What Would You Do for Bongo?

If Bongo was my cat I'd have my animal communicator, Carolee, ask him what he wanted to do.

While I worked at the vet's office I saw a couple of amputations and saw quite a few three legged kitties.  Also volunteering at the shelter I've seen crippled legs.

I can tell you that kitties do very well having their legs removed.  Because their joints are so flexible, it is a lot easier on them then us.  They adjust pretty quickly - especially when they are younger.    If you take it now he will have youth on his side, and you won't end up with the 'what ifs' and you won't have to worry about his claws growing into his pads.

Also astetically,  seeing a kitty with a crippled foot is just hard to look at emotionally.  Since you are going to put him up for adoption, you do have to consider what the public will think.  Will they see him in a cage with his criple leg and think why haven't you done something to help this boy?  This leads to you having to take time to explain his situation.  this might be a good thing in that you get more outreach, but how many people are going to see it and be disgusted with you and just walk away?

not that this is a good reason to take off a leg, just a thought to be had along with the what ifs of nails, the paw getting caught, etc.

You can probably see that I'm headed down the road of take it off now before it is a problem that might make it more difficult on him in the future to take it off.

Based on what the two doctor's said, I would say to leave Bongo as is for now.  Yes, he might get his "dead" leg stuck in something becuase he can't feel it or perhaps he might get arthritis from carrying it around instead of walking on it.  However, he might also get his head stuck in a bannister rail or he might get arthritis as a result of old age.

Like most animals that have disabilities, they learn to cope with it as best they can.  I'm not saying that amputation is a bad thing in this instance, but to me it's only necessary if he does indeed drag it and it's prone to infection.  Otherwise give the little guy a chance to adjust and you might be surprised how well he does.

Amputation - like extinction - is forever.  Hopefully you can find a forever home and someone who can love Bongo as he is, seeing beyond his limitations.  I wish you luck in whatever decision you make.

I would leave it alone. I have met any number of cats at the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah who have similar issues. Unless the leg is actually getting in his way, there's no need to amputate now. Especially since Bongo is using it, I think he needs to keep it. If there's concern about him dragging it, he might be a candidate for Leggings for Life, a non-profit group that crochets custom leggings for pets to prevent injuries from dragging along the ground. You can find them on Facebook and the leggings are free. If his leg becomes a problem later in life you can always do the amputation then. Cats adjust quickly.

Bongo seems to have learned to use his "bad leg" to his advantage and he's  

not in pain.  I would leave his leg alone.

I agree with your vets.  Leave the leg unless it's causing him pain.  And Holy Cod is he just too adorable!??

Hi Robin - This is definetly a difficult decision, but after going back and forth a few times, this, in my humble opinion, is what I would do. Since Bongo is going ot be adopted out, I would go ahead with the amputation now. It is impossible to know how the fortunes of even a very stable family will fair in the future, and it could be that if/when Bongo finally really needs surgery, his adopters may not be able to afford it, or to afford the best surgeon. 

You know you have a good surgeon now, you can get the funds, Bongo is a young, resilient cat. If he had any feeling in that foot, I think I might way in on the other side, but I know you understand the risks in having an appendage you can't feel, and your concerns about him getting it caught, or having it become injured or infected, are warranted. 

Also, ageing as I am, I fully know the burdens of extra weight! He's light as a feather right now, I'm sure. But hauling that leg around may really mess with his back in time. 

So, that's my take on this, but, of course, I don't have that adorable little boy bouncing around while I write this. I'll be thinking of Bongo and you, and hoping for the best. 

As alwys, thanks for doing what you do!

Fondly,

Jynx

Apparently, Bongo does not think that his right leg is useless or “in the way”. He plays.  He climbs.  And in just one month of Maria's care he has learned to use his damaged limb for balance and to push around litter by swinging his leg from his shoulder. (It's interesting to note that the ortho vet changed his original recommendation when he learned of these developments). What more might Bongo be capable of if he is allowed to continue to grow and develop in the same kind of safe kitty-friendly (indoor only!) environment that encourages play, climbing, sisal scratching, & socializing that one would provide for any feline companion.

His risk of getting caught/injured in some mishap is no more or less than any other indoor cat's.  Besides providing an appropriate environment, a responsible pet parent should be checking his limb regularly (say during a lap cuddle) for abrasions, swelling, etc.  As far as arthritis from wear and tear..... it is a given for most cats and dogs if they are lucky to live long enough.

Amputation as a preventive measure or as a response to human anxiety over any number of 'what-if' scenarios seems rather over the top at this point in Bongo's life.  As long as the affected limb's tissue remains free of infection I would allow him to continue to grow and adapt to his circumstance.  There are no foregone conclusions here.  Except, perhaps, one:  I am confident that Robin's organization will find the best possible home for this special little guy with people who understand his needs, present and future.

Man, he's gorgeous. I wish I could have met him. He's my kind of guy.

Since you have many conflicting ideas, worries, and opinions, and since Bongo isn't in imminent danger, I'd say: Hang on, and keep watching him like a hawk to see whether he's improving or not, or showing signs of discomfort or pain, and eventually you'll have an answer — from him.

In the meantime, it might help you to get another expert opinion from an orthopedic cat specialist if you can. I know that you probably feel you're drowning in opinion and speculation right now, but another experienced voice might bring some clarity. At any rate, you don't seem ready for a final decision and neither does Bongo; you need certainty and he needs more time to heal, if that's what's happening. Things are still developing, and maybe for the best.

While it's probably true that an amputation on a younger cat means an easier recovery, Bongo is going to be young for many months to come. He's already been through so much, so you know he's a strong survivor. But if you can save his leg, it would be so much better for him. Why not give it time, since the doctors think you can. There's no need to rush things.

And don't worry about whether he'll be more adoptable with or without his poor leg, and what his new family might or might not do for him. He's a peach and you're really good — you'll find the right family for him and you'll be able to trust them. I'm sure of it!