TRIPAWDS: Home to 22920 Members and 2149 Blogs.
HOME » NEWS » BLOGS » FORUMS » CHAT » YOUR PRIVACY » RANDOM BLOG

Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.

JUMP TO FORUMS

Join The Tripawds Community

Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:

Instant post approval.

Private messages to members.

Subscribe to favorite topics.

Live Chat and much more!

Please consider registering
Guest
Search
Forum Scope


Match



Forum Options



Minimum search word length is 3 characters - maximum search word length is 84 characters
Register Lost password?
sp_Feed sp_PrintTopic sp_TopicIcon-c
Question on post surgical pain management
sp_NewTopic Add Topic
Member Since:
18 November 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
1
22 November 2013 - 5:12 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory sp_QuotePost

Im sure this has other threads but I can not find them this morning.  Guess my brain is just not working right.  Please feel free to send me to other posts :)

 

My 10 year old boxer had his front leg amputated at 8pm Wed night.  When I talked to them yesterday morning he was in a lot of pain and would cry out whenever he moved. I think they increased his pain medications but he still was only offering to sit up at the end of the day.

 

So my questions are what drugs are are most amputees getting post-op? and how much pain should you expect to see?  Is it normal for them to cry out (aka scream like Ive never heard him cry) everytime the crate opens (and he jumps a little)?

 

Thank you in advance!

Kelly 

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
2
22 November 2013 - 9:32 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Hi Kelly! Sorryyou have to be here ut you've come to the right place!

We all inderstand. I t is such a scarey time. Far more so for us humans than our pets!!

Yes, between the potent hospital meds and major surgeey, a dog's behavior can vary greatly. Some vets use a Fentynal patch (morphine) and some dogs do not react very well with that one at all.

My Happy Hannah was on Tramadol and Gabapentin and Rimadyl. When she first came home I was up almost 24 hours straight because she was crying, yelping, would ot sit still for more than a mnute. Not a fun time. Yes, she would let out a loud, ear piercing yelp ot of the bliue.

Of course I'm no vet, but as long as your vet isn't concerned, I would certainly say this is very "normal" So etimes it takes a good 24 48 hours for the dogs to start to stand, walk, etc.

Tell us more avout your pup. Age? Size? Reason for amp? And please come back to us today after yo speak with the ver and give us an update. And dn't hesitate to call your vet with any questions or concerns, okay?

Now, B R E A T H E.....Your pup is out of surgery and that's great!!! Take a look at Jerry's Required Reading List and the tripawd e-boos.
You are ot alone, okay? We are here right byyour side! Had it not been for the kind ess of people on this site and the wo derful inflr atin shared I would nave gone off the deep end! They through me a life line and I haven't let go since.

Okay, don't forget the B R E A T H E thing AND devour lots of chocolate!! Lots and lots!!

Look forward to your update!

((((((((((((hugs to you)))))))))))

Sally and Happy Hannah

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!

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
Member Since:
18 November 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
4
22 November 2013 - 3:39 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Thank you guys so much. I did purchase the library and have been driving my vet nuts.  I guess today he has stopped SCREAMING every time he moves.  I was on the phone with them yesterday when he cried out and .... I nearly started crying then.  He is on Tramadol and Gabapentin, gabapentin started today (guess I wasn't pushy enough pre-surgery).  He is a 10 year old boxer, with a soft tissue sarcoma on the back of his paw.  It actully pushed his dew-claw out so the x-ray looked like a broken bone\.  The biopsy results indicated a slow growing variety, but we were closing in on the skin rupturing so our decisions were limited.  I expected him to have some pain, but if it hurst to breath--- well it breaks my heart. I know all dogs are different, but I cant help but 2nd guess.....  Just want to make sure he is as comfy as possible.  Thanks again!

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
5
22 November 2013 - 3:50 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Awww I'm sorry that is tough! Always remember you're not being pushy you're being a good advocate for your pup. The gaba should kick in soon, hang in there. Thanks for buying the library!

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

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
6
22 November 2013 - 10:31 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Thanks for coming back to update us and tell us more avut your wnderful Boxer.

Sou ds like todayis a touch better And boy oh boy do I understand the secnd guessng routne! My first post was "Six days after rear leg amputation and I fear I've made horrible decision". I was off the deep end with doubt and questioning mu decisin! Just know that's part of the process.

Once recovery takes place, your boy will be ot of pain and enjoying all the loving and spoiling you can give him!

And by the way.......it was the best decision ever!!! Getting ready to celebrate her nine month amputatin and cntinuing forward (knocking on wood)! We are havng the most blissfully happy time and enjoying every sacred secnd!! A week or two of rough recover for this?? HECK YEAH!!!

Stay with us and update us tomorrow! We're right here with you!!

Don't forget the breathing thing.....and chocolate!!!

Take care and get some sleep tonight! Your dog is still high as a kite and probably counting sheep and a few pink elephants!

Sally and Happy Hannah

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 November 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
7
24 November 2013 - 6:32 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

We got to pick up Austin late last night.  He seems to be getting better and better.  Keith got some tail wags out of him when we were picking him up at the clinic.  He settled in and and was pretty quiet for the night.  I got him up this morning around 6 and his pain still seemed to be manageable (gabapentin is every 24 hours so he was at a daily low on meds).  His appetite has been low since the surgery.  Last night he didnt show any interest in canned food mixed with his dry food, but he ate it overnight in the crate:)  So Im hoping the worst is behind us.  Thanks for all the love and concern!

 

This community is great and really helped my family (IE crazy me!) get through this challenging transition.  Thanks again for all the support!

Columbia, MO
Member Since:
10 December 2011
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
8
24 November 2013 - 8:29 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

You're not crazy!  We've all been there and tend to get crazed over every little thing during the recovery process.  In hindsight I was fortunate as Daisy's recovery was pretty uneventful, but at the time I panicked at every little thing.  She hopped out to greet me when I picked her up the day after surgery.  I think she was still hopped up on the good drugs they had been giving her.

Daisy was sent home with tramadol and Deramaxx for pain and inflammation.  She had already been on the Deramaxx since she was 5 y.o. for her arthritis.

I couldn't get Daisy to eat her regular kibble or can food.  I had to hand feed her boiled chicken and hot dogs.  I figured that was ok because at least I was getting something in her.

Austin will just continue to get better and better and before you know it he'll be back to his usual self.

Marla and Daisy

My Two Tripawds...Biscuit and Spirit Daisy

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
9
24 November 2013 - 12:42 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Yay! Sounds like you've got a good pain management program going on.

Believe it or not, that IS progress. Little by little you'll start seeing glimmers of his old self. Treasure and celebrate each new milestone and before you know it you'll realize that it's all behind you.

 

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

New Jersey
Member Since:
25 May 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
10
24 November 2013 - 6:20 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Congrats on bringing Austin home. I'm sure your both relieved to have him home. For him there is really no place like home! Most of us find the first few weeks the most challenging. Take one day at a time, it's major surgery and they need quiet rest to get stronger. pain management can be a process. Sounds like your a wonderful advocate for him with the vetsclap. We'll keep our paws crossed you guys have a smooth recoup.

Esther and her Snoop

Member Since:
18 November 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
11
26 November 2013 - 9:42 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

We are seeing small improvements everyday.  He still does not want a ton of activity but Im asking him it hop a few extra steps at each bathroom break outside.  He seems to tire and is ready to get into the crate again to lay down but I feel so much better that he is not in terrible pain now.  Thank so much for all the feed back!  It really did help me when I was kinda loosing my mind :)

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
12
26 November 2013 - 10:19 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Thanks for the update! You and Austin are family ya' know!

This is still a rough time and it's hard to notice the little baby steps of improvement, but they are there! By this time next week the mprovements may be a little more "noticeable" and a little more consistent!

Have you gotten him chicken and steak yet? Yeah, I'm serious! Whatever it takes to get him a little more excited...a little perkier! Maybe in another couple of days, or sooner, have someone he likes come over. It's amazing sometimes how just being "excited" about a knock on the door or a different energy in the room will get more tail wags!

You are doing great!! You are!! I was still "at the edge of insanity" during that time! But I held to the sane people here and made it through! Of course, to the rest of the world, people who go around chopping their dog's leg off are totally nuts!!

You keep hangng in there, okay? And relish in the celebration of evsry improvement!

Lots of ((((((((hugs)))))))))) and love!

Sally and Happy Hannah

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!

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
13
26 November 2013 - 11:00 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

For less than a week out of surgery, this sounds really great.

Whenever you start to feel like you're about to lose it, try to put yourself in his paws and think about how you would handle this type of recovery. Most humans would be a lot worse off than any dog or cat after amputation surgery. He's doing alright, it's just hard to go through this but pretty soon the light at the end of the tunnel will shine brightly.

Yay!

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

Forum Timezone: America/Denver
Most Users Ever Online: 946
Currently Online: Cyndi N
Guest(s) 124
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 1267
Members: 17688
Moderators: 6
Admins: 3
Forum Stats:
Groups: 4
Forums: 24
Topics: 18591
Posts: 256676
Administrators: admin, jerry, Tripawds
Tripawds is brought to you by Tripawds.
HOME » NEWS » BLOGS » FORUMS » CHAT » YOUR PRIVACY » RANDOM BLOG