Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello all!
I'm thankful you're here. This is my first post. Moony is a 12 year old Husky Lab Mutt wI think front right leg amputation on wednesday January 4. She came home Friday and did pretty well, was mostly out of it.
Today I thought she was doing exceptionally well considering. Then, earlier this evening, 830pm she went to get up and was overcome with something causing her to wince out sharply & loudly, it was quick, but unlike anything we'd ever heard. Then she panted & trembled for quite a while. She was due for meds, so we have them and she went back to resting. 1am, same thing, only this time much louder wince into a yelp, then almost howling until she finally stopped, but panting & trembling again.
She is on the same pain meds she was on for her leg pain when she still had it, and she had no adverse reactions for almost 2 weeks.
Just wondering if I should worry, is this normal? I have iced her incision area both times.
Thanks!!
Jess
Hi Jess, Moony and family, welcome. Your future posts won't need approval so post away.
Recovery can definitely have it's ups and downs and it sounds like this is a common one. What pain meds is she on? And h ow often?
What you're describing sounds like common post-amputation pain. We typically call it phantom pain around here. This happens when the brain doesn't realize the leg is gone, signals for it to do something, and a miscommunication occurs. It's common with human and animal amputees but the good news is there is plenty you can do to resolve it.
First, let your vet know what's going on. Moony's pain meds meds timing and dosage amount may need fine-tuning. That's also really common.
Next, remember to stay ahead of the pain. Don't wait until Moony tells you it hurts. Then it's much more difficult to make it stop hurting. Always stick to the schedule but if you feel that she shows pain signals before it's time for the next dose, let your vet know you'd like to give them sooner and see if it's OK.
When you have a minute, be sure to check out these Tripawds News articles about managing post-amputation pain. It's a lot to read right now but there' s good information:
Vet Expert Dr. Mike Petty Shares Tripawd Amputation Pain, Rehab Care Tips
Post-Surgery Pain in Tripawd Dogs and Cats, Part 1
I hope this helps. Oh, why did Moony have the amputation?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Jess!
Sorry that you've found yourself in need of this site, but the good news is that it's a great resource. My dog Izzy had a front amputation and, even though I staggered her pain meds so they didn't all "run out" at the same hour, she had some yelping and would actually jump up and hop away. For her, that behavior came a little later in her recovery and I felt comfortable gently massaging her amp site (open palm, little pressure) but I think your inclination to ice at this early point is better. Of course, just be sure that you're insulating the ice pack. 
You will get lots of great advice and support here. We'd love to see a photo of your baby when you have a minute!
Momma to the world's most beautiful American Bulldog, Izzy!! Lost her front leg to OSA 9/18/15. Diagnosed w MCT in June 2016. Celebrated her 1 year ampuversary with knee surgery on 9/18/16! MCT recurrence in Dec 2016. Happy & hungry til nearly 14, earning her wings on 7/31/17.
What meds is she currently on? Many dogs see a crash about days 3 - 5 when the hospital meds wear off. We spoke to the surgeon, who increased Otis' tramadol dosage, and many members vets have added gabapentin if the dogs was not already on it. We also staggered Otis' tramadol - he was on 3 pills every 8 hours. We gave 2, and then the third one hour later. Unfortunately, this is fairly normal, but you should be able to work with your vet to get it under control. The good news is that many dogs improve dramatically when the staples come out, about day 10 or so. You are in the worst part of recovery now, but there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
She gets 2 tramadol every 8 hours with half a carprofen. She seems better at the moment but still panting.
Thank you all!
Hi Jess, and welcome!
It's great Moony seems better at the moment, but I do think it would be good to speak to your vet about adjusting her pain meds and probably adding Gabapentin too, which is what is usually prescribed for phantom pain . The different meds work in different ways, which is why a combination can be particularly effective. As OtisandTess said, it's not uncommon for meds to need adjusting at this stage because the hospital drugs are now leaving Moony's system. The panting could be a reaction to the medication, but given that she's been on these meds for weeks with no side effects, it is more likely an indication she's in pain.
I don't think you should worry, in as much as this is very common and you will be able to get on top of it, but I do think you should speak to your vet.
Hope this helps. Stay connected and let us know how things are going.
Warmest wishes,
Meg, 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...
Ok, so I talked to the vet, and they said her pain meds should be enough, and they thought maybe she was over doing it and straining herself, so we decided to crate her. She was doing a little more moving around and walking than she's supposed to. Moony is VERY stubborn, and doesn't like to be helped. I actually tried to help her up a minute ago, and she dead weighted me. Then when I let go, she hopped up on her alone like she's been doing. I guess we were letting her do too much too soon.
We are going to see if this helps for 24 hours, and if not, I'll call back.
Thank you all again!
How much does she weigh? I'm picturing her as a big dog, and wondering if it truly is enough. And definitely talk to them about the gaba.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Yes, DITTO THE GABAPENTIN! AndThe Gaba works well with the Tramadol, but it's particularly effective stopping the phantom limb pain. And DITTO the "possible" phantom limb pain!
It comes on quickly out of the blue. Dogs usuw help or scream out and often try to "run away" from the pain. It usually lasts less than a minute, but a dog may shake and righten up for several minutw afterwards afraid to move because "it" may happen again.
What has her activity level been like?
Moony should just be on short potty breaks and then rest. That's pretty much it for the next several plus days minimum. The first two weeks is all about recovery and just taking things nice and slow. It is MAJOR SURGERY! Is the surgery due to osteo?
You said Moony had been on Tramadol before with no issues with it. So, as Meg noted, I would think the panting is pain related and not just a side effect of the Tram.
Keep us posted, okay? Znd do see if you can pick up some Gabapentin tomorrow. It .ay take a day or two to kick in. Of course, we're not Vets and not giving Vet advice.
Hang in there! Recovery is rough for a couple of weeks, but it DOES get better, sooo much better!! 🙂
Husky Lab mix!! Can't wait to see pictures!!!
Hugs to all!
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!
Moony is 51 pounds. I have recently noticed twitching in her incision area a few minutes before she cries from the pain.
Moony was very active before. So, I thought she was resting, but I think she might have still been moving around too much. She would get up and change positions, maybe to a new spot in the room. She would walk down the hall to the bedroom. AND especially with this crying, it would be like she was trying to get away from it. She was in her crate alot today, until she had another episode of crying loudly and we took her out.
She trembles & pants for a LONG time after each episode, not just for minutes.
This is all a result of osteosarcoma.
I think that's all the questions answered. I plan to call the vet again tomorrow. Thank you all again!
PS I'm on my phone abs not sure how to get a pic on here lol
I'm not very techie. I just know you have to put photos on something like photo bucket, then "copy" htlm link ato d then embed it in your post.
It's also possible she coukd have a stitch/staple pulling tigntly or .aybe even a nerve explsed. OW!!
Some twitching is normal. But the fact that it seems to be tied into the pain still coukd be a sign of phantom limb, the stitch, several different things.
It doesn't really sound like she's overdoing it just walking around in the house a little bit to change positions. Then sgain, if she was doing it a lot, then that could be too much. The restlessness and trying to get comfortable could be pain also.
When you gently massage up a d down ner spine, around her neck and shoulders, does she tense up or show any pain signs at any point?
Yeah, see if the Vet will put her on Gabapentin. Also, .maybe you could video one of these episodes and post it here and send it to your Vet.
Every else going okay? Eating, drinking, peeing, pooping?
Hang in there! Better pain management "should" help, otnerwise, the Surgeon needs to check out other things such as nerves being exposed, etc
Lots of hugs. TRY and get some rest!!!
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!
She doesn't mind when I massage around on her...she is eating, drinking, and peeing. No poop yet, bit I've got my fingers crossed for that to happen tomorrow.
I am really trying to rest. I probably slept about 3 hours last night.
I'm looking forward to talking to her doctor tomorrow, and hopefully he can help us figure this out. And every passing day is a good thing!
I do hope you've been able to get some rest.
My view, taken for what it's worth, and I am not a vet etc. etc., is that this does not sound like 'overdoing it' pain. Moony may have been overdoing it, and will certainly benefit from rest, but the pain you describe, with the sudden onset and the way she tries to get away from it, sounds like classic phantom limb pain. It is also possible, as Sally says, that a nerve has been caught or aggravated. The way to test this (again, not a vet) would presumably be to put her on Gabapentin and see how she responds. If the problems persist, then it may be necessary to investigate further.
Out of interest, the vet you are speaking to, is that the one who did the surgery? And are they a specialist? I only ask because I'm wondering how many amputations they've done and how experienced they are in managing issues like phantom pain .
Do hope you get a positive response from talking to the vet today. As you say, every passing day is a step on the road to recovery. The fact that Moony is eating, drinking and peeing (the poop will come) is a very good sign indeed.
Hang in there and keep posting when you can. We are all thinking of you.
Meg, 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...
Forgot to say, I would definitely video Moony next time she has an episode. If you upload it to YouTube, you can post the link on here, and also send it to your vet.
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...
Really, really hope your vet will be proactive and add Gabapentin to Moony's pain med plan. Just joining the chorus, but it frustrates me when vets skimp on pain protocol.
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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