Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My Happy Hannah was very whiny and very restless for the first three nights. Neither she, nor I, hardly slept a wink. Although she didn't have the patch, others who have had it say it can really make the dogs whiny and whacky sometimes.
Phantom pain generally presents it self as dogs all of the sudden let out a loud yelp. They get up a d try to run sway from the pain. It lasts for many seconds and then stops. Just try and provide comfort and calm. Sometimes gentle massaging around the incision helps.
As Lisa said, Gabapentin is the best med for it.
Things will get balanced out and recovery does get easier!
Hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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!
I made the mistake of thinking the fact that he was able to walk 24 hours after surgery meant it would be relatively smooth sailing afterwards. The vet removed the old pain patch and applied a new fentanyl patch, however even that with all the other pain meds has reduced but not eliminated the whining. (which he only does when lying down -- maybe standing is more comfortable for him) Additionally, he has fluid/blood seepage from one area of the surgical wound. He also now has a growth on his nose which looked sort of like a pimple (but isn't) but now has a mottled pink/black appearance. Waiting on cytology results now.
I am leaning towards the grim thought that we may have made the wrong decision...not medically...but because there is no way to explain Arni's current level of pain to him.
Don't get discouraged! I know it's hard but Arni is only 3 days in from surgery.
Did the vet discuss the possibility that the whining is due to the pain meds? Some pups here have had difficulty with fentanyl making them loopy and whiny. Once when I gave Tripug Maggie tramadol she didn't sleep for 12 hours and was agitated the whole time.
Keep working with the vet on pain med dosage. Keep a close eye on the seepage and any swelling called a seroma . Both are quite normal after a big surgery like amputation. As long as the fluid is clear or pinkish and doesn't smell it is fine. A little blood is not unheard of either. If you have any concerns at all call the vet.
Maggie was able to hop/walk the day of her rear amputation and never needed help. But she was a slug for weeks and I was sure I had made a huge mistake. Every dog heals and deals on their own timeline.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
I think you are right about the tramadol. I think all the pain meds are going to make him sleepy, but he gets agitated after we give him the tramadol! gheez...now i am thinking simple benadryl...
Thank you Karen and all for the encouraging words.
matt
For whatever it's worth, this sounds so familiar!! The constant whining, not able to get comfortable, the seroma , and feeling like I had made a HORRIBLE decision on EVERY level!!
As Karen said, rhis is sooooooo early in recovery from a MAJOR SURGERY, all while adjusting to three legs! For me, I was soooo focused on whether my Happy Hannah would be able to walk on three legs (and so rrelieved when she could!), I hadn't given a whole lot of thought to how hard the recovery woukd be...on both of us!!
Don't worry about the bump on his nose for now. You'll handle whatever it is, if it's even anything at all!. You have your hands full just with the exhaustion of the journey to this point!
Another thing that makes some dogs extra restless, is figuring out how to lay down! If they are used to "circling" a certain way, or laying on the amp side, that can cause extra frustration.
Signs of pain a d signs of side effects from the pain meds are often hard to distinguish. There was a great post about distinguishing the differe ce between the "whining" from pain a d the "whacky and confusion whining" from the patch. Of course, I have nooo idea how to find it!
Try and keep notes on when the whining is the most. Is it as the Tramadol wears off, or more frequent after the dose? It's such a fine li e trying to balance the meds! While some do have their dogs become super anxious with Tramadol, just as many, if nit more, have the same side effects from the patch! UGH! The main thing though, is to keep the pain at bay.
Did the et give Arni Rimadyl or Metacam? That helps with inflammation and pain. I certainly wouldn't go to just Benadryl, even with the patch, without discussing it with your vet.
You are in the hardest phase right now, and it may continue I to another week or so. Many dogs get some of their sparkle back going I to the seco d week. Then, you have dogs like my Happy Hannah who took about three weeks!
It's hard to see it right now, but you are doing this FOR Arni and not TO Arni!!
STAY CONNECTED! You and Arni will get through this a d we'll be cheering for you the whole time!!
Hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS..Eating, drinking peeing okay? Pooping may take a few days because of all the meds.
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!
Ditto the above. This is VERY early days. My Meg didn't even come home until day three. It may very well be that Arni's meds need adjusting, but you'll get there by observing the pattern of his discomfort and working with your vet. Just try to take one step at a time and, above all, be kind to yourself. Try not to agonise over your decision. You are where you are and there is nothing to be gained from tormenting yourself (very easy to say, I know, and trust me, I'm a mistress of self-torment...). In time I am certain you will come to realise, as Sally says, that you are doing this FOR Arni. Stay connected. Lean on us, and you WILL get through this.
Warmest wishes,
Meg and Clare (and Elsie Pie) xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, 23 November 2023, adopted 12 January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
well, arni seems to be past the worst of it. nixing the tramadol and the cone seemed to REALLY help. (he was out of his mind last nite with both) he is wearing a little black dress (one of my wife's camisoles, tied on his good side so he doesnt trip) to protect the surgery site. he is resting somewhat comfortably now so that is a HUGE relief. there is still some seepage but vet said that is a good thing. vet also said nose pimple shows no sign of mast cells, so another piece of good news. i ended up adding the benadryl last night and today to help him rest, and upped the rimadyl slightly. seems to be working like a glass of wine and four advil so far.
i may actually get through this alive! but deer gawd, does he need a bath!
THANK YOU all for your comments! all very helpful and supportive.
We HAVE to have a picture of Arni in his little dress!! Very clever use of your wife's camisoles!
I'm sooo glad Arni is feeling better today! Celebrate it!
YAY for the good news on the "pimple"!
YAY for everybody getting some rest!!''I thought the exhaustion was going to do me in! It took Happy Hannah soooo long before she could sleep somewhat comfortably. Actually, I think it was the fifth night I actually slept three hours straight!
I'm sure you're checking with the vet about increasing the Rimadyl.
Enjoy your wine and Advil and get some rest!
Hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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!
Changed my avatar to a pic of Arni 'back in the day'...until I figure out how to add pictures in the discussion.
mcarvalh said
...until I figure out how to add pictures in the discussion.
FYI: Here are detailed instructions for adding photos to forum posts . If you don't already share photos online somewhere, you can start a free Tripawds blog any time and upload them there.
Need further help? Post in the Tech Support forum !
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Arni passed away at our home some time between 6 am and noon (while we were at work), on Wednesday, October 5, 2016.
Before he left us, he pooped on the carpet in the piano room.
RIP Arni
NOOOOO!!!!! Completely unexpected! Stunned!!! I'm sorry beyond words!
This piece of crap disease is so brutal and so unpredictable!! We never knkw what coirse it will take and can only do what we can based on what we do know.
I'm going to come back later, but I just wanted to reach out as quickly as I could....even though there are no wordsa d no thoughts are forming through the tears.
As odd as this might sound, Arni did things his way and on his terms. He was home. He clearly still jad a sense of humor by leaving you a poop pile! That Arni is one special guy!!
I'll be back...but just wanted to send you love
Sally and My Chunky Spiritual Being Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie
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!
I am so very sorry to hear about Arni. My heart goes out to you and your wife. Truly, you did everything you could to try and help him, and I'm just so sorry that this vicious disease granted you so little time. Run free Arni! Sending love.
Meg and Clare (and Elsie Pie) xxx
PS I would love to see some pictures of Arni and to hear more about him if you'd like to share.
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, 23 November 2023, adopted 12 January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
Ohhhhhh noooooo. I am just stunned, this happened so darn fast. Admin and I were just discussing Arni the other day, we were excited at the thought of watching a Corgi breed-type enjoy life on three legs. What a shock to read your news. My heart aches for you, I'm so very, very sorry.
Any idea at all what happened? You don't have to answer if you don't want to. It's just this is so tragic, and if there's anything we can do to help you work through the grief, please let us know OK?
We would absolutely love to hear more about your sweet pup and celebrate his life with you whenever you're ready.
With all our heart and condolences coming your way....
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
How shocking and sad. I am so very, very sorry that Arni passed so abruptly and I hope you feel like you got the chance to spoil him this last month and remind him how loved and important he was to you.
Sending wishes for you to find comfort in wonderful memories and wishing dear little Arni happy, happy dreams.
Lisa, Minneapolis
On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly. His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.
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