Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi everyone,
We are now six days post-amp and we're a little confused about Charlie's progress. Since my last post, we've been weaning him off the tramadol, which has improved his mood a little. His incision is healing nicely. And the amp itself hardly seems to be the issue. He has been having some odd neurological/musculoskeletal symptoms that are concerning. He has had some muscle twitching, even after coming off the tramadol. More than anything, I'm really concerned that his mobility is actually getting worse in his hind legs. To me, it looks as though there is something spinal/vertebral going on. It occurred to us that his local vet had spotted some spinal arthritis on his x-rays, though he had no symptoms. Wondering if his new gait could be aggravating that? He's fairly uncomfortable and reluctant to get around. It seems like we're going in the wrong direction. We got him up to go outside just a bit ago and he let out a pretty pathetic and sad whine.
This also makes it tough to decide how to handle his meds. I feel that the tramadol could have contributed to the mobility issues by making him weak and shaky, and yet I want to give him something if he is in pain. We have a therapy consult scheduled for Wednesday. But that seems a long time to wait.
Feels like I'm at risk of being named the vet's craziest dog lady of the month, but emailed her with a video of Charlie struggling to get around anyway. I had to go with my gut.
Any thoughts?
Charlie, our English yellow lab, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in February 2014. He became a tripawd on February 24th, with clear lymph nodes and lungs, but that didn't last long. After three doses of Carbo, in May 2014, x-rays showed lung mets. We briefly tried Palladia, which went well. Unfortunately, Charlie developed unexplained complications in his hind limbs. We said a reluctant farewell on June 11, 2014. Still miss our boy each and every day.
I think emailing the video was a very smart thing to do. Who cares if you're the craziest dog lady of the month...your also the best dog mom of the month! It's your job to advocate for and take care of Charlie. Good job!
I think his new gait could definitely be aggravating his arthritis, or maybe he pulled a muscle or something and is uncomfortable. He's still early in his recovery from major surgery. Have you tried increasing his pain meds again to see if it helps? My vet thinks Tramadol is a fairly benign medication that has little side effects, and both Willow, who was my Tripawd, and Seven, my current dog, both handle/d it very well, only getting a little sleepy. But, every dog is different and I've read that some dogs don't handle Tramadol well at all. I would consider increasing the pain meds if his side effects weren't too bad.
Can you get in for the therapy appointment sooner?
I hope his vet watches the video and has some suggestions!
Carol
Yeah, it's soooooo tough to watch as our furbabies work through recovery. Six days post amp. is very, very early to expect too much right now. .
Rest is the name of the game and balancng the pain meds. Talk to your vet, but I would think it's too early to be taperinghim down yet.
His muscles are probably sore as he's learning to rely on different joints and muscles in a way he hasn't had to use them before.
If he will allow, you may want to ise a sling (towel) to help hm get up. Also, a gente massage before he gets up also.
This so ds very uch like the norma ups and downs of this crazy recovery tme. Zeating, pooping, peeng, etng, drinking..-.all good?
Try adjustng his pain meds a bit, and see if that helps with his discmfort. This is such a major surgery! Human would still be in the hospital!
Let us know what the vet sad zbout the vide, okay? God idea bthe way!z,
Sendingyou healng hugs and a good night's sleepzzzZ!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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 Heather and John
Carol and Sally pretty much covered the symptoms you raised, so I won't go there, but I did want to comment on you sending a video to your vet. GOOD JOB! YAY! GO MAMA AND PAPA CHARLIE!!! I personally think this was a fabulous idea and, of course, that's because I did it myself. Lol. I also sent pictures of whatever worried me at the time. My vets loved it and they told me so nearly every time they received something from me. What they liked was that they could share the videos / pictures with their colleagues and that helped them get more input and be more thorough. They also liked that they always knew Jersey Girl's status. SO, there you go. KEEP DOING WHAT FEELS RIGHT!!
Claudia & Angel Jersey Girl
Hi Heather and John,
I agree with what everyone has said...plus....Tuck also scared me about six days post amp.....he also has some arthritic issues with his one hip and lower spine.....
What a great idea to send the video to your vet....I just called both of them that day and got very different responses so went with "my gut" and stopped weaning him from the Tramadol as recommended by his regular vet. Tuck still takes metacam on a daily basis (though the dose has been reduced), takes joint supplements and has lost 10 pounds.
Tuck is now five months post amp and doing great 🙂 Our walks are shorter and definitely much slower but he enjoys all of the sniffing time and loves the extra pets from the neighbours.
Many hugs
Linda and Tucker 
I'm a ditto-head today.
Six days is really soon to be off the meds. Ask your vet, but most dogs aren't off till at least 10 days out, sometimes longer. Pain meds are not detrimental to healing. Vets used to think that way but the good ones don't anymore. By keeping a dog sedate and calm with the meds, they are helping the body to relax and heal, just like how people benefit from the proper use of pain meds.
Muscle twitching is very normal. Remember, nerves get severed, but they don't tell the brain that. When the brain sends out the signal to move the missing limb, it needs time to figure out that the limb is gone. Some Tripawds will have that twitching for life, not bad, but still occasional. Our own Wyatt Ray 's stump still twitches occasionally and he's 4.5 years out.
It's OK if he wants to lay around right now. This is major surgery, most humans would still be bedridden. There will be plenty of time to help him build up strength and stamina. For now, he's still in healing mode.
Wednesday will be here before you know it.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Sehlby was off her meds early but like everyone said, each dog is different. Shelby also had some severe anxiety on her painkillers (part of the reason we took her off them) but we put her on an anti-anxiety med to help her stay calm. Definitely keeping them calm and sedate as much as possible is key for healing.
And trust me - I long surpassed that "crazy dog lady" reputation at our vet. I called them more times than I can count w/in the first 48 hours and then almost daily ... they don't mind hearing from us and they are there to help! Good luck!
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Ty was also like that. As soon as I would go down on the meds. He would act like that. Vet said not to rush it. Also, have you tried Gabapentin? Ty will still on occasion forget he does not have the leg and yelp. Gabapentin also causes less vocalness and anxiety the Tramadol also. I am probably also known as the crazy dog lady, but we are their voice. Sending healing prayers your way.
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
Hi there,
Charlie is having a slightly better day today. The weather was nice, so he got out in the sun, and John got him up here and there just to keep him limber. It made a big difference. I got a full blow Charlie-love tail wag when I got home from work.
Don't worry, I'm not taking him off the meds completely. He's down from 3 tabs of tramadol to 1 1/2, and he's on 3 tabs of gabapentin. He's at no risk of being under-medicated. I am more certain than ever that he was over-medicated, which contributed to his lack of mobility. I'm sure there are multiple schools of thought on pain meds. But I know my Charlie--he will not do well if he doesn't have an opportunity to move and get outside and the meds were messing with him.
Can't wait for Wednesday--vet agrees that the rehab will do him a lot of good. She wrote back and isn't overly concerned--said it appears that his neck is probably pretty sore, which isn't uncommon. Charlie has been getting lots of massage in the mean time.
As always, thanks everyone.
Heather and Charlie
Charlie, our English yellow lab, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in February 2014. He became a tripawd on February 24th, with clear lymph nodes and lungs, but that didn't last long. After three doses of Carbo, in May 2014, x-rays showed lung mets. We briefly tried Palladia, which went well. Unfortunately, Charlie developed unexplained complications in his hind limbs. We said a reluctant farewell on June 11, 2014. Still miss our boy each and every day.
GOOD BOY CHARLIE,!! Love positive updates around here!
A little sunshine for Charlie and a full-out tail wag for mom...doesn't get any better than that!
Keep up the good work Charlie! And milk those massages for all they're worth!
HUGS TO ALL!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
I'm so that Charlie is feeling better today. And yes, you're right...you know your boy better than anyone. You're doing a great job of taking care of him!
Hugs,
Carol
I'm glad to hear there was slight improvement. Try to remember where you're at in recovery. It's early days! We increased Jackson's protein content for about the first 3-4 months to aide in muscle development (plus, he loved the chicken!). How about some hot packs (warm packs?) for his back/spine? Jackson is 14 months post-amp and his stump twitches all the time. He flexes it, it moves with his other leg sometimes, and when he dreams that thing dances all over the place. We assume it's normal - it doesn't bother him. Charlie may also be in a emotional slump. The sunshine I'm sure helped! Can you have a special person come over and jazz him up some?
Here's to a better day!
~ Katy & Jackson
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
Hi! I can't contribute much, kitty recovery is a little different as are the pain meds, but just wanted to send some well wishes and say ditto to what everyone said - it's definitely still early on! And don't feel like a crazy person sending videos......I've sent MULTIPLE videos over the past 14 months to Jill's oncologist and she hasn't blocked my emails......yet 
Good luck at the appointment today keep us posted!
xoxo,
Erica & Jill
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
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