Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My 9year old 90lb Rottie Lab mix had a front leg amputated three weeks ago due to osteosarcoma. He's able to move around on his own really well and doesn't seem to be in pain from the surgery, but recently he has become a Velcro Dog. If he is not with somebody at all times he cries. Most nights, it's not even enough to have him on the bed with us, he has to be in the middle with both people touching him before he stops crying and goes to sleep. He is still on tramadol and vetprofen, so I don't think pain is the issue. Has anyone else had to deal with a suddenly very unsure and clingy dog? I'm not sure what to do. Will it pass?
Hmmm. This type of clingy behavior is typically a pain indicator. Maybe the dosage isn't high enough? Or, he could be trying to do to much activity which is causing more pain than a dog 3-weeks out should have. What's his daytime activity like?
Is there anything new in your life other than the whallop of the cancer and amputation situation? New baby? Job? Moving?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
There are no other big changes in the house. I work from home, so he's never really left alone. I'm reluctant to increase his pain pills because he becomes lethargic and I know he needs to move around at least as much as he is in order to build up his strength again. He typically goes on three potty walks a day, just around on the grass outside of the apartment. I doubt he walks more than 30 feet each time. He does seem happier when he's outside, more willing to be on his own. As soon as we are back inside though, he needs reassurance. He's always been a very sensitive dog, but this type of neediness is new. He's also lost all interest in his toys and chews. Before the amputation, even with the painful bone tumor, he was always willing to play tug of war or chew his toys. I'm worried that this attitude will impact his recovery. We go in for his first chemo next week and I want him to be in a good place mentally before we take that on.
That's great you get to stay home with him, it sounds like you have a good grasp on his behavior. The irony with pain meds is that too little or too much can produce the same symptoms. I would talk to your vet about decreasing the tramadol. It's not unusual for that drug to have these side effects in dogs, our own Wyatt Ray acts the same way on that stuff.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
The day we got Cody's test results back.. whatever pain killer they had him on made him cry like that. He didn't do it with tramadol so I don't know exactly what they used while he was in there. definitely talk to you vet and see if you can change the dosage or the pain killer in general. We were warned that crying could be a side effect.
Hope everything turns around!
Cody and Family
Cody is our 7 year old Australian Heeler mix boy. Diagnosed on 2/20/14 and became a tripawd 2/21/14! We chose a homeopathic approach and he is being treated by Dr. Loops our of NC.
My dog Shelby was on tramadol and it seriously gave her some psychotic behavior that I had to put her on Trazadone (a dog-like valium). She didn't cry but she would pace incessantly and just seem restless and overly needy. Was also fine when she was outside and didn't want to come back inside so not sure what she was seeing in the house that made her unhappy.
What does your vet say? I would say that 3 weeks is still early in the recovery process. However I had to take Shelby off Tramadol (she was still on metacam) after a couple of days due to the panting/psychotic issues but Shelby is also smaller (23 pounds). But it was really about a month before I saw the 'real' Shelby come back... hang in there! you WILL get there!
Alison and Shelby
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
Thanks for all the great replies. I never though that the tramadol could be the culprit here! I'll be calling the vet first thing tomorrow. It's not that I mind cuddling with my boy, but it can be hard to get anything done with a 90lb dog trying to squeeze onto my lap all day and demanding at least one hand on him at all times.
Oh, he has Lab in him! My Lab was soooo vocal. Anyhow the Tramadol seemed to get him. Gabapentin worked better and didn't freak him out so much. It was mostly at night. As soon as he would hear me crawl into bed, it would start. There is no sleeping thru it. I was told it can make them see things that are really not there. Ie:: pink elephants. They gave me Xanax for him, but I only used it once. That may help you over this hump.
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
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