Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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jenandteaka said
Well she's on 400 MG gabapentin now twice a day. Any advice on what your dosages were? Because I've been told every 8 hours is far more effective in humans.
Dogs and humans have different medication needs. This is a great question for your vet. All dogs are different and what works for one may not work for another. Please give your vet clinic a call and let us know what they say OK?
I hope this weekend is restful for you all. Hang in there.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I know getting.thi pain meds balanced.can drive you whacko. As Jerry said, every dog is so different!
Sometimes the Gaba can have a sedation effect on dogs. It sou ds like Teaka is.on the upper end of doseage so she may, or may not, have that effect.
If I recall, my Happy Hannah was on 300 mg twice a day. She didn't seem to have any of the sedative effect. Od course, I'm.not a vet, I'm.just sharing her dose (125 lbs BEFORE amputation...obviously, a little less afterwards!). As Jerry said though, check with your vet if you have any questions. You maybe able to reduce.the Tramadol slightly if you think that's causing her whining and panting. Of course, that could be a sign if pain too. Ugh!! Of course, u.der a vet's direction.
Stay connected and let us know how she's doing. I know you get tired of us saying this....but hang in there!!! All this is "normal" for the recovery period.
Lots of 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!
Hello:
Pofi was 74 pounds prior to surgery and was taking Gabapentin at 300 mg 3x daily prior to surgery as he already had nerve pain and post amputation for 2 weeks. We are just today day 15 going to try reducing to 200 mg 2x daily and I have not given Rimadyl or Tramadol yet today - we are stopping them and only using if there is episodic pain. I am to let the surgeon know if it seems like I have to give Rimadyl and/or Tramadol with frequency.
I hope Teaka is feeling better!!
Lisa (and Pofi)
Lisa, Minneapolis
On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly. His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.
So day one of gaba and I think it's helping. Last night I watched her playing with her squeaky pig while laying on her bed for the first time in weeks. I cried happy tears while drinking wine and she snuffled around making noises. She's still whining and squeaking. I hear the gaba takes a dayor two to kick in but she was interested in a basketball and following around my sister in laws dog last night. Today my partner built her a ramp for his truck. She doesn't like it but it's only been one go up and down so far. She's still not doing good but I think it's getting better.
I'm so sick of my vet who just follows my advice on prescriptions. She should have been on gaba 3 days ago and he used her as a guinea pig for the catheter. Guess that's what you get in small towns..
Plus I was the one who have had to ask for any prescriptions or make plans for her care. It is just me here and you guys. Zero vet help unless I specifically ask the questions or FOR the drugs.
So glad we can help. There really is so.much first hand experience here!
I didn't quite.understand the "catheter scenario" and.what that was all about. Excuse my "duh", ut was it a catheter used to help her pee? Is she still having any ill effects.from.whatever it was.the vet did with the catheter??
Not everyone is lucky enough to have specialist vets and specialist Surgeons close to.us. even then, not everyone is as well versed on pain meds as.they shoukd be. I agree, the wealth of information here is invaluable!
As far as.the ramp, if you and your partner can sort.of stand on each side of the ramp so she can't really see the "open" space on her sides, she may feel more secure.
Make no.mistake about.it, Teaka IS making progress!! She started playing with her squeaky toy! HUGE PROGRESS!! 
She's feeling good enough to follow your sister! HUGE PROGRESS!!
When you see bits of her sparkle return, take a moment to recognize it as improvement and celebrate it! Keep a journal highlighting these milestones. And on this journey, every seemingly "little" improvement is a HUGE VICTORIOUS MILESTONE!!
We can see the forward movement. We can see Teaks.getting.better. And we can see you starting to feel.more confident and more reassured...and that makes us all smile!
Let.js know how she's doing with the new med combo.
Lots.of hugs to all!
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!
Sally I think what was meant by a catheter is a "soaker catheter" that delivers a stready stream of pain medication. It's used more and more by vets for post op care.
I'm glad things are going well overall. You are a GREAT advocate for her, and things are gonna progress smoothly from here on out with your help. We too lived in a small town with limited vet choices when we were dealing with Jerry's osteosarcoma diagnosis, although probably not as small as yours. With your paramedic background you are at a big advantage, don't forget that. Unfortunately it takes a situation like this for most of us to learn how to be good advocates for our animals, we're so used to just doing what the vet says without questioning it. There's a great book in the Tripawds Amazon blog that we recommend, about learning to advocate at the vet clinic:
http://amazon.t.....-your-vet/
Hang in there, things DO get better!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Ohhhhhhhhh....thanks.Jerry!!!!!!! 
To keep the learning curve going on my end, why did you feel that was such a bad experience for Teaka? Sorry for the follow up questions, but just want ro "be in the know" should it ever be suggested by a Vet
Most.importantly, how is Teaka today?
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!
Yes the catheter was to administer local anesthesia within her surgery site. The problem was that 10 ml boluses are way too much fluid to be pushing into somewhere that is not a vein!! She ended up with a lot of fluid build up and discomfort.
Today is Teakers is doing ok. Maybe better and maybe not. It's hard to tell but we are on a road trip and she's pretty calm in the back seat.
She gets pretty tired walking and does not like her ramp. We stood beside it and had one person in the truck but she's not having it. Maybe when she's a little more sure on her feet.
I wishI could figure out how to put pictures up on here because I'd be attaching tons of progress shots. For 2 weeks post op today I think she could be doing a lot better but I think I'm going to do another week of tramadol.
All dogs are different in how they react to pain meds, so if you think she needs to be on them longer she probably does. Go with your gut and you can't go wrong.
Here's how to start adding images to the Forums. If you'd like help feel free to PM me. You can also start your own Tripawds blog to share her pawgress there too.
Hope your road trip was to somewhere nice and relaxing.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks for the tutorial in the IV anesthesia in the surgery site!
She probably does feel a bit unsteady, and maybe even woozy. She'll probably adjust ro the ramp in another week couple of weeks, especially if she sees it as a "good" thing and not just a trip to the vet!
Generally...not always...it takes a good two weeks to get over the surgery itself, and about one month to adjust to mobility issues involved in adapting muscles, joints, etc to three legs.
Hope the road trip is pleasant for all! Teaka will be thrilled to know it's not vet related! Give her a drive thru cheeseburger and soft cone as a treat! She deserves it!
Cannot wait to see pictures!!
Hugs to all!
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!
It sounds like something we tried for C-section patients, called on-q pump - it was a long tube with lots of holes in it that laid down inside the incision, under the skin layer, and it had a bulb at the end on the outside that I think slowly released lidocaine for a day or two. The thought was that it kept the incision & first few layers basically numb. I think it was pretty pricey and they still used morphine, so it didn't reduce that.
There was someone who used a ramp maybe last year with some success...I'll search & see if I can find it for you. Right now I would just let her get used to walking.
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
Ahhh..I should have known it was Kathi!!! Her & her husband are amazing trainers 
Here is a link to a conversation from awhile ago. They trained their Murphy how to use a ramp.
http://tripawds.....FormAnchor
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
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