Fang’s Four Months on Three Legs

Fang at four months after amputation
Fang at four months after amputation

Well, it’s now been four months since Fang had his front left leg amputated.

I am happy to say that there’s pretty much nothing to report. The warmer months are coming and Fang is happily running around outside, enjoying the sun, the birds and the rodents in the fields. He continues to hop cattle fences and hunt in the neighbor fields, just like he has since he was a kitten.

In fact, he has now taken to chasing little Mamma Kitty around the yard. Half of me wants to grab the camera and get a video of him “booking it” across the field, as quick as he always was, while the other half wants to run and save Mammas from the terror chasing her down!

Fang lounging around outside four months after amputation
Fang lounging around outside four months after amputation

His hair is all pretty much grown back – though some of it grew back a lighter brown than the rest of his black fur. I think it’s cute. 😛

My last post mentioned that he seemed to be itching so hard that he was knocking his fur out – but, he’s got that all figured out now. He’s no longer missing patches of fur, and I don’t have to wince every time I see him scratching the heck out of his neck! The flea treatment helped with that, I’m sure, but I also just think he found a less awkward position to scratch himself at.

Now that I’ve gone through this with Fang, and I know it’s just not a big deal for him to have three legs, I’ve started to have a sense of humor about his three-leggedness that some people find “mean” or “insensitive”.  Firstly, I now call my fat cat, Feral (who has become increasingly more annoying with the lack of attention I showed him while doting on Fang), “Fatty-Four-Legs.” I think it’s a particularly awesome nick-name. I’m keeping it forever. 😛

In addition, I often play with Fang – though he is dangerous to play with as he is very fast and will really get is claws into you – and will stop suddenly and say things like “Oh my God! Fang! What happened to your arm!?”, or I tell people that he lost it in “the war.” My visiting family members who often want to be “boo-hoo” about the ordeal or feel bad for him generally do not get my sense of humor! But hey, it’s an inside joke, I suppose, haha.

So, life is normal, Fang is happy, and the world keeps on turning. And on we go to another month on three legs!

PS: There is another Tripawd kitty in our midst!! Check out Little Man’s Story, and leave a note! We are so lucky that there are Tripawd kitties out there willing to share their experiences for those kitties and kitty parents about to make the leap! (Remember, there are other Tripawd kitty stories in the “Tripawd Kitty Stories” section on the upper right column of this page!)

Fang, laying around outside - four months after amputation.
Fang, laying around outside – four months after amputation.

Author: cldavis

I am a Sac State graduate with an International Business degree. I do consulting from home for Java programming, primarily in the Wicket framework. I have a wonderful fur-baby family, all with wonderful stories. Like with most cat-people, they're my kids.

11 thoughts on “Fang’s Four Months on Three Legs”

  1. omg too funny, I make the SAME jokes! All the time, I’ll be playing with Jill and go “oh my god!!! WHERE DID YOUR LEG GO!?!?” I also say to Jack all the time now when he misbehaves, “IF YOU DONT BEHAVE IMMA CHOP OFF YOUR LEG TOO!”

    I honestly think, if you can’t have a sense of humor about this situation, it’ll kill you. I love my Jill so much now I didnt think it was possible to love her more than I already did!

    I know I’ve said it a million times, but thank you so much for everything You are our leader Fang. You will never know the impact you made on our journey!

  2. Hahahaha, exactly! And then everyone gives you the most sideways glance ever as if to say “Have you no decency!?!”

    Awww, thanks guys. We so appreciate you both – truly. 🙂

  3. Ha, I love your sense of humor. When I picked up Maggie after her amp there were several people in the waiting room at the vets office and when she came out I yelled “Oh my heavens what happened to you. I only brought you in to get your nails trimmed” I expected the whole room to clear out but I quickly said I was joking. I guess it was my sick way to deal with the situation. Fang is a cutie pie.

  4. Hahahaha, omg that is classic. At that point I had not yet developed my sense of humor about the situation, but I wish I had! That kind of attitude would have caused so much less anxiety for us all! Bravo!

    If only I could go back in time ….. 😉 Hahaha!

  5. What a handsome guy! He’s definitely got a look of mischievousness about him. And I love the sense of humor. If we can’t laugh, we end up crying and I for one prefer to be laughing. Growing up, my grandpa had an outside cat that would chase the bulls! Your story of Fang running around reminded me of those images. Keep it up Fang!

  6. Fang is gorgeous and I’m glad he is doing so well. Fang sounds like a spirited guy.

    I love your sense of humor!

  7. Congrats on celebrating 4 months on 3 legs! I think that was really when things felt back to normal for us. Fang is a handsome fella! Laughter really is the best medicine. It helps us deal and get past hard times. I said something to Little Man about his leg being gone (joking of course) and he just looked at me like I was nuts! (What missing leg?) Thanks for adding his story. 🙂

  8. Go Fang ! Just so you know – 21 is a nice ripe ol’ age for cats – so keep on playing, running and chasing butterflies. I have three kitty sisters who look like you. luv, Pie.

  9. Four munts and three legs. Congrats Fang!

    I’m hoppy to hear that you’ve got your spunk back and life is good. Now tell us more about Fatty Four Legs. Hahahhahaha!!!

  10. I have a three legged black kitty, too. She’s on month 6 or so post amputation and doing great! So happy that Fang is happy!

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