Euthanise or amputate?

[bigbluestars]

Which is kinder? My 3 yo cat wat hit by a car yesterday and has paralysis in the front leg ( also some concussion).
The vet has given some steroids and we have her home, now resting, but is doubtful whether she will recover any sensation or use of the leg.
He wants to wait 24 hours to see if any improvement but tomorrow we may have to decide whether to euthanise or amputate her leg.
I also have children who are very fond of the cat and I don't really want them to be involved in the decision .

Although the cat is young she is used to a very fit and active life- climbing trees, hunting, jumping over fences. She doesn't take well to change, struggled when we moved house, hates visitors, strangers, things like flea collars or plastic collars to stop licking wounds etc sends her into an upset frenzy.
THe cost issue aside ( which is likely to be substantial) I wonder how she would cope with the surgery, aftercare, big changes and restrictions to her life.
I am sitting in tears- any advice?

What a hard choice for you. But cats and dogs can manage really well after having legs amputated. Given that she's so young I would personally give her a chance and go for amputation. Animals basically live in the moment and she is more likely to just try and get on with life (once she's over the surgery and recovery period which will probably be quite hard). Ultimately it has to be whether you think you and your family will also cope with the adjustment as well.

I hope neither route is necessary but I personally would go for the amputation option rather than PTS. My cat is a similar age and also very active and was a real drama queen after being spayed. If I was in that position I would give her a chance at life. I think it is likely your cat would adapt, at least give her the opportunity.

I would amputate or at the very least see what the vet advises. Animals cope surprisingly well with 3 legs and adapt very quickly. It would be a shame to loss a lovely pet.

We had a similar situation when our cat broke it's leg and had to have it pinned. Not cheap, but well worth it.

lose not loss

I would amputate, most animals manage astonishingly well on three legs, many sighthounds sadly end up losing a limb and cope amazingly.

There are lots of vids on youtube which you might find helpful.

My cat is a similar age and had a leg amputated a few months ago, she was quite miserable at first but has recovered well and is now more playful than before, she also still rules over the other three cats. She lost a toe too and was infested with maggots and lost for four days so pretty traumatuc for her.
She's currently purring on dd.
As for cost, the whole lot from being taken in, treatment, op, staying four nights meds and follow ups was £360

£360- that is very reasonable- I have been quoted over £1000.

I'd go with the amputation if the vet is okay to go ahead with it.
I think, in your shoes, I'd later feel guilty/always wonder if I went straight and had her PTS and didn't give the cat the chance to cope without the leg.

That's what I was expecting tbh, by the time she was found I was just so glad she was alive I'd have paid anything, I didn't expect her to make it, but she's Supercat.

That's her on the left, the one on the right is her son!

I really appreciate all thae advice.
I am surprised that so many of you think amputation is a viable option.

I have spoken to our usual family vet ( injured cat was taken to a random vet after being found at side of road) and she feels that any drastic course of action at this stage may be a little hasty- that there may be days or weeks of possible recovery before we may have to decide.
I will monitor situation. Cat has eaten a large lunch and is now purring/dozing on sofa. I don't want to disturb her again today and she has already had injections of painkiller, anti inflammarory and steroids today, so I think quiet rest is called for until tomorrow.

Thanks for your wisdom. I am feeling a little more in control now. X

The same thing happened to my old cat when she was a year old. We chose to have her front leg amputated. I can honestly say that I don't think she suffered at all. She lived to 21 and had a wonderful time climbing trees/up the curtains etc. hope all goes well for your kitty.

Definitely amputate! Our dog had a front leg amputated a few years ago due to a tumour. We were all very sad the day it happened but as soon as the anaesthetic wore off she was walking hopping around almost as if nothing had happened! Very happy doggie and is still alive and well years later. They're called tripawds - definitely look at some tripawd forums and watch some happy youtube videos which will help you feel better about the decision.

I know I'm speaking of dogs rather than cats here but from what I've heard, both cope very well! They say dogs are born with three legs and a spare

I have a cat who broke his leg on Christmas day. (thanks 'd'dog)
This is the second time he has broken the same leg since July, also his front leg.
I have considered amputation, he now has another 6 weeks of cage rest and an enormous support bandage
I think my cat has an underlying problem which is why his leg is breaking so easily, he is only 8m
I will opt for amputation if he injures it again or if it doesn't heal this time. Cats do well on three legs and it's got to be better for him than sitting in a crate for 6 weeks. I would go for the amputation if your cat's leg doesn't heal.

I had a beautiful cat who had his leg amputated after I had found him half dead, with a missing paw, terrible wounds and a broken jaw (he had been caught in a trap). He had a whole front leg amputation and lived with me for the next 8 years (I don't know how old he was when I found him). He could climb trees, tried to chase birds (had more luck pouncing on wood lice) and was just amazing, despite his chirped up jaw and missing leg!

Good luck with your puss.

chirped up jaw huh? that should be wired up jaw!

I've heard that cats do better with a front leg missing than a back leg, because they can still do big jumps with their back legs intact, so I wouldn't be too worried about an amputation. However, I like your regular vet's suggestion of 'wait and see' for a bit - you lose nothing and might just be able to avoid either of the above outcomes.

It's lovely to hear these inspirational stories- really cheered me up. My cat is comfortable and in good spirits, although still no use of paralysed leg.

My family vet has urged me to wait as thinks some healing may take place in the next few weeks, if we do need to amputate then that is something we will consider then. It's lovely to hear of all these happy active three legged animals though!!

Vet here. Agree with your vet - nerve damage can take weeks to resolve, but it's important to ensure it doesn't get damaged whilst she's unable to move it.

Amputation is a perfectly viable option if the nerve damage persists. Some three legged cats will still climb and can be very active do don't worry too much

My current cat was found near death at the side of the road, as a feral kitten (est age 12 weeks). His injuries were self-inflicted, nothing was broken but he'd cut off the blood supply to a leg and most of his tail for an unknown period of time, and he was severely dehydrated. We did the "wait and see" thing and sadly gangrene set in, so his leg (rear) and tail had to go.

He's now 9, and the soppiest thing ever. He's had to become an indoor cat because, as noted by a previous poster, he can't jump, but he's happy enough nonetheless.

(Vet did all the treatment at cost, because he was feral, total cost inc various overnight stays, a stookie, GA for the amputation etc was under £500.)

Thanks sunshine. The first vet seems keen for me to make my mind up tomorrow, euthanise or amputate, so feeling a little cornered.
I will take cat for follow up tomorrow, but my own vet suggests more steroids, painkillers and a more conservative approach- which I feel is the best option at this stage: the animal does not seem to be in pain or distressed at all.

The cat seems very relaxed been sleeping, purring, eating, drinking using litter tray, but pretty tired. I work from home and kids are older ( quiet), so cat has lots of quiet warm space to rest and I can watch out for her all day.

I will keep an eye on her- I appreciate your advice.

Vet here. Please don't make any big decisions in 24 hours, unless the leg is smashed up so badly there is no hope of saving it ( severed nerves, badly broken bones, loss of tissue etc) as nerve damage can take some time to heal. 24 hours is nowhere near enough time even for bruising and swelling to subside. See if you can arrange a cage ( dog crate works well) take her home with some painkillers for a few days and get another opinion from your own vet.

My own cat had radial nerve paralysis from an RTA (affects all the muscles that extend the front leg, commonly damaged if they have blunt trauma to the front of the shoulder) which gradually improved over months. I don't think he ever had full sensation back in his foot, but he regained completely normal use of the leg from apparently being paralysed initially.

I had a lovely cat who had a front leg amputated after being hit by a car. She was happy and active again afterwards and lived for another 6 years.

Interesting baking- the cat has no damage to the leg itself. Some concussion though ( uneven pupils although contracting- and even these seem almost back to normal this evening)

Definitely give it some time, rest, anti inflammatories and TLC can work wonders. If the cat is otherwise well then don't rush