{{{{{Kristin}}}}}

Lots of ~ma for Byron....

Popping back online briefly to say thank you, so much, for your incredible support. I'm home, and I've taken what few steps I can. The surgeon is going to have me come in Friday morning (thank god for Good Friday and spring break) at 9:30am. After doing some research, I do think she is likely to recommend amputation. If so, I will do it. If it gives him a chance to live a few more happy years, it will be worth it. Again, the research I've done suggests that cats adapt well, even when it's a hind leg. Thank you to those above who offered insight into this possibility, too.

One of the things I need to think about now is this inside/outside dilemma. Byron is vehemently, loudly, and (if not let out) destructively a cat who likes to go outside every day. Aside from issues with injury and three-leggedness, he won't be able to get vaccinations anymore, so his outdoor days are likely over. I've been thinking about ways to give him a little outside time without actually letting him out--because that will be necessary if he isn't going to be miserable and start marking the house--and all I can come up with is getting permission to screen in the back patio. Something to think about, I guess.

I've done a lot of crying these past couple of hours, and I think I need to get something to eat and turn my brain off for a bit. I would cuddle Byron, but he's feeling so much better that he wants to go out.

Thanks for listening.

Also, Scrappy, I know I offered my love earlier in Natter, but {{{Scrappy and family}}} just in case.

Outdoor cat tunnel? [link]

I hope everything goes well, Kristin. I've known several three-legged cats and dogs and they got around fine.

Aw, sweet baby. I'm sorry he's going through this, but it sounds like it may be a workable scenario. I've known tripods of both feline and canine extraction. Outside of an increased chance of pratfall, it doesn't seem to affect them any.

The hardest part is knowing that it may have already gone beyond his leg. We could amputate and then find out that it's already spread. But what else can I do?

Oh, y'all! I'm so sorry Kristin and Scrappy. Thoughts to you both.

Here are some more options for outdoor time, on the same theme as the cat tunnel above - some more elaborate, some simpler. [link]

Anyone else break out in a silly grin when imagining Byron in this?

[link]

Kristin, my aunt and a friend's mom built chickenwire outside tunnels for their cats who really couldn't be free-range but didn't get that. Also, as sad as it is, the enforced inside-time post surgery may make it easier to eliminate the outside habit. It did with one of my childhood cats. OK, there was a lot of whining, but it was harder on the human than the feline.

I wish you guys the best. I've been on a similar cat-health rollercoaster and, yeah, I get it. Good thing cats like salt, for all that we end up crying in their fur.

When I lived in San Diego, my kitties, Sabastia (she started out as Sabastian, but you know how that goes) and Saturday had enormous kattieries. I built them out of a simple wooden frame and wire mesh. One was even two stories, with a ramp down to the ground and an exit out the kitchen window. They loved it and I didn't have to worry.