Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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howdy all-
My husky is 10 years old and had his front leg removed about a month ago. His recovery was typical and he is very mobile now. But he has become super picky about his food, relentlessly hassles me to let him outside (to lounge, not to potty), and is generally getting to be a cranky old man! His pain is fairly under control - he does yelp at random times like he gets a shot of pain. I'm trying to decide idea if I should crack down on his "unacceptable" behavior like putting his front paws on my bed and harassing me or I should let this go because he's only going to be alive for a few more months.
He is a husky wolfdog so I've made lots of effort to maintain alphadom and he's been very respectful and even submissive in the past. But no longer! Anyone seen behavior like this post-amp?
Hi and welcome!
Yelping randomly like he's had a shot of pain may be phantom limb pain. Lots of furbabies get along fine with a few weeks of pain management including gabapentin for a few weeks post surgery, but some continue on with the gabapentin on a longer term.
I smiled when you mentioned his alpha ways. We have a 9 month old blue heeler who is pretty docile, except when he's trying to try tell me something and i don't get it. Then he's in my face barking like a wild man, lol.
He may be trying to talk to you. I would strongly recommend taking to his vet about the possibilities of phantom limb pain and see if they can give you some meds to see how/ if he reacts to it. I am not a vet. But it couldn't hurt. When you see sudden signs like that there's usually something underlying that they cannot communicate to you.
Good luck, i hope you can help your cranky pants feel better!
Jackie and Huck ❤️
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
I second the insight Jackie has offered. This sounds like it could be untreated pain. Your description below reflects the canine pain indicators that are so common:
he has become super picky about his food, relentlessly hassles me to let him outside (to lounge, not to potty), and is generally getting to be a cranky old man!
Lack of appetite, being anti-social and not displaying usual personality traits are all indicators. Check out our article, How Dogs Show Pain and What You Can Do About It.
We see this happen quite often, and usually an evaluation by a veterinary pain management / rehabilitation therapist can pinpoint the cause. Did he go to any after surgery?
The Tripawds Foundation is such a big believer in helping Tripawds feel better through rehab therapy, that we will even pay for your first rehab visit .
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks Jackie and Jerry for your insight. My pup Denali was given proper post op pain relief and currently takes carprofen and gabapentin daily. I also have a stash of tramadol but Denali doesn't like being stoned on it. I'll call his vet tomorrow about his symptoms and see if we can make adjustments.
Thanks also about the physical rehab fund. I made an appt in early Feb and I hope it can help my cranky old man!
Keeping fingers crossed that it's just going to be a little tweak in the medication! It would be so nice if it goes that simple and smooth for both of you. Please let us know how you make out.
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
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