Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello Everyone!
I am new here. My greyhound was just diagnosed with Osteo. I am seeing the surgeon next week to discuss amputation. In the meantime my boy is on Rimadyl but I know he needs something stronger. I have had 3 other greyhounds that had Osteo and they all took Tramdol as well.
The vet I am seeing now wants me to used Rimadyl and Tylenol. No Tramadol.
I was wondering if you all could tell me if you have used Tylenol for your dogs?
Thank you so much!!
Pam and Vaughn
Hi Pam and Vaughn -
I haven't ever used Tramadol or Tylenol, but my Juno (now 6 weeks post op for hind limb osteo) was on Rimadyl and gabapentin both pre and post op and they worked great. They also sent us home with codeine which proved too strong so we only used it once and never again.
I’d highly recommend the Rimadyl + gabapentin combo as they both work very differently on pain and in combination have a synergistic effect.
If your vet doesn’t carry gabapentin they can still prescribe it for pick up from your local human pharmacy (often cheaper there too). Just make sure you get it in tablet or capsule form, as the liquid form contains xylitol which is toxic to dogs.
Hope that helps - rooting for you and Vaughn! 
Natalie & Juno (aka June)
Hey Pam,
I will parrot Natalie and comment that my vet also had Ellie on both rimadyl and gabapentin. I agree that Vaughn probably needs more than just a NSAID. Far and above the most common is gabapentin and rimadyl multi-modal approach.
Tylenol? Interesting, it's my understanding that it's not a safe medication for dogs.
I'm 99% sure that Tramadol or Tylenol cannot touch bone cancer pain. I'm not a vet, but based on my conversations with experts, better pain management is in order, quickly. The latest research on tramadol is that it's ineffective for all but the most mild pain. It won't touch osteosarcoma pain, and Gabapentin can help but only temporarily. Dogs are so stoic at hiding pain like this, and only show pain when it's really, really bad. Here's a pain management article you'll want to check out, then have a conversation with your vet about getting stronger pain control:
You can give Tylenol to dogs under veterinary supervision but typically for bone cancer pain you give it with codeine not tramadol.
Pam
Hi Pam, sorry you find yourself in this crappy situation, but so glad you're posting in the forums. We're all rooting for you and Vaughn!
Paula and Warrior Angel Nitro
Nitro 11 1/2 yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
Thank you for the article. Very helpful! Between the article and the other replies I need to talk to the vet about adding Gabapentin with the Rimadyl.
I had also thought Tylenol was bad for dogs in general but I talked to several people who said their vets used it for various things and it worked great. But as someone here said I don't think its enough for bone pain! When my other greyhounds had bone cancer it was 5-10 years ago and that is when they thought Tramdol was good but I know now that it is not effective.
I will be calling first thing tomorrow to get a script for Gabapentin.
Thanks!
Hi, Pam
It's Lisa Marie
Another voice in support of Rimadyl and Gabapentin. Pofi was on a combo of those plus Tramadol from the moment we had diagnosis. Initially 300 mg Gabapentin 3x a day, 75 mg Rimadyl 2x a day, and 100 mg Tramadol 3x a day. Of the three meds, Tramadol was, I felt, the least effective, but when I staggered the cycled for Gabapentin and Tramadol by a few hours, it seemed to help because it was waxing when Gabapentin was waning. Helped in keeping ahead of the pain.
Please do advocate for Vaughn and push for Gabapentin! Pofi was 74 lbs, btw.
Lisa, Minneapolis
On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly. His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.
Hey Pam! Just want to pop in and add my support in any way I can.
You've already gotten great feedback on the Gabapentin and Rimadyl. Hopefully you can advocate to your Vet and get this good combo. And want to add a "thank you" for being so kind to contribute a portion of the scentsy sales to Tripawds. Such a lovely gift.
Bummer your sweet Greyhound is dealing with osteo, but you are def at the right place for support and I information and understanding.
Would loooove to see more pictures. Vaughn's avatar is stunning.
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS...Hi Lisa! And to see Pofi's avatar made me smile♥️
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 Pam,
Looks like you have gotten some great advice. Welcome to the club no one wants to join. Glad Lisa, Paula, Rene and Dr Pam all jumped on to give you great advice. Our resident cheerleader Sally is always a great person to lean on as well.
Hugs
Michelle & Angels Sassy, Bosch, Baby Simba, and Sweet Snickers
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Hello everyone! Thank you again for the great support!
I took Vaughn to a new Holistic vet today and she was wonderful. She called in the Gabapentin for me! She also gave me diet advice and is very supportive of the amputation if the surgeon agrees Vaughn is a good candidate. The vet I saw today feels that Vaughn is a good candidate.
They also did Ozone Therapy treatment which is supposed to target Cancer cells and help healthy cells grow. I don't know if it was a coincidence but Vaughn was NOT limping when we left.
Sally you are most welcome for the Scentsy fundraiser donation. I think it was meant to be that I met all of you great people!
Love Pam and Vaughn ( I will post pictures once I figure out how to do it LOL)
Really love that the holistic vet and the vet Vaughan saw today were both on board for amputation. And kudos to the holistic vet recognizing the benefits of Gabapentin iand making sure you were able to get that for him.
I don't know whether it was a coincidence or not about the ozone therapy. Regardless, he wasn't limping! To me, that looks like the ozone therapy was helping!
Thanks for checking back in with, all things considered, a good update.👍
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!
Pam,
That is awesome news. Glad you found a holistic vet that can help you out. You can go here for adding images and it will help you add them to your post.
Keep us informed for Vaughn and how he is doing
Michelle & Angels Sassy, Bosch, Baby Simba and Sweet Snickers
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
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