Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi everyone, we're new to the forum. Riley was diagnosed a couple weeks ago with soft-tissue sarcoma and underwent surgery Thursday evening to remove a tumor extending through her neck, shoulder, and chest. She lost her left forelimb. She was doing really well post-op and was able to come home Friday evening. She did well that night and yesterday, even (to our dismay) trying the stairs last night (we've now blocked them off).
Today there have been multiple episodes where she goes to move and perhaps turns the wrong way and starts screaming in pain. Then about an hour ago she started again when she hadn't tried to move at all. It's horrible to hear and of course there's nothing we can do for her 
Is this just par for the course or does this maybe indicate she could need more pain management ? She's on tramadol 50mg, 2 pills every 8 hours. And if this is normal/expected, how long did it go on for your pup?
Hi oshua and Riley, welcome. We're so sorry you're going through this but we'll try to make it easier for you.
Most dogs are high as a kite when they come home, at least for a day or two, and many will have a crash like this soon afterward, so that's not unusual. And I'm not a vet but that tramadol dose sounds very low, I would ask your vet about increasing it and possibly adding another like Gabapentin or a NSAID if she's not already on one.
Most dogs will be on pain meds for about 10 days, but all dogs are different. Remember, if your think your dog is in pain she probably is so work with your vet to come up with the right combo. It takes some fine tuning but you'll get there. Be strong and know that this is only temporary, things WILL get better. Be sure to check out Jerry's Required Reading List and the Tripawds e-books Library for other ideas, and stay tuned, I know the great folks here will chime in too.
Keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Your dealing with the hardest part of the recovery...hospital meds have worn off and,it sojnds like...I'm no vet......the,pain meds definitely need to be adjusted..Talk to your vet as soon as you can and, hopefulky, he'll adjust the doseage and, as Jerry suggested add Gabapentin as well as maybe Rimadyl.
It is sooooooo hard watching your dog hurt a d not be able to help. My Happy Hannah had a very rough recovery period and it was k to the tnird week before I started to breathe! She was restless, whinning, could not get comfortable...just miserable!
I know it's hard to believe it will get better.....but it will!! Stay connected to us, okay? You are not alone, we are all here for you. And glad you have tose stairs blocked off! Riley needs to realky rest for the next two weeks!
Let us know what your vet did about Riley's meds. THIS IS MAJOR SURGERY a d we humans would probabky stay in the hospital for weeks if it happened to us!
A d ppst ojotos when you can. The avatar poctire is adorable,
Oh, is Riley eating, drknking, pooping, peejng okay?
Just try and comfort her, massage her and reassure her that she's safe.
Please keep us posted!
Se ding you ,love and support!
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 feel so sad for you and Riley. I agree, ask your vet for Gabapentin and an anti-inflammatory (NSAID) as well. NSAIDs don't touch neuropathic pain but Gaba should do it. If your vet is not good at pain control then you will have to be assertive and advocate for your baby.
Good luck. This surgery is difficult enough for you and your baby, having to see Riley in pain must be so difficult.
benny55 said
...Oh, is Riley eating, drknking, pooping, peejng okay?
Just try and comfort her, massage her and reassure her that she's safe.
She's eating wet food well and drinking when we remind her to. She has peed a few times, but hasn't yet pooped. I'm sure she's got to go, or at least that her belly is bothering her by now.
Calling the vet this morning to discuss her pain meds. Hopefully we can get her comfortable quickly.
We'll try to get a pick up tonight.
Hey! So sorry your baby is in pain! I agree with everyone. I'd ask about adding either Rimadyl or Metacam and possibly uping the Tramadol dose. Until you talk to her vet just try to keep her comfy. I'd also let them know that she hasn't pooped. Tramadol can cause constipation and they can give her something to help with that. I hope you get everything worked out for her! Keep us updated.
Cassie and Domino
“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.”
Domino had his left front leg amputate on May 13th 2014 after being hit by a car. He's now living a happy healthy life on three legs :)
When Leland came home from his hind amp surgery the surgeon had him on Previcox (newer NSAID I think) and instead of Tramadol (Leland did not do well on Tramadol before and it was a fight to get it in him) we gave him Gabapentin every 12 hours. He did not appear to be in discomfort but we've been told he had a high pain tolerance and was very stoic in showing discomfort.
Hope things can get worked out and Riley can get on the right meds to manage the pain.
Oh and it was about 4 days before Leland pooped so don't be alarmed that Riley hasn't gone right away.
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
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