Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello! I'm fostering a 1 year old 26 lb cutie who had a rear leg amputation one week ago due to an untreated break. She is on Gabapentin, Tramadol and Carprofen. Our orders were to limit activity...no playing, running, jumping. The past couple of days it's increasingly difficult to keep her activity low. In the early mornings and evenings, the hours before her medication, she just can't stay away from my dog and is now jumping up to the window seat where my dog would be out of her reach. If we go outside to separate from my dog, she gets jumpy (and bitey) out there too. If I separate them indoors during these times, Bizkit runs from door to door or tries to force the door open. I do brain games and frozen treats etc during these acting up times to redirect her, but some days it goes on for over two hours of that and it feels like maybe too many treats (she's thin though) or maybe reinforcing crazy behavior?Â
After a call to the vet, he has prescribed Trazadone which I can pick up today, but I'm feeling guilty about it. She's on a lot of meds. I know she has to keep low activity so she doesn't pull her stitches or get a seroma , but for some reason I'm having a hard time mentally wanting to give her more prescriptions. My daughter will be adopting her, and I am hoping to hand Bizkit off in the best possible shape, physically and behaviorally, that I can.
In another post I did get the recommendation to ask the vet about giving her medications every 8 hours instead of 12, but when I asked about switching the timing they just wanted to add on the Trazadone instead.
Thanks for thoughts or advice!
Young dogs often need sedatives to stay calm to allow surgery sites to heal even after a routine surgery such as a spay or neuter. Trazodone is a good place to start but many dogs also need acepromazine unless they are used to be crated for long periods.
Pam
Dr Pam's the expert here, I'll just add that from personal experience that Trazadone was a huge help during recovery to keep our June calm for the two weeks of rest. We resisted using it in the first couple days (like you say - so many meds!) and in hindsight should have started right away. It really was such a huge help. (Also, probably keep Bizkit gated away in a room away from your other dog during recovery.)
It's tough doing all this, but the payoff is that happy, bouncy, healthy dog after recovery - and that day comes quicker with a good restful two weeks post-op. Also, I think it's pretty natural to second guess a lot at the stage you're in - I know I did, and from the sound of it, many here have in that first week or so. Take lots of deep breaths when you need them. 
Natalie & Juno (aka June)
Thank you both. As she lays here sleeping after her morning ramped up time, I still second guess it. But I know I need to prevent those ramped up times and obviously follow doctor's orders.
My visions of having her gated off in the dining room, resting, where she could still see and be seen did not come to fruition! She jumps on the gates, when she is in those hyper times. We do have a way to close her off with doors, and I imagine the Trazodone would stop her from obsessing about getting to my older dog and straining herself running from door to door or trying to push the doors open.Â
I have a happy bouncing healthy dog too soon! Especially the bouncing!
The I incredibly good news is that your pupper is feeling great and cant wait to start loving life to the fullest on three!
Sorry you are having to resort to the Traz. I understand and would be just as conflicted and hesitant as you.
The only other thong I would add is to drop the Tramadol and just keep her on Gaba.  It jas been proven to be ineffective for amputation surgical pain. Since it has been a week, possibly uou could drop the Carprofen.  Of course, I am not. Vet......talk to your Vet first. I'm not going Vet advice
Good luck!
HugsÂ
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!
My dog, Loki, lost her rear right leg after being hit by a car around 3 months. I didn't go through recovery with her - I am deeply indebted to her wonderful foster mom. I adopted her at 5 months and I am deeply familiar with having a young, high energy tripawd. I couldn't put her behind a gate or an expen because she'd either climb or jump out. I had fantasies of keeping my sad little 32" picket fence because my dog with one back leg wouldn't have the physical ability to jump it. I know have a 6' privacy fence that just barely contains her (I fully believe she could clear a 5' fence).
You're in the thick of it now because it really is important for her to rest and recuperate. Even once she's fully healed, there will be days when you can't believe how much she can run and jump on three legs. Having things to occupy her mind will help. I do nosework with my dogs and often feed meals in puzzle toys. I also built a dig pit in my yard where Loki can dig freely and safely. Some days when I know she's had plenty of excersize, I'll keep her on a leash while we're outside so I can limit her from further activity. Some days I give her a Kong or a chew so she has a reason to stay in one place for a while. Young tripawds are a challenge! You're going to make mistakes, but hopefully you do what's best for your dog most of the time.
Well, we added in the Trazodone and the girl is OUT. She got frisky for a couple times this morning but it was easily redirectable, and now she is taking a very deep nap. Â
Looking forward to next week when I get her in for her 2 week checkup. And we have a rehab consult scheduled!
Sweet dreams to Bizkit! I'm glad she's resting, just got caught up on things here. It is sooo tough to keep a young dog chilled out during recovery. Can't blame you for feeling guilty about the meds but that old saying about better living with chemistry really applies here. Rest is medicinal, just keep telling yourself that.Â
I'm really happy you have the rehab consult scheduled too!Â
Just wanted to post an update that we are 2 weeks + out of surgery. At her two week appt the vet recommended stopping all meds, so we did (with some worry...she was on some anti anxiety meds even pre-surgery). She's doing just fine, better than fine. She's much more settled now... we had her for about 3 weeks pre-surgery and the difference is amazing to see; clearly even though she was happy and getting along with that unusable leg, now we know it was causing her agitation for sure. Â
Yay, Bizkit! So glad your baby is doing well. We had to put our greyhound, Summer, on Traz for a couple of doses this week too. She wasn't rambunctious in the least, but she was quite agitated and wouldn't stop pacing and going from dog bed to dog bed in her recovery room. The Traz enabled her to get some much-needed rest. She's doing a bit better now, though we're only 6 days out from her surgery, so still a ways to go. Then we begin chemo.Â
Robin & SummerÂ
Yay, Bizkit! Wow. That's so great how well she's doing - and now with so many issues sorted and so much life ahead of her!! 🎉
Natalie & Juno (aka June)
WOOHOO! Better than fine is incredible, what a world of difference from not long ago. I'm so happy for you guys.Â
Yes, dogs are so good at hiding pain aren't they? We humans are total wimps!Â
Keep us posted on how she's doing and don't forget to share some photos, we'd love to see her. If you'd like help adding images just let us know.
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