Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Random Question - I have noticed over the last 4-5 days, 1-2 times a day, Griffin will jump up suddenly to a standing position from a sleeping/resting state as though startled. He doesn't make any noise and does not appear in pain. He settles back down quickly, sometimes seeking reassurance and sometimes not. This is a recent development and was not a behavior he has exhibited previously. I thought perhaps this could be phantom limb pain, but again, he doesn't appear to be in any pain, doesn't make noise, and isn't showing any other symptoms, such as licking or muscle spasms. Any thoughts on what is going on? Thanks!
Griffin lived an amazing life for 11 years! Diagnosed with osteosarcoma on March 17, 2020, Griffin's right forelimb was amputated on April 2, 2020. Ten days later he was running and playing fetch! Lung metastasis discovered in July 2020 did not slow down Griffin and he lived joyfully for the next 7 months, passing peacefully at home on February 11, 2021. https://griffin.tripawds.com
Hey Stacy and Griffin! 
I'm so gald to hear how well Griffin has been doing, you two have been such a great source of comfort and support and I'll be forever grateful 
About the suddenly jumping up thing, maybe the amputation site is just a bit itchy? I know I get kinda twitchy if my skin feels itchy... maybe just give him a full body look over to see if anything has popped up? It doesn't sound like he's in pain so that's good.
I hope you figure out your little mystery!
nyoom
My little Tripawd Elly does that occasionally. She is a rear amp- and when she jumps up she almost always looks at her amp side like something was stabbing or grabbing her. She never makes a sound and usually settles back down right away.
For history- Elly is 5.5 years old now, she lost her leg in a car accident when she was 7 months. I got her at 10 months fully healed from surgery but not very strong and with limited stamina.
The best I can figure out is that it happens when we have had a long day or she has overdone activity- I think I have triggered it by doing too many exercises in a day- although it doesn't happen while we are doing exercises but usually in the evening when she is resting.
When she does the jump I try and hold her amp area and massage a bit around her hip and her remaining back leg although she is super sensitive about me touching her amp site.
You might try a little massage around his neck and shoulders when it happens.
I read somewhere (although I can't find it now) that phantom limb pain can happen for years although that might be in people- so I've always wondered if Elly still gets jabs of pain now and then. It could happen while she is awake and she just doesn't react like she does when she is asleep.
You could also try writing down what time it happens and what you had done that day and see if you can find a pattern or a trigger.
Keep those vids and pics coming of your amazing boy!
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Hi Nyoom! You and Hazel are doing an amazing job together! That video of her playing with her toy and you urging her on was adorable! I'm not sure Griffin's incision would be itchy at this point - we are 5+ weeks post surgery and his incision is fully healed. But I bet it is related to that area and if I figure it out, I'll be sure to post! Keep the photos and updates of your amazing girl coming - you both are truly inspirational! ~ Stacy
Hi Karen! When Griffin startles, I haven't seen him look at his body. Instead, he looks into the distance, usually towards our front door, as if he heard something that made him jump, but I haven't heard anything (although his hearing would be much better than mine). I like the idea of keeping a log to see if I can pin it down. He usually stands for only a few seconds and then re-settles, so I haven't been making a big deal about it since he doesn't seem to be in any pain. I'll see if my detective skills can figure it out. Thanks for the words of wisdom! ~ Stacy
Griffin lived an amazing life for 11 years! Diagnosed with osteosarcoma on March 17, 2020, Griffin's right forelimb was amputated on April 2, 2020. Ten days later he was running and playing fetch! Lung metastasis discovered in July 2020 did not slow down Griffin and he lived joyfully for the next 7 months, passing peacefully at home on February 11, 2021. https://griffin.tripawds.com
And on top of being a tripawd, he's ten years ol (okay, ten guests young), and can clearly outrun any of the "competition "! Love how he looked around to make sure no one was getting too close. That's HIS ball and no one's gonna get it!! Soooo mich personality is this boy!
Yeah, definitely a Giraffe-wanna'-be😉
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS. Maybe a leg cramp, foot cramp?
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!
So I guess Mother Nature read my earlier post and decided she would show off her power a little this evening. It snowed for a bit late this afternoon - nothing that was sticking, but you could see the flakes in the air. Afterwards, the sun came out and Griffin and I headed out for a walk in our favorite place.
This was recorded at 6:16pm. Note the abundance of sunshine!
This was taken at 6:18pm after a short game of fetch and a few rolls in the grass that was wet from the snow. Still sunny!
This was taken at 6:29pm when ominous clouds started rolling in and we started heading home. At one point, all the sky I could see was literally split in half - sunny to the south and a huge bank of clouds to the north.
And this video was taken at 6:39pm. As I've said before, rain or shine - and I guess now hail - are perfect conditions for Griffin's rolls in the grass!
Can Spring please arrive and stay for a long visit soon?
Griffin lived an amazing life for 11 years! Diagnosed with osteosarcoma on March 17, 2020, Griffin's right forelimb was amputated on April 2, 2020. Ten days later he was running and playing fetch! Lung metastasis discovered in July 2020 did not slow down Griffin and he lived joyfully for the next 7 months, passing peacefully at home on February 11, 2021. https://griffin.tripawds.com
That is some crazy weather....and all within a short time! Giess you have to start carrying a back back. with a winter coat, a raincoat, boots, sandals and shorts! As noted noted tjough, Griffin could care less!
The roll on the grass in a hailstorm?? Pretty sure that's a first! Leave it to Griffin!!!
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!
I just got a call from family yelling at me for letting Griffin play in the hail instead of heading home - LOL! My response? We are living in the moment! I currently wear a rather large fanny pack (sorry - I think the current lingo is "belt bag"!) with water, ball & launcher, extra poop bags, tissues, hand sanitizer, phone, keys, and chapstick. I guess adding boots and other gear wouldn't be a problem. 
Griffin lived an amazing life for 11 years! Diagnosed with osteosarcoma on March 17, 2020, Griffin's right forelimb was amputated on April 2, 2020. Ten days later he was running and playing fetch! Lung metastasis discovered in July 2020 did not slow down Griffin and he lived joyfully for the next 7 months, passing peacefully at home on February 11, 2021. https://griffin.tripawds.com
Haha! People who don't know how resilient Tripawds are...especially Griffin.....could never understand what "being more dog" and "living in the moment" mean. We get it though! Keep on rolling Griffin!!
BTW...congrats on a well stocked fanny pack
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!
Rolling in hail - what a nut! No wonder amputation was no big deal for Griffin. haha
Also, to (possibly) answer your question above - Copper had episodes of suddenly hopping up from resting similar to Griffin's after surgery (though she would chew at her stump area and sometimes whine a little). They were every few days and very random but thankfully resolved about 6-7 weeks after surgery. I don't know what (if any meds) Griffin is on - but i made sure she was getting her Gabapentin on schedule and that seemed to help. As Gabapentin is a drug specifically for nerve pain - i have to think she was likely getting some abnormal/nervy feedback from what's left of her left hind leg.
Hi Copper's human! Griffin has been off all meds since 7 days post-op and we are 5+ weeks post-op at this time. Thankfully, he doesn't seem to be in any pain when these episodes occur - just startled and then able to settle quickly. I reached out to his surgeon who said it doesn't sound like phantom limb pain, but it is hard to tell since our pups can't speak to us. I am trying to track the episodes now to see if I can pinpoint a particular time of day or occurrence after certain activities in order to figure it out. I find it so odd since the onset has been in the last week and not something continuous since surgery. Hopefully whatever it is resolves and maybe I'll never know! ~ Stacy
Griffin lived an amazing life for 11 years! Diagnosed with osteosarcoma on March 17, 2020, Griffin's right forelimb was amputated on April 2, 2020. Ten days later he was running and playing fetch! Lung metastasis discovered in July 2020 did not slow down Griffin and he lived joyfully for the next 7 months, passing peacefully at home on February 11, 2021. https://griffin.tripawds.com
Don't you love how fanny packs are back in style?!
I love that nothing slowed him down from enjoying his outside time. A dog's gotta do what a dog's gotta do, especially during a pandemic!
Too funny about the weather. It's a lot like summer in Colorado.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
While today was a bit chilly in the morning, the day was bright and we spent a few hours outdoors enjoying the sunshine. As you probably know, Griffin is a rather charming fellow. So charming, in fact, that he often steals the balls and humans' affections of other dogs, and they love him nevertheless. Such is the case in the video below. Kyna's ball was evidently more interesting than our own and her mom simply can't resist Griffin. Both Kyna and Griffin must have passed kindergarten with flying colors because they took turns fetching the ball quite nicely, giving the other a much needed breather in between rounds. Our evening stroll was markedly different from last night - warm and sunny without a hint of hail!
Happy Mother's Day to all!
Griffin playing fetch with Kyna's ball and mom.
Griffin resting on the way home this morning.
Griffin lived an amazing life for 11 years! Diagnosed with osteosarcoma on March 17, 2020, Griffin's right forelimb was amputated on April 2, 2020. Ten days later he was running and playing fetch! Lung metastasis discovered in July 2020 did not slow down Griffin and he lived joyfully for the next 7 months, passing peacefully at home on February 11, 2021. https://griffin.tripawds.com
It is ALWAYS such a delight to see Griffin, whether he's relaxing and sharing his Zen with us, or playing fetch, or charming anyone in his path. He really, really is a beautiful Soul, a wise Soul with a puppy attitude!!
So funny that he goes after Kyna's ball and they take turns.😎👏
The picture with Griffin's light blending into the sun light...lovely. And I always appreciate the moment of Zen share with us as you scan the Hudson, let us listen to the sou ds of Nature, and share the bliss of Griffin❤ Thank you🙏
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!
Oooh that was a windy day, but once again Griffin is like "That's not gonna stop me from having fun!" How nice that the icky weather didn't return and you got outside.
So is that his girlfriend? They are a perfect couple!
I also find him irresistible and if I ever get to meet him some day in person I'm going to smooch him all over with giant kisses!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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