Sam Kitten (Update on the soon to be amputee)

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  • #836842
    Halet
    Participant

    -Wall of text. Sorry in advance.-
    I had posted something on here (I forgot what forum or such I put it in) about the little one I rescued from a barn accident with a cow. Partially severed his leg and he had to have a lot of attention. Sam has been doing a lot better since all the fuss of pain and getting socks to stick to him. I found a “cheaper” brand of pads to use on his leg as the others, well, stuck three brand names on the package, costing me a lot more than it would with /just/ “Johnson and Johnson” on it. The miss at the little veterinary clinic was able to give me more of the roll up socks, though they appeared a little bigger, and only charged a small fee because they are not used to selling them and didn’t feel right just giving them away as they are for vet use.

    His leg still bleeds heavily, though when I have to change him. With college classes returning, I can only change it every other day, posing a problem as when the scabs build up more and form into the padding… I have to rip them off. He has also gained another wound right at the elbow, both on the outside (where it bends out) and the inner part (the little crease). The inner spot has grown due to that being where his bandage stops, rubbing on it a lot and tearing just a bit more. It is also VERY difficult to cover because they are not long enough (I have to fold one over itself due to his little legs) so he ends up licking it constantly, causing bleeding, swelling, infection, and that bad smell. The sock soaks up a lot of the blood up there, hardens, the actually wound scabs, and all that makes it about 100% harder for me to remove it without having to push through the screaming, hissing, and biting he does. His screams are getting much louder and he is starting to do it when he just wants me to stop. If I adjust my grip on the neck skin, he screams like he is having scabs pulled, so it is harder to tell when and when I’m not doing something too rough. His screaming can get to where it is not just extremely loud meowing, but just the most horrific sound as if every cat in a city gathered to beat each other up. Just horrible. I get to where I cannot hold onto him as my anxiety will build up hearing it, causing me to have to stop and just hold him down, leg unbandaged out in the open, and end up scratching on my legs(Kind of a nervous tick when I start to panic) or breaking down and crying. He takes a long spell of “I hate you” and refuses to purr, unfold his ears, growl, or come out from under things if I put him down. (I can’t sit him down quickly as I want to re-enforce lots of pets and love after bandages and to make sure it stays on).

    His leg does not seem to be healing as well as it used to, and with the added wound, I feel like it will go back to being “degloved” once that upper portion spreads further down to what is almost healing back (skin growing back lightly). His growing body will make it more difficult to cover all the wound without forcing his leg in a splint (which would have to be done by the vet because he no longer is as still as he used to be). He reacts more to the liquid medicine I was given to put on his leg and will stretch his leg up to his face and he makes attempts to bite the nub at the end. I have to hold his head down, his neck, and bandage it without getting too much blood on him, me, or him seeing it and getting startled. The leg itself is not swelling like it did once due to a circulation issue but that upper spot is.

    Besides all the bad, Sam is gaining weight, a bit slowly, and is, last I checked, 2.9 pounds. It is difficult to weigh him but the bathroom scale picked him up. Fur is taking on its stronger colors and the ringworm he used to have is clearing up except for a tiny patch every now and then. His appetite is really good (eats EVERYTHING that hits the floor if I drop it so I have to watch). He is still super playful, getting to where wants to smack at the parakeet instead of let him sit on him but it is a work in progress. He will purr very heavily when the parakeet comes to visit him and preen his whiskers. When playing, you could never tell he has issues with his leg, using it and raising it swiftly when needed and only ever in a bit of pain if he jumps from something. He is still terribly afraid of anything loud; lawnmowers, thunder, RAIN in general, children.
    I’m going to try to get him to the vet this Friday as I have no classes that day. I’m worried about the second wound and wonder if the surgery is something they could go ahead and do. The bandage changing is getting even worse for myself to push through and it seems to be becoming more painful for him. I know they wanted to neuter him for it and do a two for one kind of thing but I’m more worried about this getting worse and causing blood poisoning, him getting the bandage off while I’m at classes, or just anything going wrong with the leg. The vet wanted to wait till he was four months old or at least four pounds (whichever came first). They are worried about blood loss and would hate for me to have to go through so much only for him to be taken out in that way. I cannot recall exactly how long I have had him as he seemed to be three weeks when I got him. The very tips of his ears where slightly folded, he could walk well, and was still mostly nursing.

    Checking now, he seems to have a rough spot on the bone of his shoulder on the bad leg side. Could be additional damage I did not notice, could be just regular cat thing with him.

    #836849
    Kittyzee
    Participant

    Halet, I can’t tell you how many times I have thought of you, sent prayers to you and Sam, wondering how both of you were getting along. I think you will be amazed at how well little Sam will do without the pain of that injured leg. He won’t miss it at all, and both of your lives can be normal again. I’m so sorry you have to deal with this, but you deserve a medal for your commitment and dedication to this little guy. Please keep us up to date on what’s going on with him (and you)!

    #836858
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    It’s so good to hear from you and Sam. I’m sorry it’s so traumatic to change bandages for wee Sam. Your anxiety is being felt by him as well.
    Here’s some info regarding when he can be neutered:

    “As to when he can be done, it depends on the vet. Some vets insist on waiting till 6 months of age, though more and more are doing it earlier. Research shows that most male cats can be neutered when they reach 2 pounds weight, and certainly as soon as they start showing ‘tomcat’ behaviour. The important physical development is that the testicles are descended, and the vet can examine him and let you know. So speak to your vet – but as I say, some vets still want to wait till around 6 months of age, which can be well after puberty in some cats. You may have to ask around for different policies.”

    Please keep in touch and know our thoughts are with you.

    PG

    #836889
    Cheri Hoyt
    Participant

    prayers for you and Sam

    #836956
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Sam’s big day is coming up. Lots of furry wishes for a speedy recovery.

    Tripod Cats – Understanding Feline Amputees

    #836996
    Halet
    Participant

    I got Sam to the vet and, due to their main vet in the town I’m in leaving for other work, I had to travel a bit of a distance to get to the other branch of their work place. While he was being seen, he, an assistant, and I attempted to cut the bandage off but he could already tell this was going to put Sam in all sorts of pain that he didn’t want to put on him. After all, what he would have done is remove it, look it over, and re-bandage it since he was still a tiny bit underweight for the surgery (3.1 pounds). He went ahead and suggested that they give him the surgery the next day (or Monday as he now has to travel between two far distances). It would cost about $300 ($150 more than the previous vet said). He did a leukemia test as a precaution since he didn’t want to do all this and him still be in pain. That came out clear. He also said he would skip the pre-surgery blood work so he could keep costs down. I’m currently attending a community college that is charging me a whole lot just for four starting classes so I knew next bimester (the next half of the year) would cost me so much more. Him skipping the blood work made me a bit weary because I was not sure what all that would be for but I accepted the bit of help. He was left in the vets care for the weekend. It hurt a LOT for me to be away from him because he has been so needy of me it made me nervous and I ended up breaking down in the night over it.

    He was able to to it today, calling and saying that Sam is doing wonderfully. It felt like a huge burden just fell off of me. While I was not given many details of anything that he did, he said he would cut either right at the shoulder bone or remove that part all over. I’m sure it will be re-mentioned when I pick him up. I cannot go get him until Monday or Tuesday due to his hours, which are now all over the place working two offices in different cities. Sam was in a lot of pain when I left him due to having hit something while he was on the table and crawled all over me then; up on my shoulder, under my arm, against my stomach. I’m glad he wont have to feel that anymore. I hope the little one isn’t mad at me for leaving him with strangers. There is a storm today and he is terrified of them, so that is touching at my heart as well in worry.

    I know he will experience that “Phantom pain” and I’ll have to watch for that, but is there any precautions I should take around the house while he is getting used to the off weight? There is hardwood flooring in the house but he has a patch of carpet and a towel filled box to sleep in and on. His bowls are also all glass so they are a bit more sturdy in case he falls on them.

    #836999
    Buttons
    Moderator

    What a relief! I’m so glad he’s had the surgery . I wouldn’t worry too much about the blood work before the op that’s general to check liver function. Which they need to check when administering anesthesia. But a lot of the time in emergencies it’s best to just go ahead with the op before testing if time is of the essence.

    He will be pain free now within a week or two! My Mr Noodle had the same operation and he was so much happier with the leg was gone. In his case the vet had to take the leg and the entire shoulder blade , the one thing to watch out for now is you don’t want him to have any bad falls if they’ve taken the shoulder blade because his little rib cage will be exposed on that side now it won’t have the protection of the shoulder blade if he falls . I found Boodle gets along just perfectly on Three legs but a front leg amputation can sometimes effect balance slightly and you would want him jumping off very high distances as landing now will take a little more skill with only the one front leg. But other than that and getting over the phantom pain issues he will be so much better off without the leg…

    No harm he’s in the vets office for a few days either they can keep an eye on the incision site and make sure he has enough pain meds …

    Oh one MASSIVE tip ! And believe me this was a God Send for Mr Noodle straight after surgery !!!! If you get one of your old socks preferably a fluffy one and cut the toe end off then cut a hole when this remaining leg can go and it makes a
    Little jumper so he can’t get at the stitches but can move around comfortably . I can explain how Much this helped Noodle ! And the e-collar wasn’t a good idea as he had enough to deal with trying to walk in three legs without having something on his head that hit off the ground constantly so the sock will be perfect!!!

    #837000
    Kittyzee
    Participant

    Buttons, you should post a pic of Noodle with his sock on so that Halet can see how it fit around his little body! πŸ™‚ Halet, I am relieved also that the surgery is being done and he will be pain free. In a few months, or less than that, he will never remember the awful deal he had with the pain in his leg. You are my hero, and his I’m sure.. πŸ™‚ as you never left his side and took such wonderful care of this little guy. I’m sure you can’t wait to get him back in your arms again! Please keep us posted about his homecoming and how he is getting along.

    #837001
    Buttons
    Moderator

    Yup been trying to do that KZ πŸ™‚ great minds think alike πŸ™‚ but internet so slow here’s one pic of Noodle in his sock jumper

    #837002
    Buttons
    Moderator

    #837003
    Buttons
    Moderator

    #837005
    Kittyzee
    Participant

    Oh Dear God, all those pics are so cute, but that last one…well, there should have been a COA warning! πŸ™‚ Buttons, those little sock dressing s are so adorable on him. I’m sure they kept him from chewing at his stitches and kept him from having to wear a cone.

    #837007
    Halet
    Participant

    That phone case is adorable, Buttons! Mr. Noodle is such a cute name and cat. I have a couple of socks somewhere that have lost mates but not many floofy ones. I don’t mind to go purchase a pair for him.
    He haw taken a bad fall once from my shoulder as something fell in the house and he LAUNCHED himself off of my shoulder, far out away from me, straight onto the hardwood flooring. He would not come out for a while from his hiding place but only showed a little bit more sensitivity to the leg. He does keep it up when running so hopefully the adjustment will be swift.

    I do want him to be home so badly! The parakeet I have keeps eyeballing the floor and looking around for his little brother. He is enjoying the extra attention he is getting, though, and the lack of the random swipe he might get from Sam on occasion when he wants to get up. (Little birdie often sits on Sam’s back when he lays down.)

    This will be the longest weekend ever without my sleeping buddy.

    #837008
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Halet,

    I am so relieved that wee Sam is having his surgery. He will be up and about, just like Mr. Noodle, in no time. It’s so difficult waiting for your boy to come home but in no time he’ll be in your arms. Remember that wee Sam is going to “smell” different to his parakeet sib so keep an eye on both.
    I’m so excited to see Sam!

    Halet-In case you wonder what we mean by COA and airbag. When we see pics of the most adorable kits we need a “Cuteness Overload Alert (COA).” If we don’t get a COA, our airbag deploys when we fall over from cuteness.

    Yes, Buttons-I needed to deploy my airbag on wee baby Noodle.

    #837012
    Buttons
    Moderator

    Lol sorry about the lack of COA alert on Noodle’s pics πŸ™‚

    He was the cutest little kitten and now the most handsome big boy πŸ™‚

    Halet Mr Noodle recovery was incredibly quick! He was walking normally almost immediately . The leg that had been there was holding him back so much and it was so obvious just how much it had been a hindrance when he was free from it .

    I hope that he learns his limitations once he realizes the leg is gone and I’m sure he will cats are the most adaptable animal on the planet if you ask me πŸ™‚ I have a few videos of him only hours after surgery saved somewhere so I’ll try and up load those later to you can see just how quickly he adjusted…

    #837019
    Halet
    Participant

    I think this is a COA Sam and his birdie brother (still getting used to using the website so I don’t know if this will show up. Also had to shrink the picture a lot because the site I use said it was too big in original size)
    I think this was taken about a month ago…? He is about three months old now, give or take a little. This picture was when he still had that little bit of ringworm still on him. I had to monitor the two so closely because I’m sure it would take out the bird. I could not confine him, though, as he is free to fly about certain rooms, my bedroom being one.

    #837020
    Halet
    Participant

    If it doesn’t show up. http://www.tiikoni.com/tis/view/?id=23a8ed8

    My computer is strange about images anymore even though I supposedly fixed my video cards and such.

    #837027
    katzenjammer
    Participant

    Indeed Sam merits a COA warning!
    You didn’t mention that he is a silver grey tabby!!!!!! So’s my Dorry!!!!!!
    And communing with his feathered BFF – adorable!
    Blessings that his surgery goes well.

    #837034
    Kittyzee
    Participant

    Aww, little Sam is adorable with his brother bird! I can’t wait to hear about him and how much better he will feel not being in pain anymore! Nothing will hold him back now!

    #837036
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Wee Sam and his sib are so cute! He looks like a real trooper, too.

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