Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi all. You have been so helpful and now I need you again.
It has been four weeks since Odins surgery. He is doing really well for a big guy having lost his front left limb. He was back in the lake swimming again this week. However, just recently, a few times a day Odin lets out a yelp as if he gets a sharp pain. He doesn't whine or whimper just one quick yelp. Most of the time he is just laying down and yelps.
Has anyone had this experience?
Hi, im fairly new here myself, 3 months ampuversary yesterday ! It might be phantom pains, my dog Wilson had phantoms pains, and did the exact same thing, only did it when lying down sleeping/resting, would yelp out and often jump up at the same time, he did it on and off (not often, but enough) from the beginning till about 2 weeks in, then went away till about week 4, then he did it a few more times, his very last one was horrible, i actually thought my teen son stepped on him by accident, it was blood curdling, then that was it never another one after that big one, 2 months have now gone by yelp free.
I also found it was worse if he had, had, a bit of a busier day !
I read on here somewhere, that gently massaging the amp site helps with the phantom pains, unfortunatly i didnt read that til after my guy's had already stopped.
Brenda
Boy don't you just wish that dogs could speak human, and humans could speak dog?
Thanks for sharing your experience Wilsy. I think that your two experiences sound a lot alike. It could be phantom pain , and it could be made worse when there is a lot of activity. Does this happen to Odin after he swims? Four weeks is not a lot of time between surgery and now, and it could be a matter of his muscles getting overworked.
I would try gentle massage if he's willing, see if that helps. Here are some articles that can give you tips and ideas. Let us know if it works
Phantom Limb Pain in Tripawd Dogs
Relax, and Learn How to Massage Your Tripawd, Part 1
Relax, and Learn How to Massage Your Tripawd, Part 2
Massage Techniques and Tips for Tripawds
Canine Rehabilitation: Exercises and Stretches with CARE
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Our Bo had pretty severe phantom limb pains for weeks after surgery. They are so scary and we felt helpless!
We noticed that the pains would come on after he did something for the first time after surgery...even if it was weeks after surgery. The first time he swam again, jumped in the bed, went for a car ride, etc. His new body was adjusting to all of the different movements.
We did lots of "ice therapy" and gentle massage to help. That always seemed to calm Bo down and us as well.
Good luck and keep us posted!!
Meghan and Angel Bo
Acupuncture! Try to redirect the CNS and peripheral nerve focus of the body. We did this for my tripawd, Mojo. We didn't do any massage on the site until we were completely sure that all of the internal sutures had healed so that we didn't inflame healing tissue. Acupuncture is so incredibly non-invasive to healing tissue while addressing very directly the huge circuitry rearrangement that accompanies limb loss.
My vet prescribed Gabapentin to help wih phantom pain associated with nerve pain. Ask your vet if it would be appropriate for your dog.
This happened with Jack, right around the same time, I think. I thought maybe he was hurting himself as he tried to get up from laying down, but it could have been phantom pain as well. I wouldn't worry. Try the massage techniques and see where it gets you. Good luck!
Jack - adopted with a crooked leg at 4 months old, managed for six years, and now much-happier Tripawd as of 5/24/2012!
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