Tripawds Three Legged Dog & Cat Forum Archives

zoyjewel said
Hello to my secret supporters.  All of you have no idea how much I have been relying on your posts for about two week now since my sweet best friend, Zoy pronounced like "Joy" but with a "Z" started with a slight limp on her front leg.  

 

She was just recovering so nicely from a recent meniscus repair and having her plates removed from a TPLO 3 years ago.  I just thought she had a little sprain from being allowed to have more exercise, but because of her orthopedic issues I took her in right away.  Absolutely a devastating day to find out Zoy had x-rays suspect of osteosarcoma.  So started my journey and finding this site. 

 

We made quick decisions to amputate and start chemo soon.  Zoy had surgery on Monday and was home by Tuesday afternoon.  She is a life loving energetic labrador who was reported by the surgery team to have a excellent recovery post surgery and had great promise to do well since she preferred to walk on her own without help and was so "spunky".  Since being home, Zoy is doing well going out with a sling, eating, and drinking if I put a dash of broth in the bowl, and even had her first bowel movement today, who knew I could be so proud of my pup figuring out how to defecate on three legs?  

 

What is so troubling is the constant whining and crying.  I can't tell, is she is in pain, or just off from the pain meds, or sad?  It is so hard to hear and so difficult to comfort her.  If she is not eating or outside going on a potty break, she is crying.  Last night she slept well for about 7 hours then she was up for two hours crying. I figured it was time for more Tramodol so I gave another dose, she then slept for two more hours.  But today just constant crying, it is breaking my heart.  What else can I do to comfort her?  Massage helps a bit but they she starts right back up again.

 

I know well enough from this sight I need to be patient and hold out a couple of weeks, but I just can't help that I might be missing something and she is in more distress.  Has anyone else had this prolonged crying?  I want to help her I just don't know how.

 

Juliana and Zoy   

I think I am in your boat. Diamond had front left leg amputated ten days ago. Osteosarcoma. First 4-5 days went pretty well. Then the howling, crying, whimpering started. She is on tramadol, carprofen and gabapentin. Eating, drinking a lot, going potty just fine. Moving ok on three legs. No fever and wound site looks fine. Sleeping a lot. But when she first hops to her feet - oh the howling!  Yes it breaks your heart. I am hoping she is disoriented and confused w the drugs. We go for stitch removal in two days. Wondering if it’s time to try a pain killer that’s less of a knock out drug.