Outcomes Following Partial Foot Amputation in Three Cats

Limited data are available regarding partial foot amputation (amputation of two adjacent digits, excluding the first digit) in cats. Three domestic shorthair cats with a median age of 4.2 yr were presented for partial foot amputation between 2010 and 2022. Neoplasia was the indication for partial foot amputation in two cats; one cat underwent partial foot amputation for treatment of a chronic wound. All cats underwent lateral partial foot amputation (excision of digits 4-5) of a thoracic limb. One cat had excisions at the level of the metacarpal-phalangeal joint, and two cats had excision at the level of the distal metacarpal bone. No cats experienced surgical complications intraoperatively. All cats achieved resolution of lameness postoperatively at a median duration of 28 days, although one cat experienced a long-term grade 1 complication associated with a wound that developed where weight bearing occurred. Lateral partial foot amputation of a thoracic limb was overall well tolerated in these three cats, with favorable long-term functional outcomes and manageable complications. Results support the role of partial foot amputation as a viable limb-sparing option in cats, although additional data are needed to assess outcomes for other partial foot amputation locations (medial, central, and pelvic limb) in cats.