Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Boats, my 13 1/2 year old chocolate lab is now two weeks (Dec 23rd) post amputation and I have a couple of questions and concerns:
He is doing amazing, his remaining back leg is not as strong as it should be, it sometimes gives out on him and has fallen a handful of times. We have an oncology appointment in San Diego January 21st and I am also looking for a rehab specialist, if anyone has a name or experience I will be grateful.
His flank shivers. I think it just the nerves and muscles reacting but I am not sure. I wonder if its pain. He is on Gabapentin 600mg every 6-8 hours, Amantadine every 24 hours (just changed yesterday from every 12) and Carprofen every 12 hours.
He wines more now than he ever has done before and we have a tough time a night. He is still wearing the cone at night as he has a little infection and staples added yesterday after the stitches came out. I am confused on his pain signals , I go through the entire gamete - does he need to pee/poop; is he in pain; is he bored; hungry? I never had to work these things out before, we just did stuff.
Any advice would be grateful received.
Nicola
The first thing that comes to mind is that he might be overdoing it a little bit too soon. This early in recovery it doesn't take much at all to over do and strain of muscle or gets sore from a tweak here or a tweak there.
His flank shivers
Often the area around where the leg was amputated will twitch or "shiver". As you guessed, Usually it's just the nerves/muscles reacting to a leg that is no longer there. Sometines you will see this a long time after recovery.
Although this may sound crazy, but be sure and scratch all the areas the removed back leg used to scratch. Sometimes a "whine" or a shiver can be he has an itch that needs to be scratched he can no longer reach.
he has a little infection and staples added yesterday after the stitches came out.
Bummer!! It happens though, Did the Vet put Boats on any a antibiotic ? I know he needs the cone but that could also be a source of his frustration translating to whining.
How much does Boats weigh? Based on that the pain doses may need to be increased or kept closer to the eight hour mark.
Jerry is well versed on tracking down Rehabilitation Specialists, so hang tight. You'll find Noats can really benefit from that. Being a senior dog you will learn some stretches, etc to do in ways to help strengthen the remaining legs that have had to take on extra work.
You're doing a great job and Boats is doing a great job too! It's still early in recovery and he's already handled almost all of the hurdles.
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS. Be sure and give Boats some nice ge tly massages up and down his spine, his shoulder, neck, etc. That will help those tight muscles.
.
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!
Boats is 73lbs, he was 77 before the leg came off. I've been giving every the 600mg Gabapentin every 6-7 hours, that seems to help. Thanks for all the suggestions!
Hi Nicola,
I know, it's crazy how we need to become pain experts all of a sudden when we go through this. The experience will make you a better pet parent though and bring you closer to Boats.
So what Sally described is spot-on. Many times the stump area twitches. Usually not painful. We talk about it in this tripawd talk you may want to check out:
Understanding and Treating Nerve Pain After Amputation for Dogs: Tripawd Talk Radio #124
In that episode we also talk about ways to de-sensitive the stump area so worth a listen.
He wines more now than he ever has done before and we have a tough time a night. He is still wearing the cone at night as he has a little infection and staples added yesterday after the stitches came out
This could be related to the cone since the dosage you described is pretty good, along with the Amantadine. I would let your vet know about the behavior. Try to get good notes on exactly what happened right before he started whining, and what helps him not whine.
I messaged you a recommendation for a rehab therapist.
Hello,
Glad to hear Boats is doing well. My 10 year old yellow lab had his right back leg amputated 7/1/24. Like your infection complication we ended up with a wound complication on one of his front legs. It was just added stress.
Anyway, from my recent experience I know that after two weeks and reading some stories you can get worried about the recovery and if things are going “normally”. This forum is great for answers and to see what is “normal”. However, also I put a great deal of stress on myself worrying about my dog and his remaining back leg and how things were progressing. So just as someone else said hang tight you two are doing great. Keep monitoring the pain and being an advocate for Boats and just keep enjoying Boats and all of the little progress you see. You will get there and see the progress you are hoping for….it just takes some time usually.
This process is a test in patience.
Good luck to you and Boats.
Amy
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