Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Thank you all and I will definitely be demanding pain meds.
this isn't my usual vet but a referral orthopaedic specialist and he is ' old school' Â I do have a few tramadol left from pre op pain management but he told me she doesn't need them but " if I feel she needs one then feel free "
I've asked about chemo but he didn't answer, just attitude of " I've chopped it off now away you go" I'll wait for biopsy results and go from there, I just assuming that type of cancer needs establishing before chemo can be discussed?
after all this initial shock I'm starting to think straighter and I need to push vets into what's best for PhoebeÂ
we have to wait 10 days for biopsy results, could even be after Christmas which is a worry
any particular pain relief I should be insisting on?
I am not a vet, so this is only from personal experience! But I would ask for a fentanyl patch. It is a small little square stuck onto the skin near the incision. It slowly releases something like morphine over a couple of days. You peel it off after 5 days or so.
I would also ask for Gabapentin. It is also called Neurontin. People use that for nerve pain (phantom pain ), which happens when the nerves near the amp site fire off (like when people think their arm is burning, even though their arm was amputated). And I'd ask for a refill of the Tramadol. Our pup Ellie did not tolerate it but some dogs do. Since you've been using it w/ Phoebe I assume she does OK on it.Â
Could you perhaps also speak to your usual vet if you have a established relationship?
And I don't know why the biopsy takes so long, but 10 days seems about right.Â
A lot of pups have their first chemo when they go in to have their stitches removed after 2 weeks. The type of chemo needs to wait for the biopsy results anyway.Â
Denise.
Active 10+ Pyr mix suddenly came up lame with ACL tear in left rear leg. Scheduled for a TPLO but final pre-op x-rays indicated a small suspicious area, possibly OSA, which could have caused the ACL tear. Surgeon opened the knee for TPLO but found soft bone. Biopsy came back positive for OSA. Became a Tripawd 9/18/14. Carbo6 with Cerenia and Fluids. Pain free and living in the moment. Crossed the Bridge on 7/12/15 after probable spread of cancer to her cervical spine. A whole lifetime of memories squeezed into 10 months. Here's her story: Eloise
It seems most dogs come home with gabapentin for nerve pain, tramadol, and  rimadyl plus their antibiotic.  And yes type of cancer is important to determine which type of chemo is given I believe.  And you can't dwell on statistics.  There are many here who have blown those statistics out of the water.  And of course many that haven't too.  My theory on it is we got our boy out of the pain of walking on that cancer ridden leg.  That was our primary goal.  We did follow up with 4 chemos and no matter how much time we end up with it's been more time than I wouldn't had to spoil him and love him than if we had done nothing.  I have to be content with that.  For now he's out of pain and back to being our larger than life guy Max.  I find if I worry about what tomorrow is going to bring I lose the joy of having him today.  All life lessons he and everyone here have taught me 😀  Sending many healing vibes your way. Keep us posted!
Linda & Max
Thank you so much, made a note of meds
i don't think I'll be seeing specialist tomorrow just a nurse to pick her up, I think it best I ring beforehand to make sure pain meds there.
or I may ring my vet who is young and up to date more and hopefully he'll make phone call or prescribe meds, I do feel a little intimidated asking specialist if I'm honest
Sonya, clearly you are a strong advocate for your Phoebe and love her soooo mich! That's why you won't be intimidated in the least when you ask for pain meds! You are her voice!! On top of that, you are paying big bucks for this amputation and you and Phoebe deserve the best care available!
I like Donna's suggestion of asking your regular vet for the meds. He'll make the dosage appropriate for your girl. My Happy Hannah was NOT on the patch, some dogs are though. It's jist a surgeon's preference I guess. She was sent home, like aslmost all dogs here, with. TRAMADOL, GABAPENTIN, RIMADYL, AN ANTIBIOTIC.
Remember, Phoebe could care less about anynole' biopsy report and certainly doesn't give a rip about statistics! All she cares about is being loved and spoiled by you, living life to the fullest pain free. Phoebe doesn't worry about tomorrow. She lives in the moment, in the NOW. We call that Being More Dog! So congratulations on mastering one of the great life lessons of this journey...BEING MORE PHOEBE! To do otherwise will interfere with your treasured time together.
Tee hee....I kinda' hope you give that Surgeon a call and TELL him you've decided she NEEDS those pain meds...not ASK him...tee hee! Then you can still consult with your regular vet behind the scenes.
We'll look forward to your updates.
Love and hugs!
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!
Isn't everyone great here? All of us started out in the same place as you and now are able and willing to share our experiences. I agree with everyone around the pain medication. I don't understand why some vets send pets home without insufficient medication. I suspect it's because they have not experienced amputation recovery in a home setting. I would much rather have my pet sleeping from the pain meds than being in pain. My cat Mona showed pain by racing around the house - I think she was running from it.
Mona was on a narcotic and Metacam (anti-inflammatory pain killer). The only suggestion I have is if the dosage is 2-3 times per day then give it more often. I started at every 12 hours and Mona would be in discomfort, grouchy and running from the pain before it was time for the next dose. She managed better when I gave it every 8 hours. Others might have feedback on the dosing times they used.
It will be exciting to have Phoebe back in her loving home.
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
Tramadol and Neurontin worked for my dog. Â Other people have good luck with fentanyl patch.
Once you have biopsy result, go to an oncologist. Â
If it's Osteosarcoma (most likely given the presentation and likelihood) then chemo is an option.
Don't be intimidated. Â Just tell them you'd prefer to be proactive. Â If Phoebe's pain in well controlled her recovery will be smoother. Â I really can't believed that the vet didn't think she would need pain meds. Â
Hang in there and keep us posted!!
Love
Buddy and Julie
Thinking of you...update when you can...
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!
Hi all, Phoebe home and doing fantastic 😄 I'm going to try and add photo, really appreciate everyone's advice and supportÂ
Glad to hear this! Â Phoebe is a beauty. Â Thanks for sharing the update and keep us posted when you can.
Linda & Max
YAAAAAAAAAY FOR PHOEBE! Having her home is THE best Christmas present EVER!!
Hugs!
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!
Yay for being home! Yay and Yay for doing fantastic!
Looking forward to pictures.
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Â
        Maggie's Story          Amputation and Chemo
Thanks everyone, unfortunately I don't know how to post pictures but she's doing fine, although not eating much at the moment and being difficult when it comes to taking her meds, hiding pills in everything and anything 😄
Now guess what has happened........ My male Rottie started limping yesterday vet checked today with X-rays and he's done his cruciate ligament and needs operation next week 🙈😢 I can't believe my luck. Just thankful that it's just ligament as I obviously thought the worst after what happened to Phoebe. He's now on tramadol as well.
sonyajba said
I don't know how to post pictures...
Here are detailed instructions for adding photos to forum posts . If you don't already share photos online somewhere you can start a free blog anytime and upload them there!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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