OH I forgot the step about the tree....Thanks for fixing it for me.

She came home, ate, went out to potty, came in and fell asleep for about 30 minutes. She woke from a sound sleep just yelping in pain - this went on for about 20 or 30 seconds (seemed like hours!) - I reassured her and calmed her down and gave a dose of Metacam (vet had taken her off of that - she was just on the Tramadol and antibiotics) - 

Do you think she had a bad dream or phantom pain ?  It all happened so quickly - even though I was right in the room with her - I didn't see anything except she was hurting - she walked a few steps and stood in the room yelping until I got to her.  Now she is sleeping again.  

Hope that was a one time thing - any suggestions? Vet said I could use Metacam as needed - also hasn't had her night time dose of Tramadol yet. It's hard for me to determine if something hurt her.  She is sleeping in an open soft bed with sides - not her crate.  

not sure Jerry - That is why I wondered if she had a bad dream. I just held her head and spoke reassuringly to her.   - but since my post she has had another shorter episode. I was just reading the posts and PDF here about phantom pain .  She laid back down and was jerking her little stump a few times.  She is also uncomfortable with her cone of shame - but I don't want her to mess with incision - it's 3 days post 2nd surgery today and still a little clear (ish) drainage.  So, I'm afraid she would be tempted to lick it.  But I don't think that caused it.  It was (both times) very sudden and the loudest I've ever heard her.  sweet Dolly Momma, so sorry you're hurting 

Thanks Jerry - I will call first thing in the morning.  It is possible that they did not witness this as it's been so sporadic (3 events in 4 or 5 hours).  She just had another one that was the longest one yet - and she has had her Tramadol and Metacam.   I was kneeling by her bed, comforting her, and I could feel her jerking her stump very vigorously.  

I actually have 2 different strengths of Gabapentin - My husband has taken it for years for nerve pain.  I guess I won't give it until I call vet , though.  I'm afraid we're in for a long night ............

It is just bone chilling to hear her make that noise - it is worse than any yelp - it is a long, loud, almost scream - with her mouth wide open - so disturbing. 

Jerry - above are photos of the Comfy Cone - so far it's worked just fine.  It is a bit too large for her - but that's better than too short.  (I originally bought it for a bloodhound I was fostering that weighed 130 lbs.) This one is X-Large - I think for her (65 lbs.) a Large would be about right. 

The negatives are that she cannot see through the dark material but I think it helps her not to run into things. With the clear one - (which was always getting dirty) she kept thinking she could turn her head - now she just walks straight ahead toward what she can see.  

I'll be home with her and if I see her trying to reach around it somehow - she'll go back into the plastic cone. I know this one is more comfortable for her to sleep. 

She had two episodes today - one this morning and one later afternoon.  She is doing one thing new - she is spinning around before she settles down.  Is this the medication?  She does it in her round bed - but I also saw her doing it before she lay down on the wood floor - just turning around and around maybe a dozen times.

I tried a blow up collar - it fit her but she can reach her incision - so we're back to the big one for awhile. She cannot get to her incision but I think it makes her depressed. So my plan is to give her a couple of breaks during the day when I can sit with her and let her wear the blow up collar. I can tell her ears itch from the cone - when I take it off she shakes her head. 

All in all we are doing much better.  I think we can both handle an episode or two as long as it's not once an hour.  And I am hoping that the gabapentin might eliminate them all together. 

That does look better Jerry - do you know the brand name?  I will order her one as I assume she will have to wear it until the sutures are removed (10 days) - she just gives me that sad, sad, hound dog face when I put it on her.  

I do think the Gabapentin is kicking in.  I ran out for lunch today - so unless I missed one - she has had only one episode today and it is already 5 p.m. here.  I also think it's making her sleep more...but I think that is ok - she is resting her leg and healing.  

All of the important things - eating, drinking, pooping,- as going fine.  I feel like we've turned the corner!  🙂  🙂  🙂