Amputated legs

[susan]

Has anyone had a cat missing it's hind leg?
I found a barn kitten with it's hind leg caught in one of our lawn chairs tonight. I don't know how long she was like that, but the leg is twice the size and has no movement.
I don't think it's actually broken, but it was too long without circulation and the only way I can see this kitten making it, is if I have it amputated.
I'm going to take her to the vet tomorrow, but was wondering if a cat can get along ok without a hind leg?
I've seen missing fronts before, but a hind seems like it would be more difficult.
Thanks for any info

[Shadowfein]

Hi there

My aunt had a tortoiseshell cat that she got when she was a kitten. She had been caught by a dog and my aunt found her. He one back leg had been completely mauled though and had to be amputated. She got along perfectly well on three legs - built up quite a speed when she wanted to and lived till she was 17. She wasn't the world's friendliest cat - preferring my aunt and ncle - but that had more to do with the dog trauma than anything else...

Cheers!
Shadow.

[kate & kobi]

I'd like to add that she'll do much better with only three legs if she's an indoor ONLY cat. It may take some getting used to for her to stay indoors, but she'll learn to manage much better if she doesn't have to deal with the added dangers of being outside.

Let us know how it goes with the vet!

[Traci]

I don't know how long she was like that, but the leg is twice the size and has no movement.
I don't think it's actually broken, but it was too long without circulation and the only way I can see this kitten making it, is if I have it amputated.

You can't assume anything until this kitten is seen by a vet and preferrably an emergency vet clinic NOW. Stating it's "twice the size" may indicate a severe fracture or break, a pelvic fracture, both of which are extremely painful, not to mention severe infection and life-threatening fever potential.

Get this kitten to a vet IMMEDATELY for a complete x-ray evaluation, your vet can then determine the extent of the injury. Please don't wait another minute on this, I can't stress enough the pain factor here.

Yes, cats can get along fine without a limb. Your vet will explain the necessary steps to take should amputation be required.

[Susan]

Good news so far...

I took her to the Vet today and the leg isn't broken or dislocated, but may have some nerve damage.
He wants to wait until the kitten is a little older (a couple of months) before attempting any surgery.
He sounded a little more optomistic about the circulation to the leg than I think and says we should take a wait and see attitude for now and see if there is any nerve regeneration and if the circulation comes back 100%.

If it starts to break down or decompose, then of course he will do the surgery at that point also. So here we sit waiting and seeing. Poor little thing. But it helps to see there are other cats who have gotten along fine with 3 legs. I worry about it being a hind leg, but the Vet sounded optomistic about that too.

She is on antibiotics and anti-inflamatories.

[davet]

had a client call me up one time and said her cat had been hit by a car and the leg ripped off and the cat gone....not much i could do then but about 5 days later she called again, the cat had come home minus the leg and kindof a gross looking stump..she brought it in and all i had to do was clean up the wound, so it so it looked nice and neat , put the cat on antibiotics etc even though it did not appear infected and the cat lived for a few more years sans the leg that was left in the street...never underestimate the number of lives a cat has...(corrected Traci-so there)

[MA]

I have had several tripod kittens and they do just fine. They get adopted out rather quickly because it seems like those special needs kitties are more desirable than just a regular kitty. Go figure?