Comments for Three-Legged Cat

Comment on TLC’s Midnight Garden by Yorkshire Pudding

Yorkshire Pudding — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 10:08:44 +0000

The Winter Garden was a great idea. A shame that damned hotel hides its wooden arches from people lounging in the Peace Gardens. Hope you got your “Back to School” bargains. Good luck in your new job.

Comment on Advice for Three Legged Cats by Julia (Dougal's Human)

Julia (Dougal's Human) — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 20:16:40 +0000

Thanks for the advice, the pictures and videos really did help prepare me for seeing Dougal.
Well he’s had his first day at home. As soon as we took him out of his rather large carrier he was off, spaced out from the drugs, falling over, going round in circles, generally very confused. He then rested on his bed, prepared especially for him, but not for long, he wanted up in his usual space at the foot of our bed. That done he purred himself to sleep under our loving strokes.
When he awoke food was the order of the day, favorite on hand. He didn’t manage standing to eat so was served lying, on his now dining bed. Then negotiating the litter tray, a very messy affair, but finally after much manovering…job done.
His eyes returned to their normal size by late afternoon, and he took some interest in his wound, but no stitch pulling thank goodness.
I’ve had loads of kisses and cuddles, he’s used the wall to get round room, and I can see how with a little practice he’ll get used to 3 legs, like learning to ride a bike for us, finding a new centre of balance and sense of equilibrium.
The vet wants him back on Friday, results as well. We’re keeping everything crossed that he is now clear completely.
I’ll update with his progress, although I must say I had no idea how much care he would need during this time, seems like our love for them is a huge part of their healing…am I wrong?

Comment on Advice for Three Legged Cats by Anne

Anne — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 19:51:09 +0000

Hi Pipkin’s owner
Ah yes but what does he do when he gets to the top of the fence posts? What a brilliant recovery! The vision of the guinea pigs stalking him made me laugh – they can be quite ferocious in their enthusiasm at times can’t they?
JJ is putting on quite a bit of weight with having his former roaming restricted to a brief potter round the garden. The vet warned me that extra weight could put a strain on the remaining hind leg and lead to arthritis so I have put him (and the other two) o a restricted diet now he’s recovered and stopped squawking for food and TLC all the time.

Comment on Advice for Three Legged Cats by pipkin's owner

pipkin's owner — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 19:23:18 +0000

Hello everyone, hope everything is okay?
Pipkin has been doing amazingly well. its been 5 weeks since his amputation, his fur is growing back gradually. (He is more black than grey now!!!) He is going out although he is a lot more nervous than what he used to be. ( maybe something to do with how he got injured? i dont no) He is actually still managing to claw his way up our tall fence posts in the garden and stalking our guinea pigs ( i think its the other way round sometimes!) i just want to say a big thank you to everyone on here for all the comments and support. it was hard at first but does and has got easier.

Comment on TLC’s Midnight Garden by Debra

Debra — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 10:23:08 +0000

Looks lovely. I’ll definitely pop in next time I’m in the area.

Comment on Advice for Three Legged Cats by Anne

Anne — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 00:20:09 +0000

Hi Julia
See also the Life with a 3 legged cat page….welcome to the club
I am sure that if you have read all these comments you will gather that there is a lot of practical advice and emotional support around here.
Wait and see how Dougal copes. It’s difficult to predict but would be crass of me to say ‘oh he’ll be fine’. Chances are he will be so pleased to get back home and once he’s over the convalescent period he will be learning how to adjust into a new routine. His personality won’t change and may even help him cope.
JJ seemed to cope a lot better than I did – I was on an adrenaline high for a week getting over the shock then completely went to pieces. But nearly 2 months on all is settling down.
He is more affectionate than he was before. Yes he still sleeps under the covers with me though he needs a step up to the bed. He can’t jump on to my lap but digs his front claws in my leg and hauls himself up with a bit of lift under his rear end from me.
He still beats up his huge squeaky toy duck by kicking it furiously with one back leg. He is like Jake the Peg when walking but runs like a greyhound when I call him in from the garden. He tries to scratch his ear with his missing leg but if I say ‘Scratch’ he runs to me for a good scratching session.
If you can bear it, have a look on Youtube at some pics of amputee cats immediately post surgery – I did and it helped prepare me when I saw JJ after the op – having got that out of the way, I didn’t bother looking at the scar, I could just concentrate on being leapt on by a very talkative wobbly cat who was so pleased to see his mum!
Let us know how you get on.

Comment on Advice for Three Legged Cats by Julia (Dougal's Human)

Julia (Dougal's Human) — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 21:54:19 +0000

Have just finished reading everyones chat and felt in such good company. Our lovely Ragdoll boy, Dougal, has just had his rear left leg removed today and I could so relate to everyones comments. We only discovered he had cancer on Friday, he went in for tests today, xrays and the like, to make sure it hadn’t spread, but then the call from the vet came…what a choice…no Dougal or no leg. After bucket loads of tears, the family conference call, more tears with the vet the decision was made. He isn’t a young boy, 13 (we rescued him so that is just a rough guess) but like your comments, he is such a fantastic personality we had to give him this chance. I’ve been so worried about seeing him, how will he cope? Will he still sleep under the covers with me?… Will he still love me?
I’ll let you know, but safe to say I’m racked with guilt and only hearing his purrs will ease my own pain.

Comment on Life with a Three Legged Cat by Tigger's Mom

Tigger's Mom — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 04:48:41 +0000

Okay so I havent been communicating lately. I went on vacation to visit family. My husband stayed behind due to work. So on Tigger had to have another surgery the first of June as the vet said that his backing up was due to the muscles being too tight and causing his hip to pop out of the socket. This is something that can be a complication from the initial surgery. So then we got him home and he made a remarkable recovery. Then on the morning on July 9, 2010 he wanted outside so bad that then my husband let our dogs out he ran out the door at the same time. He took off through our pasture and he never came back. I looked for him for days, then the days became weeks. I called every vet, animal shelter, I knocked on door posted over a 1000 flyers along with a reward for his return. I was so devastated!! I continuted this every day. I also prayed every day he would come home. So last night I went out side in my garage around 10pm and I saw the most beautiful site.. Tigger had come home!! He was so skinny but otherwise in good shape. I am so so happy to have him home. He just kept meowing and meowing like he was sayin “Mom I’m home!” He goes to the vet tomorrow to have a thorough check up. I just have to say that no matter if your 3 legged kitty is at home or outside he can sure survive and live a normal life. The most important thing is the Power of Pray!

Tiggers Mom

Comment on Advice for Three Legged Cats by Anne

Anne — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 21:32:22 +0000

Hello everyone
This site has been quiet lately. Maybe because it is the holiday season?
Just wanted to touch base and see how everyone is getting on.
JJ is six weeks after amputation. The fur has grown back, the scar almost invisible and sometimes I forget he only has three legs. (So does JJ)
He is adjusting well and has stopped trying to climb the trees and fences in the garden, just sits on the garden bench looking wistfully at the top of the high wall he used to tiptoe along. I am at work during the day but he sleeps lots and the back door into the garden is open when I come home so he can go in and out. He has realised his limitations and I can relax knowing he can’t escape easily.
He has become a lap cat and enjoys sitting in the garden on my knee in the evening when it has gone dark, listening to the rustlings in the shrubbery and watching the wild geese flying over the house now it is nearly autumn. He has put on a little weight so I will have to cut back on his food now he is less active.
I go on holiday late September and he will be in the cattery but they assure me they can cope with all sorts of infirmities so I am happy he will be ok.
The other two cats have got used to the cat flap being locked and they don’t venture far either. Seems they have all adjusted fine too.

Comment on Heavy Plant by David Kemp

David Kemp — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 15:14:03 +0000

I was delighted to stumble across this article,when I was surfing the net. Its quite a while since I made the Heavy Plant in what was then called “Sheffield Science Park.
At that time Steelworks & Little Mesters shops were being pulled down on a daily basis to make car Parks. The mighty works in Attercliffe had been reduced to rubble, twisted steel & dead cats in sacks. I thought I might reverse the trend, & build something about these lost industries of Sheffield in a Carpark?
The sculpture is made (as much of my work) from discarded Industrial scrap,& found objects. It relates to the “alchemy” of steel making,& perhaps might look a little like a large “industrial weed” itself?
I,m very pleased to find it is still standing, despite the very great need for more carparking space.
Thers lots of PIX of this & many other sculptures on my webste http://www.davidkemp.uk.com. Please visit & have a look.