Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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We are on post op day 4. Lira is eating well and able to go up and down 2 steps to go outside, and tolerating medications. She is on neurontin, tramadol and metacam for pain management . She is sleeping most of the time. It takes awhile for her to get up when I call her. I'm not sure if it is because she is just sleepy from meds or if she is depressed. I just wonder if she is on too much medication. Will most likely call the vet and ask. I know they said rest and quiet for 1-2 weeks but how much is too much. I hope her other back leg doesn't get stiff from lack of use. Any thoughts, is this normal? She is on 200mg neurontin three times a day, and 100 of tramadol three times a day.
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Lira & Family, I moved your post here to make sure others see it OK? Didn't want it to get lost in Jeannette's topic. Thanks so much for joining us here.
Ok, so remember that 4 days is not a lot of time. It's probably a combination of both heavy medication and the fact that most dogs don't start to show signs of their old self for at least two weeks. Call your vet to discuss managing the pain meds. It's a delicate balance most of us have to figure out for a while before we get it right, and then poof! They're better.
Remember, take things one step, one challenge at a time. Dont worry about things that haven't happened yet. Her back leg will get stronger as time goes on, it just takes time.
I don't know if this was much help but I do want you to know you have a great community of support here OK? Keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Bo is one month post-op and about day 6/7, he became extremely lethargic and would not even pick his head up. He was already off Rymidal, but was taking Gabapentin and Tramadol. We weened him off the Gabapentin and cut the Tramadol down to one full dose, split into twice a day. That seemed to do the trick for us! I've read a lot on here that the Tramadol messes with the pups moods, but for Bo, it was more the Gabapentin, I think.
Bo didn't really start acting "normal/happy" again until closer to 3 weeks post-op. Good luck to Lira and family!!
Welcome Lira and Family!
I'm sorry you find yourself here at Tripawds.
I for sure would call the vet and ask to cut back everything except the Metacam. (metacam will help with the inflammation and is a NSAID - like an advil for people)
I'm not a vet but gosh, that sounds like a lot of tramadol! Even when I had a 38lb dog, the most I was authorized to give tramadol was 50mgs two times a day. Even for her, she couldn't navigate a hop on 50mgs because she was too drugged.
Again, I'm not telling you what to do, but if you explain to your vet that she can't walk and you suspect the drugs, then he/she may tell you to cut back. Most of our furbabies do much better when the pain meds are cut back.
Good wishes for a speedy recovery!
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.
Lira,
My Coop is 4 days post surgery also and he is only on 75mg of tramadol 3 times a day. He is up walking around, barking at noises, and basically his old self. He was on 100 mg 3 times a day for the first 3 days and we cut back starting this morning. The only other thing he gets is derramaxx (anti-inflam) 40 mg once a day. He weighs about 80lbs. Don't know if it helps at all, but Coop is doing really well.
Thank you so much for the input. I cut back Lira's tramadol and I think it did the trick. She seems more like herself. Maybe a little too much like her old self. She was wiggling her butt around happy as can be and she dislodged a scab from her incision and it began to drain. Not tons and nothing bad looking, no pus or anything, just clear drainage. I checked and all of her staples are still there so we will keep an eye on it.
I have to say that I am glad this site exists. I happened to find it after i checked out 3 legged dogs on youtube. This site has been so helpful in so many ways. It is very comforting to know that I can get advice, ideas and just hear other stories. I don't feel alone at all and for that I am grateful.
Great news! Lira is probably saying "Thanks Mom! Those pink elephants were no fun!"
Paws crossed for an uneventful remainder of her recovery.
And thank you for the sweet compliment. That is exactly why we started this site...you definitely aren't alone. We felt so alone when I was going through my amputation, we are just glad that Tripawds can now be there for others like Lira and yourself.
Hoppy July 4th!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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