Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My little girl Calypso is a 7 year old American Staffordshire terrier and 6 days ago had her back left leg amputated due to cancer. Calypso in the past has had a rough time with coming out of sedation and opioids. She would typically be up all night looking very confused. She was at the vet for 24 hours after surgery and her first night home did great and didn't wake up once. Since then she goes to bed fine but wakes up throughout the night and walks in our closed off room and does a small cry and shakes. Then goes back to sleep and snores. She's been taking gabapentin for sometime prior to surgery along with carprofen. The only new medications is the antibiotic that's given in the morning and pro biotics in the evening. They did cut the dose of the carprofen in half. They gave a anxiety pill for her but because she's so sensitive to certain meds we've been hesitant about it.
Hi Calypso and family, welcome. Thanks for sharing her story. Your future posts won't need approval so post away.
So it's been six days and she's still waking up with what sounds like pain signals ? Have you asked your vet about her behavior? You didn't mention her Gabapentin dosage, but oftentimes it needs adjusting during the first week or two after surgery. I would let your vet know.
It's doubtful that the anxiety pill would help with this situation, but it could help her sleep better throughout the night. What medication did they give to her? Let your vet know you are reluctant to give it because of her sensitivity and see what they think.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Just want to add a welcome to your seeet Calypso. Can't wait to see a picture when you het a chance. Here a link to help post them. adding images
Yeah. Will look for a reply to Jerry's questions. Based on what we see around here it does seem like pain signals . When she first came home she had lots of strong hospital meds in her. Now that they have worn off is when tweaking the pain meds usually comes into play.
Hiw is she soing otherwise as far as eating, drinking, potty and resting. No getting up except for whort, leashed potty breaks and back to bed.
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!
Thank you for responding! Calypso was on 100mg of carprofen and gabapentin 100mg for about a month prior to surgery and that was every 8 hours. Now her dose is 300mg gabapentin and I've been giving it every 9 hours. The vet told me that she was anxious while being there so they gave her sedatives and trazodone 100mg but neither seemed to help her. Calypso had already stopped using her leg prior to surgery so thankfully she's already been able to get around relatively easy and has had no issues with using the restroom. She eats well and drinks her water like normal. I've been giving her a superfood mushroom powder pumpkin and fish oil in her food as well. She's also taking a antibiotic cefpodoxime 200mg
Oops....rwo more questions..sorry! How much does she weigh??
What has her activity level been? At six days outmit is sooo easy to overdo a muscle here and there, even with very little activity.
Maybe try massaging her all up and down her spine, her neck and sho, etc. Does she show any signs of tension at any area? Regardless, maybe some good massages before gedtimemover a warn towel may help her relax.
Great that she's eating, pottying, etc.
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!
Hmmm. I'm guessing she's a mid-sized doggie, in the 50-pound range? If so there may be some room to adjust the Gabapentin for more relief. Ask your vet though. And I'm also in favor of gentle massage to see how she reacts. Sometimes even something as "simple" as a stitch or staple poking the wrong way can cause a lot of discomfort.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
This is weird. Jist read an article by Molky Jacobson of the DogCancer Blog about dogs SHAKING sort of out of the blue for no "apparent" reason. And yes, it absolutely can be a sign of pain (and probably is), but she brought up a couple of different scenarios alao. A dog may be sensitive to a distant sound that we can't hear that they associate to something scary. May be a scent they pick up that has a negative connotation to it. Wonder what the closed off room means to her. Did she used to be able to go into it?
Hmmmm.....anyway, just something to think about.🤔
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!
Thank you for the suggestions! I didn't even think about the stitches possibly poking Definitely will try the gentle massage to see if that helps! She's about 60 pounds and waiting to hear back from vet to hopefully figure somethin out. She's a sensitive girl that was abused prior to me getting her so I wouldn't be surprised if some thing was triggering this response. Or at least contributing to it. Thank you again for all the suggestions! I hate seeing her in any kind of discomfort and start feeling like a bad mom so I really appreciate all the tips and info!!
Sally! That is a GREAT suggestion to consider too. I get the DCG newsletter and meant to read that. I so appreciate your bringing it up here.
I'm glad this is helpful for you @caly7, let us know what the vet says.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
After writing to you all last the vet got back to me a couple days later and gave me the green light to up Calypso pain meds and that helped tremendously! We just went in to get stiches removed and also got news of the results from her amputated leg and found out she has osteosarcoma and most likely will need chemotherapy. The news was devastating especially since all the vets saw signs of a different less aggressive cancer. We have an appointment on the 4th to talk with oncologist about chemo and come up with a game plan. Definitely feel very nervous and uneasy.
Thanks for the update! It's great you got the pain under control. Remember, dogs manage with chemotherapy much better than humans do. If you have any concerns, you'll find plenty of blog posts, videos and forum discussions on the subject including this popular topic with chemotherapy feedback from many others.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Sure, no one wants to hear the word osteosarcom (especially of you weren't "expecting it so to speak).. What's important though is that Calypso didn't hear it and nothing has changed in his world! He is healing just fine and ready to be a Tripawd RockStar who, like others before him, have proven statistics don't mean squat!!
Just like you're done all along, do your research, talk to the professionals and then you will feel more confident as you move forward.
Chemo is an individual decision. No right or wrong answers. It really pretty mich is a crap shoot. As Admin mentioned though, dogs fare much vetter than humans and have almost no side effects, of any at all. The thing about chemo is you can always stop of you feel Calypso isn't handling it well, or doesn't like Bet visits, or whatever.
Let us know how the consult goes and if you have any questions. Were jere to cheer Calypso on and, congratulations on stitches removal!!!
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!
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