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Ok, so my pup is 3 days post-op from front right limb amputation. Buckeye is 14 years old and also has significant arthritis in his back knees from previous ligament tears. He especially has problems with his rear right leg (which was his most recent "ACL" tear about 8 months ago - which honestly may have not yet even fully healed). He is really hesitant to walk with the pain in that rear leg, and now missing his front leg on that same side, he is really struggling.
Obviously, its only been 3 days, so I know a lot more time is needed to see how he is really gonna do with walking, but I am worried about his pain. He of course never complains, and he does have a Fentanyl patch on, but thats actually supposed to come off tonight. Other than that, all he has is liquid Meloxicam which is really just an NSAID (like Advil or Alleve). Should he have something more for pain? What were your dogs given? Or is an NSAID the standard.
I've seen some of you also mention supplements and herbs for arthritis pain? Can someone fill me in on some of those products?
And one other thing, I have seen some ads for harnesses with a handle to help tripawds out? Can someone explain how those work, and possibly recommend some low priced options for those?
I want ALL your secrets!!
9:57 pm
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Helpline Hosts
18 October 2009
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Hello,
Glad that Buckeye had a successful surgery.
No, that is not enough pain medicine. Is there any chance that the vet gave a pain injection before he was discharged? My Pug Maggie came home with a fentanly patch, a NASID and tramadol. These days many pups also have gabapentin. There has been some discussions in the vet world and tramadol doesn't really work but I know from going through two knee surgery recoveries with my quad-Pug that it does for some dogs.
Here are Nutrition Blog Search Results for Arthritis to give you some ideas for supplements.
My quad Pug Tani had terrible arthritis in all four legs and her back, she was diagnosed at 6 years old. We started with supplements to help her joints that included glucosimine and fish oil. Later we added the NSAID rimadyl, a low dose that we slowly increased. When she became painful again we added gabapentin, again a low dose that we gradually increased. When that stopped working I was thinking I was close to having to make the 'quality of life' decision when my vet suggested adequan injections. Adequan got us almost two more years, she passed due to strokes when she was almost 15.
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
Maggie's Story Amputation and Chemo
Find me now on Tripawds Circle
10:10 pm
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Bucketeers
22 February 2013
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As far as pain meds, yes, he should definitely have more than just the Meloxicam! Good for you for recognizing that! I don't know if the patch has any meds left in it, but I wouldn't take it off until the Vet gets you those other pain meds asap!
Most dogs here come home with TRAMADOL, GABAPENTIN, RIMADYL (OR MELOXICAM) and an antibiotic. It takes some tweaking to get the proper doses given within a timeframe to keep the pain at bay. Can you imagine a human being sent home with basically just as aspirin? It's MAJOR surgery and it hurts!
I kmow from uour other post about her lack of 
, you are calling your Vet tomorrow anyway. So take a strong stand and say you want the Tramdadol and Gabapentin! They work very well together.
I wouldn't worry about mobility at this point. The patch is probably making her a bit woozy, plus the fact thar he's trying to recover from major surgery while adjusting to three legs. Add that she's....er....very...er...MATURE and just not feeling like pawtying yet!
Others can advise on harnesses. In the meantime, you can use a towel as a sling to help her up. Although, my Happy Hannah just froze if I tried to use a aling to help her. Silly girl!😂
Might check into Adequan injections, Dasequan pills, Rimadyl or Meloxicam (Metacam) fish oils, tumeric...just a couple of suggestions for arthritis.
Might consult with a Rehab Vet too so you can maintain good use in all his limbs. Did he have any Rehab after his ACL surgery?
I think once you get his pain managed better, he may be more comfortable and willing to use his leg more. Sloooow and easy right now though. Lots of rest, rest, rest.
You're doing a good job! This is still soooo early in recovery. Stay connected and let us know how he's doing. Try and get some rest yourself, okay? And a nose pin for the salami toots😂 If anyone reading this hasn't read your other post, they have no clue what I'm referencing!!
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!
Definitely need more pain meds.
I think we were on the light end. Rocky had Tramadol, Deramaxx and an antibiotic. I also gave him Benadryl and Pepcid. I weaned him off the Tramadol, but he was on it for at least three weeks after the surgery.
Dasuquin or Cosequin are both recommended for general joint health. You might want to look into those.
I got a relatively cheap harness with a handle at Petco. But we never really used it. Rocky was up and hopping around the first day he was home. He refused to go on walks with the harness; he insisted on the leash.
David and Rocky (and Baxter now too!)
Rocky had his right front leg amputated on Valentine's Day 2017 after being diagnosed with osteosarcoma.
He joined the September Saints on September 3, 2017.
He is the toughest, bravest, sweetest and best friend I'll ever know.
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