ali-cat Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 We have just returned from the vets where we were heartbroken to be told that tomorrow Ellie will have to have her left back leg amputated. After 3 months she still has no feeling from half way down her leg & despite giving her physio & bandaging her foot daily, to try to stop her cutting it, she has developed an infection on the top of her paw. The vet assures us that it is the best thing for her & I honestly know that it is - but it still didn't stop me from bursting into tears. So by this time tomorrow will have a 3 legged, tail-less, half shaved cat ...... but we still love her & will be spoiling her rotten even more than usual - if that's possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Katie Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 Sorry to hear that Ali. If I remember correctly, was Ellie was the cat you acquired when you got to France or was she one that travelled with you from the Ards? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catalpa Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 [quote user="ali-cat"]So by this time tomorrow will have a 3 legged, tail-less, half shaved cat ...[/quote]But all she'll know is you love her and she has (and will have) a very nice life so the fact she's a bit lacking in the tail and leg department won't bother her a bit. Good luck for tomorrow.[kiss] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooperlola Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 Bad news but really, she will be fine. Small animals cope really well with missing limbs. And they have the great advantage of having no idea what's in store for them when they zizz off on the operating table. It's probably far more traumtic for you than for her.Bon courage.[:)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lorna Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 JK, this thread explains all:http://www.completefrance.com/cs/forums/1212125/ShowPost.aspxhope all goes well for Ellie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Katie Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 Thank you Lorna [:)]Well she has had the most awful start in life hasnt she? But how lucky was she to stumble across you two?Anyway, all the best. Xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-cat Posted July 3, 2008 Author Share Posted July 3, 2008 Thank you for all your kind words. We feel as if we're in a real dialema now as we've spent all day looking up 'nerve damage in cats' on the internet & everyone says amputation should only be used as a last resort. It can apparently take up to a year for the nerves to re-grow & for full mobility to return.I think a long chat with the vet in the morning should help us decide if it's for the best, but I think the infection in her poor wee paw may be the real problem at the moment. Will let you know how everything goes. I'm away to get some ham out of the fridge for her now - but don't tell Mr Cat, as it's his!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Animal Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 Sorry to hear that Ali and hope all goes well tomorrow. As she is so young, she should soon adapt. You talk about ham for her, don't forget if she's being operated on tomorrow she shouldn't eat anything tonight. [:)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-cat Posted July 3, 2008 Author Share Posted July 3, 2008 Don't worry Christine!! She's not allowed anything from 8pm so she'll be on starvation diet from then onwards. Not sure how I'll explain it to Mr Cat when he goes to make his lunch tomorrow & there's no ham left for his sandwich!! [Www] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cerise Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 Ali-cat - I know it is awful but young animals adapt easily. I had a cat who had a leg amputated at 18 months old. He lived to be 15 and was a skilled mouser and tree climber. His disability bothered him very little.Good luck to you and Ellie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acoustic Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 I suspect she will do very well after her operation but I can really empathise with your concerns about whether there are alternatives. About twenty years ago my husband was told his right arm would remain paralysed after damaging his neck in a cycling accident. Through sheer doggedness and hardwork he perservered with his own exercises and physio (sawing logs was one of his methods even though he needed to use both arms to begin with) and he now has full use of his arm and was able to resume his career as a professional musician. He still has all sorts of neck problems but he's certainly not paralysed.I know it´s the eleventh hour but you could try going onto www.giveusahome.com and posting on the Chat section. There are lots of people on there at the moment trying to rehome kittens but if you start a new thread explaining the situation you will find one or two really knowledgeable people there who might come up with either re-assurance or alternatives.Good luck with whatever you decide! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-cat Posted July 4, 2008 Author Share Posted July 4, 2008 Ellie has been given a 2 week reprieve!! We had a long chat with the vet & when she got Ellie to walk around the room was surprised at how much improvement there was in her whole leg. So she gave her a long lasting anti-biotic injection, we have to bath her foot twice a day in iodine, continue her physio & ..... buy her baby shoes to protect her paw!!! We will probably order a 'cat-shoe' as so far we haven't been able to find anything suitable – except a pair of kiddies socks to keep it clean in the house!! Photos will follow!! [:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Animal Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 You can give her plenty of ham then tonight! [:D] [kiss] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-cat Posted July 4, 2008 Author Share Posted July 4, 2008 [quote user="Christine Animal"]You can give her plenty of ham then tonight! [:D] [kiss][/quote]So far she's has ham, crab-sticks & chicken!! Spoilt rotten!! [:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jo Posted July 5, 2008 Share Posted July 5, 2008 Oh, photos soon please ali-cat, the mental picture I have is great[:)] Wish her all the best, and will keep everything crossed for her! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-cat Posted July 7, 2008 Author Share Posted July 7, 2008 Not quite "Puss 'n Boots" - more "Kitten 'n Socks"!! She doesn't seem to mind wearing them & I really hope they are helping to protect her paw, until the proper 'cat shoes' we've ordered arrive. No idea what she was doing in the plant pot - just had to rush a get the camera & then start to worry about what exactly goes through that childs head!! [blink][IMG]http://i308.photobucket.com/albums/kk325/markatards/005.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i308.photobucket.com/albums/kk325/markatards/009.jpg[/IMG] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tressy Posted July 7, 2008 Share Posted July 7, 2008 What a cutie, Ali.[:D]The second picture reminds me of me when I broke my toe. She's just trying to get comfy!Fingers crossed for her leg (that sounds weird).[:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooperlola Posted July 7, 2008 Share Posted July 7, 2008 I reckon Ellie is showing herself to be a very inteligent cat - elevation is the best thing for damaged limbs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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