Hind Leg Amputation In Old cat

Question
  Our beloved 18+ year old cat has had a slow-growing mammary tumor that was removed cleanly about two months ago. However, this week she broke a rear femur for no apparent reason, and the veterinary specialists believe that it is bone metastasis that has weakened the bone. There is no real hope of repairing the break, only euthanasia or amputation. I'm looking for answers on recovery time for a cat this old, from a rear leg amputation. We don't want to put her through any unnecessary suffering, but she is otherwise in good shape, and with Summer just about to start, we have some hope of buying her a few good months before the cancer reappears elsewhere. Our Vet says that this may or not be possible. What I want to know is: how long does it take a reasonably healthy 18+ year old cat with known but not visible cancer to recover from an amputation? She recovered well from having a fairly large tumor removed in about 10 days. I'm not looking for expert advice, but for actual anecdotal experiences. Thanks!

Answer
Michael,

I'm so sorry about your poor kitty! She sounds like she has a lot of heart! I do not have alot of vet experience so I asked your question of a friend at http://www.dogandcathealth.info/ because she has had 17 years experience working with a vet. She kindly sent me a reply to forward to you. I normally do not do that, but you have a special kitty! Here is what she said:

"What he seems to be looking for is assurance that cats can recover and do well from amputation at his cats age, and they do. What no amount of anecdotal or expert information will be able to tell him is if anyone's 18 year old cat is comparable to his. each individual living being has a will to live that is different then another's, and resiliency is not something that is assessable. Since his cat recovered from a significant tumor surgery in ten days it has a very good likelihood of recovering well from amputation, and the alternative is simply end of life, so I think amputation is a viable option. Both cats and dogs adapt very well to three limbs and do not have the image problems that people do.
Indoor cats are living into their twenties so I make the case that an otherwise healthy cat can do so if the cancer is contained. I would amputate my cat's leg, and almost had to several years ago when a break from a fox attack did not heal for four months with repeated cast changes.. There are now good pain medications for cats and make sure that she has one.
I do think she should be xrayed to see if there are obvious tumors in lungs before he makes the decision, if that hasn't been done. If there appears to be none on xray, I would amputate if it was my cat and I wanted to buy time."

I hope that answer helped. If, or when, it comes to euthanasia it is NEVER an easy decision to make. I don't think there is a right or wrong choice. I have had to make that decision many times and I have gone both ways. I have gone with my head and with the veterinarian's opinion and put cats to sleep. Then after, I wondered that, if the cat had the will to live, then who am I to play God and decide who lives and who doesn't? And I questioned my decision for a long time.

Other times, thinking with my heart, I didn't put a cat to sleep because I thought it would be better for the cat to be at home and I left it in God's hands and the willpower of the cat. BUT there is NOTHING worse than watching a cat die a slow, painful death that you think is NEVER going to come. And I again questioned my decision NOT to go with euthanasia.

Just remember that, unlike people, cats are only with us for a short time. She has had a good home and a good, happy life, and she KNOWS she is loved. There are SO SO many poor cats and kittens out there dying everyday who never knew what being loved was like, never had a home, never had enough to eat and never even had anyone care.

If, or when, you DO put your cat to sleep, go somewhere quiet and peaceful (a park, the mountains, the country, etc) and grieve for the the cat and send her on her way. Then keep busy...don't dwell on her death...it's over. She will be pain free and happy. I've gone through it many times. It does get easier in time, but it is like losing a beloved human family member and best friend. Many people have argued that comment and said it is NOT like losing a family member, that it is just an animal. I disagree with them.

A suggestion: make a donation to a shelter in her name, or save a little kitty that is bound to be put down because of over-crowding and because he is unwanted. Or, even an older cat who lost his owner, or they didn't want it anymore, and is now sad and confused and will be put to death because no one wants an older cat.
IF or when your cat passes, have her death have meaning by doing something positive for another poor animal. Another cat will NEVER take the place of your kitty, but it can share a place in your heart and take away some of the emptiness in your home.

I am including some excellent links on losing a cat and support: (copy and paste or type the whole links into your address bar)

http://www.2ndchance.info/grieving.htm
http://www.pet-loss.net/links.html

Here is a WONDERFUL website where you can have a lasting memorial for your pet, or share your pain with others who have lost beloved pets. It's a very beautiful and moving site:

http://rainbowsbridge.com/hello.htm

And...if you or a member of your family is having trouble dealing with the loss of a pet, call (217) 244-CARE for hours of operation. The C.A.R.E. Helpline was developed to provide a supportive outlet for people experiencing disruption in or the loss of the bond they share with their cherished companion animal. The hotline is staffed by veterinary students who understand the importance of this bond and the emotions involved when that bond is threatened or broken. The students have received training by professional grief counselors
and receive ongoing supervision by a licensed psychologist.

Bless you for caring about your kitty!
Carol