Hi,

Sorry to trouble you! I am new to this site, so I apologise if my post is long - just looking for some advise.

I have a beautiful 8 year old cat, Harry, whom we all love to bits!

Harry hasn't been the most fortunate of cats! About 4 years ago he was runover, as a result of this he had to have his tail amputated - but he overcame this ordeal very well and had led 'a normal' life.

However, on 16th August last year we found him in our garden, he had been runover again. This time we really thought that we had lost him - he was in such a state. we took him our vet (we moved here a couple of years ago) really expecting her to tell us that he would need to be put to sleep and we were in all honesty quite prepared for this.

We were told that he had shattered his pelvis and his rear left leg, but instead of putting him to sleep our vet convinced us that cats with 3 legs lead a very much 'normal life' - so after receiving such a positive response from our vet, we agreed to him having his leg amputated - the total bill from the vet was just over £400, but to have him 'healthy' was worth every penny.

His recovery was horrendous, he had to spend a few weeks in a cage in our living room, which he hated. There were also problems at the time as he was having problems going for a poo, we were given laxatives for him to take and eventually he was able to go. The vet explained this was probably down to the damage that had happened to his pelvis, but in time it would be OK.

He went back to the vet several times for check-ups and was later given the all clear, even though he was still having toilet problems.

Well, we are now 6 months down the line and things haven't improved in that department. He is either constipated, unaware that he has faeces 'hanging out' and leaves his litter tray - those then get deposited all over the house OR his bowel movements are so loose that EVERYWHERE he goes he leaves a trail of mess. I am constantly changing bed sheets as he loves to sleep on my childrens beds, having to scrub carpets, well you get the idea.

So ... what do I do? I can't really 'cope' with what is happening to my home, especially as I have young children - I am finding it very hard. But I can hardly blame Harry, it's not his fault. People have suggested that it's time to let him go - but other than this 'problem', the fact he now only has three legs and no tail - he is a healthy cat. How can I make the decision now, after all that he has been through to put him to sleep?

Again, I am sorry for this post - just feel that I'm going to lose my marbles!!

I imagine there are plenty of options to explore before thinking about having him PTS

Cant offer any advice but didnt want to read and run - sorry to hear what he has been through and I do hope you find a way to help him.

What are you feeding him?

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I'm sorry i cant offer
advice but i would seriously think whether you really would want to go through with putting Harry to sleep it has a big effect on the family especially the children
(i went through losing ours this week)
Hope someone is able to advise you well on here

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Hi welcome to the forum.Your poor boy has had a tough time .I think a lot of his problems are related to his "balance mechanism being altered.Losing his tail and a hind leg must make his toilet habits more difficult,but,I think you need to perhaps have a look at his diet.Swinging from constipation to "runny" poo is ,I would have thought more the issue than the amputations.Perhaps a talk with your vet re his diet may help to sort this out.Please keep us updated Hopefully hobbs our nutrition guru will be along to give you some advice on his diet.

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Hi,

We have tried him on various diets - wet, dry, mixture - but they all seem to have the same effect. It's almost as if he has no control, sometimes it's almost as if it just 'weeps' out of him. Everytime he moves round he leaves some sort of 'deposit' and he has been like ever since his accident. The vet did say before his operation that due to the damage caused to his pelvis that this would be the one area of concern i.e that he wouldn't be able to go - but as he's able to go she didn't seemed concerned.

Hi,

I am so sorry for your loss! It is heartbreaking - sending you a big hug!

I am hoping that there is another solution that I haven't thought of!!

Very Best Wishes

I can see that the pelvis problem could cause a lack of "control" in that department but the fact that he goes from constipated to runny I would see as more of a diet problem.Cats are notorious for having easily upset tums .

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What food are you feeding him at present & what have you tried?

It is important that you name brands as they can vary their ingredients quite a bit which could also be contributing to the problem.

Thanks Buffie,

To be honest I'd say 99% of the time it is runny! So perhaps it could be diet related?

As I said, we have tried him on several 'diets' but if anyone can recommend another I am more than happy to give it a try - he hasn't lost his appetite, in fact I would say he almost begs for food now! He is wormed up to date and been putting on weight, which is another thing we have to keep a close eye on - obviously he doesn't get the exercise that he used to and if he puts on too much weight this would give him further problems. So we are finding the balance and not overfeeding him, as this I suppose could contribute to his 'problem'

I have to be honest and thank you all for your understanding and positive comments. I was really starting to think that was the only choice we may have had left! Feeling better about the Harrys future already and I haven't yet found a solution - but I suppose it gives me hope

One thing I would suggest is giving him vitamin B complex, the vitamins are water soluble so he can't overdose on them, and they should help with any neurological damage that he was left with after the accident (his problems sound like something that could happen if pelvic nerves were damaged.)

Poor kitty sounds like he is really unlucky, you don't let him go out in this condition I hope? I fear he could get run over for the third time!