Lyn Forster is a veterinary surgeon working as a postgraduate researcher at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC). She is interested in cats and improving the welfare of feline amputees. Her research forms part of the work of the Centre for Animal Welfare where she is working with Head of Orthopaedics, Dr Sandra Corr, and Professor of Animal Welfare, Christopher Wathes, and is supported by FAB.

Lyn is looking for owners with cats which have lost a limb or tail to help us understand better how a cat copes after its loss. Limb and tail amputations are undertaken to treat different conditions — often with cats it is after an encounter with a car. Lyn explains the purpose of her research below.

Although most dogs and cats appear to cope very well with amputations, the same is not true with human amputees, where amputation carries with it a risk of neurological complications that can persist for years. In humans the prevalence of post-amputation sensation is as high as 100% in some studies, with phantom pain in up to 80% of cases. There is very little evidence currently that cats experience any of these complications; our research is looking into what affects the rehabilitation and welfare of feline amputees, exploring why cats appear to cope with amputation better than humans do, and considering ways to further improve the rehabilitation and welfare of current and future feline amputees.

The questionnaire, which can be downloaded below, is also intended to give us a clearer picture of the types and ages of cats that have amputations, the reasons amputation is carried out and also to identify the prevalence of post-amputation complications. We know from a review of a small number of cases that, whereas dog amputees tend to be older males, feline amputees tend to be young males and we would like to establish a clearer idea of patterns like this. This information in turn can potentially allow us to focus future research and improvements into the area that will help the most cats.

If you own an amputee cat we would really appreciate your time and input into the questionnaire.

If you are a vet and would like to direct these to your clients or include them in a mailing to such owners please contact Lyn for copies of the questionnaire (an SAE is also provided for owners).
Lyn can be contacted by email on lforster@rvc.ac.uk or by calling 01707 667044. Space is provided on the last page of each questionnaire for your practice stamp.

All of the information questionnaire respondents provide will be kept anonymous and treated confidentially.

Your help with this study would be greatly appreciated.