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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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Hero is screaming :-( advice please
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Member Since:
5 September 2014
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13 September 2014 - 7:13 am
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Hi All, 

Our 8.5 year old chow mix had a left forelimb amputation on Tuesday, and by all accounts has been doing wonderfully. However, in the last 24 hours, he has literally screamed three times. Twice he was getting up, and once he was laying on his bed. We go over to him and soothe him and be calm, and he calms down. It is so heartbreaking. I called the emergency vet to see what we could do. We've been giving him tramodol and rimadyl (both of which he's been on before without problems), and they may put him on gabapentin as well later. Please let me know what else we can do to help with this screaming. It is absolutely heartbreaking and we want him to be ok. Any thoughts or experiences welcomed and appreciated.

Thanks so much. 

Virginia
Member Since:
26 January 2014
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13 September 2014 - 8:05 am
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My first thought was Gabapentin, it helps with nerve pain. The way our vet described it to us was that when the nerves get cut, they keep trying to fire signals off but those signals have no place to go. I'm not sure if that's what he's experiencing but it sure seems like a possibility. I'm not sure what else you could do in the meantime but I found this article:

http://tripawds.....pawd-dogs/

My Jake never really screamed but he'd jump up and yelp like he had been stung by a bee or something. Our vet said it was phantom leg pain b/c of the nerves. 

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”  

      

On The Road


Member Since:
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13 September 2014 - 9:16 am
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The sudden outbursts you describe could certainly indicate phantom pain . Gabapentin can certainly help, and many have found Farabloc to provide relief. Review the tips for relieving phantom limb pain in dogs in the Downloads blog and don't miss our video interview with Dr Pam discussing phantom pain and other common complications.

Hope this helps! Please keep us posted.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Los Angeles, CA
Member Since:
13 June 2013
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13 September 2014 - 9:30 am
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We didn't have phantom pain either but it does sound like that is what Hero is experiencing. I am so sorry... 

My girl, Shelby, would leap up and run to the otherside of the room and look back for her leg (I guess). I would massage the area gently. You might try that too.

I know it's hard. Hang in there!

alison with the spirit of shelby fur-ever in her heart 

Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.

October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014

Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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13 September 2014 - 9:50 am
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OKAY.....take a couple of deep breaths....B R E A T H E.......B R E A T H E.........B R E A T H E.

Awww....I know its hard to see Hero in pain...but this IS fixable!

You've gotten great advice and links. I just want to DITTO the GABAPENTIN ASSP!! Many, many dogs here are on all three drugs during the first wo seeks. The Gaba xeems to be the one that specifically blocks the nerve pain. Also, around three days after amputation is when the hospital meds are pretty much out of their system and this is the time you might see a little crash as you get the pain meds adjusted.

Overall though, it sounds like that cute boy has been doing okay...considering he just had major surgery and is adjusting to three legs!

See if you can get that prescription for the Gabapentin and get Hero started on that.

Stay connected to us...this recovery process can be a little rough. But boy oh boy, when his sparkle starts coming back it is just wonderful!

(((((((((((((((((((((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!

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5 September 2014
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13 September 2014 - 10:10 am
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Thank you guys so much. I ran to the vet and got him gabapentin and gave it to him immediately. He is resting on his bed now. I also am going to check out the recommended reading and videos. Breathe is right - I don't think I could breathe when he was screaming. Such a heartbreaking sound. Reading your stories and words gives me hope - that the recovery is like a sine wave, up and down. He has been doing incredible - outside to potty, steps with help…and he's wanting to be in his favorite spots in the house. When I walked into the house from the vet a few minutes ago, he walked to the door to greet me. Made me cry. 

Thanks all so much! 

On The Road


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13 September 2014 - 10:18 am
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Oh I'm so glad to hear it seems like it's helping. Do check out the doggie massage posts too, it seems like Hero is really responsive to touch so that will go a long way during recovery and beyond. Good luck today! Don't forget if you need anything you can try checking into the Tripawds Chat (evenings are best) to see if anyone can help answer your questions. Keep us posted!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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13 September 2014 - 10:41 am
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OH MY...WAS THAT THE BEST SIGHT EVER OR WHAT? Hero walking up to greet you!!! You still have a lot of ups and downs to go through...and probably some ore whining, but Hero just showed you he'll pull throughnthis recovery and get on with living life to the fullest!!

YAAAAAAAAAAY. HERO.....AND MOM TOO!! Great team

Hugs and Love

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!

Member Since:
18 September 2013
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13 September 2014 - 1:11 pm
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Glad to hear that your vet prescribed the Gabapentin right away!  Tuck did not experience phantom pain but many others in this fine community have and it seems to be the answer for most.

Hero is early in the recovery process but it sounds like he is doing very well.  As Sally said....breathe....snuggle Hero when you can....and come back here and celebrate all of his firsts with all of us here who have been and/or still are on this journey with our furbabies.

Hugs

Linda and Tucker

Member Since:
5 February 2014
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13 September 2014 - 6:37 pm
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Ditto what all my pals say above.  My Bailey was reacting to the Tramadol but she is super sensitive.  Things will get better.  Just having him great you at the door is a wonderful sign.  Like sally says and it's hard sometimes... but breathe...  I hold my breath a lot. But my Bailey has had some major complications so she is very different than most on here. She is 7 going on 8.

Hugs and keep up the good work.  Just remember meds can do all kinds of weird things and each fur baby is different, keep notes and times then if he has a reaction it helps figure out either the dosage or med needs to be adjusted.

Wonderful news about the Gab. that is what we are using as well.

 

HUGS,

Tracy and Bailey

Member Since:
5 September 2014
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13 September 2014 - 6:54 pm
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Hi again friends, 

How long did the screaming last for you? A few weeks? It happened again tonight at about 7:30, after the surgery staff left. I can call the emergency vet to see if something else would work. Hero was put on gabapentin, three times per day. I can't get him up to do anything (like try to go potty outside). He did go pee outside once today. He had a runny poop not yesterday, but the day before. He is eating 1-3 cans of wet food per day and taking his medication in peanut butter. He is drinking water whenever I offer it for the most part. No other acute signs of pain - generally when he tries to get up. We have some marble in the entry way of our house (it's very small) and he was laying on that to stay cool I believe. I had to move him so that I could walk our other dog. He didn't want to move at first, and when my hubby and I helped him move he started to scream. He's laying down on the wood floor now, and I am sure he has to pee. I am dreading trying to move him. If he's relaxed and calm and fine should I try to get him to go pee outside? It smells like he is passing gas as well and don't know if he has to poop. At this point, I don't care if he poops on the floor bc he doesn't want to move and is in pain. This is so tough. 

Thanks so much for your support, 

Erin and Hero

Virginia
Member Since:
26 January 2014
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13 September 2014 - 7:43 pm
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It might take a little while for the gabapentin to start doing its thing, so hang in there. My Jake had phantom limb pains for at least a few weeks afterwards. Hero is very early in recovery, letting him rest is probably the best thing. I personally wouldn't worry about getting him up to go to the bathroom, between all the meds he's probably feeling pretty loopy! The great news is that he's eating, and taking his meds! That is HUGE. My Jake would also lay on the cool floor, totally normal...especially for the more fluffy dogs. If he's been up moving around a bit (like when he greeted you at the door), he could be a bit sore too. It really takes a lot out of them to move around even a little bit at this stage. 

Hang in there!! 

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”  

      

Member Since:
27 August 2014
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13 September 2014 - 7:57 pm
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My Jack had her forelimb amputated almost three weeks ago and was experiencing similar-sounding pain, starting 4 days after the surgery. We first tried Gabapentin, which didn't seem to do much good for her, and added on methocarbomal a couple days after. I noticed that the screaming coincided with muscle spasms in her shoulder / chest area around the incision and the methocarbomal is a muscle relaxant, which took care of both the spasms and most of the screaming. It's very unsettling- I'm so sorry you and Hero are going through this. 

The other thing which made a big difference for Jack was icing the area - I'd put a bag of frozen peas on her shoulder, over her jacket, whenever she started crying and she would settle down immediately. The spasms and pain lasted just over 2 full weeks for her, and 15 days after the surgery she really started to seem herself again. Hang in there! 

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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14
13 September 2014 - 10:19 pm
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Good advice from "Jake" and "Jack" and "Bailey".

I will also add that my Happy Hannahwhimpered and whined and yelped pretty much nonetten hours straight when she first came home. I'm not sure this early on you even need to distinguish what "type" of pain it is......this early on and for the next several days, itr lain from major surger. Humans would be in the hospital for weeks and on a morphine drip!

The floor feels cool to him. And yeah, I'm with the others, let him poop and pee if he's resting comfortably.rather than trying to wake him.

You'll get tired of us saying this for n ow...but it's very early in recovery and you'll just see little tiny glimpses of sparkle every now and then....but theye coming slowly!!

Yes, this is very, veey hard! He is eating, drinking, pooping and peeing......so that IS good!!

You'll still jave to adjust his pain meds...under vet supervision...to find the right balance. Gaba three times a day may soon be cut to twice.

Stay connected tonus...we are all here for you!

(((((((((((((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!

Member Since:
18 June 2014
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14 September 2014 - 7:56 am
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Oh I know it is painful for you. Unfortunately it takes time to get the right med combination. Hero sounds like he is progressing well. Hang in there and use us.

Laurie

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