Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi. I adopted Jameson a little over a week ago. He is about 1 year old puppy and recovering from front left limb amputation about 2 months ago. He was still on medication when I adopted him 1.2ml gabapentin twice a day. I have an appointment with the vet on Tuesday but wanted to check in here if anyone had some advice. I know he's in a new environment and behaviors can vary depending on that but his behavior has changed drastically since the completion of his medication. Is it possible he could be withdrawaling from this medication? Or is it possible he could still be in pain? His incision site looked completely healed but just yesterday started bleeding slightly, should this be something to worry about?
Hi and thanks for joining, and adopting Jameson!
You're very observant for noting his change in behavior. Just curious but what was the reason for his amputation?
When you say his behavior has changed, can you describe it? What does he do that makes you concerned?
Regarding the incision . . when you say bleeding, is the fluid more watery / pinkish than bloody? If so it may just be residual fluid from a seroma that never drained.
Sorry I know I have more questions than insight but if you can give us more details we can offer some input. We're so glad you joined us! Your future posts won't need approval so post away.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi there, and welcome to you and Jameson!
Ditto Jerry's questions. Can you tell us a bit more?
Also, re the gabapentin. Did you stop that suddenly or gradually reduce the dose? It's important with gabapentin to reduce the dose gradually, and I'm just thinking if he was on twice a day when you got him, and you've only had him a week, and have already stopped completely.... This could be causing some withdrawal symptoms. Do you know how long he was on the gabapentin for?
Look forward to hearing more and getting to know you and Jameson.
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...
Hi! Thanks for your replies! He's been on the gabapentin same dose since amputation in october. I am aware that this medication needs to be weaned off of but I was following the instruction from the vet at the shelter to stop on 12/22. I guess that what was cause to be so observant of his behavior. As far as those changes, his energy level has been super elevated (he is young so I guess that is to be expected) although it's almost like an anxiety energy where he's unable to sit still. He lays down and it's almost like he can't get comfortable in any spot. Lots of panting and it seems as though his heart rate is fast and short breaths. Very watery teary eyes I've noticed as well. In regards to the bleeding it was not bad and scabbed over pretty quickly. It was a lighter red color and it doesn't seem to bother him. Mostly just cause for concern for me!
And your question about his need for amputation: the shelter told me Jameson was a stray and they think he got hit by a car. Both his front limbs were fractured and the left one was not healing correctly and they decided it needed to be amputated.
Gosh, he really has been through it. How wonderful that he now has a whole new life to look forward to with you.
Re the gabapentin, I am not a vet, but I would agree with you that this does sound to me like a reaction to coming off the meds. I wonder why the vet thought to stop it so abruptly, especially after he had been on it so long. I do find that surprising, but of course I don't know the full picture. Would it be possible to contact that vet, or else take Jameson to see a different one rather than waiting till Tuesday? Perhaps if they were able to restart the gabapentin, and the symptoms subsided then that would help to determine what is going on?
Good courage. I know it's stressful when a dog is agitated, but I am quite sure you will soon get to the bottom of it, and Jameson will be feeling much calmer and settled in his new home.
All best wishes,
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...
Hello and welcome and congrats on adopting Jameson!
Two months seems a long time to be on gabapentin after amputation- most dogs we see here are off pain meds 2 or 3 weeks after surgery. It also seems odd that there would still be seepage 2 months out. Do you know if there were any complications after his surgery like an infection? It does make sense that he would be on pain meds longer though since his other front leg was broken. Has that leg been checked to see if it has healed properly and completely? It is taking a lot of weight now as a Tripawd.
One possible withdrawal symptom from gabapentin is pain which might be coming through to you as anxiety. Some of what you describe with Jameson are indicators of pain.
My quad pug Tani was on gabapentin for a long time to help with her arthritis so I did some research on the med. Gabapentin is also used to control seizures, in that case the dose is generally much higher than when it is used for pain meds. I read somewhere that some vets don't think tapering is needed when the drug is used for pain. When my dogs have been on a pain med for a long time, no matter what the med, I taper them off (in conjunction with my vet).
It seems prudent to get him seen before next Tuesday if you can. I hope you can get some answers and get your boy comfortable.
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
Hi Jameson and Mum
i would like to ditto what Clare and Karen have said... after 2 months, it seems that Jameson should be well into his Hoppy life by now... you do know you are an angel for taking this very fortunate puppy in don’t you by the way?!!
Stewie had his amputation on July 10th. He stayed in the Gabapentin for about two weeks after his stitches were removed. (We weened him off slowly, as per our vet.) He had suffered from a seroma during his recovery, but we had managed to drain it and keep on top if it. Stewie had displayed the same symptoms of restlessness and discomfort because of the fluid build up, but he was far more settled after the fluids had drained. This was all in the first two weeks, so two months is a very long time to have pain symptoms still.
Dear Jameson, we do hope you can get settled soon, your Mum is there to take excellent care of you now sweetheart!
Do let us know how Jameson makes out. I would have to second what Karen said about getting him into the vets sooner than later...
Wishing you all the best
Petra, Stewie and his gang.
Remember...“live in the moment!“
Hi there, I've been thinking of you and wondering how you and Jameson are getting on. How is he doing? Does he seem more settled? Was the vet visit helpful? Update when you can. We're here for you.
Big hug,
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...
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