Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Charlie is 9 days out today. He has done all the "normal" things I see on this forum, sleeping mostly, eating, peeing, pooping, and more sleeping. I do have to get him up to go pee and poop and eat. He gets around fine. He just lays there all day and I'm not sure this is normal. About a half hour after I give him the Tramadol (1/2 tab 4x's a day) he starts shivering and whining. He looks at me with those eyes and all I can do is just rub him.
I've read on here that some people have weened their dogs off later in recovery bc their doctor said to, but my doctor never said to do that, just give them to him until they are gone.
He is also on Traumeel (1/2 tab 2x's / day) for ant-inflam.
Is his behavior normal? I'm just feeling torn and heartbroken.
This recovery phase is so hard...more so on the human than the dog! Hang in there!!! You are almost through it!!
It's auch a balancing act when messing with pain meds. Shaking, whining, panting are a sign of pain..AND..sometimes a reaction from the pain med! Every dog is different. It coukd be that his pain is starting to wi d up just as he gets his next dose and you are seeing a reaction to the pain before the Tramadol takes over. Or not!
Laying around and resting is expected and it's good that he is resting. My Happy Hannah stayed on so e of her pain meds for almost three weeks. Some dogs taper off much sooner. Here we go again...Every dog is different!
Go ahead and talk to your ver about starting to reduce his Tramadol.for a day or two and see how he reacts. He may suggest a lower dose and not as frequently. It wouldn't hurt to try it at all! Of course, I'm no vet so talk with your vet.
Keep us updated on that cutie pie! You'll be amazed at the difference looking back on this in another week or two! You will!!
Sending 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!
Resting is very good. Dogs know how to heal and recover very well.
As far as the panting/pacing/anxiety in the eyes ... we had that too. Shelby - despite having Tramadol for multiple surgeries... when it came to her amp, made her a bit crazy. We did get an anti-anxiety drugged that helped as we weaned her off her tramadol (on a vet's recommendation - never my own). She was also on rimadyl for pain.
Maybe ask your vet if perhaps the tramadol is causing some slight anxiety? Sounds like your recovery is going smoothly!
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
Sally and Alison's insight is exactly what I would say too. All dogs are different, they all react differently to pain meds just like we do. It's not uncommon for Tramadol to cause anxiety. Yep, talk to your vet about cutting back and see how it goes. If he continues to show pain indicators then you can try something else.
Relax, and remember, 9 days is not a long time. Human amputee patients would not be nearly as far alng as Charlie. He's doing great. Hang in there!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank y'all for all your kind words. I did call the dr. She said to cut down to 3x's a day and see how it goes. That would be 8 hrs bw doses instead of the 6 hrs. The dr. also said to cut down to twice a day in a couple of days if he is doing good on the 3x's. Plus Charlie goes to see her to get his staples out and rehab therapy plus laser treatment on Wednesday next week.
He did howl today when his brother, Scooter, barked. That made me happy. This is the best forum!
YAAAAAAAAAY FOR HOWLING!! Isn't this THE most joyful thing EVER when you see your recovering tripawd do one of his "normal routines" again? And none of us ever cared if it was a "naughty routine", like getting into the trash or drinking out of the toilet! All beautiful sights to behold!!
Glad your Vet was on board with reducing the frequency of the doeses. Sounds like Charlie will respond positively.
Video that howling scenario. It'll be a great treasure in years to come!
Love
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!
Charlie is adorable! What breed (breeds?) of dog is he? What a love!
If Charlie is still having pain after being taken off the Tramadol at his two-week checkup, you might want to ask the vet about giving him Gabapentin. My Susie was on codeine for two weeks after surgery (the surgeon only prescribed it for one week, but I insisted on getting a second week of it). I thought she might be having Phantom Limb Pain (especially at night), so once she was off the codeine, I started giving her a dose of Gabapentin at night. I think that has made a huge difference for her.
Giving her more than the one dose at night sedated her too much. But the one dose at night helps her to rest and not be awakened by pain.
I'll probably only give it to her for another week or two (once the first container of it runs out). The surgeon is allowing me two refills, but I'm pretty sure she won't need them.
And don't worry about Charlie sleeping a lot. It's been three weeks now for Susie, and she STILL heads straight for her bed when she gets tired (which is way more often than she did before the surgery). It takes a little while to build up stamina again. The first week, she mostly just lay around. Resting is a good thing! (It helped keep her stitches intact, for one thing!) Charlie is doing exactly what he needs to do, in order to heal!
Charlie, you are gorgeous! I'll bet he's a little character, too!
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