Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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When Lola came home from the hospital, she was on Gabapentin (3 times) and Rimadyl (2 times). They were prescribed "as needed". Of course, it's hard to tell what that means. Since she's been acting depressed the past few days, I called the vets and they suggested we could back off or stop the Gaba. We have reduced the dose, but it's too early to tell how to continue.
For the first time in her whole life, Lola left some of her breakfast yesterday morning (still on full doses of meds). She did eat it when I came home at lunch, but I've NEVER seen her leave food behind. She ate all her dinner last night, but left about 1/3 or her breakfast. She has been sleeping a lot, but it's been rainy and she's always slept more on rainy days.
I also received the leg biopsy results yesterday - osteo. We knew that was pretty much definite, but hearing made me so very sad. She gets her staples out next Friday and we hope she is cleared for chemo. We want to participate in the vaccine trial, but I've suddenly lost by ability to be hopeful and I'm freaking out that the cancer already took over. I know, logically, that she just underwent major surgery and rest is most important, but I heard all these stories about dogs who perked up after amputation that I'm scared. I hate seeing my sweet girl like this.
Okay...Deep breaths..... B R E A T H E...
No e days IS EARLY in recovery!. And yes, your ,logical mind is aware of that, but you are exhausted emotionally and physically and your stress level is high, whether you are aware of this or not. Leading up to diagnosis, getting the surgery done, dealing with recovery.........a very stressful time.
coveredinfur said
When Lola came home from the hospital, she was on Gabapentin (3 times) and Rimadyl (2 times). They were prescribed "as needed". Of course, it's hard to tell what that means. Since she's been acting depressed the past few days, I called the vets and they suggested we could back off or stop the Gaba. We have reduced the dose, but it's too early to tell how to continue.I know, logically, that she just underwent major surgery and rest is most important, but I heard all these stories about dogs who perked up after amputation that I'm scared. I hate seeing my sweet girl like this.
And no, "most" dogs don't "perk up" right after amputation. Every dog is different. Every eecovery is different. SOME dogs, certainly not all, do seem to be a little "perkier" after the staples are out. I k ow kn mu case with Happy Hannah it took me three weeks before I could say I did this FOR her and not TO her!!
One thing thst is very important in the first two weeks of healing, is keeping the pain meds consistent. For the Vet to prescribe "as needed" is not an easy route for an owner to figure out. Also, Tramadol is usually prescribed WITH Gabapentin as they work together. Anyway, you might ask your Vet about putting Lola on Tramadol if you are reducing her Gaba. And Rimadyl nis basically must an anti-inflammatory...not a strong pain med.
She may also need something to coat her tummy for now. Ask your Vet about that. And sometimes Rimadyl can cause tumny irritation too, so ask your Vet about that. No throwing nup ot nauseous? So she didn't eat quite as well since the pain med vut back? ?
What has her activity level been?. She should just be doing short potty breaks and then back in for rest.
Keep us posted. You are doing a great job.
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!
Hi Lola and her pawrent,
I know this is a scary journey, like a rollercoaster ride sometimes but please don't give up. You are still so early in the recovery stages and honestly it sounds like she might be experiencing some pain. A lot of pets come home with gabapentin, an nsaid, and an additional pain medication.
Appetite decrease is a sign. When she came home she had anesthesia and other very strong pain meds on board that slowly wear off. Well, they are most likely all out of her system right now. Most stay on post op meds for a couple of weeks, some even a little longer. She's may need something stronger for this part of her recovery, might be a good idea to speak with her vet.
Eating, drinking, medication, sleep, and short potty breaks are most important for her right now. Sleep is an integral part of recovery.
Hang in there, you're doing a great job!
Jackie and Huck ❤️
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
Thank you for the replies.
The decrease in appetite did start before any med reduction (which was just this morning, so 1 dose). I attributed it to depression, but we will reach out to the vets about the pain medicine.
She's been very restricted and that's probably a little tough for her. She's just a 2 year old retriever, so laying around it unusual for her. We've been letting her out for leashed potty breaks, but the rest of her time is spent laying around. She has shown us a few glimpses of her regular self (getting excited when my husband comes home), so I need to hold onto that.
That's exactly what you need to hold on to. That's a positive move forward. A lot of people mistake discomfort for pain because it's in their nature to be stoic, and not show weakness. It's part of their survival. Those are the little indicators to let you know how they are really feeling.
Please make sure you are giving medication on a strict schedule for now and if you don't see improvement quickly speak with your vet about more pain management . Likely after suture removal you'll be able to slowly let her have more activity and work on weaning down.
I know Huckleberry is a cat, but if you click below our signature it will take you to our blog. We went through it and back with pain management , maybe it will show you that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Hugs ❤️
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
coveredinfur said
...prescribed "as needed". Of course, it's hard to tell what that means.
Don't miss the many pain management posts in the Tripawds News blog filled with tips for identifying many often overlooked pain indicators, including:
Pain Signs in Cats and Dogs: Learn the Symptoms
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi there 🌸🐾
Yes, it is still very early in recovery and yiu’ve got great advise from Sally and Jackie so far.
Eat, drink, potty, rest and pills that’s pretty much what needs to be done for now.
Better (and more energetic) days are coming, you can be sure of that!
Hugs and cuddles 😘🐮💫✨🌟🌹
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
Hey there, try not to worry. Let that logical side of you kick in and remember that she will get there on her own timeline so try not to compare.
Meanwhile I'm totally in agreement with this:
in the first two weeks of healing, is keeping the pain meds consistent. For the Vet to prescribe “as needed” is not an easy route for an owner to figure out. Also, Tramadol is usually prescribed WITH Gabapentin as they work together.
I'm no vet, but from my own experience and what I've seen here, Gabapentin usually isn't prescribed as needed, but on a strict schedule. The ups and downs of as needed could play into her behavior. I would definitely talk to your vet about a more consistent dosing regimen to help her feel better. The tricky thing is, once you do get on one, she may still not want to eat. But there's lots you can do to help in that department see:
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
You are correct that a lot of dogs discussed here "perk up" after amputation, but that may just be a function of how impaired they were before the surgery. I know I talk about Casey being less stressed within 48 hours of his amp, but in the week leading up to his surgery, he would sit on the couch with this sorrowful look on his face while he held his sore leg out to us asking "This really hurts! Can you fix it?"
Yes, he was up and trotting across the yard with his tail wagging 36 hours after his surgery, but that's while he still had all the vet anesthetics in his system. He was pretty low otherwise for those first two weeks, and FWIW, his appetite was a little depressed for those first two weeks too.
I sincerely apologize if my posts contributed to false expectations, but part of that post-surgery elation was knowing that we'd taken control back from the cancer, and the risk of pathologic fracture and the accompanying complications was eliminated. I'd have to read back (these blogs are a good journal) but I'm thinking it was closer to 4 weeks after surgery that Casey's true spirit, that personality, that sparkle that makes Casey Casey, returned.
Lola is going to come around in her own time. She's been through a lot, but one day soon, it's going to be like a light switch, and she'll have her sparkle back too.
You said she's a retriever. Golden? Which paw is she missing?
Okay, I went back and read your prior post asking about dog beds and floor coverings.
Our main floor is all hardwood and tile. We had quite a few carpet tiles in a stack in the basement, and they do allow for flexible configurations, but I really like the bulk carpet runners from Home Depot at (I believe) $1.77/foot. I think they're 28" wide or so, and you can get them cut to most any length you need. I also cut them into 9" "treads" for my wood stairs, and just stapled them to the oak. Some day, I'll post the video of my other dogs the first time they saw those stair treads.
Oh, and I also got my questions answered. Lola is blessed in one very important way. It's my sense that "rear amps" have much better long-term prognosis, important for a young dog with many good years left. Dogs carry over 60% of their weight on their front legs, so losing a front leg can be far more challenging over time.
Oh yeah . . . the cone of shame . Dogs hate them (so would I). Casey was a front amp, and he did fine with just a T-shirt that, bunched at the top with a hair tie also served as a great sling. I understand rear amps incisions can be protected with a pair of boxer shorts, at least while someone is with them.
tlahaye said
You are correct that a lot of dogs discussed here "perk up" after amputation, but that may just be a function of how impaired they were before the surgery.
Very astute observation! I never thought of it like that, but you are right!
It’s my sense that “rear amps” have much better long-term prognosis, important for a young dog with many good years left. Dogs carry over 60% of their weight on their front legs, so losing a front leg can be far more challenging over time.
As far as in the long term, that one is still out for debate among orthopedic surgeons. Each kind of Tripawd has unique challenges depending on body type, weight, fitness level, etc. and all play out differently. But in the short-term, yes, you are correct. Dr. Denis Marcellin-Little tells us that "Losing your front leg is like losing two back legs . . . walking on three legs is easier when you’re missing a back leg.”
Let’s Talk About Amputation and Pet Prosthetics with Dr. Denis Marcellin-Little
And here's an interesting study about the gait of both kinds of Tripawds:
CSU Gait Study Examines the Tripawd Dog Hop
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
By the way, I see both of you are online. Why not talk with each other in the Tripawds Chat room?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi. We're 10 days post amputation with our Golden, Murphy. He's had good days and bad but don't despair....we'll get through this! I hear you about the food! Never do golden retrievers leave a scrap of food! But our guy has left food in his dish and even refused cheese! Can you believe it? He's eating enough to get by though and we know he'll be back to his garbage disposal self soon enough.
Very frustrating for you not being given clearer guidelines on the pain medications. Everyone is here for you though and I've gotten lots of great advice and reassurance. Take care!
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