Tripawds Three Legged Dog & Cat Forum Archives
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat. Explore 17+ years of forum archives for stories and answers to questions about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery. Enjoy fresh discussion and connect with members in the new Tripawds Support Circle.
Join The Tripawds Community
Register your free account to join the Tripawds Support Circle. Connecting with members and getting the support you need is now easier than ever with the Circle app!
Easy Photo Upload
Private Messaging
Subscribe to Topics.
Live Chat and much more!
NOTE: Tripawds forums will soon be locked as read only but will always remain online for reference and research. Join Circle to keep the discussion going!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
Hi, I adopted a male 2 year old German Shepherd on May 31st, and he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in his front right leg about 3 weeks later. Took a long time to find an appointment for his amputation but finally did get it amputated before any noticeable matastasis on July 21st. Vets predicted he would adapt really well and quickly as he was already hopping almost exclusively on 3 paws. He reacted really well after surgery and stayed overnight and reportedly was incredibly happy, friendly, and was able to eat fine. Took him home July 22nd, and had the same experience as the vets did. He was hopping around probably even faster than pre op, all of this long after his anesthesia would have worn off. The next day, Friday the 23rd, was more of the same. Saturday was horrible. He woke up around 6 am or so, just shrieking in pain, what I think is phantom pain . He would have at least 3 of these moments that day where I didn't notice any contact made with anything to hurt him, which is what leads me to assume phantom pain . Since Saturday, he hasn't had the amount of phantom pain as he did, but still occasionally has an episode of it. What worries me more than that is how lethargic and dejected he has become. I wouldn't think that his behavior is abnormal for a dog like him post amputation, but considering the happiness, mobility, and appetite that he had before the weekend, makes me a bit concerned with his behavior now. He hasn't eaten or drank anything today, at least to my knowledge, but did reluctantly over the weekend. Is this sort of 180 in behavior common, or something to worry about?
Gabapentin 3x a day 300mg
Carprofen 2x a day 100 MG
Trazodone Every 12 hours as needed
His wound is clean and looks normal also.
Thanks so much for any advice or answers. If you need more info just let me know.
Hi and welcome! So sorry you had to join us here, he is sooo young. Bless you for giving this sweet new family member a shot at a good life on 3 and beating the odds. He sure found you for a reason. What is his name?
it's not uncommon for a new amputee to have a post-op crash. His medication sounds reasonable so I'm wondering what his activity level was like before this happened?
Many times dogs who seem so energetic right after surgery will look so good that it feels safe to let them go for it and play and walk without restrictions. But even young dogs with tons of energy need to be kept calm and on leash for a while. I'm wondering if he has a pulled muscle. Have you tried massaging him up and down his spine to see if he reacts at all? Also, how are your floors? Are they slippery?
Talk to your vet ASAP about his pain signals (everything you are describing is a classic way of dogs telling us they hurt). He may need some medication adjustments and possibly a muscle relaxer (Methocarbomol?) thrown in. Keep his activity level to a bare minimum right now but keep his mind engaged with interactive brain games to keep boredom away.
Let us know what the vet says ok?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks for the advice! His name is Kemba. As far as activity goes, after first adopting him I would take him on runs almost everyday. Once he got a limp this sort of dwindled over time until it was best for him to rest while I look for a surgeon. That being said, he was and is (albeit not really his choice now) probably the laziest German Shepherd I've ever met. Even though he was able to move well after surgery, I never took him off the leash unless inside. He also wasn't really playful, more along the lines of him being able to move quite well if I coaxed him or fed him. My apt is split in half with hardwood floors and carpet on opposite sides. He goes towards the hardwood side alot and I haven't seen him slip yet, but his struggling gait affects him no matter the surface. My vet emailed me today about possibly putting him on a muscle relaxer, which I suppose I'm going to try. Thanks again.
Aww what a great name! The laziness could have a lot to do with his pain levels. Glad you were able to talk to your vet and hope they do come through with some pain relief. Meanwhile yep, do consider adding more traction to your home to make it easier for him to walk on those floors. Keeping the fur between his toes trimmed (and his nails) will also help.
In the meantime please consider taking advantage of the Tripawds Rehabilitation Reimbursement Program. You can get Kemba evaluated by an expert PT to find out how to keep him strong, injury free, and lessen his chance of osteoarthritis at an early age. Over time, the wrong exercise will not do him any favors, so it's why we realllllly encourage folks to go. Also, you can get your first rehab visit paid for so no reason not to do it 🙂 If your vet doesn't work closely with a PT practice let us know and we can help find one for you.
Be sure to see our article, 10 Things to Know About Adopting a Tripawd.
Keep us posted on how he's doing OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Just to give an update on how he's done since this post. Pretty much immediately after making this post, all of the negative aspects of his recovery that I noted almost entirely stopped. He's calm but has the ability to be mobile and moves without any visible issues again. He is eating again and in some ways even better than pre-op (he has weird eating habits), and he is chugging water in a healthy way. He has had no phantom pain in 3 straight days, at least at the times I've been with him, and has only made one small yelp once when he accidentally bumped his incision site. His incision site looks great (or as great as an incision site could look) and he gets his sutures out Wednesday the 3rd, begins minor PT the 5th, then begins chemo on the 9th. I haven't had to actually use any of the additional medicine I got because he just randomly got alot better, which is great of course. Most of his discontent comes solely from the cone, which both of us can't wait to be rid of soon. Thanks again for all the suggestions and the well wishes. I'll be sure to stick around here to pick up any other tips and resources. Thanks!
Catching up just in time to say YAAAAAY KEMBA and. YAAAAY YOU! You both stay the course and have navigated thru the roughest part of recovery!!
Some people do say they see a brighter sparkle even this early in recovery than right before the recovery. It just shows how much a dog hurt before, even though they are so stoic and try to hide the pain.
It's just wonderful that Kemba seems to be on the way to a full recovery and living life large on three!
Update when you can. We'll all be cheering for Kemba!
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!
Well that is GREAT news! Thank you for letting us know.
It's wonderful that he will be going to PT! If you can share what you learned there I know we could all learn from it, so have fun and keep us posted!
Paws crossed that he's on his way to 100%!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
1 Guest(s)
