Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
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Our dog, Dyre, had surgery on Monday, June 21 as well. He is moving well, drinking some water, and going to the bathroom by himself. He's not into the wet food we bought so we will try something else. The problem we are having is the ghost pain. I feel horrible for him. I'm struggling with this. I'm home with him by myself while my husband is working. These are the medications he is taking: Cephanlexin (Antibiotics)-3 times a day, Tramadol (pain)-3 times a day but will up this to 4 or 5, Gabapentin (ghost pain)-3 times a day 1/2 a pill each time, and Rimadyl (Pain) - He only gets 1/2 two times a day. I guess I need more of the support then he does.
Welcome Drye and mom!
If you'd like to register with tripawds, your posts will show up automatically and we can all see them. Currently they have to be approved.
I'm sorry about Drye. We know this is very difficult and the post amputation is brutal! Phantom pain is such a difficult thing to overcome.
If you'll register with us and start a topic under "share your story" and tell us what happened and about your fur baby, we call all jump in and try to help you get through this.
Thanks.
And best wishes!
Comet's mom
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
How big is your dog? I usually only give Tramadol 2 or 3 times daily and too much of that drug might make him act a little loopy or even vocalize because that drug is a narcotic. You don't want to increase the Rimadyl because that can cause stomach problems. A 65# dog can safely take up to 300 mg of gabapentin twice daily with minimal side effects so that might be a good place to increase meds if needed.
Pam
dyre said:
The problem we are having is the ghost pain.
Be sure to review these helpful tips for managing phantom limb pain in dogs.
Thanks for joining and best wishes to you and your pup for a speedy complete recovery. You'll find much more advice and recovery tips in Jerry's Required Reading List.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome Dyre's mom (or dad),
The first 2 weeks post op can be quite traumatic for both the dog and the pawrents! 
Do you have a sling or harness to help support him while he's getting used to walking (I mean hopping) on 3 legs while doped up on pain meds? It really is a great help. Which leg did he have amputated? Front or back?
It's a good sign that he's got an appetite and is able to poop and pee on his own. Make sure he drinks enough water... the pain meds can constipate him... If there are no complications, you'll be amazed at how quickly he recovers after the 2 weeks. 
Make sure he has lots of soft beds or comforters to lie on... and not too much excercise for now (gotta give him time to heal)... Is he trying to chew at his sutures/staples? If so, he may need to wear a T-shirt or even the dreaded cone...
Post some pictures of your sweetie when you get a chance.
Angel Jake's Mom
Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!
We are sorry to here that Dyre is having so much pain; Rusty did not have any phantom pain issues, but they had him on Meloxicam (Metacam) which is a NSAID, from surgery until about two weeks ago. Our Oncologist said that in addition to helping with the pain from surgery the Meloxicam helps him tolerate the Chemo treatments.
Good luck, things will improve! We look back now and wonder how we were able to handle all of the issues, however at the time they did not seem so difficult.
Chuck & Rusty
Rusty is a Labradoodle who was diagnosed with level 3 Fibrosarcoma on January 16th, 2010 and had his left hind leg amputated on January 25th, 2010 five days before his 18 month birthday. Please see Rusty's blog @rusty.tripawds.com. He is putting up one heck of a fight against this terrible disease.
Hi Dyre's Mom and Dad,
Our loved dog is facing amputation in the near future and I have been researching some of the issues she may face such as phantom pain .
I have been looking at a product called Farabloc which you can Google to get lots of information. I know it is difficult to waste time and energy chasing false leads and information in these difficult times. I do not want to mislead you that it is an answer to phantom pain problems.
I don't know if it would help. I have been in contact with the company which is local for us. They have expressed an interest in working with us to see if they can help find a solution for dogs that using their product. I have not talked to them yet.
The product is a metal mesh fabric that deadens or interupts the electrical field around the nerve endings that are sending electrical signals to the brain that something is wrong with the leg that is no longer there. It can be double folded over the amputation site area I think could be incorporated into the bandage or sling.
I have used it in the past with some success for sports injuries, not amputation. You may be interested in looking at it at some of the information on line.
Abby dog
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