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Phantom pain/itch

15 November 2011
12:12 pm

Sarah and Kayla

New Zealand

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Forum Posts: 223

Member Since:
6 November 2011

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Sorry but more questions
Kayla seems to have phantom pain and itch with her amputated leg. she often whines and licks at the site and has started to scratch thin air where her leg was through out the day. Is there anything I can do to help out with this? does it last long? Is it just something they all go through?

15 November 2011
12:20 pm

AngelAbbysMom

San Diego, CA

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Forum Posts: 1501

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29 October 2010

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No apologies for asking questions! We've all been there and know how nerve-wracking the whole thing can be.

As for phantom pain, no they don't necessarily all go through it. Abby had 2 episodes that we thought were maybe phantom pain (or just regular ol' post-op pain…) but luckily they were brief and didn't return. I know others have said that gabapentin (sp?) works well for phantom pain, so if Kayla is not on that you might want to ask the vet.

Abby licked the site like CRAZY and sometimes just putting a t-shirt over it would help, but other times that wasn't enough and I'd have to stick her in the dreaded cone. She really didn't stop licking it until it was almost completely healed.

Good luck w/ your girl. She's such a cutie!

Jackie, Abby's mom

Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!

15 November 2011
12:57 pm

etgayle

knoxville, tn

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Forum Posts: 1599

Member Since:
12 February 2010

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you might want to use some ice (or a bag of frozen veggies) wrapped in a towel, and ice the incision site for 5 – 10 minutes. that might sooth the pain. like jackie said, gabepentin has been used by several members (not us either, we lucked out) for phantom pain. we highly recommend a t-shirt for front amp protection, and boys boxer shorts for rear leg amps…

charon & gayle

Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure. Love Never Ends http://etgayle

15 November 2011
1:59 pm

admin

Here and Now

Team Tripawds

Forum Posts: 7746

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25 April 2007

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Be sure to download these Tips for Managing Phantom Limb Pain in Dogs.

Our video interview with Dr Pam also discusses phantom pain and other common complications.

Searching the forums and blogs should return a number of other posts with advice from others.

	"Dogs are born with three legs and a spare." — Jerry G. Dawg (10/98-10/08) Please Support Your Tripawds Community! Have you started a Tripawds Blog yet?
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