Tuesday, July 11, 2017

Meet my Cats: Davey

Copyright ©Ann Halpin
image by Ann Halpin
Davey is my special cat. He's the oldest (by one month) and very much the alpha cat in the family, all while dealing with physical issues.

I met Davey at the Arizona Animal Welfare League when he shared a cage with Poppei in the infirmary.  Davey, or Dave at that time, was a very chill cat. The shelter vet named him Dave after Dave Matthews, her favorite singer. Since Poppei was always getting sick and wasn't available for adoption, I took Davey home with me.

Because it had been a banner kitten season, the kittens at the shelter had been put in cages so no one noticed that Davey had a bad limp. I noticed when I got him home. I took him to my vet and after x-rays, exams and a visit to the orthopedic veterinarian, we opted to amputate the leg. Davey had a genetic deformity, with his kneecap on the side of his leg instead of where it should have been. He was in constant pain and I even had to give him buprenorphine (opiod medication). I would have to go to the vet office and sign a form before they would dispense it.  They would only give 3-4 doses at a time since it was a controlled substance.

The decision to amputate the leg was very difficult for me. I anguished about it, wasn't sure how he would look or feel, or how I would feel about him once he had lost that leg. It really was fear of the unknown. The vet kept telling me it was no big deal and that Davey would be much happier and adjust very quickly without his leg.

Copyright ©Ann Halpin
image by Ann Halpin
He was right. Davey sailed through the surgery and was trying to climb 3 days later. I also adjusted better than I thought I would. Davey had other challenges. He has mild entropion, a condition in which the eyelids go inward rather than out. I had to take him to the veterinary ophthamologist but luckily she said she didn't think surgery was warranted. He also has allergies that affect his eyes and nose, as well as mild alopecia.

Davey is loud, insistent and bossy. He's also the most cuddly of my cats, loves for me to pick him up and hold him. He will demand that I put him on my lap and then will fall asleep, sometimes for hours. He's going grey and looks older than Poppei. I just tell him he looks distinguished.

A bit of advice if you are considering adopting a three legged (tri-pawed) animal. Don't be afraid! They get around just fine with only 3 legs, are a lot of fun, and very appreciative that you chose them. While Davey had 4 legs when I adopted him, I would not hesitate to bring home a tri-pawed animal now!
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