Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Madison had her front right arm amputated Monday. She came home this afternoon. She was doing great at the vets office and ok at home, until about 30 minutes prior to her next dose of tramadol. I gave it to her early but then she just started screaming and wailing in pain. It was the worst thing I've ever seen.
The tramadol has set in now and she has been sleeping for over a half hour. I'm afraid to fall asleep that she might wake up and do something to hurt herself.
Is this normal for the first night at home? When does her pain become manageable?
She is 13 and was really spry until she started limping in mid April. It went from a barely noticeable limp to obvious pain within a few weeks. First vet visit diagnosed it as arthritis. Two weeks later we went back for xrays and were referred to a specialist. It was diagnosed as cancer. We don't know which kind yet.
I know at 13 I don't have a ton of time with her but I want the time I have to be pain free for her. I didn't think this would be an easy recovery but I wasn't prepared for this at all.
What do you do to keep your new tripawd comfortable in those first hours or days?
Good job for attempting to stay on top of the pain meds! What else is Madison on?
Consider reviewing these posts about pain management, and call your vet if you believe adjustment to her dose or medication is required.
Best Pain Relief Tips for Tripawd Dogs and Cats
Post-Surgery Pain in Tripawd Dogs and Cats, Part 1
Prevent, Avoid and Treat Pain in Tripawd Dogs and Cats, Part 2
Sudden outbursts may also indicate phantom pain .
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She's on Rimadyl - 1/2 of 75 mg pill at 7am/7pm. Tramadol 1.5 at 7am/3pm/11pm.
I got pretty scared there. She was sleeping for a little while now she's whimpering.
Okay...deep breaths.....recovery is no picnic, eslecially the first several nights, and then some! Asscary as this is, this is not unusual Stay connected and we'll help you through this, okay? YOU ARE'NOT ALONE!
The Admin Guy gave you so much great links. Check out the phantom pain . If Madison screamed suddenly and it was a short outburst and rhen subsided, it could have been the phantom pain . She also is full of hospital meds and starting to come off of those. It's crucial to keep the pain meds consistent and not let the lain get a head start.
.any sogs come home with Tramadol, Gabapentin, Rimadyl and an antibiotic. The Gabapentin will help if it is phantom pain .
For whatever it's worth, my Hapoy Hannah barely slept at all the first three nights home! 'She was restless and whining and just coukd not get comfortable. I was second guessing my decision like crazy! In fact, it was about three weeks before I could finally say I did this FOR my Happy Hannah and not TO her!
Right.now Madison just need rest and short potty breaks. She may not poop for a couple of days because of the pain meds. Peeing is more important though.
You ARE giving Madison a chance at a pain free quality life. And that means more time for loving and spoiling! I know it's nard to see right now, but Madison's slarkle WILL come back!
Keep taking those deep breaths and, if you have any CHOCOLATE arou d, eat it all! It helps! Tell js more abojt Madison when you can...big girl, little girl, and, kf course pictures!
Sending extra hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS...Try and catch some shut eye when Madison sleeps. You may not get a lot of sleep in the next few days!
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!
Just saw your update. How much does she weigh?
A d just to make thinks even more whacked, someti es the pain meds make them whiny.
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!
How big is Madison?
Murphy came home on Tramadol, Rimadyl & Gabapentin. He weighs about 50 lbs and his Tramadol pills are 50mg. I don't remember how often he got them (his surgery was 3 years ago). It doesn't sound like the Tramadol is holding her enough, though. You might need to call your vet - see if they can add Gabapentin or increase her other meds.
You can try applying an ice pack to her incision (or frozen peas), with a towel to protect her skin, for about 20 minutes or so, and see if that helps some.
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
Thank you all for your responses. Madison is just under 50lbs. She is a pit boxer pound puppy. She and I and my husband just had a few 20 minute sleeps over the past 2 hours. She is restless now and panting.
She also still has a fentynol patch.
She did pee and poop several hours ago. She was eating wet food at the vet, which she had never eaten before. Her poop was soft, but not quite runny. Her gas currently could peel the wallpaper off the walls.
It's good to know that this pain is not unusual. The vet didn't prepare me for this.
How have you prepared your homes for the first few days/weeks?
I feel your pain and tiredness and distress! But take some peace that her whimpering is probably more from the anaesthetic and IV pain meds making her feel funny then severe pain. Also is she wearing a cone, this can make them feel miserable and whimpery? My boy is now 14 days post op and he has been pretty vocal since coming home, the first 3 days were the worst and I slept downstairs with him to give him confidence I was there more than anything. Once you give them their meds there's not much more you can do, but I think cuddles count for a lot 
After a week I did speak to my vet again and change the combination of pain meds as I found he was crashing about 2hrs before his next dose which left him very restless and whiney. I'm in the UK so our prescriptions are different but he has Metcam in the evening, and initially was on Pardale twice a day. But after the first week I swapped the Am and Pm dose of Pardale to tramadol and then I was able to give him 2 tablets 3 times a day of the Pardale if he needed it. Now we don't need the additional dosage of Pardale, the tramadol is maintaining him through the 12hrs between doses. The recommendation for icing is a good one, it will prevent any swelling putting pressure on the incision site and hopefully mean Madison's wound heals quicker as well as reducing any pain.
Hang in there, promise it will get better and you have done this all for the right reasons for Madison and in a few weeks you will get your quality time, she'll be the normal gorgeous girlie you love
Zuki Wuggafer 30/09/06 - 11/11/16. Right hind tripawd due to Osteosarcoma. He had a strong 5 and half months as a tripawd but unfortunately a secondary issue with his spine ended our battle. He loved life, loved our family and was the best dog I could ever ask for. Truly my first love, forever in my thoughts and heart.
Read our story: http://zuki.tripawds.com/
We made it through the night! It was touch and go for a while there. My amazing husband took the night shift with her and devised a plan.
I got up around 5am and kept her calm while he removed the mattress from our guest bedroom and began setting up our sunroom as a Madison suite.
She's ready to get on the mattress but propped herself against it. I laid on it for a few hours while my husband blocked the doorway. This room is near the front door so while I let her out he built a little wall to fully close off the room. She got her dose of rimadyl/tramadol right before 7, spent about an hour panting, and appears to be setting down now.
Personally, my Tripawd seemed much more unsettled and uncomfortable on the Fentanyl (IV drip in hospital) than he did once they switched him to Tramadol, Rimadyl and Gabapentin.
We are are the exception here because Pofi had no phantom pain . Honestly, he really has so much less pain post surgery, it borders on crazy. He had a nerve sheath tumor rather than a bone cancer, so he started on that combination of drugs 2 weeks prior to surgery. Adequate dosage and frequency of Gabapentin stopped the panting in the weeks prior to surgery and gave him a leg up as Gabapentin was already up to working levels in his system. For us, I am convinced, the liberal use of pain meds, all 3, in advance and in first weeks post surgery made a huge difference.
Just our story....not a vet of course!
Lisa and Pofi
Lisa, Minneapolis
On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly. His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.
Are you giving the Tramadol & Rimadyl at the same time? Those should be spaced out so that you get better coverage. Rimadyl is an NSAID, like motrin or aspirin, so not as strong, but helps as an anti-inflammatory. I would give that in between doses of the Tramadol. What is the milligram dose of the Tramadol?
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
The first few nights are no picnic ... the meds (as others have said) can make them anxious yet you need to give them to them to stay on top of the pain. Shelby was on tramodol and it made her whimper, whine and restless (pacing). EVERY night for a couple of nights. You will get through this!!!
Keep us posted!
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
Yep, as you can see, you certainly are not alone and all this sou ds way to familiar to many of us! If there is such aa thing as a "normal" recovery, Madison is in the normal range!
But first things first.....YAAAAAAAAAY FOR POOP!
Of course, we are not vets so speak with your vet if you have any concerns. I do agree with Lisa, the Fentanyl patch does seem to make dogs a bit whacko. Generally, not always, the patch comes off around day three. I think you'll notice a difference then. Again , not a vet and not giving vet advice.
MADISON 'S SUITE sounds wonderful! Kudos to you and your hubby! If you have vinyl or hardwoods in the house, you'll want to consider making a path of non slip scatter rugs for traction .
Hang in there! This is the rough part! It doesn't last forever though! Promise!
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!
Lord have mercy, do I remember those nights!
Take comfort in knowing they will get better, but each fur-baby recovers differently. My Meesha (a quad-paw) holds up her leg and whines if she gets a scratch, while I've never heard my Melody whine a single time.
Rest when you can, we become more emotional when we're sleep deprived.
pam
Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.
"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."
- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey
As the day goes on I'm learning her cycles which hopefully means I can anticipate the bad moments a little better.
They said to give the tramadol every 8 hours but I can give it as soon as 6 if she appears to be in pain. It seems to be wearing off after about 7. I'm not sure of the strength. I'm currently laying on the floor with her in a calm moment.
She only gets the Rimadyl and tramadol together at 7am, her first of the day.
We have an appointment for Saturday to get the patch removed. My husband is extremely upset about this because he's terrified to lift her, especially 4 times. Hopefully we'll see improvement by then.
Our new suite is right at the front door so I've been letting her do her business out there instead of making her walk all the way through the house to get to the back. There are 2 small steps before she gets to the grass. One is maybe 4 inches and one is 2 inches. On the way down she makes that sharp yelp and I thank this group for educating me on the phantom pain . I was worried she was hurting her good leg, it's comforting to understand a little bit of what's going on with her body.
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