Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Our golden, Harley had front left amputation 8 days ago.She did better first few days home. Now she is lethargic, avoids getting up to go out or eat/drink. She stands as if she has difficulty supporting her weight on back legs, tail down between legs and back arched. She was taking tramadol, gabapentin and carprofen. I stopped the tramadol yesterday to observe changes. Can't tell if she is painful. She is such a sweetheart she just seems so sad. She is 7 years old, diagnosed with a soft tissue sarcoma, discovered in tendon. CT did not find any meta. We have not received the final biopsy detail. Her incision seems to be healing well. There is still a great deal of swelling. Feel like she has gone backwards but maybe this is normal.
Hi Patty & Harley, welcome. I’m on my phone now so I’m gonna be back later with more feedback but for now others can chime in. My gut feeling is that she is giving you signs that she is in pain, see
https://tripawd.....show-pain/
Did you talk to your vet about her symptoms?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Six days is so early in recovery. Harley just had MAJOR surgery and, while healing from that. Is trying to adjust to three legs. He's using his different muscles and it can make him sore at first.
As Jerry said, it sounds lvery much like pain signs. All the strong hospital meds are out of her system. She's a smart girl to jist wamt yo resr, rest, rest. She should only have potty breaks and then back to rest. No running, no jumping, no stairs. Just mthe slightest "over doi g it" this early can cause a lot of strain on her spine, shoulders, neck, etc
You can talk with your Vet about tweaking her pajn meds. You always want to have the meds staggered so the pain can never get a head start. The Tramadol and Gabapentin work in ways that compliment each other. For most dogs, best results are when you give them a couple of hours apart.
How much does she weigh and what is her dose a ount and does schedule . For example, It may be that she needs a less dose but more frequently.
We are not Bets and not giving Vet advice. You can check out this link to discuss with your Vet about pain management .
Also, try some gentle massage up and down her spine and all around her neck and shoulders. Does she show any tense spots? Give her lots of good massages before she tries to stand and after potty.
We are stro advocates for a visit to a Rehabilitation Specialist after she recovers from surgery. The Tripawds Foundation will pay for the first visit.
Update when you can. Recovery is no picnic for a couple of weeks, but it doesn't blast forever!
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!
Sally went over everything I would suggest, with the exception of having way cuter typos than myself!
Is she eating and drinking on her own if you bring the food and water to her? Most dogs have finicky appetites that soon after surgery, but drinking is important. You want to make sure she stays hydrated, so spiking her water with no sodium broths could get her to drink up.
I agree, call your vet, and let them know what's going on. Eight days is not a long time and most dogs need to stay on pain medication for at least 10 days.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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