Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
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Hi,
our Saint 155 Saint Bernard Bailey was diagnosed w osteosarcoma on her right front leg on Dec 1 and was first told by her primary vet she was not a good candidate for amputation bc of her size. We got consults with oncologist, surgeon and had a full body CT Scan and was informed that size didn’t matter and that she was in good overall health.
She had amputation on Wednesday Dec 22. When she came home on Thursday and she looked and felt ok considering her major surgery. She was sent home w gabapentin (600mg x 3 daily), codeine (60mg x 3 daily), rimadyl (150mg x 2 daily) and antibiotics (1,500mg x 2 daily).
On Thursday night all night while she was laying down she was crying all night, we figured it was somewhat normal and it was more of a whimper than a straight out cry. On Friday it continued and we thought it was bc she needed to pee or poop; she managed to poop on Friday and pee as well but the crying continued at night while laying.
I do have to say that she was a bit “too active” trying to find her peeing and pooping spot the first three days but we’ve been assisting her with a harness that the surgeon sent her home with (front and back support). At this point we didn’t let her lay on her incision side bc we were afraid she’d tear stitches open.
Saturday same issues and she yipped once when getting up but figured she had gotten stiff from lying down. We got her some orthopedic bed thinking the orthopedic rugs weren’t enough. That seemed to help but since Sunday she’s had this pain that makes her cry within 3-10 seconds of standing up. We started letting her lay on both sides.
We called her surgeon and he agreed to see her on Tuesday and she said she seemed fine with no noticeable ligament tears or hip issues. We ran out of codeine so transitioned her to Tramadol, which makes her a bit loopy/drowsy but figured it’d be ok to have her rest. The thing is that the painful cry only happens when she’s been lying for a while (~1hr+) and Her cry has progressively gotten worse. It only happens when she stands up, and has a limp when she first gets going but then puts weight on the legs and is fine after a while (once the initial massive pain subsides) with no crying at all when she walks or minor lameness, still squats to pee and poop without us holding the back end of the harness.
The issue does seem to be on both legs though, but the cry is just so bad it hurts me seeing her in pain when she gets up. Anyone else experience this?
Hi Baily and family, welcome. Happy New Year! May your 2022 be filled with many good times and smiles, it's just around the corner! She WILL get better!
We are so sorry you had to join our club but glad you found us. We'll help however we can to make this easier.
It sounds like her recovery is fairly normal, and really good for a giant breed dog. We are not vets, but the pain management sounds like it has room for adjustment. 600 mg of Gabapentin is standard for a 75-90 pound dog but there is room to go up in dosage without harming her. Also keep in mind that Tramadol is not as effective as once believed. It might be making her loopy but studies show it doesn't alleviate acute post-surgical pain very well. So I would ask your vet if it's OK to up the Gabapentin dosage and see if that helps.
Based on what you've described I don't think it sounds like she's overdoing it, especially because you are assisting. Keep the potty walks very, very short and let her rest. It's early in recovery and she's got lots of time ahead of her to heal, but she WILL get there!
Keep us posted OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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Sorry you find yourself here, but as you can see from Jerry's reply this is the best place for support and information .
So yeah, just keep the potty breaks short and leashed and back in for more rest. This is MAJOR surgery, all while adjusting to three legs, plus she's a big girl! And ask the Vet avout uppingnthe Gabapentin a bit. You might also ask about adding Amantadine into the mix and eliminating the Tramadol.
FWIW, it also sounds like her muscles are very tight. She's using them all in a different way right now. So give her lots of massages, all up and down her spine, her neck and shoulder area. Do this especially before she gets up and after she comes in from potty. Also, and again FWIW, dogs often have a "-favorite side" they like to sleep on when first curling into their "nest", as well as "circling " in one particular direction. Her pattern may be interrupted now and it's interfering with her laying down, sleeping and getting up "routine".
Uou and Bailey are both doing a great job. It's hard to be patient this early but she's reco in her own way and at her own pace. Eating and drinking andnpottyi g...all good signs. And goof for you for getting an Orthopedic bed Tripawds need a firmer bed for their joints and to help them get up without slipping arou in a squishy bed.
Look forward to hear from you. Her avatar picture is adorable.
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!
Thank you this is all very helpful! We were worried she’d damaged her hips or torn something. We’ve been limiting her walk to just standing stretches and minimizing her potty walking. We’ll talk to the vet to discuss pain management moving forward. She starts chemo on Tuesday and staying hopeful that it won’t affect her too much. We’ve also got physical therapy lined up on the 10th to help her learn more about how to use her new body and to help us help her be more independent…
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