Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Gus is our 7 yr. old lab mix that just lost his front leg last wednesday.We thought he was doing pretty good but a couple days ago he started having these moments when he will just howl from pain at the top of his lungs. I try to comfort him while they happen, which has been about 5 times the last 3 days. They last a few seconds. We took him off tramadol yesterday and replaced it with Grabapentin along with Rimadyl. He had alot better night last. We are trying to find out if it could be phantom pain or has something else going on. I am suspecting the back leg on the same side he lost his front on is bothering him. I figure to get an x-ray when we take the stiches out next tuesday. I would like to know if anyone can tell me if they had a similar experience. I have already found alot out from this forum and feel alot better about somethings already, thanks for any input.
My buddy Gus had a left front amputation on April 7, 2010 and lived a great life until July 26,2010
Hi and welcome!
I'm so sorry to hear about Gus. Was he in an accident?
To answer your question about the phantom pain – YES! A great deal of dogs go through this. As a matter of fact we have many discussions regarding it. It sounds very scary, but can be rather normal.
Here is a topic just a few days ago we had about it with another new tripawd. http://tripawds.....-reaction/
You'll find lots of information by reading around our topics on recovery.
Best of luck and lots of hugs to furboy!
Comet's mom
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Yup, sounds like our phantom pain experience. On day 3, Jack woke up in the middle of the night screaming at the top of his lungs. We took him in the next day and he screamed again when they took him back into the treatment area for an exam (good boy! it's always nice when they show the issue to the vet, right?). Gabapentin was our best friend and he has no trouble since (over 10 months). Good luck and I hope Gus' back leg isn't bothering him!
<3 Laura and JackAttack
Hi Gus & Co,
Thanks so much for joining us here (sorry you had to...how did he lose his leg?). Our members here are spot-on as always (thanks guys!), and it sure does sound like phantom pain . Of course, ask your vet, but we're betting that's what it is. Lots of doggies go through this after surgery. It usually goes away after a couple of weeks. Our theory here is that it takes time for the nerve endings in that area to realize there's no leg there, so the signals misfire, confusing the dog (like I said we aren't vets, but one member brought up that theory and we think it sounds about right).
You can also search for the phrase "phantom pain" here in the forums and you'll see a lot of other discussions about it.
The Gabapentin should help too, it's supposed to be great for easing the pain associated with it. Let us know how it goes OK? Good luck, and remember we're here if you have any other questions.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm sorry to hear about Gus... It really does sound like phantom pain ... and you've started him on gabapentin, so that's a good thing. Let us know how that works for him.
Why did Gus have his leg amputated? Was it due to an accident, cancer, or a birth defect?
The first 2 weeks post-amp are usually the most difficult for both the dog and the pawrents... We've all been through it, so if you need to vent, or just have some questions... you've come to the right place!
Wishing Gus a speedy recovery!
Angel Jake's Mom
Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!
Hi Gus,
We're so sorry to hear about your leg. These first few weeks are the roughest - you're trying to get used to life without your leg, and your pack is trying to figure out how best to help you out. We hope the gabapentin helps you with the phantom pain . From what we've read that's the best thing to try. Holly also found relief by putting a cold pack wrapped in a towel on the amp site. We used frozen peas, and it seemed to make her feel better. Our vet had us do that 3 times a day for 10 minutes. She also seemed to relax with heat (it was winter, so we tried the heated seats in our car, which worked wonders for her). Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
Sending lots of hugs,
Holly and Holly's mom
Holly joined the world of tripawds on 12/29/2009. She has a big little sister, Zuzu, who idolizes Holly and tries to make all of her toys into tripawds in Holly's honor. And she's enjoying life one hop at a time!
http://anyemery.....ipawds.com
I have tried to do some research with no success, can anyone tell me from their experience how long their dog had phantom pain . Gus is out 9 days, he had a short howling spell this morning, but nothing like the other day. I am hoping it is phantom pain and not an issue with his back leg, probably take an x-ray tuesday if he is still having trouble. I think the tramadol was not our best friend, the last couple nights have been a little better since starting the gabapentin. Thanks everyone
My buddy Gus had a left front amputation on April 7, 2010 and lived a great life until July 26,2010
I have to agree about the tramadol....I thought it WAS our best friend and had almost totally weaned him off but gave him one last Sunday and it took two days to return to normal.....I think from everything I have heard, the gabapentin will be much better (I now have that in my pharmacy..wish it was tablets tho, rather than the capsules, no ability to just give a titch) Hang in there, this time is the hardest, but trust me trust me, there is definitely LIGHT at the end of the tunnel.
Jerry never had phantom pain , so we have no direct experience. But we have heard those who have say it didn't last more than a couple weeks, or less when following these tips for managing phantom pain in dogs. Good luck, please keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Nine days is still a short time out from surgery.
I don't have any experience either but it sounds like it's getting better. You can try massaging his legs and see if it helps. The muscles may be tight and overworked. It won't hurt. Massages are good for relaxing them, too. A neck, leg and back massage will help relieve that tension.
From my understanding of tramadol, it works sort of like a anti-depressant. (Hence, you can't take it if you are taking an anti-depressant) So some get very loopy. I know when Comet had her first one, she couldn't walk because her legs were jello. Now, I give a 1/4 to 1/3 of the pill and it takes the edge off without making her loopy.
Good luck Gus!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
I agree about the massages... in addition to the gabapentin. Jake never had any phantom pain , so I don't have any direct experience with using it... just all the info I've gotten from my vet friends... and all my Tripawd family!
Keep us posted on Gus's progress!! Sending you both a big fat hug!!!
Angel Jake's Mom
Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!
Gus
My pup Tazzie did not have phantom pain . But I have read a few posts in which the howling only began 2-4 weeks after surgery, so people were a month out when they first reported it. I think that was true for Oslo and remember a couple of others like that.
You mentioned how you seem to have trouble with one of the hind legs. It might just look that way, as you adjust the position of the hind legs to compensate for the absence of the fore. Generally the hind feet are placed farther forward (it took my pup a while to figure out how not to pee on his hind feet). I too thought something was wrong with the hind. Mind you, it turned out that my pup had some really bad arthritis in one of the hips, so that might have slowed recovery. We had no clue prior to the surgery. But he did fine in the end. It just took a bit longer to get through recovery than for some of the other dogs.
Nine days is still really early, Gus has lots of adjusting still to learn. We didn't have phantom pain either, and I know it just adds extra stress to the already stressful recovery. My opinion is that they can't begin to return to their true selves until they are weaned off all pain meds. Hang in there Gus, you'll be fully recovered in a short time.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Thank you folks for all the advice and concerns. I think the gabapentin is making life alot easier. Hadn't had to much howling but last night was a little rougher again, although I think they were more like loud whines versus howls, didn't last to long and slept well in between, so I hope that is impovement. I came home late last night and he came out to meet me way faster and in a better mood than anytime since the surgery and I'm wondering if he wasn't a little too happy and paid for that. I will try to get one of my daughter over here so I can get a picture of Gus on here so everyone can see my buddy, I'm not to good with that kind of thing. Thank you all again, you have made this whole process much easier.
My buddy Gus had a left front amputation on April 7, 2010 and lived a great life until July 26,2010
Thanks for the update! Glad to hear Gus is doing well.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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