Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi Everyone - This is my first post here. My sweet Goldendoodle - Zoe recently became a Tripawd due to a Nerve Sheath Tumor in her Brachial Plexus. We just celebrated her four month ampuversary. She's always had periodic phantom limb pain - mostly after really exerting herself (she's a bit nutty/high energy), but for awhile it was only once every three weeks.
The last few days it seems to be happening more, and it's worrying me. Mostly because of the type of cancer she was diagnosed with.
My questions for whoever can provide feedback are:
1. Has anyone else experienced episodes where the nerve pain/phantom pain seems to get worse for a bit?
2. For any other owners who have had dogs with nerve sheath tumours - how does it present itself when it returns?
I do not know the results of her biopsy and whether they were able to get "clean margins" - so I really don't know if they were able to get all of the cancer. Call me crazy, but I'm a big worrier and if they told me that they didn't get clean margins I think I would worry and obsess about her more than I already do.
I feel like I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop so to speak and it's killing me. Her vet said that we would know the cancer was back because she would start having neck pain. (He doesn't believe that phantom pain even exists - frustrating.)
I know that there's really nothing I can do, but I'd love to hear what anyone has to say, and I would love to speak with some people on here who are going through the same thing with the same diagnosis.
Thank you!!!
Hello and welcome to Tripawds. Your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
First off- Happy 4 month ampuversary! We like to celebrate every victory here!
I don't think I've heard of phantom pain so long after surgery- doesn't mean it couldn't happen. Unlike your vet I do believe phantom limb pain exists. Maybe Zoe is having pain because of the type of tumor? I'm not familiar with Zoe's type of tumor, my pug Maggie had mast cell cancer.
Could it also be that she is hurting herself? Maybe a strain or pinched nerve? Hopefully others here will have some ideas for you.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Doodledog, the phantom leg pain I think can happen indefinitely especially with this type cancer because the tumor grows directly along the nerve line and they have to cut those nerves. My Jake was on gabapentin for 9 months. He had the highest grade NST, but b/c of clean margins it didn't come back. I know you didn't ask your vet for Zoe's results but NST's in general are locally invasive (that's good news). Our oncologist would feel around Jake's amputation to check for new growth. I am unaware of this type of tumor traveling or showing up other places in the body. If a piece of it was left behind, its my understanding that it'll grow back in the same place. I posted a really long post on your other thread:
http://tripawds.....al-plexus/
HUGS
Mom to Tripawd Angels Jake (2001-2014) and Rosco (2012-2015) and Tripawd Tanner. “Whatever happens tomorrow, we had today; and I'll always remember it”
Hi doodledog, welcome. Yep, as you know, phantom pain exists, your vet can ask any human amputee and they'll tell him. Animals definitely get it. But, what this sounds like is another type of pain that may be due to her body compensating and adjusting to having three legs (which can easily be resolved with some pain management , PT and conditioning exercises). If she's getting too much of the wrong kind of exercise and not the right kind (core strengthening, balance etc), this could be contributing to pain.
Check out these posts about pain and massage we just published, these experts in pain management and massage therapy can tell you more:
http://tripawds.....care-tips/
http://tripawds.....s-massage/
As for the cancer returning, try to think about how it presented the first time around. If you get a sense that it may be back, go see a veterinary oncologist who can alleviate your concerns and if necessary do a biopsy. A specialist can give you the kind of info you need to ease your mind.
Good luck and keep us posted OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you so much to everyone!! She's had this type of pain since "day one" (ie: since her amputation). I'm quite sure it's nerve pain - just not sure what is causing it - Cancer or just the operation. My only concern is it just seems to be happening more frequently. Ugh.
As for her lump - she never had one. I guess the cancer was so deep in her shoulder that they could never feel one. I'm not sure if that's good news or not (hadn't grown to the point of us being able to feel it?). My vet said that if it came back it would affect the nerves in her neck....
I think some of this is a "wait and see" game, and I'm beside myself with worry! My partner is going to call the vet this morning and see if Gabapentin would be a good idea. I hate to have her on drugs either full time, but if that helps to keep her pain free then I will do it. I know I worry about her like crazy, but this Cancer thing in our "fur babies" is big.
Thanks again everyone.
How old is Zoe? Not that it matters for anything, just curious 
My old quad pug Tani takes gabapentin twice a day for arthritis pain. She tolerates it well and has no side effects. She has been on it for over a year. We get it compounded into a liquid, she is so little that it is hard to get pills in a small enough dose. Also, she takes several meds a day, having some in liquid form help them go down. A word of caution on gaba- it is one of those meds that you have to taper off-so if Zoe goes on it and stays on it a while be sure to taper her off if you decide to stop.
Once we get the cancer diagnosis it is hard (sometimes impossible) not to think everything is a recurrence. Maggie lost her leg to a mast cell tumor, her second MCT. I was hyper vigilent after, always checking for new bumps. I can't tell you how many times I flipped her over because I felt a lump on her belly, only to find it was one of her tits!
The trick is to find a balance, and it takes practice. You want to be aware of what could happen so you can look out for it, but at the same time you don't want to miss the joy our pups find in every day!
I hope you can find some relief for Zoe.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
We ALL understand the worry, the fear, the panic at the first hiccip or sneeze! And it's almost always just a hiccup or sneeze! 
This stupid piece of crap disease just tries to make us crazy!!
This sounds very, very much like nerve pain from the operation. ESPECIALLY if that's when it started.
Gaba USUALLY is the drug of choice for this and she can be put on a dose that won't make her loopy or anything like that. It just BLOCKS the pain center from firing off and lets her get on with living a pain free life.
AND, if you are going to a vet that does NOT believe in phantom pain , then switch vets!!!
Do NOT let that piece of crap disease interfere with your glorious time together with her!!! That is THE most important lesson that we MUST all get on this hourney ASAP!!! If we start "missing" what isn't even "gone" yet, then we can't enjoy the happiness of the NOW......being full present! I KNOW it's hard not to worry...and we all do....just don't let it escalate to a level that robs you of your time together.
You are doing GREAT! We would LOVE to see pictures!!!!
Hugs to you and Zoe!!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Thank you everyone!!! I am so grateful for your support.
Update: I spoke with Dr. Sharpe her Neurologist tonight. He's wonderful. It's her Orthopaedic Surgeon that I'm not a huge fan of (he's the one who doesn't believe that Phantom pain exists). He said the same thing that you have all said - the pattern of occurrence and the type of pain doesn't make him think it's the cancer back. PLUS - and here's the even better news -
Her biopsy results came back clear! Up until now I purposely didn't ask the results because I didn't want it to be fodder for more worry, but tonight I told him I wanted to know. He said he didn't have the details in front of him, but he remembered that the results were excellent. What a relief!!
Anyway, he said it could definitely be phantom pain . So we are going to try the Gabapentin for a period of about two weeks. He said go keep her quiet for a few days - rest her. And then if she seems to not be getting better - we will go in for an assessment and perhaps an ultrasound.
Of course I'm cautiously optimistic because I'm a HUGE worrier, but I feel significantly better. I just don't want her to be in pain. I'll keep everyone posted. And, I'll try to figure out how to post photos, but if you have Instagram you can follow her. Her name is Doodle_tripawd.
GOOD!!! I know this is a HUGE sigh of relief!!!!
Thanks for updating us. Really glad you have Dr. Sharpe in your corner!
It may take several doses of Gaba. kick in and do it's job...may even take some adjusting, etc. So not to worry if results aren't immediate.
Get a good night's sleep...you've earned it!!
Hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Ooooh this is FANTASTIC NEWS!!!! I am going to have a glass of wine and celebrate Zoe's great news today (later tonight of course, as its 8 am here right now lol).
I looked at her Instagram account, holy moly she is a cutie! I know Sally wants to see the pictures so just click here Sally:
http://instagra.....le_tripawd
JoAnn here is the link for forum topic on posting pics:
http://tripawds.....-photos-1/
Hooray for great news. Nothing makes me happier to see another dog kicking this cancers butt!! I'm glad you have a vet on your side about phantom pain . Please keep us posted!
Mom to Tripawd Angels Jake (2001-2014) and Rosco (2012-2015) and Tripawd Tanner. “Whatever happens tomorrow, we had today; and I'll always remember it”
ELOZABETH! You are soooooo thoughtful! I love you!
AND yes, now I can see these GREAT PHOTOS! And they are delightful!!!! Zoe is sooooo cute!!! I just love her "action photo" with her toy in her mouth! Made my day!!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Yipppeee! I love your vet. An ortho doc who doesn't believe in phantom pain eh? Hmm.
If you need help posting pics here just holler, I'm happy to help.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks everyone! I'm a bit biased but I think she's the cutest thing ever. I like to say she is "personality plus" - she doesn't let much stop her!!! Lots of spunk. LOL.
All day she was looking at me as if to say: "mom - i had a few phantom pains - let's get on with it" - just dying for a walk or a swim. So I took her for a short one. So far so good! I haven't picked up the Gabapentin yet, but will do that and get her started.
Thanks for the link on posting pics - I'll spend some time trying to figure it out tomorrow and then post some. She's a real poster child for Tripawds!!!
That's exactly what she's telling you! Hope you had a good day. Can't wait to see the photos, please let me know if you need help.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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