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Apple Dumpling DesignsFor those of you who have followed along on my Skippy journey...
Skippy is scheduled for surgery on Monday...one to have her spayed...and two, to deal with her poor mangled paw which will need to be removed at the shoulder...and now I'm questioning whether that's the best thing for her. She's a feral cat, doesn't want to be touched although she does find it necessary to be underfoot whenever the food dish is being replenished. She comes in the house to "check things out" and isn't the least bit afraid of us. She's never going to be a house cat. I'm know leaving her paw that way it is will only leave her open for injury and infection (she breaks it open all the time now)...removing it will leave her very vunerable in the open and unable to defend herself.
I completely trust my vet who is also a personal friend so I know Skippy will be getting the absolutely best care. Vicki and I talked about options for a long time.
I'm just beside myself as the surgery date comes nearer...am I doing the right thing? I just love this fiesty little cat!
Any advice ladies/gents?
Chowlea BearsI think your initial explanation of the issues answers your own question.
When you ask these questions my experience has been that you know its right really.
Its surprising how animals cope with limb/eye removal - they don't have the 'hangups' we humans have and they have three other limbs to compensate.
I feel confident all will be well because you've considered all sides of the problem. :hug:
Let us know please.......................
(Hope I didn't sound too preachy........)
Posts: 3,177hmmmmmm, it's a tough one my dear.
Feral cats do have to fend for themselves and you're right to wonder whether it will be a help or a hindrance to her.
My opinion is.................if she were mine i would'nt do it as i would'nt want it on my concience if somehting happened to her because she could'nt run away or climb a tree.
What sort of infection???? My old cat has an almost permanent open wound on his head and all the antibiotics in the world have'nt healed it. He has had it for about 2 years now. The vet says "......if it does'nt bother him don't bother me"
Sorry Shantell - not much help am i? But you are welcome to my opinion for what it's worth.
Canna Bear PaintThank you for taking such good care of Skippy, Shantell! I'm sure she has no idea what a lucky cat she is to have you looking out for her.
I would say this about her bad leg... if she NEVER uses it as a leg now, she won't miss it. And if she is persistently injuring it, it needs to be removed. As you say, open wounds and infections won't do her any good. Think of it this way... would she appreciate being captured and taken to the vet repeatedly to deal with constant injuries to the bad leg? I would also think that a completely useless limb on a feral cat would be more of a hindrance than three good legs on an an otherwise healthy and agile cat.
Sandra is correct above, animals tend to compensate very well for limb removal. Vets will only suggest limb removal as a last alternative when the limb is either (1) nothing but a source of pain and/or (2) functionally useless with no hope of improvement. I had a family member that welcomed an elderly Golden Retriever into the family, and the dog soon after needed to have a leg amputated due to cancer (I think that's what it was). The big thing with a Golden Retriever was getting him to SLOW DOWN during the recovery period, as of course the pain was gone and the dog was exuberant about it. (Getting a cat to slow down will not be an issue, I imagine.)
Big cyber-kitty hugs to Skippy (and you!),
Kelly
Apple Dumpling DesignsFunny thing is...she does use it in a way....to dig in the freshly dug up flowerbeds with the nice fluffy dirt so she can poop...the little poop. And...to tap on the sliding glass door while she meows and say "hey you...where's the food...YOUR LATE" or "hey you, I want to come in and check things out again...I think you're hiding MY babies in there." As I said, she's not afraid of us at all...just doesn't want to be touched or cuddled. I'm hoping the spay job will also make her a little friendlier.
Right now she's decided the chairs on my front porch are for her leisurely baths.
Our plan...that is our human plan Skippy may have another...is to keep her somewhat sedated in the garage post surgery for a few days so that the surgery wound can have a chance to heal...HA. She'll be given dissolvable sutures so we don't have to take her back if at all possible....and heavy doses of antibiotics both pre & post surgery.
Thanks for the advice...I just keep going back and forth on this. It's just a hard call.
Past Time BearsWhat a dilemma, Shantell!! I would certainly be wondering what to do, also, if I were in your place. If you haven't already done this, I would tell the vet all of the things you are worried about regarding both decisions, and then ask her opinion. I would trust the experience and knowledge of the vet more than my own biased leanings, which would probably be to certainly spay Skippy, but leave the leg intact. Good luck with your decision! :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
Back Road BearsThis isn't going to help in the least but the way I see it.... both ways are not ideal.
But if it were me, and I'm a HUGE softy, I'd go through with the surgery.
Once a feral cat, always a feral cat? Or is it possible she'll stay closer to 'home' and perhaps adopt you a bit more closely?
Kingfisher Farm Teddies and Folk ArtCats do really well on 3 legs. You love her, so dont beat yourself up! To me it's a no brainer!!" If we make all our decisions based on love, we can never go wrong "(Julia Butterfly Hill) Pam
Canna Bear PaintShantell,
You mentioned that you trusted your vet greatly, and that she was a friend of yours. If she knows you are concerned, can she recommend other vets for you to get additional input from? I'm just thinking that it might put your mind more at ease, if multiple professionals all agreed that the chosen path is the correct one.
Best of luck to you and Skippy both!
Kelly
Posts: 8,574She blessed everyone who knew her, and my old friend bellieves she sees her still, out of the corner of her eye or in her peripheral vision. And I am not one to argue that, as Butsu has traveled with me for the last 5 years, since he died....And I still love him dearly and miss him daily
gollyhugs
dilu
Bears by Jodi I have also seen a 3 legged dog that lived next door , and it could run so fast you would not believe. The cat will feel better in no time and adjust to the leg being gone.And I also think it will then stay closer to home.
Bear hugs dearie !! Your doing the right thing by helping the cat get better.
Jodi Falk
Cleathero CreationsShantell, I have had tame cats that don't want to be ever cuddled or touched. I really doubt she is as feral as you think she is just reserved, if she talks to you and gets fed by you then she will cope with 3 legs.
Losing a limb and being spayed will have her less inclined to wander from the house BUT she may never be a cuddly cat. I had a beautiful persian and she only ever came to me when she was hungry.
Sometimes she would talk to us and would purr like crazy as we chatted to her but not until she was a very old lady did she ever really enjoy a cuddle.
If you spay her and feed her regualrly then she will not need to fend for herself!! Enjoy her for who she is.
Apple Dumpling DesignsI really doubt she is as feral as you think she is just reserved,
This is very true...feral is actually used very loosely these days. It's my understanding (after A LOT of reading on feral cats specifically because of Skippy) she really isn't one...and most cats that we see that are wild or untamed are not either...more often they are barn cats, abandoned or abused. A true feral cat will rarely be seen by a human and are very reclusive. Feral cats are really born one generation out of domestication...meaning their parent was wild for whatever reason. So...in reality she's just an abandoned domestic...but feral is easier to type. 
My son's cat, Mo is not very friendly as an adult. Very loveable as a kitten but now she nips if you touch her anywhere other than between her ears...that is unless it's her idea. It's a shame too because she's got the softest fur I've ever felt.
Thank you ladies...it just helps to hear others opinions. I think I'll be fine once it's over and she's recovering. I've asked A LOT of questions, my vet friend consulted with her collegues and really removing the limb is the best thing for her. This choice was not made lightly. She rarely leaves the yard or goes far now and is really quite a sweety...just don't touch her. 
I'll let you know how things go next week.
Hugs,
Cleathero CreationsOh lovely. Can't wait to see how she goes.
Apple Dumpling DesignsI don't think she's feral...not my definition anyway. She has a home, and she claims it. She can't defend herself with her paw that way anyway, and it probably throws her off balance more than an amputation does, because she will get used to it. You trust your vet, so I vote for the amputation, it will be harder on you than her!
You can say that again....
Perhaps Vicki should prescribe ME a sedative!!! :crackup: :crackup:
Me and Max are sending warm thoughts and hugs your way. 
Warmest bear hugs with kitten whiskers, :hug:
Aleta
Charlotte Des Roches DesignsFor all the kitties..with infections...have any of you tried Coloidal Silver? I not too long ago had to house sit for a friend who has a very large rotweiler named Maceo..he is a gentle creature thankfully & something had bitten him just above one eye...we all fear it might have been a brown recluse spider...the whole area was puffed up & infected. I gave him homeopathic Apis Mel which is for bites & stings & soaked his wound about every hour with a cloth soaked in a solution of warm water & coloidal silver as well as putting coloidal silver in his water, since the vet couldn't fit the poor thing in for the bloodwork & surgery he planned for a couple of days...Guess what...by the time I spent 2 days caring for Maceo...there was no bloodwork or surgery necessary for him!!! Maceo's owners were able to continue to apply the coloidal silver for the following week & he is completely healed...Yes...due to the bite & infection he did loose some skin & hair around the bite...but if you saw him today you wouldn't believe anything had ever happened, it is totally healed.
Just my experience...and hope it might help another 4 legger by sharing this story.
Hugs & best of luck with all 4 leggers!!! :hug: :hug: :hug:
