Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello everyone! I have a 7 year old cat who had to have his hind leg amputated due to being shot. His other foot is badly injured but should heal. His leg was amputated on Monday after a weekend of antibiotics. He came home today. I've been reading others' stories and I keep seeing a medication that begins with a G.. all my vet gave us was an antibiotic. He told us Draco was given a pain injection that should last 3 days and call if he seems like he's in pain. I want to be more informed before he gets to a level of severe pain.
Is it normal for them not to need pain medication after 5 days? I also notice his stump trembling a bit from time to time and I worry that he's in pain. I read the pain checklist but didn't see that listed as a pain sign.
I ordered him a surgery suit to stop him from licking the stitches but is there anything else I should look out for or be aware of? Thank you guys so much.
Hi and welcome. I'm sorry some evil person hurt Draco like that! Oh my gosh. Glad he made it through surgery and is on the mend.
Sounds like your vet gave him Nocita, which is great. Check your invoice, it should be on there. But, if he was not given Gabapentin and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID), I would call them up and request it. Gabapentin reduces nerve pain, and the NSAID reduces inflammation. They all work together for better pain relief.
Most Tripawds are on pain management until stitches come out, about 10 days. It varies from 7-14 depending on the animal.
The stump twitching is pretty typical, it's kinda like a disconnect between the brain and the nerves on the missing leg. It's typically not a pain signal so good job with your observation. If any vocalization or odd behavior follows, however, that could be a sign he is hurting.
Do you have a safe, confined area for him to recover? You want to make sure he can't get into any tight spaces or jump while he's healing. I know that's tough to do!
We have lots of info in our What to Expect articles and Cool Tips for Tripawd Cats so be sure to check 'em out. And stay tuned for feedback from others.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Good for you for advocating for pain meds for Draco! It is MAJOR surgery and he should have follow up pain meds.in addition to the Gabapentin, cats also are often given Buprenorphine (sp)
There's a balance that often needs to be tweaked once the hospital meds are out of hos system, which is probably about now.
Update is when you can. Recov is no picnic at first, but it doesn't last furever! And let us know what pain m3ds yoj are able to get from the Vet.
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!
Thank you everyone for those links. He was given an injection of Buprenorphine SR and clavamox for the antibiotic and that's all I see listed for post surgery. I'm going to call the vet in the morning to see about getting him Gabapentin and an Nsaid.
I have him staying in my bedroom with a litter box and food bowl so he will stay somewhat still. He's mostly napped in bed all day which I'm sure he needed!
Welcome Draco and family!
I just saw your blog post, how scary! I can't imagine going from city to country to have this happen 
Making that call is a great idea, that gabapentin and pain meds will help keep Draco so much more comfortable. Where do you live, if you don't mind me asking?
Please let us know how you make out. Have they given you a cone to stop him from getting at sutures? You may need to use that until the suit comes in. They can get those sutures torn out in no time flat if they have a chance.
Good luck in your journey, I am glad you started a blog 
Draco's Blog
Jackie and Huckleberry
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
Thank you for reading our blog, Jackie and Huckleberry! We live in mid-Louisiana, lots of farm land. It sucks that humans can be so cruel. I can't imagine what a little cat could do to make you shoot it:(
They didn't give him a cone. He managed to lick the sutures out of his remaining foot last night but has left his stump mostly alone. He was in pain and even hissed at us when we petted his head but he seems to be feeling a little better this morning. I'm glad the vet is opening up for the day. He definitely needs some pain meds.
Oh no, yes he needs pain management and they should have given you a collar to stop him from biting at himself. Please let them know that he's removed sutures and they should take a look at it! He's already got one leg less, he needs the other three to be their best.
If they don't accommodate you properly, you may want to consider finding another practice.
So sorry this is happening. You've already been through so much and this kind of thing is so avoidable.
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
Our vet is still reluctant to give Draco anything yet. He recommended neosporin with pain relief for now for the injured foot because he knew the sutures might not hold due to where it's at. This just feels very different than the experiences I've read but I don't know how long the pain medicine he was given lasts. Does this sound right or should I keep advocating for pain relief? He seems okay this morning but he's also reluctant to walk more than he needs
Not a Vet and not giving Vet advice.
Kitty members can chime jn, but Neosporin is for MINOR things, not "sutured surgery". Plus, if this particular brand has a pain reliever (or not), you don't want Draco licking it.
Heez....wonder how this Vet would feel of he just jad his leg am and had surgery on his other leg? He would be in the hospital on a morphine drip!!! It's soooo old school to not give proper pain management and it ticks us off!!
Agree with the others. continue to advocate for pain meds!! If that Bet is unresponsive, p,ease check into another Vet
You are doing a wonderful job!!!
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!
momofdracocat136 said
Our vet is still reluctant to give Draco anything yet. He recommended neosporin with pain relief for now for the injured foot because he knew the sutures might not hold due to where it's at. This just feels very different than the experiences I've read but I don't know how long the pain medicine he was given lasts. Does this sound right or should I keep advocating for pain relief? He seems okay this morning but he's also reluctant to walk more than he needs
Your instinct is absolutely correct, this is not standard pain management for cats and dogs after amputation surgery. Buprenorphine, when used in a standard injectable form by vets is ineffective for treating severe pain.
YES! ADVOCATE! He needs better pain control. Just don't say "Tripawds says..." because vets hate it when clients say they saw it on the internet! 
. Be respectful but firm and insist. If he is chewing on himself, that's often a pain signal. He's hurting. And if your vet gives you a hard time, we are more than happy to help you find a better one.
I'm so sorry you are dealing with this situation. Please keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I would ask about gabapentin but your vet may not stock this; for cats and small dogs it is compounded into a 25 or 50 mg tablet or the oral solution (without xylitol) can be used. You can use Buprenex SR at a high dose in cats for pretty good pain relief (it is used often in cats for declaw procedures) but it does wear off after 3-5 days so there is nothing wrong with asking for another pain injection.
Pam
tazziedog said
I would ask about gabapentin but your vet may not stock this; for cats and small dogs it is compounded into a 25 or 50 mg tablet or the oral solution (without xylitol) can be used. You can use Buprenex SR at a high dose in cats for pretty good pain relief (it is used often in cats for declaw procedures) but it does wear off after 3-5 days so there is nothing wrong with asking for another pain injection.
THANK DR PAM, for posting💎😘👏🏻! We ALL appreciate your input!
Our Kitty Vet sends Purrkins prescriptions to the human pharmacy (this is new for us); however, it works great.
Our Gaba was a 100 mg capsule! You can separate the capsule IF the dose prescribed is less, of course. We did this as well. Pain in the rear, but it can be done - 25 mg 1/4 capsule - 50mg/ half capsule if you need a visual on how we will post images, videos, K!
If you still get resistance from your vet, PLEASE find another. We know it is not easy switching vets curbside and in distress even worse! BUT WE can tell you from our own experience recently we DID and MOVED on curbside! The biggest blessing! - we do what we have to for our furmily!
Look for a cat-friendly/cat hospital! ⬅️ (link) Who knows cats and their pain signals . OK, You won't regret it!
YES DITTO KEEP ADVOCATING FOR DRACO
Purrkins was on Buprenorphine for 12 days and Gabapentin for 14 days after his amp. I had to advocate for Purrkins pain relief. A LOT of us have had to!!! Ditto Be firm; tell them in detail what you are seeing/ take videos to! Ask for another injection, and please do quote Dr. Pam!
Keep us posted, please!
HUGS
Holly & Purrkins
💝💝💝
Hi there and welcome to our family even under the worst of circumstances. Lucky, my 7 month old kitten had a rear left leg amputated almost a month ago. He came home on gabapentin and buprenorphine. The gabapentin was compounded into a liquid at my pharmacy (where I work). A pharmacist ought to be able to compound this for you if they are set up to do compounding. It is amazing what a good pharmacy can make fur our furbabies!!
Please do continue to advocate for Draco!!! Lucky is just being weaned off of his gabapentin now!!!
Keep us informed we are here fur you and Draco!!
Barb, Doug, Lucky, Luna, Aurora, Rascal, Smokey & Ebby
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