Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello - We are about 4 weeks post amputation here. We had a big scare 1 week after due to GI bleeding that was traced back to the piroxicam. After a blood transfusion and 2 nights in the hospital, Roger came home perked up and looking much more himself. We switched him to raw food which he LOVES and all has been pretty good until Thurs night. We were sitting around watching tv at night with him laying in his dog bed sleeping when suddenly jumped up making this horrible crying noise and looking panicked. His heart was racing and he was trembling. Within 10 seconds he was wagging his nub and had settled back down. The has since happened several times since where it seems to come out of nowhere an goes quickly away. Now though he seems restless after each "episode", almost like he's nervous to lay down again. He has an appointment with his oncologist tomorrow but I was wondering if anyone else had experienced this or has a guess what could be causing it? He has been off all pain meds since he came home from the blood transfusion but I did give him a Gabapentin yesterday and today after each incident. Last xray showed clear chest but it has metastasized subcutaneously to the skin in several spots. Any input is appreciated.
Sounds like phantom pain - click on the link for more info. What I read here is most often comes up closer to surgery but I have heard of it coming later. Discuss with your vet, gaba is usually prescribed to help.
What is Roger's activity level? Are you ramping up activity level slowly? Four weeks post op is still early and he is still gaining strength and endurance.
My little rear amp Elly lost her right rear leg to a car accident. She is well over 2.5 years since her surgery and once in awhile she jumps out of her bed like something grabbed her back end. It seems to happen to her when I have let her do to much during the day. I've thought it was a muscle spasm because when it happens her back and leg are rock hard- but that could be part of her reaction. I try to massage and stretch her out if she will let me. I suppose it could still be phantom pain as it lasts a long time in humans, but since it always seems to happen to Elly when we've had a big day I attribute it to overuse. I didn't get Elly until after her amp surgery so I don't know if she had episodes then.
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
HOOOOLY COW!! ,You have nooo idea how relieved we are to hear from you and to hear Roger is A-OK!! 🙂 Your last ppst left us hanging when he needed blood transfusion and was in the hospital! Sooooo glad he's past all tose scary times.
Anyway, while you're waiting fornour Volunteer Vet to respond, check out the links Karen gave you and see of the Gaba makes a difference. Of course, not a Vet and not giving Vet advice.
KEEP ON KEEPING ON ROGER!!! 🙂
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too! I
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!
That phantom limb pain sounds exactly like what is going on. I will continue the gabapentin and try out some of the other advise listed on those links. It was a huge relief to read those articles as I, of course, had already gone to worst case scenario in my head and spent the weekend freaking out. Thanks everyone!
Stay tuned for input from Dr. Pam. She is our real resident vet...most of the rest of us are just going off our (sometimes extensive) experience.
Dr. Pam posts as tazziedog
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
benny55 said
Of course, not a Vet and not giving Vet advice.
Just to be clear, only making reference to myself in that sentence and mupy comments
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!
Phantom pain can show up for many weeks after amputation since it can take a while for the nerve endings to heal. Some dogs do great right away but I have had some dogs on gabapentin for several months. Maybe he bumped his healing muscle area and aggravated it. Since he had GI bleeding I would avoid NSAIDS if possible but I would probably give the gabapentin for 1-2 weeks then try him off of it.
Pam
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