Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I am not sure if anyone has experienced this and I apologize if it has been discussed before. Our pup Zeus had his amputation surgery on September 1st. At discharge, we were given Gabapentin 300mg 3 times a day, anti-inflammatories and antibiotics. The first two days of his recovery at home have been really, really hard. He was panting almost non-stop, pacing around, very restless, tail tucked in, shaking. We called the hospital on day one and asked if there is anything they can suggest to make him more comfortable and were advised to double up on his Gabapentin for the night and then continue the regular 3/day dose the next day. His panting and pacing continued throughout the night and next day. He also developed some swelling so we called the hospital again and they got us an appointment for a check-up. They could not see us until this morning and the surgeon that checked him, his file and his medication told us that some dogs develop a strong reaction to Gabapentin and that his pacing and panting are most likely caused by Gabapentin since his incision looks great and the swelling is just fluid build up - otherwise he looks great. She advised us to decrease the dose to one pill at night time only. He has not had Gabapentin yet today and it was his best day so far. Tail wagging happy Zeus is back. I am so relieved to see him stretched across the bed sleeping peacefully for the first time since the surgery, slow and steady breaths - he is finally getting some rest. I just wish we knew about this possible side-effect earlier so that we could associate it properly. We thought that he was in extreme pain, which I am sure was present in some way, but he was actually experiencing extreme anxiety.
I just wanted to share our experience and the possibility that some dogs may develop a really bad reaction to Gabapentin.
Lots of love to all.
ps. never thought I'd be celebrating when i see
but oh my, it was a great sight! Our first since surgery. Only this community can understand and appreciate what this means 
Well YAAAY for 💩💩 We do love celebrating 💩 around here!!
So Zeus is only on ONE 300 mg Gaba at night? And how about the antiinflmmatory dose and frequency?
I know Gaba can sometimes cause drowsiness, but was not aware of the panting and pacing. They are usual pain signs. I do m ow that Tramadol some causes panting and restlessness.
But is Zeus is relaxing and resting now, that's all that matters. Do keep an eye out for pain signals , as o e pain pill at night may not keep them pain at bay. It's just day four and very few dogs are on this low amount of pain meds this early on.
Tha ks for the update and the information. Soooo glad Zeus is feeling less anxious and you got some good tail wags today! Tail wags are such a good thing!!
Try and get some rest yourself tonight!
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!
Awww poor guy! I'm glad he's feeling better now. Is he on any other pain control like a Fentanyl patch?
Most dogs get overly sedated from Gaba, not anxious or distressed. We tend to see that happen way more often with opioids Tramadol or Codeine. I think you're the first to mention this type of side effect for Gaba, not even pain experts have mentioned it to us in our pain management interviews. Zeus sure is one of a kind!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Definitely looks like Gabapentin was the cause - since we stopped the full 3/day dose he has been getting such good sleep and is back to his normal self. He has been more "sedated" now that he is on a low dose. The hospital also stopped the anti-inflammatories because those were causing some regurgitating. So, yes, we are on only one Gabapentin at night time and antibiotics twice per day, that's it. Tomorrow is the last day for antibiotics. We have another checkup on the 9th. They also took off his bandage that day and he is now wearing just a gauze sleeve. The incision looks nice and dry. He is getting around really well, slow but well, and I am absolutely amazed at the difference in his behaviour. He does not pant other than the one time when we were outside in the sun - and that is very normal for him, he does not do well in heat under normal circumstances. He did yelp a few times and those were related to wound contact pain I think. Our neighbours and friends cannot believe he is up and can walk outside to pee unassisted. He has been a bit picky with food now since he has been on a raw diet his whole life and we were told for the next two weeks he is not allowed near raw meat. Sadly, that leaves him to my cooking and he too does not seem to like it
but my husband has managed to get him to eat some steak tonight. We are trying all sorts of different things and I am open to suggestions!!
We are so fortunate to be able to be with him 24/7, he is never alone, watching him for any changes in behaviour but he has been resting a lot and when we do go out he is all smiles and the tail never stops. The one thing he can't do (yet) is "shake-off" - he tries but he loses balance 🙂
Way to go Zeus! I'm so happy that you are doing better today. Your medication protocol is one-of-a-kind like you, but whatever works! I'm just happy that you are healing and happier too.
Sounds like that steak put some spunk back into his day. I would think that more lightly cooked meats are the ticket to a good recovery for him? Nothing fancy, just the basics like he's used to enjoying (lucky dawg!).
Yeah the shake-off will eventually happen, most front-leg Tripawd dogs do figure that out and it's so pawsome to watch.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Big smile on my face! Thank you so much for this uplifting update! Zeus is really doing incredibly well and that's what we all hope for during recovery. Just curious about why the vet doesn't want him to have his raw diet during recovery.
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!
I asked them the same and they (our vet, surgeon, oncologist) all said because there is a possibility he might lick the wound after eating raw meat and it could get infected. I'll give it another couple of days before we go back to it slowly.
Ahhhhh.........that makes sense. We always learn something new arpu d here!😎
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 wondered the same thing and forgot to ask. I figured it was more about a weakened immune system from the surgery, but the higher risk of direct transmission of germs from tongue to wound totally makes sense. I love your vets!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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