Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Quincy is a new right foreleg amp. He is 7.75 yrs old with a probable ostesarcoma diagnosis (waiting to confirm). He had his surgery last Fri and came home on Sun afternoon. He has been eating and drinking normally. His activity and engagement is varied though. Monday he mainly just slept and would walk to go potty but would take a couple of steps and sit. Tue and Wed he was incredibly active - hopping around a lot and with speed, his spark completely back, very alert and engaged. Last night and today (so far) he was been back to sleeping a lot and not wanting to move as much. When he takes steps, it is back to how it was on Mon, stepping few times and sitting. We were given Rimadyl, Tramadol and Gabapentin. He gets 50 mg of Rimadyl twice a day. He has been taking 3 Gabapentin a day, 8 hrs apart and tolerates that well. He was incredibly loopy on Tramadol and panting alot and constipated. We think part of the issue with sleepiness on Mon was the Tramadol. We didn't give it to him at all on Tue and he was great and the same on Wed. We called the vet to confirm it was ok to not give Tramadol. They said yes, only give if he needs it. Last night when he crashed and started the walking a few steps and sitting we gave him 1 Tramadol at bedtime to make sure he wasn't in pain and could sleep through the night. He did. As started above he is more sedate and sleepy today and not moving as much. He hasn't had any more Tramadol but appears comfortable. Only thing we can think is he overdid it on Tue and Wed. It is hard to see these ups and downs and see the spark and then have it recede some. We are assuming ups and downs are normal and recovery isn't linear...?
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Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Sorry to hear about Qunicy's leg amputation, but glad you joined us so we can be there for you throughout your journey.
Now we're not vets so take that for what it's worth, but it does sound like two things: 1) that your instincts are right, he may be doing too much too soon and 2) that his pain isn't adequately controlled on a steady, even basis.
About #1: When a dog or cat loses a leg, new muscles are forced to work harder than ever before. Getting that strength in them takes time. The mind is often more willing than the body and it does eventually catch up. It's our job to make sure they take things slower, one step at a time. Monitoring and limiting his activity for the next few weeks will help him get there. Be sure to check our e-book Loving Life On Three Legs , if you haven't already, and the Tripawds Gear blog for fitness tips about core strength, building stamina, etc.
#2: When you stay ahead of pain, it takes a lot less effort to control it. Allowing pain to "wind up" and spiral takes twice as long to control and reduce it once you do give meds. If the Tramadol makes him too sleepy (keep in mind that extra sleep is medicinal at this point), talk to your vet about another pain med that may help. I like that he's getting Gabapentin, that will help too. You might also want to consider having him go to a rehab vet for an assessment and possible pain control modalities like acupuncture and massage (which you can also do yourself by following these tips).
Tell us more about Quincy. What kind of dog is he?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Quincy is a shepherd mix we adopted from the shelter at about 4.5 mos old. He is very active, playful and quite independent. That is the most challenging part of keeping him quiet and calm because he wants to go, he goes. The Gabapentin does make him pretty sleepy so I think/hope he is getting enough rest. We might reconsider and give him a Tramadol once a day to help ensure he is healing and slows down. Sounds like he was pretty sedate today so hopefully that helps him.
We gave Quincy some tramadol after 2 days without it (although the we have kept him on gabapentin and rimadyl consistently) and he is sleeping now. We think he is constipated too and the tramadol does make him pant. We don't like the side effects but I think because he overdid it we got in a bit of a hole and need to get back out. It is really hard especially after seeing him so happy and active for 2 days. I hope he will be better tomorrow. Any tips of helping beat the constipation? Any one else experience the roller later of high activity and low activity days? I don't want to overreact and take him to the vet since I really think he over did it do to feeling so well.
He is supposed to get his sutures out next Thursday and assuming the biopsy confirms osteosarcoma his first chemo treatment. I can't imagine doing that to him when he seems so sad today.
Awww Quincy is one crazy pup!
Yes, highs and lows are very common, you are right in with the normal part of recovery. As for constipation, try adding some olive oil to his food, or even a wee bit of metamucil. Don't worry, things will get back to normal soon, even humans go through that after surgery.
And remember, you're not doing this to him, you're doing it for him. I know that's hard to accept when things are so upside down, but in no time at all they'll be right side up!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks for the suggestions of olive oil. We were going to try a little bit of pumpkin too. And thank you for the reminder of we are trying to do our best for him. Will be happy to see some results, hopefully soon!
Sorry you jave ro be here. Under the circumstances though, there is no better place to be for support, knowledge and understanding.
Love Quincy's avatar picture and can't wait to see more!
This is VERY, VERY EARLY in recovery from MAJOR SURGERY!! As Jerry said, all his pain meds need to be given consistently. And yeah, some of the meds may make him pant, but so does the pain!
It definitely sounds like he was overdoing kt. For now he just needs potty breaks and complete rest. The hospital meds are now completely out of his system (usually two, maybe three days) and he's not feeling quite as "chipper".
The surgerw, the drugs...all that delays their pooping. No worries there. Make sure he's gettwing plenty of liquids and try pumpkin too. Keep us posted. We all like to celebrate with the Happy Poop Dance when it happens! Yeah, we celebrate everything around here!
We call this recovery period a "roller coaster ride" and Quincy's up and down recovery is a perfect example.
Generally, not always, it takes about two weeks to recover from the surgery itself, and about one month for all the muscles, joints, etc. to adjust to mobility issues. Front leggers may have sore muscles in their neck area, as well as back. You can try some gentle massage.
Yes, his bit of a "crash" is perfectly normal! Especially considering how he overdid it at first. I know it's upsetting when you see them doing so well, and then crashing. Slow and easy Mr. Quincy! You aren't ready for a pawty yet, okay?
Recovery WILL happen and his sparkle WILL come back, bigger and brighter than before!! Remember, Quine isn't worried about a thing! He doesn't give a rip about any ole statistics or diagnosis! He's just getting on with living life to the fullest soaking up all that loving and spoiling 🙂
Stay connected and update when you can! You're doing great!
Hugs to all the pack!
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!
The tripawd/cancer journey is not for the faint of heart, and the recovery period after surgery will definitely test your sanity!
There are a few lucky pups that sail through surgery and recovery but for most of us it was more what you are experiencing. It is hard to believe that we did the right thing by amputating and we wonder if we will ever get our dog 'back'.
My little pug Maggie made me wait 6 weeks until she decided her new normal was OK! But she was a stubborn little pug who hated change in her routine. For most 2 to 3 weeks, stitches out and meds done, and their pups have pretty much got the spark back to stay.
I also wanted to say that you need to stay positive and upbeat around Quincy, he will take his cues from you. That is a mistake I made with Maggie, she was down so I was down, I think we fed off each other. I don't mean dancing and singing (if you do we need video!) but just show him that everything is OK by being a strong pack leader.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Thank you for words of experience and encouragement. Quincy seems much more on an even feel now. We have him on 1 tramadol and 1 gabapentin every 8 hours and then rimadyl every 12 hrs. We also added some pumpkin to his food and he pooped (twice!) today. Here's to hoping the trajectory is only up from here! 
Heck! I wasn't able to see the videw on my tavlet! Ugh!
CONGRATULATIONS! HAPPY POOP DANCE!!!
The pain med dose and frequency sounds really good.
Keep on keeping on sweet Quincy!
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!
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