A Cat's Leg Amputation Story: Felines Do Surprisingly Well with Three Legs

"Amputation is possibly going to be the outcome, but he should get around just fine with three legs."

The veterinarian's words made me feel dizzy. I didn't cry; shock and confusion suppressed my emotions.

A terrible event in mid October changed the life of my cat, but also demonstrated the resilience and capacity to adapt that felines so commonly exhibit.
 

I acquired the stray, all-gray kitten just two months earlier, but bonded with him immediately. This critter displayed the most endearing of cat traits: total floppsy submission to human coddling. He's the sort that will allow little girls to dress him in doll clothes without biting or hissing, and I love him enormously.

Zipper looked to be about six months old, in good health, but small and fragile. I took him to a clinic for his first round of shots, worming and flea treatment, and scheduled his neutering appointment.

The day before the appointment, I let the little cat out in mid morning, and called him in around suppertime. When he didn't show up, a feeling of dread hit me; he normally came in immediately. I kept calling and searching with no results until my neighbors phoned me at eleven. "Zipper's out here in the bushes and he's hurt."

My neighbor carried him into the house. The cat's left hind leg was dragging, but there was no blood or other apparent injury. I'll never find out what happened.

The all night emergency vet clinic's waiting room is populated with anxious folks. As with a human ER, a full gamut of violence, flaring infections and sudden trauma abounds, and hours of waiting often end with a heart wrenching diagnosis. The doctor explained that Zipper's X-rays showed three severe fractures to the upper left femur. She said they could keep him until morning when a surgeon could insert rods, plates and screws. The procedure might or might not work, and if the recovery went badly, amputation might be necessary. This procedure would be about $2100 and the money was due on the spot.

It was impossible. I couldn't get that kind of money together, and it all seemed surreal. I think I acted so brain dead that the vet simply wanted to shove me out the door and yell, "NEXT!"

Related information
When an animal has one hind leg amputated, the remaining leg centers somewhat to help with balance.
 
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Neo, our 4-year-old short-haired black Persian, was in an RTA last week. Juan Carlos, nuestro veterinario español, tried pinning his front leg but infection and poor circulation led to its amputation. Many thanks for putting my mind at rest.

Posted on 05/15/2009 at 9:05:11 AM

Thank you for your comments. My direct email is pamelajangell@gmail.com I look forward to talking to you.

Posted on 05/07/2009 at 6:05:11 PM

Hi Pam, I wish I had a better way to contact you directly so I can tell you more details. If you click on my byline above the story, you can leave me a personal message and I can respond. If you don't care to do that, the short answer is: she should do as well as Zipper. He stood yo very well on his own to eat and use the litter immediately. Yes, she should be crated for about 2 weeks.

Posted on 05/07/2009 at 4:05:50 PM

I have a 13 year old cat that was hit by a car two days ago. She is having her left rear leg amputated tomorrow. If anyone can give us some advice it would be helpful. Do we need a crate or just a cat bed when she comes home. Also, will we have to hold her up to eat? How will she use the litter box? We have no idea what to expect. Will we be able to leave her alone at first? We also have 7 other cats (all of which have been dropped off at our house). Please help us understand. This is very scary for us. thank you

Posted on 05/07/2009 at 4:05:17 PM

I have a cat who just turned 17 (!!!!) today and had her left leg amputated at age 4. A window fell down on her paw as she was sleeping in the window. Ouch. She is still lively as ever and I hope I can have her for another 17 years. (Wouldn't that be amazing!)

Posted on 04/12/2009 at 3:04:54 PM

great story and I really enjoyed reading it, as it brought back memories. I had a three legged cat named Tosha that lived for 15 years after an amputation. It was surprising to see how well she adapted to life without that leg, but she could climb trees and get around just fine. We called her Tripod and joked that we should get her a little kitty wheelchair, but of course she didn't need it.

Posted on 04/08/2009 at 1:04:04 PM

This is such a heart-warming story! I bet it's done well. My niece has a 3-legged-dog, who does well,

Posted on 02/23/2009 at 4:02:15 PM

I have no advice but I am glad Zipper is doing well.

Posted on 01/25/2009 at 12:01:09 PM

I adopted a three legged cat over a year ago. Her left rear leg was severely damaged in an accident, and the leg was amputated a month before I adopted her. Once I got her, she was totally comfortable on her three legs. Her walking gait is a bit awkward, but she runs like the wind! Both my cats are totally indoor cats - I don't let them outside. The writer of the story wanted to know how to keep Zipper from getting out of the door. I really don't have any good advice, except that Zipper is much better off being a strictly indoor cat. Once he gets used to the idea of not going outside, he may not even try to get out. I wish you and Zipper all the best!

Posted on 01/09/2009 at 8:01:15 PM

My eight year old Bengal is having is right rear leg removed to-day.because of vaccinne related sarcoma.An indoor cat does not need to be vacinnated,

Posted on 12/18/2008 at 10:12:45 AM

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