Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Great to hear Rocky is home and on the road to recovery.
But I am still feeling a little overwhelmed with the thoughts of "did I do the right thing for him". I think I did, but because I am only in day 1, well you know.
I don't think it would be normal if you didn't go through this phase at lease once during recovery! It's not an easy thing for us, the pups and kitties do pretty well actually. Add the stress of dealing with diagnosis and surgery, some sleep deprivation, and a dash of fear of the unknown, well you know....
You will have some rough days but you will get through, we all did. Keep your eyes on the end goal of giving Rocky a chance for more quality, pain free time with you.
As far as tapering off gaba- there is conflicting guidance. Some vets say you need to taper, some say not. Gaba is also used in higher doses as a seizure control medication and it definitely has to be tapered in that case. My quad pug Tani took gaba for her arthritis and my vet always told me to taper if we ever stopped, although she was on it for a very long time which was probably a factor.
For me and my dogs I like to taper off all pain meds unless they have only been on them for a few days. It helps me know if they are ready to reduce or come off of the meds.
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
Karen, thank you for the words of encouragement. I need that right now.
As far as the Gaba, I will cross that bridge a little later anyway. He has been doing pretty good so far on it. I saw a few people (or maybe a couple) say that their dogs would yelp every now and then, almost like phantom pain . He did do this about a half hour after he was home, only for a quick second, then was fine. He hasn't done it since. So I am hopeful he is now adjusting to it and is good.
Keep happy thoughts for us 
ROCKY IS HOME AND HAPPILY DRUGGY!!!
DITTO Karen!
He still has good hospital meds in him for another day or so. Sometimes once the medsare outof his system,that's when you really have to start tweaking the meds and see what doses when work best for him. Of course, make no changes without discussing with your Vet first. Don't focus in that right now. Just keep a good notebook of when the doses are given ad if he has any pain breakthrough before the next dose.
Eating and pooping maybe a vit off for a few days. Drinking and peeing are important though.
Recovery is no picnic and it's full of ups and downs for the first two weeks or so. TRY and get some rest when you can...a little nap here and there.
STAY CONNECTED!! We've all been where you are...and we all got through it! It's MAJOR SURGERY and it will take awhile for Rocky to get his spsrkle back...but he will!! 🙂
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!
Thanks Sally! Yes, he is on his way. Good eating and all of those bodily functions, check. I'm very thankful for the little things like that. I just have to keep my younger pup a little less wanting to play so he can rest (she can be a pain sometimes
). She's been pretty good for the most part. I go back to school Thursday, but I am hoping by then he'll be ok for a couple hours at a time alone. I work within 5 minutes of home so I'll be coming in to check on him on that day. After that, I have until next Tuesday before I go back. All should be good.
I will keep posting as the days go.
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