Insight on cat's back leg amputation

bm2010

Our cat who is going on 15 years needs to have her rear leg amputated. It's her only chance to live since finding fibroscarcoma on her back leg early February. She's been my kitty for half mylife time and we do not want to let her go. We already had one surgery to reduce the size, but its back, very aggressive and bleeding out. We had her lungs x rayed and everything is fine. She's still herself, running, eating and begging to go outside. I can't just put her down if she's still so active and happy.

Just curious if anyone has any insight. I've been an emotional mess over this. Monday we're letting the vet know which way we want to go.

mainerocks

I'm so sorry your going through this!

I volunteer at a shelter and we've seen many a three-legged cat... they seem to do so well that it takes me a while to notice there is even a leg missing.

Good luck with your kitty! 

firedancer22

Is it even an option? If she is still happy, she will continue to be happy on 3 legs!

aggiebug

I understand your concerns related to how well she will do.

 

Her age will probably extend the recovery time a little, but nothing that would make me concerned about her well being and quality of life.  I bet even at her age she bounces back to almost normal in 2 weeks.

 

And if you are concerned if it will come back, rarely do they pop up elsewhere (ie lungs) so as long as they can get the entire tumor she should be good to go.  

niemand88f

My FI's sister's cat was in the exact same situation early last year- even the same age! They amputated one of her hind legs and she adapted quickly and enjoyed another happy year of life until she developed another kind of cancer. 

I think if you can get rid of the cancer by amputating, you should do it if your cat is otherwise happy and healthy.  

bm2010

Thank you for your support. Just scared of passing and seeing her with 3 limbs.  This has been so stressful for me, I never thought we'd be dealing with something so aggressive. I always hoped she's pass peacefully one day. We're going with the amputation just nervous about any complications, stress on kitty, and the healing time.

mainerocks

All valid feelings! Hang in there and I bet she heels quickly and is back to her old self before you know it.

Vet-Tech

I'm sorry you're dealing with this.  I had the same thing happen to my older cat except we found the lump on her front leg.  I too tried removing the lump & had chemo done on her but it did come back.  I made the decision to amputate & she did very well after the surgery.  It did break my heart to see her hopping around on 3 legs but I think it's easier for them if it's the back leg instead of the front.  Sadly in my case, after 6 months, the cancer spread to a huge tumor in her lungs & I had to put her to sleep.  I wouldn't have changed what I did for her though. I had her for almost a year instead of a few weeks.