How many tabs of Tramadol the vet sent you?  Was a reasonable amount of supply, say 10-14 days, for 1 tab 3 times a day?  Did the administering instructions say PRN (as needed)? Did the vet give Metacam as well?

If the instruction says "as needed", depends on how Lenny feels, you probably can adjust the dosage to suit his needs, e.g.

1 tabs 2 times a day;   OR 2 tabs a.m., 1 tab p.m.;   OR tapering off to 1 tabs every 12 hours towards the last 2-3 days of the supply…. etc.

I gave Genie Tramadol until the batch was finished cause I couldn't tell whether she was in pain (she never showed).  I gave Genie 2 tabs Tramadol in the morning to give her a big boost, cause it would take a little while for the meds to get into her bloodstream, then she wouldn't feel as much pain throughout the day when there were activities going on in the house, or we going out for a stroll.  Before going to bed, I gave her 1 tab to make her somewhat comfortable overnight.  Also, there was Metacam I gave every 24 hours in late afternoon.

Don't let him lick the wound.  Put a t-shirt on him, or whatever you can think of to prevent the wound from getting wet, or getting too moist.  That would slow down the healing process.

Hi Lenny – hope you're doing well pal…I had the same exact panting thing going on the first two weeks after surgery. Mom thought I was in a lot of pain, but in hind sight she thinks it was the medicine that made me pant, that and the bandage and stitches…if you think about it, the skin gets irritated and dry and needs to breathe and mine was couped up for 2 weeks…do you have a bandage on? If not, you do need to cover those stitches up until you get them out so you don't infect your wound.

It's difficult for our pawrents to tell what the panting means…it's trial and error a bit since we can't tell them exactly what is going on. Realize that the first couple weeks are difficult and challenging for a variety of reasons (wow, big adjustment in losing a limb and learning how to walk and potty again, all the medication we're on, the restraints that we have – no running, climbing stairs or jumping on beds, and just physically being tired from the trauma).

Take is easy, rest up and if you have major concerns, call your doctor for answers or even reassurance that what is going on is normal (we sure did….A LOT).  

Keep us posted on your recovery – we're thinking about you.

Love Zeus and Mom

Jerry has a resource page, scroll half way down, there is a section "Prescription Drugs and Your Dog", that will give you more info about various kinds of pain meds.

Some vets use Metacam & Tramadol, some use Rimadyl & Tramadol, (and there are a few other combinations too) depend on each dog's condition and the level of pain each case is dealing with.

Your mentioning of Buddy's crying with every breath does sounds like he is in pain or discomfort.  Check with the vet see if it is necessary to up the meds.

See how he reacts with a cool or warm pad on his wound.  Some would feel better with warm pad, some response better with cool.

Don't get discouraged, we will be thinking of you and Buddy.