Answer: Amputation of a lamb may be necessary if it has been extensively injured or, commonly, if it is diseased (e.g. affected with gangrene or a malignant tumor, i.e. cancer). If the animal is otherwise relatively healthy, the continued presence of the lamb could jeopardize its future because the complications which would ensure would eventually involve the rest of its body.
Successful amputation is relatively straightforward and after a brief period of adjustment the cat will again be doing all the thing it did before. Obviously, the fact that the cats normally walk on four legs makes it easier, compared to ourselves, to compensate after losing one. They may have difficulty jumping and climbing but they remain remarkably sure footed and usually will not attempt anything outside their capability.
It is usually the owners who wish the cat to be put the sleep rather then to have an amputation performed because they don’t like the look of the domestic animals, is more object. Almost certainly, such animals spend little time in thinking that they used to have four or that other cats still have four legs, but rather they get on with living their lives and making the best of them.
