Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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It does sound like phantom pain , and some dogs are more affected than others. Basically the transected (cut) ends of the nerves start to tingle and fire off neurotransmitters to muscles that are no longer there which can result in numbness or sharp pains. People report this quite commonly after an amputation and it is not unusual in pets following limb removal or declawing procedures (cats).
The gabapentin works to reduce nerve root pain and is often effective within a few hours of administration. It is a generic human drug and should be inexpensive. Fortis' dose would be 300-600 mg 2 or 3 times daily for 7-21 days.
Pam
Oh poor Fortis. I hope you get the meds to help soon! Wishing you all the best!
FYI - Pam is a vet, if you didn't know. So, you are getting the super duper best advice!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Hey everyone, sorry I have not posted sooner about Fortis' condition. First let me say thanks so much for all of the kind words and comforting advice. You guys are really great and I truly appreciate it.
Unfortuntately Fortis has not improved much since I posted thursday, although he has not had anymore of the "phantom attacts". Our first two weeks were easy but the third is heading in the wrong direction and fast it seems. We have an appointment with the Vet Monday afternoon to remove his stitches and discuss his condition. I'm not sure my Vet is convienced that phantom pain is the cause of his attacks.
Fortis has not seemed right since the attacks occured on Wednesday and thursday. He is very restless at night and moves from place to place and can't seem to get comfortable. He sleeps very little at night (nor do I). During the day he has very little energy and overall just seems depressed. He has lost his appetite as well. No temperature or outward signs of pain and breathing seems normal. There's just an overall since of unhappyness! Something just dosen't seem right with the area around the amputated leg. Its like the muscles are all bound up in a knot causing the spine to curve. Like a cramp that won't go away!
Thanks Pam for the great advice. I will mention the gabapentin to my vet Monday. Fortis is now taking between 50 and 100mg of Deramaxx daily. Is there an anti-inflammatory/ pain reliever (NSAID) that you would recommend for the longterm?
Thanks,
Fortis' very worried Dad!
I gave my Tazzie meloxicam (an NSAID) since it is less likely to cause GI or liver issues. There is a veterinary brand called Metacam but since Tazzie was so big I was able to use the human meloxicam. She weighed about 185# and took one 7.5 mg tablet daily. Depending on Fortis's weight he might only need 1/2 tablet daily. Deramaxx can be used long term but it is the most likely to cause GI ulceration.
I would still at least try the gabapentin since it is safe and won't hurt. It is possible that Fortis might have cellulitis or a suture reaction at the amputation site so your vet might also add an antibiotic. Is he still on Tramadol? If all else fails that can give additional pain relief.
Pam
You have gotten great advice so far and I pray that you get some answers and relief on Monday afternoon at the vet's. I just wanted to offer one comment in response to the muscle lump/cramp you mentioned. In week 3 Raven developed one like that. I wish I'd gotten a picture or video of it. It turned out it was just a ridge of the large sheet muscle that had to be cut to amputate. It was all stitched to another one on the other side, disolvable stitches under the skin. But, he fell a couple times pretty badly at first and we suspect that some were torn loose. Then as healing took place, the muscle was free to bunch up in an abnormal looking way. I treated him with pain killers (tramadol) and metacam (NSAID). He would yelp now and then and was always restless at night. Around week 4 or 5, this all went away. The lump stayed. He always had it. Sort of a bit bulge like a weightlifter in his shoulder behind the scar, but it was soft and only flexed when he used it. It didn't bother him at all. 🙂
I hope Fortis gets better soon.
Dawn
Rottie Raven, osteosarcoma at 8-1/2 years old, amputation in October '09 and in February '10 due to liver mets he went back to heaven where he came from. raven.tripawds.com
Now I have Miles, rottie mix amputee from a shelter and traveled 1500 miles to find his way here through the Rescue Railroad thanks to tripawds.com. miles.tripawds.com
Let us know what you find out on Monday about poor Fortis!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Pam, Fortis in no longer on Tramadol. Hopefully my Vet will give me a prescription for meloxicam if Fortis is big enough. His weight was 154lbs the day of the surgery. Not sure now. I will ask for a prescription for the gabapentin as well. Just a few minutes ago I noticed for the first time a somewhat thick pinkish substance oozing from one of his sutures. I have drained a fair bit of it (man I hope that was ok!) by lightly squeezing the area. He dosen't show any discomfort when I do this. Like I said in my beginning post he has hardly shown any pain pre or post opt except for the three bouts late last week. He seems more alert right now. In the AM today he was just out of it. He just now did take a treat but still will not eat his regular meal. I really appreciate all the advice.
Dawn, It sounds similar. The remaining part of fortis' thigh seems to be contracted and very tense almost as if he were trying to urinate or scratch his face. When he stands or lays this causes his spine to curve toward the amputated leg causing his hip/ sacro to bulge up. Strange. sorry for the poor discription.
Thanks everyone for the help and concerns,
Brett
Keeping all paws crossed for Fortis. Please continue to let us know how he is doing! Good luck Monday!
Tehya and her Mom
I'm praying. I hope your dr. can give you something to ease his pain.
Debra & Angel Emily
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
Oh, Fortis - we hope you're feeling better soon! We're keeping fingers and paws crossed that your vet can figure it out tomorrow. When Holly had phantom pain
, icing her incision area with some very light pressure seemed to help.
Best wishes, hugs, and doggie kisses,
Holly and Holly's mom
Holly joined the world of tripawds on 12/29/2009. She has a big little sister, Zuzu, who idolizes Holly and tries to make all of her toys into tripawds in Holly's honor. And she's enjoying life one hop at a time!
http://anyemery.....ipawds.com
Fortis and family,
I really hope that the visit with the vet brings some relief to his pain... Jake was also on meloxicam... and it didn't hurt his GI... If your vet does prescribe that to you, ask if you could get a script for the human pills, this way you could get them filled at Wal-Mart pharmacy and save a ton of money! ($4 for a month's supply) The liquid Metacam (for vet use) is pretty expensive in a large dog.
Good luck tomorrow... I'll be thinking of you!!!
Angel Jake's Mom
Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!
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