Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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So tired...
Seems like each day is a little worse instead of a little better. More yelps, less enthusiasm, less appetite, more shaking and refusing to move or get up, more crying.. Waiting for it to turn around.
Daddy is home taking care of him today. Still not sure what to do about the rest of the week. I will probably ask to work from home for the next few days just in case.
Hopefully I can stay awake at work today...
-Heather
Barret was diagnosed with Hemangiopericytoma May 16, 2013. Front left leg/scapula/pectoral muscle was amputated on June 11, 2013 and we've never looked back. Follow our story on http://barret.t.....pawds.com/ and read my column on That Pet Blog
Poor Barret. Sounds like everything is finally catching up to him. What kind of pain management is he still on? Some of that sounds like he could be having some pain. Daisy just had knee surgery (she's a front amp) and by morning all the pain meds have worn off and I can't get her up and moving till I get something in her.
Hope Barret is back to his self soon!
Marla and Daisy
My Two Tripawds...Biscuit 
and Spirit Daisy 
Yeah, he seems really uncomfortable, but he is on the maximum of what the vet told me to give him. I don't have the bottles with me so I don't know the milligrams.. If things don't improve by the time I get home tonight I will have to call and see if there are alternative meds we can give if these aren't doing the trick
1 Rimadyl in AM
1 Antibiotic AM/PM
Gabapentin every 8 - 12 hours (we're doing every 8-10)
Tramadol every 6-8 hours (we're doing every 6 on the nose)
Thanks, Heather
Barret was diagnosed with Hemangiopericytoma May 16, 2013. Front left leg/scapula/pectoral muscle was amputated on June 11, 2013 and we've never looked back. Follow our story on http://barret.t.....pawds.com/ and read my column on That Pet Blog
I'm so sorry Heather. It's so hard to go through this after such a great homecoming. Hang in there, in one week I'm sure you will amazing progress. Until then keep in mind that sometimes the pain meds need to be reduced in order to ease these symptoms, some dogs just can't handle being under the influence (especially the Tramadol) so do talk to your vet about adjusting them. His recovery does sound normal, as hard as it is to watch. Keep careful note of his symptoms and go over them thoroughly with your vet when you talk.
We send lots of hugs your way, keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh, Barrett, poor baby. Heather, it very well could be the meds - some dogs get very vocal and loopy on the Tramadol. Keep an eye on his activity level, too. Our vet was extremely insistent that the first week should be nothing more than walking far enough to eat and to eliminate. Or, it could just be that the soreness is just now starting to hit him - you know how you're more sore two days after a hard workout at the gym than you are the day right after the workout. All the new muscles being used for the hopping/walking may be making him sore.
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
So sorry to hear what you and Barrett are going through Heather. The first couple of days with Daisy home were really good and the next week was hell. What made the difference for her was Piroxicam instead of Rimadyl. We had her on tramadol and gapabentin as well. Just in case your vet recommends this - try to get it at Costco if you can (cost savings is significant $1.06 per pill at Costco vs. $3.96 per pill at Bartell's).
Sending good thoughts your way!
Alicia
One week post amp today.
Thanks for the tip on switching to Piroxicam. I am going to have to ask my vet about that. That's exactly how I feel, first few days were great, downhill from there.
I wasn't home yesterday but David said Barret was doing good and they walked to the mailboxes and seemed to want to walk farther. I suspect that he had him overdo it, because the rest of the night he all but refused to move (getting up, walking to the kitchen, nothing). He fell down trying to pee, twice. His remaining legs need time to build muscle. He even went into his sister's crate and wouldn't come out. That is sooo not like him. He HATES crates.
Last night was another rough one. He was crying laying down, so I stood him up and he sat there leaning against the wall for an hour until it was pain pill time. Then he laid down for a bit. This morning he propped himself up next to me but was trembling most of the time.
Now he's motionless on the couch, not really sleeping, just looking kind of miserable... almost empty.
I know all of this can be the same symptoms of over medicating. However, just by the way he recoils from touch, spasms he has .. I just can't tell if its over medicating or if the type of meds just aren't working and he is in pain.
I will say after his first surgery he was on tramadol and rimadyl (same dosages) and did not act this way.
I have a call into my vet. I will let you know what he says.
On the bright side, the incision still looks awesome. There is no bruising left, minimal swelling, and is healing very nicely.
Thanks everyone, Heather
Barret was diagnosed with Hemangiopericytoma May 16, 2013. Front left leg/scapula/pectoral muscle was amputated on June 11, 2013 and we've never looked back. Follow our story on http://barret.t.....pawds.com/ and read my column on That Pet Blog
Ugh, my regular vet is not in today. Dr. Steed said to try giving double the tramadol at his evening doses to see if he can sleep through the night. If that doesn't work that we'll try a different medication tomorrow. He didn't think that the switch to Piroxicam would do the trick.
I'm not sure what I expected of the vet, but I'm not sure I got it. The tricky part is that he is the medical professional, I am not. I just want Bear's pain to go away. I need a light at the end of the tunnel. I need to chill the freak out.
I wonder if he really acts differently around my husband or if we just read the signals differently. I do my best to not act weird around Barret because I know he can pick up on it. It is hard to mask concern.
I was warned, but this is hard. This is really hard.
Barret was diagnosed with Hemangiopericytoma May 16, 2013. Front left leg/scapula/pectoral muscle was amputated on June 11, 2013 and we've never looked back. Follow our story on http://barret.t.....pawds.com/ and read my column on That Pet Blog
Heather, I so wish I could make it better for you and Bear! Darn. What did the vet say about his lethargy symptoms? I'm thinking the Gaba might be what's doing it. I recall instances of some dogs who reacted this way once they were on it. I'm wondering what your vet thinks?
{{{{{hugs}}}}}
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
He didn't seem concerned by that. Assumed he was just sore and had been overdoing it. I am not sure I would call it lethargy, he does still come to the kitchen to eat and once he is up and getting around he seems better for a little bit.
Barret was diagnosed with Hemangiopericytoma May 16, 2013. Front left leg/scapula/pectoral muscle was amputated on June 11, 2013 and we've never looked back. Follow our story on http://barret.t.....pawds.com/ and read my column on That Pet Blog
Hi Daisy,
Thanks for asking about Barret. Yesterday was our 2 week ampuversary.
The stitches are out, everything is healing nicely. I have to say that he is doing really really well!
The only problem we've been having is soreness and phantom limb pain. He continues to wake me up through the night with yelps and quivering. I'm hopeful that will decrease soon, since we're supposed to start weaning him off of Tramadol next week.
Right now he is on Tramadol 50mg 3x daily, Gabapentin 100mg 3x daily, and Rimadyl 25mg 2x daily.. pretty much the max dosage for 20lb dogs. Using an ice pack when he is having a cluster of attacks seems to settle him down.
Barret was diagnosed with Hemangiopericytoma May 16, 2013. Front left leg/scapula/pectoral muscle was amputated on June 11, 2013 and we've never looked back. Follow our story on http://barret.t.....pawds.com/ and read my column on That Pet Blog
Awe... That Barrett has the sweetest face I've ever seen! Those eyes just melt you! So sorry you are going through this. I dont have experience with phantom pain
, but my Atlas had all sorts of weird behavior from the Tramadol, I think he saw lots of psychedelic squirrels and he did really good the first few days like Barrett, then about day 10 he seemed to have the realization his leg was gone and got a little panicky. Once off the drugs around 16 days post op, he started to return to his old goofy self and he stopped recoiling when we touched him. i hope this is just a similar speed bump for Barrett and he's back to his old self soon.
Sending all pawsitive thoughts to Barrett and his family!
Pat & Mighty Atlas
I just love your sweet furbaby--one of the cutest faces I've ever seen
so glad things are going better-I wanted to chime in because Lily had the same problem for about 3 (?) weeks after surgery. When we took her off the Tramadol, it went away. She would make this high pitched "scream" and we would all come running to comfort her. Hopefully, as the meds decrease the yelps will too. Some of the meds really make them loopy as you well know.
Thanks for sharing these adorable pics-sending you and Barret huge hugs.
Joan and Lily
Our beautiful Lily was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her front leg on 12/14/11 at age 8 and had amp on 12/16/11. She completed 5 rounds of carbo. She was so brave and kicked cancer's butt daily! She lived life fully for 4 years, 3 months, and 15 days after her amp. My angel is a warrior princess. I miss her so much.
Sounds a lot like what the TJ went through.... 3rd week seems to really slow down progress. One good sign was that I've seen TJ trying to lay on the amp'd side... that's new. He doesn't stay on it for long.. but his incision is still healing (a little puffy near the chest).
Tramadol seems to be pushed as the pain pill of choice. I was told up to 6-8 a day (2 every 6-8 hours is ok) as needed.
Barrett seems more of a yoda 
Great looking pup.
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