Hello anipals! I’d like you to give a big AT welcome to my latest interviewee, @tripodbella! Bella is here to tell us about how she lost her leg, and the changes it has made to her life.

Hello, Bella! I know you should never ask a lady cat to reveal her age, but could you tell us some other things about yourself? Where do you live, and who lives there with you?

I live in Columbia, South Carolina with my mom and dad (Laura and Jason) and five other cats. We recently added two chickens to the family. And even though you didn’t ask my age, I don’t mind telling you! I’m three years old.

Wow, you have a big family! I hope you get on well together!

Could you please tell our readers how you lost your leg?

Back when I was an inside/outside cat, I didn’t show up for breakfast one morning. My mom and dad were very worried about me. I didn’t turn up again for another 36 hours. Then my dad walked out in the yard and there I was, with a badly broken leg. I could barely walk, so everyone was amazed that I was able to jump over the fence into the backyard. Mom and dad rushed me to the vet, and they said my femur had been snapped in two, up at the top of the bone near my hip. They said the only option was to amputate my leg. I also had several big bite wounds on me and the vet said it looked like I had been attacked by a large dog.

Mom and dad went home while I had the amputation surgery, and they were so happy when they got the phone call saying that I had made it through the operation! I had to be in the hospital for five days so that I could get IV antibiotics to keep the bite wounds from getting infected. The vet wasn’t sure I would make it, but my mom and dad knew I would be okay. They said that if I had enough will to live that I could make it back home in the condition I was in when they found me, I would be able to fight off the infection. As soon as my fever went down, I got to go home. I was so glad to be back, and I slept in my dad’s lap all evening.

Oh my catness, Bella! You really must have a strong will to live to make it through all that.

Was it difficult to adjust to having three legs instead of four? Have your mom and dad had to make any changes to help you?

When I first had my leg amputated, I didn’t have too many problems getting around. As soon as I came home from the hospital I could walk and even jump up on the sofa. The most upsetting thing for me was that the other cats didn’t know what to think about me anymore. They were scared of me and hissed at me all the time — even my own brother and sister! After I had been home for a couple of weeks, I started having big problems with my mobility. All of the sudden, some wires got crossed in my head and I couldn’t walk anymore. I could only hop around backwards! Here is a video my mom made of me when I was having trouble walking…as you can see it was very frustrating, and I would usually just give up before I got very far. 

I was still missing most of my fur then because they had to shave me for my surgery. That in itself was a difficult adjustment for a fluffy cat!

I was pretty depressed because I couldn’t walk properly. I had difficulty walking for about ten weeks and then all of the sudden I could walk forwards again with no problems. My mom and dad think I had something called a “phantom limb sensation.” They think that it felt to me like my leg was still there, and my body got confused when I tried to walk and it wasn’t there. I’ve met a lot of other three-legged cats online who have had the same problem after an amputation, so it must be pretty common.

Now my life is pretty much back to normal again, except that I’m not allowed to go outside anymore. The other cats eventually realized that I was the same old Bella, and we’re all friends again now. I can’t jump quite as high as I used to, but I can still get up on the bed and the windowsill. I can run just as fast as a cat with four legs, and I love to play with toys and wrestle with my sister.

One problem I do have is anxiety issues because of the trauma of being attacked. I’m very scared of loud noises, big trucks driving by and especially dogs barking! When I get scared I like to hide under the bed where I feel safe. I also get lots of extra love and cuddles from my mom and dad!

Aww, I’m sorry you have anxiety issues now, but it’s good that you have a safe place and get lots of cuddles.

Do you or your humans have any advice for other cats in your situation?

Be patient! I’ve met a lot of other three-legged cats online and everyone recovers from an amputation in their own way and at their own pace.

If you have to get a lot of fur shaved off for your surgery, you might need extra help staying warm. My mom bought a bunch of really soft towels that I could use as blankets.

The other pets in your family might act like they don’t recognize you anymore or be scared of you at first. Try not to let it hurt your feelings, and they’ll eventually come around.

Introduce yourself online to other three-legged cats and their humans. Losing a leg is a scary experience and it helps to have someone to talk to who has been through the same thing. Anyone who wants to talk or has questions can contact me at tripodbella(at)gmail(dot)com

It might take you a while to adjust to life on three legs, but before you know it you’ll be back to normal again.

Bella, thank you so much for this! It has been a pleasure interviewing you!

Tagged as: @tripodbella, leg amputations, three-legged cats