gave me was to put him to sleep
In my heart hes not poorly enough for me to make that awful decision. Hes got his whole life ahead of him and I dont want to end his life over a toe.

When she sent the toe off to the lab 6 specialists looked at it and not one of them could decide what it was. 2 said cancer, 2 said gout and 2 said fungal. She said gout was a stupid thing to say and that if it was fungal then thats worse than cancer so she put it down to cancer.

He's such a chilled out cat, we only ever know if something is wrong if he stops eating as much as he was.

He doesnt even meow!!!! EVER (haha) so we as a family know when something is wrong with him.

I have thought about giving her a call but I feel like I am bugging her :/ and I dont want to leave it any longer for whatever it is to spread

Its so confusing...cause Im also leaving the country for 7 months in 2 weeks time! I live with my parents & they love him just as much as I do so I know they will look after him but I dont want to go without knowing something is being done.

Arghhhh

[Abby]

Hi angieh

I would get him checked over by a specialist but like I said above to yola and alexgirl73 Im panicing because whatever it is in his toe I dont want it to spread as its already spread from the removed toe to the next one.

She also said she wanted to take the leg right up to the top as him lymph node is swollen so she wants to make sure she gets it all.

I might pop to the vets today when my mum finishes work just so we can have another chat.

I think with the shock of it all yesterday I just forgot to ask anything! lol

[yola]

I think it might be an idea for you to make an appointment asap with the vet without George just to talk this through and get a clear picture of how to move forward. The swollen lymph nodes could be a sign of cancer but equally they could just be syptomatic of George fighting whatever infection is causing his bad toes.

I know there is a time imperrative but personally I would be nervous of proceeding without all the facts to hand.

[angieh]

Shock is understandable Abby - I am also sure that the vet won't think you are "bugging" her by asking questions. Also there is your added urgency about making sure that George is stable before you go away. If the vet is talking about lymph nodes, she is probably reasonably sure it is cancer. But what type????

[Abby]

Thank you girls!!

I dont think I have stopped to think about what is actually 'going on'. I think cause she gave me the 2 options and I dont want to loose him, I have just jumped at having his leg removed.

Ill ring her today and see if she can have one of the other vets look at his records too.

My best mates cat got shot in her front leg twice and it shattered her bones, they told her (same vets as mine) that they needed to remove her leg but another vet (same surgery) said he would operate on her - she is now back to normal with plates and screws in her arm. She never had to loose it in the end...but I guess with cancer its a little more tricky.

Ill give her a ring and see what she says...I just dont want to offend her cause she has been brilliant with us over everything

[yola]

Good luck - let us know how you get on!