Here are some one week post-amputation highlights! I got good advice from Kerren and Holly on the Tripawds group to try to relieve Samba’s boredom and give her a change of scenery. It was refreshing for me, and hopefully for her, that we were able to go outside for a little bit this afternoon in the fresh, rain-washed air. I carried her in a soft white blanket and held her in my lap in the front porch rocking chair, and also walked around the driveway with her while my kids rode their bikes through puddles. She was alert and looking around at times, but also felt comfort in hiding her head under the blanket when she got overwhelmed by the sunlight and the ambient noise.
Yesterday I received the news about her histopathology result from the amputation. They found residual cancer in the specimen surrounding her initial excision site from July, but the new amputation margins were clear. They were clear by only 5 millimeters in one area, however. This was okay, but not as victorious of a result as I was hoping for. I should be having a phone call tomorrow with the oncologist to hear their opinion. I pray that there is no single speck or cell of cancer left! I know miracles are possible!
Our latest struggle has been incontinence, with small stool droppings appearing in Samba’s resting spots. She had a little of this chronically pre-surgery due to an old pelvic nerve injury from a possible car collision which resulted in multiple fractures and temporary paralysis (long since healed other than occasional, dry “poop nuggets” we find in the house). However, the rate of droppings has picked up significantly in her convalescence. I think it may be that her bowels are so full that there is a bit too much overflow and her damaged pelvic nerves aren’t holding it all in. So, we are resuming the Miralax and hoping it brings on some more productive stools that end up in the litter box! Sorry if TMI!
Samba continues to be loving and calm. I am still staying with her in the guest room and loving this extra time with her, especially since she had grown distant after we acquired a kitten last Christmas. Renovation construction on our flood-damaged master bed/bathroom downstairs should wrap up soon, which will get the whole family back in order more. I plan to put a sensor-operated kitty door on the master suite entrance so that only Samba, and not the kitten, can get in. Samba is getting older and will need some continued personal space, even once surgery and recovery is far behind her!
Question: When did y’all feel that your cat actually seemed and looked proficient at walking again? What do you think helped the most with him or her improving in that area?
Thank you for all the love you share! We feel it daily! No new pics (I wanted to document our porch excursion but would’ve had to disturb my little furry bundle to go get the camera) so here is an older pic of Samba.
Samba was such an adorable kitten. I’m happy you enjoyed the fresh air with Samba and the children.
It’s unfortunate the margins are so narrow. It’s likely the injection was higher up where it is difficult to get wide margins.
I can’t remember how long it took for Mona to become proficient at walking. Their little bodies and brains need to adapt to having one less leg and that comes in time.
It’s important to put out boxes and stairs for when Samba wants to get off of beds, couches, etc. Mona will jump on to my bed but when she goes to get off she goes on to a chair to a box then to the floor. I also have boxes and tables set up for her to up to and down from my desk.
Enjoy this precious time together!
Kerren, Eli and Mona
Thanks, she was such a delightful little kitten!
Could jump in flips and was into everything!
Yes, I wish her tumor would have been lower down. It was right behind her shoulder.
Nathan, my husband, said the same thing about needing more time for re-training the body. However, last night Samba managed to get farther away than I expected while I wasn’t looking and actually went all the way downstairs and out the cat door in the laundry room to the garage! Couldn’t believe she managed the cat door! I made my husband carry her back up though because I was nervous!
I did buy a little set of stairs that will help her get on/off our bed, once she is allowed to move out of her recovery room. She doesn’t get on too many other furniture items, but I will scope the house and make sure there are ways for her to get her footing or add a few little steps here and there.
Thank you for your virtual companionship! Kisses to pretty Mona!
Glad to hear you both enjoyed the fresh air.
We talk poop and pee you name it never tmi lol
Are the poop nuggets soft or hard? Purrkins brother Saxton has constipation/IBD issues. That is why I am asking on the soft or hard and even more TMI I have to pull it apart sometimes to see consistency how much hair etc. gloves are used;) He doesn’t leave poop nuggets so I am wondering the same too full of poop and maybe she is losing the sensation to push the poop out? That can happen as well. Samba gets in and out of the box ok?
Not sure what dosage of Miralax you are giving Samba you can give it 2X a day, and I always add water or bone broth to the Miralax-fluids make it the most effective.
You are lucky this has just started since Samba had a pelvic injury. IF the Miralax doesn’t fix this, let the vet know of course. Purrkins brother Saxton is on a motility drug that helps move things along quicker. We went years managing things with diet and supplements Miralax, and Vitality Science Easy go. Saxton has had issues since he was a kitten. We had to add the Cisapride motility drug this last year. Lots of things you can try hoping the Miralax is her fix! It sounds like all is going great otherwise and Samba will love having her own space!
You will see a huge difference after the stitches/staple are out and off meds hopping around usually two weeks. Confidence and skill got better every month. This video will show you the difference in Purrkins 17 days post-op-6 and nine months post op on the stairs- huge difference.
https://youtu.be/LsRsYZ_Lr2w
Hugs and scratches to Samba
Holly & Purrkins❤️
Thanks for your comments, and I am glad to know that there are other options to help her motility if the Miralax doesn’t do it. The stool droppings have been soft but formed. She did have occasional ones even before the surgery but they were harder. She is getting in and out of the box without problems.
I absolutely LOVED Purrkins’ video! And way to go YOU for your excellent video editing to put that together with the headings and the cute music! So proud of Purrkins’ progress; he is an amazing and resilient cat! What a champ on those stairs!