Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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We've been having some panting and elevated respiration. On tramadol 3 tablets 3xs a day. Anyone experience this?
Well we're on our way back to vet to get checked out. Trying to figure out if pain and need a patch or is Snoop high.
Probably a combination of both!
Pain manifests like that
Meds manifest like that!
Bummer huh?
Glad you're getting it checked out though. The hospital pain meds are wearing off now --so this is where the balancing act begins. The vet may have you cut back on the tramadol a little and then you can see the distinction....if there is any.
Really don't think you have anything to worry about. I know this is such a tough time but it will get better!! And it will get better consistently! That's when the sparkle really kicks in!
Book forward to your post when I get home from work!
Hang in there.....you ALL are doing a great job!!
Lots of love, Sally and Happy Hannah
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 know you are going to the vet, but I have a feeling that he might need more meds. I thought it was usually a combination of two drugs given the first few days? But the good thing is, this pain will pass... and Snoop will be slowly feeling better and better and more like his old self again!
04/09/13- OSA Diagnosis ~ 04/23/13- Left Forelimb Amputation ~ Carboplatin Chemo (6 total)
July 2006-November 18, 2013
I will always love you, Athena.
snoop said
...some panting and elevated respiration.
Panting and restlessness are indeed common side effects of Tramadol. A Fentanyl patch can cause some even more alerting behavior changes in some dogs. We discuss these issues, pain management , and much more in detail throughout Three Legs And A Spare, now available in the Tripawds Library.
Keep in mind we are not vets, we've just interviewed many of them. please let us know what yours says.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Well we've come back from our vet/ surgeon. Snoop was given a full exam, checked temp, heart rate, palpated surgical area to assess for pain, watched him for a good twenty minutes and checked all vitals again. Asked about his appetite, urination and bowels, which are all very good. Feels that since just respiration is more rapid and all others vitals all normal this is due to the tramadol. Also coming off the patch possibly. They reduced dosage since he is on Meloxicam, for anti inflammatory, which also has pain control in it. He is also on Cephalexin antibiotic. They said we should see some alleviation within 24-32 hours. If not then would address again with another pain med at that time if needed.
I am glad we brought him in for them to see Snoop. (Both our surgeon and attending vet at the specialty clinic that has been with him through it all were there which was wonderful that they both examined Snoop and consulted how best to go forward)
I began to feel paranoid and frightened that we were taking a downward spiral. They told us no he's healing well, and that this they felt was due to the tramadol dosage and his breathing was anxiety due to the med, which they said is not uncommon. His behavior in all other ways is normal, wagging his tail stopping and greeting to all and special greets to his favorite Dr. Marcus.
So we are now back home and Snoop is sleeping already, think I'm going in for a nap myself!
Awwww that is fantastic news! Yep, a visit to the vet can sure put a pawrent's mind at ease. Glad you are feeling better about things.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Had to be a great nap! Your pup checks out fine and all fears have gone POOF..diss appeared!
Snoop really is doing g well....I know it's so hard to see your pup adjust to pain and the side effects of pain medicine. Unfortunately it's all part of the healing process.
Heck, I was on this site everyday for the first several weeks....."Yikes, not as good today as yesterday" ..or....YAY! So much better today"! This up and down and up cyce went on daily...sometimes hourly it seemed like!!
But boy o boy.....when the ups became consistent.....what a joy ride you will experience!!! It's coming...I promise!!
Look forward to more updated AND photos!!
Happy dance you g o. Over here for you!!!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
Thanks again for all the support. I've found myself going through cycles feeling like I'm handling things fairly well and poof back on the roller coaster emotionally. Seeing him yesterday uncomfortable and not able to rest threw me for a loop. coming home was good from the start so i think this setback really frightened for me. Coupled with getting opinions from family members that hasn't been too supportive about our decision. What also doesn't help is lack of sleep, interesting how we changed sooooooo much when we don't receive what our body needs.
What helped was Don and the boys reminded me what I was like when I came home from the hospital after my surgery. They all said I was extremely weird and wired for a good 2-3 weeks. Hate to admit it I got so kooky I was napping in the car during the day!!! My husband was ready to call the psycho ward for sure. What meds will do!
Funny how I forgot??!!.
snoop said
I've found myself going through cycles feeling like I'm handling things fairly well and poof...
Many membrs have found the book Without Regret helpful in coping with the feelings your having. It was the first book we read!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I know to consistently be told "this is normal' things will get better" while you're seeing your dog in pain and no "real" progress:----well, it's downright depressing. And....hate to say it....but that's sloop normal too!
It was just myself..and my other dogs..caring for Happy Hannah during her recovery. Had it not been for this site I would have gone cracker wrappers nuts!!. She--and I--were up for n' teen hours straight when she first got home..cryi g, constantly in option.....just going whack...I took tree days off work and I doubt I slept more than five hours...on the floor trying to comfort her during that time....and it went on off and on like that for another two weeks...seroma ( which I only learned about here)..and blah, blah, blah. I learned very quickly not to discuss her situation and treatment (amputation!) With anyone. There is o way they could understand unless that had the I formation I learned from this site and research.. So, suggestion...from this poi t forward, just say Snoop is recovering nicely and you are saying loving him and spoil I g him. They just don't ave the knowledge that you do. Neck...when it first happened to Nappy Hannah I told the vet, "Of course I wouldn't amputate...-.and I certainly wouldn't even consider chemo!". Well......we 're chowing down on those words!!
Do try and focus on what others would call the unremrkble.....the Peel g, the navigating with three legs.....because all that IS REMARKABLE!
Your devotion to Snoop is remarkable. The fact that you made a courageous decision t give him quality to e free from pain is remarkable. He wasn't ready to leave. He wanted this decision too!"
We are here for you. Come to us...don't go t those who do 't understand.
This is major surgery!! Your family is spot on by reminding you of that. Heck, humans would be in the hospital for weeks feeling li,e crap!!
You are not alone. We understand.
Much love, Daily and Happy Hannan
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!
Did want to say, and others will tell you, there many times is a"crash" around third or fourth day home....then you'll see imrovemnt and then maybe some.MRE crashesudown ad then up! Yay for the ups!
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!
Actually it sounds like Snoop is doing fine overall. The first couple weeks are full of ups and downs so try and not get discouraged. We have all been there, and most of us spent at least some time thinking we had done the wrong thing by choosing amputation. My little pug Maggie really took her time coming around- I just KNEW I had done the wrong thing for her. But she got through it just like Snoop will.
And- Maggie was very agitated on tramadol. The last time I gave it to her she didn't sleep for about 12 hours. On the other hand, my quad pug Obie takes tram with no obvious side affects.
Don't worry about what others think of your decision, those people have not been fortunate enough to know the love and joy that our pups bring us.
I hope the adjusted medications make Snoop more comfortable, and I hope the napping helped you!
Karen
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