Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Benny had front left leg amputation due to nerve sheath tumor 4 weeks ago. He's doing really well, but sometimes he yips and I'm not sure the reason why. He could be just standing there and he will yip and then leap to me, but then be perfectly fine. Is this maybe a nerve thing or maybe phantom pain ? He is off all meds now. This happens sometimes once every couple days up to a few times a day. He really doesn't seem to be in pain or distress. I just want to know if there is something I can do to help him with this.
Thanks,
Cindy
Hi Cindy,
We are thrilled that Benny is doing so well overall. Tell us about his activity level: how long are his walks? Does he play with other dogs in the day? And what's his appetite like? Does he show any other pain signals ? And have you felt around his major muscle areas to see where it hurts (try gently palpating the neck and shoulders, a common site for post-op pain like this in front-leg amputees).
Many new Tripawd dogs will experience nerve pain as they start to do more activity, because their bodies just aren't up to that level of movement yet. It does sound like he could be having phantom pain , or any of the other post-amputation pains described in this article. He's giving all the standard signs of pain, even though I'll be he's still doing a good job hiding most signs.
The best way to help him is to have him evaluated by a vet who is familiar with treating phantom pain . Rehab therapy vets are the best place to start and the Tripawds Foundation will even pay for that first rehab visit ! They can assess Benny to find out where he's hurting and figure out the best ways to treat it (usually with a combo of pain medication, massage, stretching, maybe acupuncture, and other exercises he is able to do). We can't say enough good things about taking this step after amputation, these professionals know their stuff and make a huge difference.
Let us know what you decide to do. Feel better Benny!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
We can't take him for a walk as I have a disability also. (It's like we were meant to be together) I do try to exercise him in the house and when the weather gets better, I can throw a ball for him in the backyard. He has always been a "lounge master" anyhow. I throw the ball down the hall in the house for now. He has a little sister (that weighs twice as much as him) she doesn't understand that she has to be careful with him. She has squeeked him a couple times.
His appetite is great. He eats all his food and drinks plenty of water. He lets us touch his incision site. It's all healed up now. I will try the massage of the neck and shoulders area. He doesn't seem to be showing any other pain signals . He jumps up on the furniture. We bought an upholstered ottoman for the end of the bed and we taught him to jump up on that to get on & off the bed. I'm just trying to be very careful to keep his remaining front leg in good shape.
When he does this yipping thing, it's very quick and he is great afterwards. It's like something poked him and then he's fine. The only thing I can think of is phantom pain also. It doesn't happen everyday. I would like to try without pain meds again. They just wack him out. I'll try the massage techniques and see what happens.
Thank you so much for putting the links in your response. I will save them and use them.
Thanks again,
Cindy
bennysmom said
We can't take him for a walk...I do try to exercise him in the house and when the weather gets better, I can throw a ball for him...
FYI: Walks do not build strength, only stamina. Explosive exercise (sprinting, fetch, etc.) can be detrimental before adequate strength is regained.
Be sure to focus on core strengthening, weight bearing exercises and stretches to develop strength. Consider these starter exercises , download Loving Life On Three Legs or consult with a CCRT or CCRP for a professional evaluation, the Tripawds Foundation can even pay for your first visit from the Maggie Moo Fund for Tripawd Rehab.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
These are great exercises! Thank you so much!!! 
We are part of an AKC Dog Club in our city and Benny was in classes before his diagnosis. He loves going to dog school. I work with both dogs at home all day long, so this will be no problem for him! Plus if treats are involved, he's all over that! LOL!
This Tripawds site has been so so helpful to us! I really don't know what I would have done without the info and loving advice that I have gotten before and now after his amputation.
We love our Tripawd family!!!!!
Cindy & Benny
We HAVE to have video and pictures of Mr Cuteness working his drills...with treat! Is he goi g back to his classes after he fully heals? Bet he would love that!
You're doing a remarkable job! Give yourself a pat on the back and throw kn a hug from all of us 🙂
Higs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
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!
Thanks Sally! He's hoping to. We are taking a couple sessions off to heal and then will give it a try. We will have to adapt so he can participate. I wish they did special classes thru AKC for dogs with disabilities. They are so eager to please us.
Hey Cindy, why not check out all of the other great doggy games & competitive organizations that don't discriminate? Maggie was the one who first introduced us to things like Rally-O and obedience trials. Their organizations don't exclude participants based on the number of paws they have. See:
http://maggie.t.....-is-a-hit/
http://maggie.t.....e-weekend/
And then there's Elly's nosework games!
Nose Work Brag for TriPug Mutt Elly
And many other Tripawds are doing things like these games!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Love it!
Talked to the vet and she agrees that Benny is having Phantom Pain issues. She put him back on the Gabapentin. I'm hoping that this helps ease these pains. It frightens him more than it is painful. Either way, I hate seeing him in physical or emotional pain!
Cross your fingers........
Fingers firmly crossed. It's great that your vet is so responsive and hopefully the Gabapentin will do the trick. My Meg was on that quite recently just for ten days or so, and while it did whack her out for the first day, after that she did not seem remotely dopy... Here's hoping Benny is feeling much better soon.
Meg, Clare and Angel Pie xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
BRAVO to your vet and you! Yes, responsive vets like this are so awesome. We hope it helps. Let us know OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
All paws and fi gers crossed! This is not unusual and Gaba does seem to help, along with massages.
Super Stu dealt with it for quite awhile too.
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!
In my mind, I am hoping that the Gabapentin will take it away soon, but I'm assuming that it takes awhile? How long does this generally last for them? I just want him to be comfortable.
How long does phantom pain last?
It depends on the dog and how it's treated. You've made all the right moves to get the pain under control and hopefully that's all that's needed to help it remedy itself. In some cases, more is needed, like acupuncture etc., but right now, just take things one step at a time and see how this goes.
Is he still showing pain indicators? When was the gabapentin given? It may need a fine-tuning. Let your vet know if he is still crying out and yelping, or acting disinerested in food, etc.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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