Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Discovery is now a week out from surgery. Last night a I got home from work and my husband had let her out of her pen to eat and hop around a little. She's been doing so well, just her sweet self, incision healing well and getting stronger moving around by the day. That is until last night; he let her out and she ate.he was following her around making sure she didn't lick her stitches. I'm not sure what happened but she ended up throwing herself on the ground hissing and growling when he tried to put the cone back on. I got home and was able to get it on her but then she tried to run upstairs; I stopped her and that triggered a complete meltdown. She ripped her inflatable ecoller off biting it and popping it, biting the crap out of me when I tried to help her get it off, and refusing to let me get anywhere near her. She just sat against the wall growing and hissing any time I moved. We eventually lured her with treats and got her in her carrier. Took her to the vet where she continued to freak out. They are keeping her for a couple of days, and upping her meds. I'm so upset, she's never been like this, she's really the sweetest cat. I'm afraid now she'll be afraid of me 🙁
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Hi Jennifer
So sorry you had to experience such an ordeal last night. Discovery is exactly where she needs to be right now so they can monitor her and see what's going on.
My my initial thought was Phantom limb pain which can strike out of the blue and be horribly painful and scary. Generally though, it only lasts for a minute or two. They may still be fearful for a few minutes after that just as a normal reaction to What just happened. Clearly it does sound like a pain issue that the Vets will be able to figure out and resolve.
If it's still indeed be the Phantom limb pain and then Discovery just had a severe fear reaction after that happened, that's causing the Freak Out.
The only other thing that we've seen happen on rare occasions is a nerve that wasn't completely closed off during surgery. That can cause a sudden jolt of pain that just does not seem to dissipate and every bit of movement just continues to make it hurt. Again, they'll figure out the cause. And get the proper solution.
And no, discovery won't relate this to you or have any bad feelings towards you. Once the pain is resolved and Discovery is back home feeling good things will be back to normal.
Let us know what that says when you have a chance to update. Hang in there.
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!
Hi, I'm sorry, Discovery, and you are going through this.
I agree with Sally. It sounds like she had a phantom limb attack. I'm betting she was toward the end of her meds. What was she sent home meds mgs and duration, frequency of meds? I can ASSURE you she will not be afraid of you. Her meds need to be tweaked. Purrkins also had break thru pain and hissed and growled at me, who never does; he was nearing the end of his buprenorphine day six into recovery, and we stretched it to every 12 hours ( PAIN). Once we got the meds dialed back in him, he was good.
Purrkins meds were
- 14 days Gabapentin 100 mg capsule – one capsule by mouth every 8 hours
- 12 days Buprenorphine 0.3 mg 0.25 ml every 8-12 hours
All cats are individuals, and it is not one size fits all on pain meds. Sadly, cats STILL get the short stick on pain management !!!
Hang in there; we know how SCARY this is, know it was pain-related, and once thats is treated, she will return to her sweet self & will be so happy to get back home.
((((HUGS))))
Holly, Purrkins, and our Sexy Saxton in the sky💫
💝💝💝
Thanks. I went to to vet this morning to drop off some food and treats and talk to the doctor. She says she thinks it was a pain response, and they have adjusted her from 50mg gabapentin 2x per day, to 50mg gabapentin 3x per day plus Buprenex. She's calm now but probably not comfortable.
She's going to watch her and maybe give her Zorbium again to help get her pain under control. They'll keep her 2 more nights, so home Thursday, stitches out Monday if everything goes according to plan. She initially had Zorbium, and Buprenex while in the hospital for the first 2 days and we were sent home with one dose of Onsior for the day after discharge (discharged Thursday, Onsior 6mg on Friday); all she's had since then is 50mg Gabapentin 2x a day (that's Saturday - Monday night). I don't think this was enough.
It's just so heart wrenching to know she's suffering and I cant help her. And such a shock after a the first 3 days home really going so well.
Thank you guys so much. Its so nice to have someone to talk to that understands what were going though 
It's just so heart wrenching to know she's suffering and I cant help her.
And such a shock after a the first 3 days home really going so well.
We understand, and it is shocking and scary when that happens!!
Yes, it is pain-related. Not enough meds. They are on it now!!! Of course, she won't be herself in the clinic, but she is getting much-needed relief.
YOU ARE HELPING her. She is getting the meds she needs now. You WILL BOTH GET through this!!
(((HUGS)))
I will also add for reference that Onsior & Buprenorphine were given to our cats for dental for THREE days!
So please know this is NOT YOUR fault but the lack of medication sent home after a MAJOR surgery. You are right it was not enough sadly we learn this going thru it.
So sorry you both had to endure.
Wow what a scary ordeal for all of you, I'm really sorry that happened. This isn't called a rollercoaster ride for nothing. Ugh! Glad your vet is on it with the meds, she is getting some top-notch pain control. They seem like a great practice.
Yeah unfortunately when the pain really kicks in (usually right after the body starts moving around more), that's when you learn what the right combo of pain meds is for your particular animal. I know that from my own experience recovering from a motorcycle wreck, that as soon as I tried getting back to my normal daily routines, the aches and pains really kicked in. Unfortunately for amputees they've got phantom pain to deal with too. But it does sound like your vet is really aware of what it takes to dial in pain relief so hopefully this won't happen again.
And I agree, Discovery is not going to blame you for any of this, promise. Once she's home and feeling good again that's all that will matter. Keep us posted.
Spoke to her vet, she's on 100gb Gabapentin every 8 hours and Bruprenex every 12 hours. Today is day 8, with Surgery being day 1. She was ok for the staff at the vet yesterday but fought them this morning when giving pain meds. She's always been spicy at the vet so I don't know if that was just her being anxious because she's in the hospital or if she's still in terrible pain. They are still trying to figure out the best pain management for her and are unsure if she'll be discharged tomorrow as originally planned. Vet will call me again this afternoon and I'll post another update 🙁
No doubt sure she is anxious being in the hospital setting!!! Is she eating for them?
"Spicy" love the description 😂 I say good for Discovery we cant blame her being poked and prodded. (i think thats a good sign she is being spicy)
She is getting excellent care and they will find the perfect match for her.
We will watch for your afternoon update.
(((((HUGS)))))
I also think it's a good sign that her spicy purrsonality is back! It's doubtful she's in terrible pain right now. Discomfort yes, but it sounds like there's a great vet team keeping a close eye on her.
I hope she can come home soon! Hang in there!
She's still hissing and growling and biting anyone who comes near her. They are going to give her Zorbium because she did well on that initially. They also want to keep her in the hospital a additional 4 days, until her stitches come out. I'm so upset. Were already over extended financially because of this and this extended hospital stay will end up costing another $550. I feel like I've lost her. This may have all been a huge mistake. I feel like at this point were just torturing her. I'm completely devastated.
You have every right to feel like ypu do and we can all understand your frustration, anger, sadness, etc. Yeah, we get it.
I bring up again where something seemingly has happened to a couple of dogs over the years. Out of the blue a someting similar to a phantom limb pain presented itself. Thing is, it lasted and lasted and lasted waaaay beyond what would have been the phantom pain. N0thong seemed to stepmom until they did an exploratory thrpugh the incision and found ot 2as a nerve issue. Cannot remember the particulars....never left open or not c.osed off properly......something like that. I know JERRY will be able to know what I'm referencing
And one more random thought. This first occurred at exact same time trying to get cone on.......or a minute or so before?? Jit wonder if it was at the same time, a neck muscle or neck/spine injury could be related????
Stay connected and please ask about the possibility of that nerve thing I was referencing. Or even some rare thing where a stitch is somehow pulling ot pushing to the point MIT's causing pain with any movement.
((((((((((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!
Im so sorry. We all understand the financial strain this puts on us, and to have more added on, we GET IT.
Are they doing testing? Is she on fluids?
Is she eating? ( purrkins will not eat in the hospital.)
Discovery may be reacting to the buprenorphine and thats why they are switching meds. Give it a day and see how things go. MAYBE thats all it is, and she can come home sooner. You have not lost Discovery, and I hope things will improve with the change of meds.
I know it's not easy, but hang in there!!!
Keep us updated, please.
(((((HUGS))))
Sally Olly, maybe? I'll see if I can find it.
I THINK this is who Sally is referring to Ollie - https://tripawd.....mputation/.
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