Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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When my 8 year old cat Grayson had his back left leg removed from cancer, I thought the pain and discomfort was from the surgery. He did not walk for 3 weeks and then it was for short periods of time. After the wound healed and he was sprinting and sometimes sliding around, he seemed to be fine. He is a naturally "grouchy" and has been called Cry Baby by many of my friends. One day I happen to see him scream out for no reason at all. He would generally make a similar sound if one of my other cats were pestering him, but this day they were not even close. He got up, hopped around, still hollaring and went over and slapped one of my other cats that was sleeping on the rug.
That was my first indication that he was experiencing phantom pain .
As far as the suggestions here that I read, which will help, I have a couple of problems. first he does not let me touch it, so a massage would be out of the question. I don't know if it really hurts when I touch it or if he just has a different sensation that he does not like. The pain medicine, I would not know when to give it to him because as I said he just does that randomly and in a few minutes it looks like he is fine. Same with the blanket, I am thinking by the time I got him on it, it would be over.
I guess I am confused as to just when this does start, does it last over a period of time or does the pain come and go as it appears to do?
the only thing I am able to help him with is, he will lean over as if to scratch his ear with the missing leg and I can tell he is almost thinking he is actually doing it. This is when I go over and scratch his face and ears for him, just hoping I am getting the right spot.
So I guess I am wondering, does it ever go away and if not how do you tell if it is a all day thing ?
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Hi Dorothy, welcome. Please consider registering as a member so your future posts won’t need approval.
I need to run until tomorrow but wanted to get your post approved so others can see it. My immediate thoughts are:
Phantom pain can be a sporadic event in animals or humans. Some days better some worse. In many cases it does go away eventually but treating it is key to making that happen.
The best way to reduce the number and intensity of incidents is through pain management
of different approaches (acupuncture and Gabapentin are two common ways to treat it).
Has your cat been evaluated by a vet pain expert yet? If not that is what I would do to find the best ways to treat what’s going on.
Back in a bit, stay tuned for feedback from others.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Sorry Grayson is having issues. And yes, it definitely sounds like phantom limb pain. Obviously we are.not Vets so a Bet can best determine the cause. Perhaps you can video the episodes and send.
Gabapentin is proven to be effective in stopping the nerve pain and animals and human amputees. It needs to stay in their system consistently in order to block the nerve pain. Ao it's not something you jist give randomly in relation to the actual "episode". It may be that a low dose in the morning and then in the evening would work. Again though, a Vet can prescribe the dose and the frequency.
While massage, etc may sometimes help on a small scale at the moment, it's not as effective as the Gabapentin on a consistent basis.
So this reaction started after stitches were out?? The other thing that caught my attention is that he seems to give pain signals when you touch arou d his incision area. On occasion a stitch/staple can be left behind. It can poke and pull and cause sudden pain.
Did your regular Vet do the surgery or an Orthopedic Surgeon? Anywa, see of you can get a prescription for Gabapentin and get Grayson on a consistent dose for awhile. The time can vary. May need the meds for a week, or more, or less. Jist depends. Bu9t almost always, ofmot's phantom pain , it will go away with a little help from the Gabapentin.
Otherwisie how is Grayson doing? Eating, drinking, peeing, pooping and mobility okay now?
Update when you can, okay?
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!
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