Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Marshall seemed to feel better the other days. Last night we removed his fentynal patch due to rapid breathing but today it's worse. He is on Metacam every evening and had 3 tramadol at 1pm but he still has rapid breathing. Has any one else experienced this. Thanks!!!!
The Fentanyl patch is like Morphine for dogs, and coming down off it can cause withdrawals. Heavy panting, pacing and staring off are also common side effects of Tramadol. please consult with your vet regarding proper dosage for Marshall's weight and try to take things one day at a time. Most members see vast improvement in their pups once off the pain meds.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
When do they usually come off pain meds or Metacam only? The vet upped his tramadol to 3 today and said to come back to put another Fentynal patch on if we want but last night they had me remove it bc of his rapid breathing so I'm confused. I don't want to get him another patch but don't want him to be in pain. I don't know what to do
I can weigh in here - I just went through this with Shelby. She was AWFUL on the fentynal patch and tramadol. She was also on Metacam. My vet had me take off her patch on day 3 of her being home (so day 5 post-amp) and wean her off the tramadol on day 6. The tramadol was really hard on Shelby and did the same, excessive panting and pacing. I would call your vet and let them know you are concerned. I literally called my vet a million times the first 48 hours Shelby was home because of her crazy behavior. They finally gave me some trazadone (which is an anti-anxiety and I called it her doggy valium). It helped her calm down enough to sleep. But w/out it - she would literally just stand.
So Shelby might be rare but she was off all pain meds after 6 days (except Metacam - she is on that for life). She was on the doggy valium for about a week, week and half. She is now almost 3 weeks post-amp and she's off all her 'extra' meds and basically does really well. She will still sometimes just stand but the panting has stopped. I know how hard that is. Hang tight. I can promise you it does get better!!!
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
Hi there
Tucker only had the Fentanyl patch when he was in the clinic so I have no experience with withdrawal from that medication. Tuck was on Metacam and Tramadol for two weeks after he returned home and is still on Metacam though his dose has been reduced.
The pain medication is really necessary during the early healing days but it also can have side effects.....that closely mimic pain symptoms!
Check with your vet about dosages and times to administer the meds but you will really notice a big difference when Marshall no longer needs the needs.
Try to relax.....it really does get easier 
Linda and Tucker
The length of time a patient is on pain meds depends on the individual patient and how they react to it. Stay in close contact with your vet like you are, and you can work together to find a good balance. They sound like they know what their doing with the meds, which is great.
Remember, it's far better to stay ahead of the pain than to let it spiral out of control. It's hard to see our dogs dopey from the meds but that's better in the long run than being in pain.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks everyone! The rapid breathing even when he sleeps is what's bothering me the most. He seems so uncomfortable even even asleep.
Hey - from our time here, I've read too many awful stories about the patch. Sure, it does wonders for recovery, but the withdrawal is terrible. Maybe that's what he's going through now? How much does he weigh? For some, those doseage of tramadol may be too much. Or not enough. This is one of the toughest parts of recovery - getting the meds right. Excessive panting can mean pain, or too much medication. Seeing as how he's coming off the patch, he's probably experiencing some withdrawal. For reference, Jackson (60lbs) didn't get the patch. He was on 50mg tramadol in the AM and again at PM...for 10d. Then just at night few a few nights. I can understand your frustration and worry. But see what another 12 or 24hrs does. He may crash, as all that panting is probably tiring. Be patient. Get back to basics: eating? Drinking? Peeing? Pooing? A little tail wag? A little bit of sleep? If YES, try to relax.
Good luck. PAWSITIVE thoughts!
~ Katy & Jackson
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
Thanks! He is eating and drinking and peeing and pooping normal. He def was brighter eyed and happier yesterday so maybe today is withdrawal. He's 73 pounds now 84 at diagnosis. The tramadol def makes him pant but the fast breathing isn't with his mouth open its all the time awake or asleep same thing. I guess it's the pain. I don't want him to get another fentanyl patch if we can avoid it. I gave him only 2 tramadol tonight. I'm hoping by morning his breathing is better. He was more alert without the tramadol and on the patch and Metacam but the patch scares me. I appreciate all the advice!
Hi Marshall's Mom -
It is so hard to read about such a young dog with osteosarcoma. I came to this forum just a few short weeks ago with my own girl Mara diagnosed with osteosarcoma at 5 years of age. She is doing very well, and I am by no means an expert. Mara never had a fentanyl patch - she was on a drip of morphine/lidocaine/ketamine the night after surgery. Then she went on meloxicam (metacam), tramadol, and gabapentin. The gabapentin is for nerve pain. There can be phantom nerve pains from the large nerves they cut to remove the leg (I was with Mara during her surgery, so even though she is a very large dog, I saw the size of those nerves. Ouch!). I feel like her pain is very well managed, though she is a little sedated from all the meds. It might be something to consider for Marshall.
Best Wishes,
Beth
Wow, it's interesting how different everyone's meds experiences have been. Jersey Girl came home with the patch and they had me take it off after day 3 at home (day 7 post amp). Other than that it's pretty much been 70# of Metacam once a day. Occasionally I've reduced it to test whether she's been high and if so how high. We definitely noticed more alertness with a lower dose (35-50#) but more activity / movement with the full dose. I've only given her 1 tramadol pill post amputation and it was left over from her pre-amputation pain prescription. At day 24 the vet told us we could stop the Metacam completely so that means she'll be on NOTHING.
I'm sorry I'm really no help. What I'd say though is don't hesitate to call your vet! The first week I think I was on the phone with ours 3-4 times a day with all sorts of questions and "just checking" calls. I also sent them pictures and videos probably every other day, basically to reinforce or illustrate the thing I was calling about. Remember, you know Marshall better than they do! A LOT better!!
Thinking about you two and praying for smoother sailing, so to speak.
Paw love,
Claudia
Veterinary pain management is evolving all the time, which is a real blessing for animals. Don't be afraid of things like the fentanyl patch, it's usually more helpful than not. Too much pain hinders recovery so it pays to stay ahead of it. And yup, all animals are different in how much relief they need but all are very good at hiding pain so finding the right balance seems like guesswork at times but you'll get there.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Gosh, just saw the thread and all the great adivce. My Hapy Hannah did NOT have the patch. Shen whined and cried and whimpered and paced though flr days on in. I cannot specifically recall the rapid breathing (sans pantng).
I can tell you that on day three or four, I thought I saw a touch of sparkle come back.....only to crash again the next day (sans sparkle!)!
I'm knw this is hard t watch and it could be pain related ...or not.....that's what's so crazy on this journey. Happy Hannah was on Trmadol and Gabapentin for over two weeks. As I tapered off, I actually ended up adding some back in between two and three. Yep! Every dog is so different! Every dog has a different levelof tolerance to pain and to pain meds.
Please keep us posted, okay? We're here with you! Hard to believe, but it does get better!
Hugs!
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 for all the advice!!!! We really appreciate it. Marshall had a check up last night. I wasn't comfortable with how he was looking and I found a big lump in his lower abdomen. The Vet thinks that it's a fat pad as its an unusual place for a tumor he said. He was happy with how he is recovering and Marshall was his normal cheerful self there. The Vet said that he prob is "milking it" at home. As soon as we got home he went back into his crate and wouldn't come out even for his dinner I had to feed him in there. It's like two different dogs when he was out vs home. This morning his breathing is normal and he seems content although he still doesn't want to come out of his crate. He did get up to go outside to do his business but that's it. He has been twitching and flicking his back legs. I posted that under another thread. I'm guessing it's his muscles adjusting but Im not sure. Thanks again!
Hmmm. Maybe your boy is at the point in recovery where he needs a buddy to come over? About 7-8 days post amp we had 2 of Jackson's favorite people come over. Boy, did he perk up! We wasn't up for long, but that tail hadn't wagged like that in a long time. He slept off the excitement for the rest of the day! It was great to see his mood lift. Can you have someone over to perk him up? If he was so thrilled with being outside the house, why not take him for a drive. Just be careful on those curves! Tripawds, especially new ones, are wobbly!
~ Katy & Jackson
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
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