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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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Running out of Tramadol, should I get more?
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Member Since:
3 March 2017
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17 March 2017 - 7:02 am
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We are now 9 days after rear leg amputation for Oscar. I have probably another week of Gabapentin, but the initial script of Tramadol runs out today. 

Is it ok to stop the Tramadol this soon?  What should I expect over the next couple of days while he begins to feel more?  Will there be withdrawal symptoms or just pain?

He's been a very quiet and calm patient. No moaning or whining at all.  Gets up to eat and go out. 

Im so nervous about this for him. I'll appreciate any advice and guidance. 

London, UK


Member Since:
15 December 2015
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17 March 2017 - 7:35 am
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I'm not a vet and obviously you'll need to speak to your vet, but my feeling is that it is probably a little early to stop. And, in any case, I wouldn't want to stop suddenly, but perhaps taper off by moving the doses further apart and seeing how Oscar gets on? I'd talk to your vet as even if you do decide to stop, it might be reassuring to have some on hand just in case you need it. It's great that Oscar is doing so well. He sounds like a proper sweetie. 

Meg, Clare and Elsie Pie xxx

Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, 23 November 2023, adopted 12 January 2024.

Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...

The Amazing Adventures of Ruby Tuesday 

My Life as a Megastar

Member Since:
2 December 2016
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17 March 2017 - 7:43 am
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Ditto Clare and the MegaStar! Especially as the staples and sutures are likely still in? Tramadol generally does need to be tapered so there is that as well. And it is never bad to have some on hand in case, unlikely though it may be, Oscar THE WONDERDOG! needs it again at some point. 

Best wishes for Oscar's fantastic recovery, hugs, and PyrPaws all around!

Sunny California
Member Since:
23 February 2010
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17 March 2017 - 9:45 am
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Here's a slightly different take. When my kid (Astro) was recovering, we actually did great with just the gabapentin and only using the tramadol for rough nights when he was having trouble sleeping. That was just our experience, I always felt like the tramadol made him more loopy and anxious than it was worth, so Gaba worked well by itself for us.  That said, you are the best judge of your kids comfort. Never hurts to have it on hand even if you don't use it. I'd chat with your vet about it. Good luck and remember to take it a day at a time!

Cheers,

Kat and Astro

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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17 March 2017 - 9:46 am
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Glad to hear Oscar is doing well. Sounds like he's taking it slow and easy, just like he should be doing this early in recovery. Smart boy!!

Yeah, I'd ask the Vet for a refill of Tramadol, mainly though, because it's good to have on hand.

Generally dogs stay on Tramadol anywhere from twelve to fourteen to twenty-one days, or some variation! Every dog is different and every recovery is different. And generally again and as an example, if Oscar has been taking two Tramadol a day, you might taper off to one a day for a few days and see how he does. Because he's still on the Gabapentin, he still has some pain management in his system anyway.

Check with your Vet, but the Gabapentin is usually the one Vets recommend not stopping cold turkey depending on how long they've been on it. Stopping the Tramadol "cold turkey" isn't an issue. The tapering in the case of Tram is merely to see how well Oscar is doing lowering the dose.

Obviously, I am not a Vet, not giving Vet advice, so speak with your Vet.

Let us know how he's doing, okay? We're here with you!

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!

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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17 March 2017 - 10:24 am
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Agree, Gabapentin you taper off. Tramadol can be stopped but I would withdraw slowly under your vets guidance to see how he does. Talk to your vet though and let us know what s/he says.

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

Livermore, CA




Member Since:
18 October 2009
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17 March 2017 - 10:57 am
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It's great that Oscar is doing well!

Since Oscar has been quiet and comfortable that means he is tolerating the tram.  I've had 3 dogs do just fine on tram, one for two extended periods, but TriPug Maggie was very agitated when she took it, one time she didn't sleep for 12 hours!

While you should not see any withdrawal signs with the Tramadol Oscar may experience more pain.  I've been through two knee surgeries with one of my pugs and I always tapered off the tram to see if he was ready.  If he showed that he was uncomfortable I went back to the original schedule and tried again in a couple days.

If I was in your position I would ask for a refill on the tram for two reasons.  One, to make sure Oscar is comfortable and two because we are up against a weekend (unless your vet is 24/7).

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

Member Since:
3 March 2017
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17 March 2017 - 12:31 pm
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I'm sorry, i forgot to add - I DO have some emergency Tramadol on hand for...emergencies.  So I'm not going to be caugh off guard on the weekend.

I called the vet.  They said it's fine to stop now.  But also if I'm uncomfortable stopping, maybe backing him off to 1/2 the dose along with the GABA for a few days, see how he does.  

Now - about tapering off the Gabapentin...the vet didn't mention anything about it.  Said to take it until we run out (which implies cold-turkey).  We have 13 pills left, currently taking 3 per day (every 8 hours).  How should I start to taper this?  Go down to 2 per day in a few days?

we have followup on Tuesday for stitch removal, so i can talk it all over then, and get another script for Tramadol (for emergencies).  

Thanks for all your help!

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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17 March 2017 - 2:55 pm
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Oh got it! 

So we wrote this article about Gaba a while back:

All About Gabapentin for Tripawd Dogs and Cats

And here's what we have learned from pain management specialists about tapering off:

Lately there’s been some controversy in our Forums and elsewhere about how to stop giving Gabapentin. Some veterinarians say it’s OK to stop Gabapentin suddenly if a Tripawd isn’t taking it for pain. However we’ll take Dr. Petty’s position who says Gabapentin should never be stopped suddenly.

“Forgetting to give a few doses can cause something called rebound pain, which can be as bad or worse than the original pain you were trying to treat.” — Dr. Petty’s Pain Relief for Dogs

As you know, we aren’t veterinarians so please don’t take our word for it about Gabapentin: always talk to your vet and make sure they’re up on the latest Pain Management Guidelines for Cats and Dogs.

It's worth discussing with your vet. You may want to listen to Dr. Courtnery's podcast before you approach the subject, I know it's a bit tricky sometimes to present our vets with information we read online:

http://download.....o-the-vet/

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

Member Since:
3 March 2017
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18 March 2017 - 6:51 am
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So we have backed everything off to twice per day, both the full dose tramadol and the Gabapentin.  I think after a couple of days, I'll try to scale back the tramadol to half-dose (25mg), but only after assessing his pain.

Thanks Jerry for the links to the pain management pages - that article was very informative on helping me assess his pain.

Also, we haven't been massaging.  I'm not sure if it's too early.  He is exhibiting pain in his other feet (won't let me touch, nips at me).  We've started the turmeric paste again in hopes of helping with all the inflammation he has as a little old man, hopefully we'll see some improvement with that.

I also think he has a seroma .  We have a vet visit Tuesday (today is Saturday). It doesn't look angry or infected, so we will ask the vet.  They are removing stitches so probably will have to drain it then anyway.

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