A recent study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association reported on a retrospective study evaluating cats that had a limb amputated for treatment of bone cancer. This study focused on cases seen at multiple veterinary colleges in the United States and Canada.
While bone cancer is less common in cats than dogs, it is a devastating diagnosis. Currently, the best treatment if it involves a limb is amputation of the affected limb.
This study focused on evaluating how cats and owners handled amputation, and did not specifically address medical outcomes of cases. Amputation can understandably seem drastic to owners, but if it can save their cats’ lives and provide a good quality of life, it can become more acceptable.
Results were overwhelmingly positive. About 86% of the 68 cats in the study were up and walking on their own within a week, while 92% of them showed no changes in behavior post-surgery. Overall, 76% of the cats fully returned to normal activities, with 74% of the owners reporting being pleased with the results.
The primary complications reported were post-surgical pain and decreased appetite. Once past the initial post-surgery period, however, most cats were able to wean off pain medications and return to normal life. Owners generally reported being satisfied with the quality of life their cats had after limb amputation.ν
JAVMA June 2025 Vol 263 No 6 Limb amputation for feline appendicular bone tumors results in excellent recovery outcomes and high owner satisfaction with a low incidence of complications
