PTS or amputate leg?

[Qantaqa]

One of the ferals (they aren't really feral in that they are friendly to people but live outside and won't come in the house) is having her leg amputated today. She's a healthy cat, aged anywhere between 2 and 6, and I know generally cats do well with amputations so it initially seemed like a no brainer.

However a conversation earlier has me wondering whether it is the right thing. I don't how she is going to cope with the recovery. She's going to have to come into the house and be crated initially but she doesn't ever come in the house. I don't think she's ever even know a litter tray. The house is filled with other cats and dogs and I don't know realistically where I can keep her completely away from them. Its open plan so its not like I can easily shut her away. I can try and get something sorted elsewhere either outside or in, but not in time for her coming back.

I'm now worried about how much she is going to stress and how this will affect her recovery. The more questions I've been asked the more I am worried to hell about her and how she is going to cope. I understand the logic that she'll have zero idea about being PTS and all she'll know is a cuddle and the she'll be gone and pain free but it just seems so .... drastic.

I mean obviously I am going to go ahead with the amputation and see how she gets on but now am worried I am being selfish in altering her whole life both temporarily and long term because I can't afford to get the surgery and don't want to euthanise her.

Has anyone got a 3 legged cat? Has your cat managed OK? Obviously that doesn't change the stress to her of her whole life altering in the short term but at least if its short term pain for long term gain it seems less ....mean?

You have done the right thing.
Our cat had a leg issue and vet’s 1st suggestion was PTS. No other thought given. I do so regret it all these years later.
Cars & dogs survive very well on 3 legs. You’ll see. Ask Mr Google/ring Cats Protection League Charity. They must get tri-leggers sometimes?
I’ve had feral cats and I think she might be ok in a cage for a little while, 7 to 10 days to get stitches healed? You can only try it. Cover the cage so she’s not stimulated or fearful of other pets & can rest.
You are very caring. In your care, I’m sure the wee thing will do well.

I think you are right to give her the chance and see how it goes, she may surprise you!

Tripods can do very well indeed, I've seen lots of videos of 3 legged cats doing everything a 4 legged cat can do, including hunting & catching prey even if well fed by their owners. From the sound of it the ferals aren't completely dependent on hunting anyway, you can always feed her/them to supplement if she seems to struggle a bit. You may even find out that having discovered the joys of a soft bed, central heating, shelter from the rain & food on demand she starts to come in to the house more often.

My cat had an amputation at 2, one of his front legs. He had a bite that turned into a abscess that when drained got sepsis. He was amazing... he's now 12 and he manages very well. He isn't jumping over the dance these days but did when younger with his 3 legs! It's never really held him back. He wasn't a good patient though and the vet put him in baby grow when he was out of surgery to stop him getting to his stitches! The cone of shame didn't work 😂🙈

Jumping over the fence even

I used to work for a cat rescue charity and quite a few amputees came into our care and were successfully rehomed. Cats do really well with 3 legs - which leg is being amputated? It tends to be easier for them to manage if it's a hind.

Once she has recovered I would expect her still to be able to climb trees/fences and catch prey - although I am guessing you may feed these (semi) ferals anyway?

I can understand your concerns about the crating/recuperation period. How long will she have to stay crated before being released back to her outdoor life? You will need to find a quiet space for her where she isn't pestered by other cats or dogs, or it will be extremely stressful for her. As the house is open plan, putting her in a bedroom with the door closed would be a short term option.

You're right to give her the chance, and if she gets through that initial phase she should be fine.

The ferals have an (almost) unending supply of cat biscuits provided so they don't need to hunt so she certainly won't need to once she's better. They do regularly terrorise the rodent population though, but as far I can can tell it seems to be for fun because they don't eat them just leave dead things scattered around the place. Sometimes not even dead just horribly incapacitated for me to finish off .... Cats are horrific but that's a different debate lol.

She loves to climb the tree in the garden and lozzack on the branch or sun herself up on the roof of the workshop so I'm worried about how she's going to do those things - its her hind leg being taken - but again longer term we can build steps / platforms or something for her. Its the short term recovery I am tizzing about.

I guess I can only see how she goes. Its not feasible to leave her shut loose in any of the outbuildings (which is what we did when we had her spayed) because of the risk of her being let out. I could leave her in a crate in the outbuildings but she does like a fuss so I figured if she's going to be crated she'd be better in and at least then she can possibly potter round supervised! She can't be loose in a room all the time inside because of the other animals. Hopefully its a couple of weeks problem but my life is a bit of a shit show right now so my anxiety is out of control and now its been suggested to me she's going to hate it I'm almost panicking about it!

@Stratocumulus Thats a good idea t ask CP. They deal with ferals so must have some idea how they cope being in and recovering!

@illbeinthegarden Aww good to hear your boy has managed well even if he was a brat of a patient :)

@Allergictoironing I live in hope that they will come inside. I see them sitting outside in the rain sometimes (which isn't necessary they can use a barn) and wonder about their sanity!

My cat had a leg amputated 8 years ago, she's absolutely fine, has no trouble at all and didn't need to be crated for recovery either.

When I was a child we were adopted by a group of four feral cats. One or two of them would tolerate a quick stroke and one would come into the house occasionally, but the last one was absolutely terrified of humans and ran whenever she was approached.

One day she appeared at our back door with a tiny kitten in her mouth, marched into the kitchen, and hid the kitten under the stairs. She then disappeared and brought back another kitten, and then another. By instinct she knew we would keep her kittens safe, and she lived under the stairs for weeks while she raised them. Then one day she must have decided that her work was done and she upped and left, and never came near us again.

Different situation of course, but I do think on some level even feral cats are capable of understanding that humans can care for them. You might find that your cat instinctively understands the situation and copes with it better than you'd expect.

It’s such a worry! My 2 year old girl was hit by a car and had her back leg amputated 5 months ago. She was looked after at vets for 6 days then recovered brilliantly at home. Kept her quiet in one bedroom for 2 weeks. No cone just watched her. She runs around like a nutter now! Great recovery. She’s desperate to go back outside so we’re trying to escape proof the back garden but I’m sure she find ways of roaming …. It’s hard but she’s happier having freedom. I wish your cat well and hope their recovery is as good as my Luna