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Agitated and Restless Greyhound 5-6 Days post-op
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Member Since:
24 January 2024
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24 January 2024 - 1:17 pm
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I'm wondering if anyone has had a similar experience with their tripawd post-op or if anyone can tell me if this is just typical behavior or not at the 5-6 day mark?

Long story short, our 75-pound greyhound, Ragnar broke his rear leg back in October. Surgery and treatment didn't work so he went through with amputation last Thursday (6 days ago). The first few days he was home he did great - pain-free, good energy, was already adapting well to walking around, and was comfortable enough to roach several times on his bed each day! Around day 4 he started getting more restless, especially at night, and it's gotten worse to where he's now (on day 6) restless and uncomfortable 80-85% of the day, with some rest in between. 

When I say restless I mean he's panting and breathing heavily and keeps getting up and moving around to different spots in the room like he can't get comfy. His heart rate is not elevated, however, as the vet had me check how many bpm (60). He's also still eating, drinking, going to the bathroom, etc. like normal, and his wound looks to be healing normally without issues. His bruising even looks like it's going down (turning more purple/black and in less area). I just can't tell if he's in pain, reacting to the meds, or if this is just normal anxiety as he adjusts during this time period.

The vet originally told us he should really only be in pain the first few days, so I expected him to start feeling better and heading towards being himself again at this point. Some FB groups have said his surgery meds might be wearing off now so he's feeling more than he did in the beginning.

To give you an idea of his pain management , I'll preface by saying Ragnar has already been on Gabapentin since he first broke his leg in October. We had him on 600mg every 8 hours for a bit, and then weaned off to 600mg every 12 hours. He was also on 75mg of Rimadyl every 12 hours. He's never had any type of reaction like this to those meds before. The vet has him on the same dose now (the Gaba every 8 hours and Rimadyl every 12 hours). I was concerned he might have built up a tolerance and need something else, but the vet advised me that wouldn't be the case. Because of my concerns, the vet also just prescribed an additional med (300mg APAP/Codeine) also to be given every 8 hours along with the others. I started that last night and even staggered them so his pain management would be spread out and it doesn't seem to make much of a difference so far. He will maybe get some relief for an hour before starting back up again with the painting and restlessness. We also tried 200mg Trazodone along with the Gaba the other night and it made 0 difference - he fought right through it. He's also taken the trazadone/gaba combo this before (firework and thunder anxiety) with no issues. 

Can anyone give any advice? Should I try to change up his meds more? Is this concerning? Is this normal and will phase out in a couple more days/weeks? Thank you in advance!

Virginia



Member Since:
22 February 2013
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24 January 2024 - 1:40 pm
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Just wanted to reply and approve quickly somothers could chime in
FWIW does sound like pain management continues to need to be tweak3d.
Generally the first few days after surgery are BETTER pain wise because all the strong hospital meds are still in their system. Then the real tweak of pain meds starts to take hold.
Sorry again for quick replay. Others will catch you up on some good pain management suggestions
Try not to stress. Greyhounds are sensitive pups and need very specific trial and error sometimes with pain meds
Greyt that drinking, peeing, eating are good👏
((((((((((((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!

Virginia



Member Since:
22 February 2013
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24 January 2024 - 3:49 pm
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Hello again Courtney. 

 

  The vet originally told us he should really only be in pain the first few days

 

Humans would still be in the hospital  on a morphine drip!  This is MAJOR surgery, all while adjusting to three.

Wanted to come back and give you a link to Greyhound Summer regarding some posts made about her pain management challenegs.  

    https://tripawd.....re-summer/

You'll see where Jerry noted the Tylenol  with Codeine can actually  cause some agitation and confusion   as an opioid, 

You'll also see where Summer (69 lbs)  was on 300 mg Gaba 3× day.  So you definitely have some wiggle room.  I may have congused myself.  Just to clarify, is he on 600mg Gaba 3x day or 600mg every 12 hrs???

Another Member chimed in about her experience  with the Trazedone, the codeine, etc.

One thing uou can ask your Vet about to replace the Codeine is Amantadine if you go that route.  Some have found that to be a good med inbetween  doses of Gabapentin. 

Of course, none of us are Vets and not giving  Vet advice.  Always contact your Vet when making any changes 

Hope this gives you some  reassurance  and maybe some guidance on addressing  his pain.  Try and get some rest when uou can!  Getting to this point can be exhausting  mentally  and physically!  Remeber,  Reco6v doesn't  last furever!!

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!


Member Since:
24 January 2024
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24 January 2024 - 4:24 pm
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Thank you for the insight! I’m new to this site so still figuring out how everything functions ☺️ I will do some digging around on these other posts. I’m very much looking forward to turning a corner on recovery soon. We’re all exhausted. Just want to make sure I’m doing everything I possibly can to keep him comfy and progressing! And yes he’s on 600mg of gabapentin every 3 hours! Which sounds like a lot but as I mentioned he’s had experience with that dose over the last few months. Thanks again for your help and support 💜 always appreciative 

The Rainbow Bridge



Member Since:
25 April 2007
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24 January 2024 - 9:36 pm
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Hi Courtney,

You are doing great here, and we hope we can help make the situation better. If it's any comfort, this is not unusual at this point and time, and there are fixes but it can be a trial and error process.

I think your vet is doing some aggressive pain management , which is excellent. But it does sound like there's pain that is not being addressed. The codeine could be causing the restlessness (narcotics can do that to dogs). A high dose of Gaba isn't unusual and usually effective, so I'm not seeing anything too odd there as far as the dosage and timing. 

Definitely see if your vet can prescribe Amantadine, and if it's OK to cut the Codeine. I wouldn't change anything though until you talk to them.

One thing you didn't mention is what does his activity look like right now? How much walking/outside activity is he getting? Is there another dog in the house he is playing with? If he's getting too much activity right now, his body could be feeling exhausted at the end of the day, and his pain gets amplified.  Make sure he isn't doing much more than going out on leash for potty breaks. I know Greys are mellow so that shouldn't be too difficult. Just keep activity way, way low while he heals. It's still early.

Let us know what your vet says OK?

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