9/5 Jupiter - amputation surgery scheduled

Link to yesterdays condo (vet update & amputation surgery details) : viewtopic.php?f=9&t=103642


Jupiter and I have been so incredibly blessed by this board. Not only have you all helped me to get Jupiter OTJ, but you have all helped us through these rough past few weeks. I want to keep learning more so I can help others more one day and give good advice. This board has literally saved Jupiters life and I am forever thankful to FDMB.



I watched some videos yesterday of cats walking/running with an amputated leg. I saw how well some of them adapt, its pretty amazing. I could not find any videos of heavier and larger cats though.

I will love Jupiter just as much with 3 legs, as 4 legs. I just know he will feel scared and confused when he wakes up from surgery and I dont want him to feel that way. I think he will feel tired and since hes such a big and heavy cat I think it might be a little harder for him to walk on 3 legs. I dont want him to be miserable ya know? I know most cats adjust well... but Jupiter is so unlike other cats. I think my other cats would adjust just fine... but Jupiter is a different story. He has the worst anxiety I have ever seen in any cat. He likes to be babied, he always has, hes a mommas boy.

A few times when he was on insulin, when his numbers were good for a few days... He was so playful and happy. It was nice to see him acting like his normal kitten self again. Since this whole thing with his leg, he hasnt really been playful at all.

I am just so scared that after the amputation surgery, he will be miserable and not want to walk around much. I am scared it will be too hard for him to jump, so he wont be able to lay in his favorite spot on the cat perch in the window. All I can do is hope and pray he will adapt okay.



Well at first we were feeding all Fancy Feast but then I started feeding them both Sheba and Fancy Feast.... more recently Sheba was on sale (got 24 cans for $4.60!!!) so I got 48 cans of Sheba and was only feeding them Sheba for a few days. Jupiter had diarrhea once and a couple of softer then normal poos (and he seemed to be 'belly aching' and was laying back in the LB room which he normally only does if he has diarrhea) and I couldnt figure out why but suspected it could be from him only eating the Sheba. So I decided to completely cut Sheba from his diet for a few days to see if that could be the problem. It seems that was the problem and he seems to be feeling better and eating a little better now too.

The vet says Jupiter needs to lose more weight and that Jupiters ideal weight is probably 11lbs. Which seems really skinny to me since he is such a long cat!!!! I would rather not limit the amount of food Jupiter eats (which will be very hard anyways since the civies and him share food - and I dont want to limit how much one of the civies eats). At this point his vet said we dont need to limit his food intake, since he does seem to be losing weight with the canned food - and he is losing weight at a good pace. He was 17.4lbs in April. Since Jupiters first appt with this new vet (which was on August 5th approx 1 month ago) he has lost 1lb. His current weight (as of his appt on Tuesday, September 3rd) he weighs 15.8 lbs. The vet says as long as he keeps losing 1lb a month then we should be okay but if he stops losing weight, that we should restrict his diet to the amount he should be eating for his 'ideal weight'.




More vines and prayers for Marje's furbabies. Hope they are all feeling completely better soon! and of course vines for any other kitties in need. Sorry didnt get around to visiting many condos the past few days.

Comforting vines & prayers for Barb today. Fly free Checkers



Copy/pasted from our previous condos and we still have more:

"Also, I have a bunch of extra coupons for the following things if anybody could use any of these coupons, please send me a message with your address and which you need so I can mail them out.

$1 off any 24 cans of Fancy Feast any variety expires 11/4/13 - lots more of these left!
$1 off any tidy cats cat litter 14lbs or more any variety expires 10/28/13 all out of these for now
$1 off any 4 Fancy Feast appetizers expires 10/28/13 - a few more left"



Once again, thank you all for the kindness, generosity, and support you have given us. Thank you for the encouragement, visits, vines, positive thoughts, & prayers. We appreciate it so much!

Re: 9/5 Jupiter

I've been following your updates without posting often, but I had to ask - have you ever read James Herriot stories? (All Creatures Great and Small etc.) If not, he was a wartime veterinarian in England and has written wonderful, warm books about the people and animals he came to know in the countryside.

Anyway I remember one of the accounts - and it was turned into a children's story too - was of a dog that ended up with only TWO good legs, on the same side no less. When the first injury happened and wouldn't heal, he expected the farmer would have the dog put down. But the farmer wanted to give the dog a chance, and it got along fine on three good legs. Then when something else happened to the leg on the same side as the first injury, the vet never thought the dog would be able to get around but the farmer wanted to give it a chance again, and the dog (one that herded sheep) pretty much could run around in the fields doing its job like nothing had ever changed. Animals are amazingly adaptable! I hope things go well for Jupiter, and that he'll feel so much better without that ugly wound.

Re: 9/5 Jupiter

Hi Jaime,

All your concerns are normal - you just want to make sure Jupe will be ok after his surgery & not have to sacrifice his quality of life as well as his leg - any Mama bean would feel that way. :YMHUG:

Again, Jupe's a survivor and a fighter - he isn't going to see this as a horrible thing that happened to him so much as an obstacle he needs to overcome (think: door closed to favorite bowl of dry food - must find way to open door). Plus, you'll be lavishing him with extra attention that he can lord over his civvies. Well, cool once he ditches that silly cone thing :roll:

I think both of you can do this - yes, there will be some bumps in the road, but you've already gone past the big one with the diagnosis.

Kelly asked me about Tigger's one-eye, so I wrote his story in my condo today - he's surprised me how he's overcome his obstacles - what a great teacher - I don't even notice the one-eye anymore. Just Tigger. He certainly doesn't, either.

I'm glad Gobbles' tummy's feeling better on just the FF - good to know he has some sensitivities to specific foods & food changes. And regarding weight loss, Tigger is huge - & was also close to 17 lbs at the time of his eye surgery. Now he's a svelt 13.5 pounds, mostly due to diet change, & so far so good. I do feed him alone & don't free-feed, but feed 8 multiple small meals instead due to the FD.

I hope this helps - you have everyone's support & best wishes surrounding you both! :YMHUG:

Re: 9/5 Jupiter

I think we worry a whole lot more than our kitties do about their health problems. They just deal with things as they come. Jupiter will learn to get around on 3 legs and make the adjustments necessary because he has to. He's a fighter. Sending hugs and prayers to you. :YMHUG: :YMHUG:

Re: 9/5 Jupiter

We already know that Jupiter is one determined kitty. If his special spot is up high - he'll figure out how to lay in it.

Great job on finding that special on Sheba.

Much love;
Shai and the Pirate Fitz

Re: 9/5 Jupiter

Jamie, you have been doing a wonderful job with Jupiter. I don't blame you for being worried about what is to come. That is completely normal. I think that if you just take things as they come, and continue taking good care of him as you have been, it will work out. It will be difficult for you to see him, but as soon as he wakes up, Jupiter will just start working on getting better and enjoying having you baby him. Yes, there will be some rough days for both of you, but cats accept things in life in a way that humans find difficult to do. I have mentioned my cat, Pinkerton, to you. Not only is he a hind leg amputee, but last winter when he fractured the femur in his one remaining hind leg, I didn't think he could survive it. The recovery took a little time, but today, as a senior amputee cat with plates and screws in his leg, he was running around like a kitten. The same will happen for Jupiter. I like what Ella/Rusty posted one day in your condo - where there is a will there is a way. And you have the strongest will of just about anyone I have seen.

Re: 9/5 Jupiter

Hi my dear, I'm glad you made this decision for Jupe I do think it's the best thing for him,if you need to talk you have my number. I hope you get yourself healed too having a fever all the time is not good, maybe after Jupe a little better you can work on yourself always thinking about you, and extra coupons send some my way, always tidy cat lol Ya for OTJ :smile:

Re: 9/5 Jupiter

Just called and scheduled the surgery! His surgery is next Thursday Sept 12th.

Jupiters vet recommended that the owner of the practice do Jupiters surgery. Jupe's vet only has 3 years of experience. The owner has more then 25 years of experience. So the owner of the practice will be the one performing his surgery.

I am so nervous but at the same time I am relieved its scheduled because I just want to get him healed up.



So thankful for the fundraiser that LLEF is doing and so thankful for LL. Thank you for the visits today. I think all the encouragement and support is really helping me get through each day. :YMHUG:

Wish i could get back to see Jupe OTJ video only takes me back 2 days

[youtube]O0rcBHRQLOY[/youtube]

edit to add: oops, CD already posted the condo link

mtncat58 said:

Wish i could get back to see Jupe OTJ video only takes me back 2 days

Click to expand...

Here you go:

Jupiter's OTJ Party

Thanks you I did find it after words, Thank you for re posting though very special day for a special boy... :smile:

Woo-Hoo - Ok, now we have a date to focus on - Lots of healing vines, calming vines, support vines, balance vines - whatever vines! Plus HUGS :YMHUG:

I'm glad you have the surgery scheduled. Now you can focus on getting to that day. Sending prayers all goes well with his surgery.

No worries Jaime. Jupiter will adjust...and heck if he had problems getting to his favorite spots....well.. we beans adjust for them I have stairs for Izzy to get on the bed. I have ramps I built and attached to her cat tree (though she doesn't go up the tree..my perfectly healthy cat Salem has become lazy and uses the ramps lol).

You will figure it out.

When I thought Izzy might not walk again due to her neuopathy I was looking for carts with wheels.

Where there is a will, we seem to help them find a way

Hi Jamie,
I'm very glad that you have scheduled the surgery. Sending vines every day. Jupe will be just fine.

Thinking of you,

Ella & Rusty

I loved those James Herriot stories, such a vet and person.

Jamie - May I ask that from here on out, you spend your time and energy focusing, picturing, imaging, etc. the outcome you want for Jupe - tell us what that picture looks like to you, so we all can think the same thoughts/picture as you and help him.

Yes, we know you are scared, worried, and uncertain, but that doesn't do Jupe any good. good, positive thinking is what is needed and will help him now.

so tell us the story and we too will think these good positive thoughts

as someone I know says - Thoughts become things... choose the good ones!

Wow- thank you for posting the OTJ party again! I had missed it the first time.

All I can say or add is Jamie & Dane- what a fabulous job you have done getting Jupiter OTJ-
and what amazing strength you both have to help Jupiter have a second chance at having a wonderful life!
From what I have read here Jupiter will have no trouble adapting after the surgery as he is a real fighter- Look at what he has overcome already-
Sending hugs to all.

Jamie everything will be fine. His new wound will heal right up, no more worries. He won't even know he is handicapped. He will just know he is still getting spoiled and will love it. It will be so much harder on you than him. You take care of yourself.

Best wishes for you and Jupiter.

Hi Jamie,

You, Dane and Jupiter have all been through so much. The surgery will go fine and Jupiter will heal properly. He'll be the most handsome three legged kitty in the world, and he will learn to get around great, though it make take a little bit of time. Don't worry--I know that is easier said than done, but you have tons of people here sending vines and prayer for the three of you!

Hang In There