Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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lnwag said
I have slowly cut down on her Tram from 5 pills every 8 hrs to 3 pills every 8 hours and she has 1 more day of rimadyl....thoughts? advice? help?
Holy moly that's a lot of tram. What mg are the pills in? And what's her weight? I'm not a vet but I can tell you that with our Wyatt, 75 pounds, after his last surgery he was advised to take 1 to 3, 50 mg tablets every 8-10 hours.
She could be doped up so much she can't get around.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I thought it was a lot too having taken it recently after back surgery myself. They are 50mg tabs and she ways about 85lbs. I actually checked with vet and they said that they had recently increased recommended dosage due to most recent studies saying dogs did better on more, but they did give me leeway to cut it down. The thing is that as I cut it down, her walking has gotten worse. I don't know if maybe she is doing more because she is not doped up and that has worn out the remaining leg...
I'm in the chat right now if you want to talk.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Okay...deep breaths...B R E A T H E.....B R E A T H E.....I know this recovery seems like an eternity! It's such an intense time. She's gon a figure all this out, it just takes some dogs a little longer than others.
Glad to see you've cut back on the Tram. And I'm a huge advocate for pain meds but that did sound excessive, especially for thirteen days out. My Happy Hannah at 125 lbs.largest dose was three (she was also on Gabapentin) Is Layla on Gabapentin too, or just Tramdol? It could e that the Gaba may work for her better than the Tram. Every dog is soooo different!
How is she overall? And I apologize I've asked you this before. Eating? Drinking? Pooping? Peeing?
How much activity is she getting? Her muscles and spine are still getting used to this new way of moving and it sounds like she is still in the "adjustment" phase.
When you massage her up and down her spine and her legs, does she show any pain? Check out all the sources on here for massage and rehab techniques.
Hang in there. We are all right with you.
(((((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
lnwag said
I thought it was a lot too having taken it recently after back surgery myself. They are 50mg tabs and she ways about 85lbs. I actually checked with vet and they said that they had recently increased recommended dosage due to most recent studies saying dogs did better on more, but they did give me leeway to cut it down. The thing is that as I cut it down, her walking has gotten worse. I don't know if maybe she is doing more because she is not doped up and that has worn out the remaining leg...
Yikes. Well, many vets don't give enough pain medication so at least yours is proactive. That's a good sign! It's a fine line balancing those meds from dog to dog. Everyone is different and you just never know what's going to be enough or too much. People can vocalize and realize when they've had too much or too little pain relief, but our pets cannot. It seems like when you do figure it out, recovery phase is over.
I'm not sure about the walking part. Your best bet right now is to keep her as calm as possible, in a confined room or crate if that's what she's comfy with, and keep your vet in the loop. Give her time, it's still early and the pain meds are still going through her system like crazy. Hang in there.
Glad to see you're in the chat! Hopping over there now.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
P.S. If you remember, I'd love to get a link to that study your vet referred to, just for my own info. I'm always up for learning about latest studies for things like this.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks guys. I took her off meds during the day (day 14) and she has seemed fine. Balance is still an issue and she is continuing to sleep a lot, but she seems more herself. Stitches come out tomorrow morning, and then we will see what comes next. I will ask Vet about the med. study to see if she can give me link. She only told me about it.
Lynn
Glad that she seems more herself. That's a good sign!
The vet can give her a good check up tomorrow when the stitches come out.
She should continue to get a bit more perkier little bit by little bit. I know she'll feel better having the stitches out.
Just for reassurance, ask the vet to taken her temperature to make sure the lethargy isn't due to an infection.
Keep us posted as y ou can. I know it's incredibly nard to be patient on this journey...but try!
Hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
Our journey continues to be up and down. Layla got her stitches out Thursday and got an all clear from the vet. She was happy visiting the vet, and her tail was wagging joyously. She wore herself out though, and slept for the next 7 hours. We scheduled a therapy appointment for next Thursday. Yesterday she seemed more subdued, and today is the same. The most concerning thing is that she cannot seem to lift her tail. She can wag it down low, but not up high as she usually does. I know she is lying and sitting on it constantly, and wonder if she has injured it. Has that happened to anyone? Of course, being July 4th, there are only the emergency vets available who said they would look at her, but I don't think it is an emergency. She is eating and drinking and wanting to go out as usual. Thoughts anyone?
Thanks again! and Have a Happy Safe 4th of July!
Lynn
Hmm. Maybe her tail is sore from wagging it so much at the vet?! 
It could be a pain indicator, yesterday was a big day for her. Is she showing any other signs like limping or crying when she gets up? If not, and based on that she's eating and drinking (oh what about eliminating?) I would guess that it's just that she's tired. I hope she'll be able to get some rest today. See how she does tomorrow.
Hoppy 4th to you too!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Eliminating is fine, too. No whimpering. It's just like her whole body, including her tail, is forced to one side... my inclinations is to wait and watch, too, but it the tail is definitely different than is was 2 days ago.
Thanks, Jerry!
Just checking in on Layla, is her tail any better?
I'm just gonna add something here, since I've lately become a "tail expert", but is it possible that she might have "no wag" syndrome? She's been using her tail a lot more than before and the muscles at the base of the tail can get inflamed and cause a "sleeping foot" sensation. It typically takes 2 to 3 days to get better. I've actually had to give anti-inflammatories to both my girls when they over-do.
Just a thought.
pam
Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.
"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."
- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey
Thanks for your post. I had found something called Limber Tail searching on the internet, which sounds a little like what you are talking about and what she is experiencing. She might seem slightly better today. Did your dogs get better gradually? Her tail usually wags her whole body, and right now it is just down low and slightly wagging, versus not wagging at all on Saturday. She also seems to be in pain when trying to sit. I called the surgeon today (who of course is off) and the tech suggested I try a pain pill to see if that helps with pain, I am bringing her in to be seen tomorrow morning at 9:00.
Thanks for taking the time to post. Reading about something on the internet and hearing from someone who lived it are two very different things!
Lynn
It's called by many names, limber tail, no wag, dead tail, etc.
My pack has always been Labs or mixed Labs and they're notorious for having this problem. I always keep on hand an anti-inflammatory for them because it's quite uncomfortable for them.
Meesha is my pooch who wags her whole body. But when she's got dead tail, she's pretty pitiful. Melody gets it too, but not as much.
Good luck my friend!
pam
Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.
"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."
- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey
We went to the vet yesterday, and she said Layla's tail looked fine. Of course, it had been 4 days since the day it didn't move, and it was looking better when we went. She felt that Layla was learning that big wags throw her off balance, and she is experimenting with her tail and her new body. Hopefully that is all that it is. The vet did a lot of probing and moving of her tail, so I am going to trust her opinion, at least for now!
The best news yet is that yesterday and today, Layla played with her toys after breakfast, just like she used to do. That was day 20 post surgery, and it definitely showed me she is coming back!
Thanks again for all your support. This site is great!
Lynn
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