Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I bought him some new shirts for his appointment tomorrow so I will post pictures and update you tomorrow.
For now, I've switched Tommy's food to Wellness Core because I figure he needs more protein for energy since he gets tired easily. And once I have it to him I was happily surprised because he's finally eating on his own!
Thanks!
Soo... I was reading on this site about phantom limb pain and now I'm scared Tommy has this. He's been panting non-stop since the surgery. I don't know if he's just tired or in pain.
How do I know the difference? Does anyone have any insight on this?
P.s. maybe he's just hot? From wearing his t-shirts..
The medications really mess with them, so it's hard...but the panting could be pain, too. Murphy came home on 3 different meds ugh! I made sure to try to space out all of his medications so that he had something in his system pretty much around the clock...my son stays up late, so that helped with a late dose. He's probably not hot from the t shirt...I would think more likely pain. If he's not due for anything, try applying an ice pack to the site for about 10 minutes or so and see if maybe that helps.
donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
Astrella,
The only thing I know about phantom limb pain, is that one of the things they do for veterans missing limbs, is to actually put a prosthetic limb on and massage the prosthetic. My buddy who lost his leg from just below the hip told me about the therapy, and he thought it was bogus at first, but then he said he noticed a difference after a few sessions.
I have no clue how to do it for a canine or feline but I'm sure there is something out there.
For now, I would lean towards the side of medication/stress/t-shirt causing the panting.
I don't know your routine with him, but if you aren't already, maybe try cooling down the house and lay with him to see if the panting stops?
Plenty of resources on here, but my vet is awesome, although I pay a premium for it, they will pick up the phone 24/7 and are always helpful. They may have a recommendation to settle him down, and may even have doggie Valium if he needs it.
Luckily my pup Iris just got over it like pulling a splinter, but I could really see how all of this could just be very stressful for him, and maybe a little doggie Valium could do the trick. Give your vet a call.
Hey sorry I logged off early last night. How's he doing today?
Panting is usually an indication of pain but it could also indicate an intolerance to the pain meds. Remind us what he's on? Many dogs are nervous nellies on Tramadol, it makes our Wyatt batty. Once we switched him to gabapentin he was fine.
Phantom pain is different. That is when a dog or cat will let out a sharp cry or shriek from out of nowhere, act like something just happened to his leg. It's very upsetting, you will know it if it happens. From what we've seen, most dogs don't get it though.
Mike is right; gentle massage does wonders. This link to phantom limb pain has all of our best tips for managing pain, and also how to massage your pup after surgery. I hope it helps. Keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
If he's on Tramadol, I'd have to agree that this could well be reason for the panting.
Tramadol made our Ellie extremely anxious, with a lot of panting and hyper-alertness. For Ellie, we knew these were signs of anxiety because she's that way during thunderstorms or fireworks. She also didn't seem to clear Tramadol from her system well, because the whole time she was on it she just got more and more wound up.
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
Okay thank you so much! I am so much more at ease now because yes, he's on Tramadol and Rimadyl. He actually had a bad reaction to Tramadol before, I believe I gave him too much and he was having trouble breathing. To be safe maybe I'll just ask the vet to change his medication because I also believe he's definitely still in pain.
He's only yelped in pain randomly about 2 or 3 times and that was definitely last week so I'm glad it's not phantom limb, but I will follow through with massages once it's safe just in case.
And I'm sorry to let you guys know that yesterday was a particularly bad day for Tommy. He was panting so hard the whole day and in the afternoon he wouldn't even get up 
I think it's either he's in pain or it's also from the Tramadol because he also wasn't eating. I finally got him to eat late in the afternoon but it was difficult.
This morning he's doing better. He's more alert than yesterday and less panting. I think it might be a combination of the heat and the medication. Yesterday when I checked up on him he was sleeping on the the floor, which is marble so it's always pretty cold. And this morning before the sun rose he was fine.
Like I mentioned before, he has an appointment today at 1. I'm so nervous, but I hope I remember to ask about switching his pain medication.
Tramadol made my sweet Shelby super nutty ... we had to get her an anti-anxiety med (think valium for dogs)... pacing, panting, restless... OH how those first days at home were ROUGH!!!!
but it does get better .... talk to your vet for sure!!!
hugs!
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Aww hang in there. This is what we call the rollercoaster of recovery. Let us know how the appointment went!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Murphy came home on Tramadol, Gabapentin & Rimadyl. The Gabapentin is supposed to be the best because it's for nerve pain (aka Neurontin for us humans lol).
Once or twice Murphy let out a yelp like the phantom yelp, but that was it, thankfully!
Hope Tommy's doing better!
donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
Well Tommy's appointment was both wonderful and horrible at the same time.
Good news first. They removed the staples so he's healing as he's supposed to. The stapled became a little embedded in his incision so there's a little redness and bleeding from taking them out.. but overall it's doing great. He's clear to heal and he doesn't have to come back but we're going to schedule another appointment for next Tuesday just to be extra sure. But if everything is well he should be able to start chemo the week after.
And the bad part is that my poor baby was terrified of the hospital. He got out of the car and notice where he was and he wanted to run. He wouldn't move at all and the vet techs had to come out and carry him in. He was absolutely miserable and it made me so sad. That means it was obviously a traumatic experience for him and now I'm worried about his emotional health. Like what if he doesn't trust me anymore? He was so upset even when we were back home 
The panting was probably from the tramadol the vet said so I should stop giving it to him. Today is day 10 post-op... do you guys really think he's no longer in pain? I just have trouble believing that..
Oh and the vet said Tommy needs to lose about 10 pounds so he can walk better.
I guess it's overall good news but I'm just so shaken up by how terrified he was 
Wow that does sound like it was a traumatizing visit, I'm so sorry. There could be a lot of reasons why Tommy reacted that way. Maybe he slipped on the floor when he was there? Maybe he was startled when someone woke him up while he was sleeping off the anesthesia? Who knows. But whatever it was try to remember that dogs don't have the same kind of emotions we do. They experience things differently and no matter what Tommy will always know you are the leader, and everything's going to be OK. He would never blame you or hold something against you.
10 days post op is about when most dogs stop taking pain meds. If you find in a week or so of being off the Tram that he is still giving out pain signals , I would recommend talking to your vet about pain management like acupuncture or massage. Also try the tips in the link I posted earlier, things like massage does help.
Hugs to you both for surviving such a tough day!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Alrighty, staples are out! YAAAAAAAAAY!!!
Sorry it was such a traumatic event for sweet Tommy. Maybe you can take him i n a few short car rides every nlw a d then that are noth i ng but fun...loke driving through McDonalds for a cheesburger, perhaps an ice cream cone at a Dairy Queen!
I'm not a good k e to ask about lain meds as Happy Hannah needed them for three weeks. The symptoms you described sounded like pain. But jist try whwt the vet said and you can always put him back in. Did he mention Gabapentin?
Now this is where yoir confidence as a strong pack leader llays a role! You know that if you have nervous and fearful energy he'll pick up on thst. TRY. not to worry! Easier said than done! Just start practicing staying in the moment...in the present...in the now! Dogs don't worry about tomorrow or yesterday
.Tommy is doing very well and will continue to improve! Still take it slowly. Vets say it takes about two weeks to recover from the surgery itself, and then about a month to get all the mobility issues figured out and joints snd muscles adjusted.
You are a WONDERFUL advocate for sweet Tommy!!! Continje to enjoy every moment...each day is a sacred treasure! Dontw waste your time together worrying about tomorrow...today is all that counts!!
Sending lots and lots of love!!
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!
First off, benny55, your typing is hilarious.
Now...
Iris had surgery @U.C. Davis, and pulled me into Bradshaw VCA like she was late to the party. After a little scuffle in the waiting room things went well and they pulled staples and I bought heartworm preventative and we were on our way.
She is always stressed in the car on the way somewhere, but is totally relaxed on the way home. I didn't get it until I remembered an episode of dog whisperer, and I truly believe it was my energy she was reading.
Stressed out about how she will react to the vet and how she will feel about me, and then poof gone as soon as I was transmitting the energy that we are going home and can snuggle.
I don't think your dog is holding a grudge against you, if anything your pooch was just feeling a lot of anxiety...
I like that you are doing a follow up appointment, my vet said it wasn't necessary but we are going in again on Sunday, just to check up and have her nails trimmed, she doesn't like her paws played with so it's easier to have it done by a professional and not worry about injury.
Sounds like things are going good for you guys!
Mike! lol! You should have seen my tyling when I first joined here...this is an improvement
What's really bad is, when I go back and read it...even though I wrote it...I cantw figure out what I was trying to tyle either!!!
And you are spot on about energy and how our dogs pick up on it! I LOVE the Dog Whisperer!
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!
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