Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Radar went off pain meds yesterday. He spent most of the afternoon and half the night crying. I am in tune with him and if he is crying or restless, I can't sleep either so I sit up comforting him and trying not to worry.
I know it's a matter of adjustment and I need to give him time but it's tearing me up. I'm only posting because I feel the need to talk about it and if anyone has any suggestions they are welcome. Could his issues be a withdrawel from the pain meds? Or should I request more pain medication for a bit longer? He is 9 days post surgery now.
He is also off food for the last couple of days - I know this is normal.
Connie & Radar
Have the routines been the same since post-op? Was the discontinuing of the pain meds the only difference?
If so, I would be guessing that he might still be feeling some degree of pain, or discomfort.
It probably is a good idea to get him a little bit pain meds. Perhaps not 1 cap 3 times day as prescribed, maybe space it out to every 12 hours.
Some amputees might feel phantom limb pain too, but it might be too early to distinguish what kind of pain (if any) it is in Radar's case, since he is only 9 days post-op.
If you can't get hold of the vet for more pain meds until Monday, for the time being, give him some cold/warm compress to the wound, or even put a little pressure onto the wound with both of your palms covering the wound, (don't rub, just contant light weight pressure perpendicular from the top).
Hope it is just mild pain Radar is feeling, but nothing else.
Please keep us posted.
Puddin went off her meds Wed except for a prevocox but since she seemed to do worse. We had some tramadol left from our local vet even though the ortho only gave enough to make it to Wed. We started her back on tramadol friday. She seems to be resting more comfortably but has had no appetite and seems constipated but when she finally goes its more upset. Probably from the meds. Shes been doing this whining which just breaks your heart and u don't know what to do. Im sure it's just going to take some time 4 her to get back to herself and then we've just got to keep a watch on where the cancer may return. We haven't got the report back to know what type of cancer it is. Keep us posted on Radar and I'll do the same with Puddin maybe in a couple of days they'll be feeling better.
Dawn
Thanks for the tips Genie. The routines have been the same. Other than going off the pain meds, he had a dressing change yesterday morning. We are wondering if the new dressing is somehow pinching or irritating the stitches. He is also very irritible and really wants to be left alone which is very unlike himself. I just put a cold pack in the freezer and will give that a try along with the pressure.
Thank you Dawn, sounds like Puddin and Radar are on the same schedule here. Hopefully they will both feel better soon. I will let you know if the coldpack and pressure help.
I didn't have any dressing on my surgery wound, and was only on Tramadol after my surgery, for a couple weeks. But I never cried out, so I'm not sure what to say.
Perhaps he could be having withdrawl symptoms off the stronger meds. I wouldn't recommend additional medication. But I'm no vet.
I do know how it tears you up, but here's one thing to consider... Running to his side and comforting radar every time he cries out, will just reinforce the behavior. Us dogs are gluttons for attention that way.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
The cold packs do seem to help and he remains quiet and rests as long as he remains still. The minute he moves he starts crying again. As I said he is very irritable so I have been trying to give him some space but, yea it's hard.
Our vet had told us to bring a t-shirt to put on him on Wednesday when he gets his stitches out (no dressing at that time). As i am worried about the dressing pinching or pulling on something I am going to call her today and ask about removing the dressing and putting him in a t-shirt now. maybe that will make him more comfortable.
If we do this I'll let you know how he's doing. I'm thinking if it was withdrawel he would be starting to feel better by now and he isn't.
Connie & Radar
Hi Connie, Hi Radar...I didn't cry out in pain, but i showed my discomfort with lots and lots of panting and very little sleep. I stayed on the pain meds for 2 weeks post op until my stitches and bandage came off. Once that happened, it made a HUGE difference.
It's a roller coaster rider the first couple weeks...tell your mom to hang in there and try to be upbeat and positive as we furry family members pick up on any anxiety or stress that our pawrents are feeling.
Let us know what happens with the dressing...
Love and prayers,
Zeus and Mom
Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together
Talked to the vet and we did take the dressing off. Incision appears to have stopped draining and the stitches look tight and dry. Possibly that is what is bothering him and once the stitches are out he will get more relief.
He does seem to be more comfortable in his t-shirt and is moving around the house more. still cries occasionally but not nearly as much as he was. I did use a cold pack (wrapped in a towel) on the incision area after removing the dressings. He panted a bit at first but then let out a large shuddering sigh and relaxed. I feel like I'm making a difference for him. At the moment he is sleeping deeply.
Thanks for the support. I know that, for me anyway, just talking through this stuff helps.
You are definitely making a difference. We dogs try to be so strong, it's a relief when we finally give in and let our humans help us feel better.
Little steps / hops, they all add up, and will take you both on the road to healing.
Anytime you need to talk, we're here. Keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
oh that is good news...I bet he will feel even better after the stitches come out. One more day - We're so happy to hear that he is resting soundly - he is probably so exhausted.
Keep us posted and this is what we do for each other - listen and try to give as much love, support and prayers as possible...it helps so much to share this experience with others who understand just how deep our love goes for our pets.
Sleep well tonight.
Love Zeus and Mom
Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together
Radar is still crying but like I said is fine when laying down. It is only when he is bearing weight.
I started hanging back and watching him walk when out in the yard and it appeared that he was using the right rear leg funny. So I watched that leg when he was getting up and down when crying. And he is trying to not put weight on it and yes there is a limp. Although it took me looking at it to really see it because I am not used to his new gait yet.
We tried manipulating the leg (while lieing down) and can't find the sore spot. Possibly in the hip. He has a vet appointment today and I'll have her look at it.
I am worried and scared for him. He never cried with the cancer on his front leg so this must be much more painful. While it could be something as simple as a pulled muscle, I do worry about the osteosarcoma appearing in the rear leg as well. I don't know what we would do if that was the case.
As many of you know me well by now, hearing of a tripawd starting to limp really psychs me out.
That said, Connie, since it has not been two weeks since Radar's surgery, it might not be as bad as you thought in his case. There could be something related to the wound or his adjusting to the new walk more than anything else.
You probably have mentioned elsewhere, but I keep forgetting ... any chance it was Radar's left front which was amputated?
From what I understand, the rear leg diagonal to the amputated front leg has to work a lot harder than the other rear leg.
See what the vet would suggest in today's appointment. It might be worthwhile to take x-rays (or better yet, scans) on his lower spine, hips and leg bones.
Please let us know about what the vet says today.
Stay positive!
Yes it is the left front that was amputated. Watching him move the right rear takes the brunt of the workload.
Will let you know what the vet says.
Our vet feels that it is possibly a tendon pull due to him overextending the rear leg to catch or balance himself. She has given him a shot of steroids (not my favorite thing however) and if we don't see an improvement by friday she will give him something else for the pain.
Sorry if I've been annoying. Just been worrying worrying worrying.
borzoid said:
Sorry if I’ve been annoying. Just been worrying worrying worrying.
No, not at all. It is okay to worry. I would be worried about you if you were not worrying about Radar! 🙂
That tells you take the time and effort to observe his every move, even down to every subtle detail. The fact that they cannot communicate to us like human, that we need to be proactive.
Please keep is posted on how Radar is doing!
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