Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Miller is now 11 days post amp - he does have a small seroma that has formed - but more importantly he's been heavy breathing and looking/acting depressed - he's been inappetant but recently I have gotten him to eat heaps of Fresh Pet Vital.... He takes 100mgs of Deramaxx, 200mg of Gabapentin twice daily, 125mgs of Tramadol twice daily, also 20mg of Famotidine mid-day. I must add that he has been on these meds for quite sometime without having this new found depression.... Any advice?
PS He HAS been having random incidents where he wakes up whining in the middle of the night - I'm thinking phantom limb pain?
"No footprint is too small to leave an imprint on this earth..."
Miller & his Mommy (Heather)
DOB 3/17/2006-Severe hip displasia, Luxating patella, panosteitis.. NOW THIS!
Diagnosed: 11/11/2009 at 3yrs old with Osteosarcoma ~ Became Tripawd: 7/10/2012 - Chondroblastic Osteosarcoma
Hmmm. Wish I had some advice. The seeming depressed thing is pretty normal - but I'm not sure i've heard of others saying their dog didn't seem depressed until 11 days in. With Abby, she definitely seemed depressed for a while, but I think she started to come out of it at around day 12. Hopefully others will chime in.
Have you tried things that normally make him more chipper? Maybe he's just bored with the recovery?? Abby would get very much perk up whenever visitors came around.
As for the whining, that could be phantom pain . We didn't do gabapentin, but many others have said on the forums that it helped their pups with phantom pain .
Hope he starts to feel better!
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Porthos was on Tramol before he had the surgery, he was actually on a higher dose before the surgery than after.
He did have alot of panting and seemend a little depressed. I was told that its because of the medication, even if he was on it before, not sure why, maybe Pam will be able to shed some more light.
Ive heard that the crying out during the night can also be because of the meds.
Hang in there, those first two weeks are difficult.
Sending hugs to you and Miller. x
Angel Porthos, Pyrenean Mastiff, 7 years old Os front right leg, DX 18 May 2012, Amputation 14 June 2012, Hip Dysplasia, Two TPLO surgeries. Is now somewhere over the rainbow, 21 November 2013.
Porthos said
Porthos was on Tramol before he had the surgery, he was actually on a higher dose before the surgery than after.He did have alot of panting and seemend a little depressed. I was told that its because of the medication, even if he was on it before, not sure why, maybe Pam will be able to shed some more light.
Ive heard that the crying out during the night can also be because of the meds.
Hang in there, those first two weeks are difficult.
Sending hugs to you and Miller. x
First off Porthos is BEAUTIFUL -
and secondly - thanks so much for the advice... it just hurts so much seeing him like this.. he's seeing his surgeon on Monday and I'll feel better once she peeks at it...
"No footprint is too small to leave an imprint on this earth..."
Miller & his Mommy (Heather)
DOB 3/17/2006-Severe hip displasia, Luxating patella, panosteitis.. NOW THIS!
Diagnosed: 11/11/2009 at 3yrs old with Osteosarcoma ~ Became Tripawd: 7/10/2012 - Chondroblastic Osteosarcoma
Heavy panting is a common side effect of Tramadol, and any sudden outbursts and whining may indeed indicate the need to address phantom pain.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I do not know why so many tripawds seem sensitive to Tramadol post-op; it may be because it is a narcotic and reacts with some of the meds we use for the surgery but that is just a guess. Your dog could probably tolerate a much higher dose of gabapentin but I would ask your vet first.
Remember that these bigger dogs have heavier muscle mass and some panting may be due to exertion.
Pam
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