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.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
My dog has had problems with stumbling and falling . it seems to have been related to "phantom pain " in his missing leg as he had some bone spurs removed last week and has been much better.
He needs permanent pain medication as he also has elbow displacia and a slipping patella.
As he has had some phantom pain would gabapentin treat the nerve pain and the joint pain ?
What are the pro's and cons of gabapentin versus rymadil , metacam etc.
He has been on trocoxil , But I worry that it stays in their system for a month so if there was some emergency he couldnt have other medications
I don't know enough about this stuff to help (only have experience with tramadol and phentanol (sp?) patches - which I didn't really like...), but wanted to just send support for your pup. I'm sure others on here who know about this stuff can offer some suggestions.
Good luck,
Jackie, Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
For our experience with Bo, the Gabapentin really messed with his mood. He's been on Tramadol for over all pain since his surgery (about a month ago). He's 90 lbs. and would take 1, 50mg pill in the morning and 1, 50mg pill in the evening (about 3 weeks post-op) Now, he's gone several days where we haven't given it to him at all because he didn't seem to be in pain. We are just going to use it as needed.
I've noticed most people here report that the Tramadol really messed with their pups mood/appetite/behavior. Once we stopped the Gabapention and knocked the Tramadol dosage down, he perked up again. We can't use Rymadil because his liver enzymes were high, so that isn't an option for us, but it may be for you.
Good luck to you and your pup!
I had very limted experience with gabapentin ( still have a packet full) my previous dog was on the highest dose for 4 days as she had syringomyelia. She was was totally spaced out and walking into walls the first day but that settled. It seemed to be wonderful stuff , totally stopped her symptoms. Unfortunatly it wore off after 4 hours and she was in too much pain in between doses so I let her go.
My current dog isnt in agony so it wearing off wouldnt be too much of an issue I just want him to be comfortable most of the time.
The vet doesnt like rymadil side effects but he has done well on it previously.
Jeannette, has he been evaluated by a certified canine rehab specialist?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
jeanette said:
I dont know if we have those here, I'm in the north east of england
the vets do work a bit different over here but they should still be able to discuss levels of pain meds and which may or may not suit your dog. dizzy had tramadol and it did knock her out a bit but that was the worst side effect she had
Dizzy diagnosed with osteosarcoma 24 may 2011 amputated same day doing fine hopping around on three legs giving the neighbourhood cats what for
You would have to consult your vet for the best long-term pain meds for your dog. NSAIDS like Rimadyl and Metacam are anti-inflammatories but can have side effects on the liver, kidneys, or GI tract. Gabapentin works great for nerve root pain and Tramadol is a narcotic. Other meds such as SAM-E and fish oil can help as can weight loss and acupuncture. I would also use a glucosamine supplement if you aren't already.
Pam
The vets here are very reluctant to give gabapentin as its a human drug. When my dog had Sm most vets refused, I dont think they'd even heard of it which is why i'm asking here about pro's cons , side effects etc before I go.
I had a bit of a fight to get him on any medication , they wouldnt believe he had elbow displacia because he doesnt shuffle about when he's sitting.
Jeannette,
Yes, gabapentin is a human drug but it has been proven to be effective in animals too. A good resource about it is here, you may want to share this with your vet:
Veterinary Partner.com: The Pet Pharmacy: Gabapentin
Regarding canine rehab practitioners, please see this Tripawds News post: Canine Acupuncture and Rehabilitation Therapy Tips for Tripawds. Scroll down to the Recommended Reading section where you'll find a link to directories where you can find listings of practitioners in your part of the UK:
Pawrents can find certified canine rehabilitation practitioners by visiting:
- The American Association of Rehabilitation Veterinarians (AARV)
- The Canine Rehabilitation Institute, which awards the certificate of Canine Rehabilitation Therapist (CCRT)
- The University of Tennessee’s Outreach and Continuing Education Department (in conjunction with Northeast Seminars), which grants a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner (CCRP) certificate.
Have you tried getting another opinion from a vet who understands the advances in pain management for animals? I know they're out there, there's even an International Veterinary Academy for Pain Management that may be able to point you in the direction of a doctor who can be of more help in this area.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks I will go through those links and look into a pain management vet.
To be honest i'm not too keen on my current vet , He always reccomends trocoxil and the fact everything in their surgery , mouse mats , mugs etc has trocoxil on it makes me suspicious.
Ive only been with him a few months.
His stitches from his recent surgery are bothering me , they look odd , they are thin blue material and placed on the edge of the wound and over to one side instead of equally either side, is there a reason for stitching that way?
They have cut in a lot. the edges of the wound are overlaping too and it is slow to heal.
He always reccomends trocoxil and the fact everything in their surgery , mouse mats , mugs etc has trocoxil on it makes me suspicious.
That's so funny!!! I asked a regular doctor for a RX cream for my itchy ear he'd prescribed a year earlier and he had no idea what it was he had prescribed…so I asked him…. was it what the rep was pushing at that time and that's why you don't remember? He laughed and said, "Yes"!
If you aren't comfy with a vet do go to him! I did it for 10 years and now look back and feel stupid.
Sorry, I don't have any advice about he stitches.
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.
They even have the table leg propped up with trocoxil coasters ,lol
I took a couple of adult rescues in yesterday for vaccinations , he half heartedly tried to get me to do the full puppy course of vaccines . but he's learning not to argue.
I've had bad experiences with the other vets in the area, I've tried most vets within a 40 minute drive, I may have to move house ,lol
1 Guest(s)
