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.

JUMP TO FORUMS

Join The Tripawds Community

Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:

Instant post approval.

Private messages to members.

Subscribe to favorite topics.

Live Chat and much more!

Recent Blog Posts

Please consider registering
Guest

Members

Tripawds Three Legged Dog and Cat Forums Treatment, Recovery and Oncology I was an advocate for Susie and got…

I was an advocate for Susie and got her pain meds continued past one week post-op!

Add Reply

Add Topic

Page: 1 2

lyriclemon

Member Since:
11 January 2016

Offline

14 January 2016 - 10:52 pm

First of all, thank you to everyone on these Forums who assured me that the surgeon taking Susie off all meds just one week post-op was not a good thing, especially if she seemed to still be in pain.

Last night was not a restful one for either me or Susie. I'm still lying on the living room floor with her each night, on a flimsy Aldi "camp bed" mattress, much narrower than a twin bed mattress. And she just couldn't get comfortable--she was grumbling and whimpering and pushing herself against my body. I knew she only had one dose of codeine left, and then she'd have to deal with the pain with no medication whatsoever.

As for getting Susie's pain meds, that was a comedy of errors that took several hours.

I did get hold of a tech at my local vet's office this morning, and she wrote a prescription for Codeine that will take us up to next Wednesday night, the night before Thursday, Jan. 21--her two-week post-op date and the day she goes back to K-State to (hopefully) get her stitches removed, if the incision looks healed enough by then. I think it will be a lot easier for her to deal with post-op discomfort two weeks after surgery without medication than it is for her now, just one week post-op.

The K-State veterinary student did call me after I'd called the vet here, and promised to ask the surgeon if there was anything they could prescribe for Susie's pain and then get back to me.

Then the local vet's office called me back this afternoon and a tech said they had called the prescription in to Target.

As soon as another family member got home from work, we headed over to Target (with Susie in the back seat in her dog bed). There was a long, long line of people waiting to get their prescriptions filled, so I waited. And waited. I finally got to the front of the line, and the pharmacy tech couldn't find Susie's prescription. So she went to get the actual pharmacist, who said, "I'm sorry, but Federal law requires a WRITTEN script before I can fill a prescription for codeine. You'll have to go to the vet's office and get one."

I figured the vet's office would be closing soon, so I jumped back in the car, and we drove across town to the vet's office and waited around for the doctor to give me the written script. I grabbed the script, then headed back to the car, and then we drove back to Target. I jumped out of the car and ran like hell to the pharmacy, because Susie was whimpering in pain in the back seat and I knew she really needed a pain pill.

The pharmacist took the script and said, "We're really backed up, so it'll be at least 25 minutes." I asked her if she could cut the pills in half for me, as they were 30 mg., and Susie needed 15 mg. She said, "No," so I bought a pill cutter.

I ran back to the car in the parking lot and then we drove to PetCo, so I could run in and get some Pill Pockets to put the codeine in, as it was already four hours past when Susie was supposed to have her next dose, and then I could give it to her in the car before we got home, and she wouldn't have to wait any extra time.

Our local PetCo has recently been remodeled and everything's been moved around, and I couldn't find the Pill Pockets (yes, I do know this is a run-on sentence, but I'm too frustrated right now to care), so I asked the only employee who seemed to be in the huge store if she could find them for me. She nodded eagerly and started taking me down each aisle, pretending that she knew where everything was, and then later she confessed that it was her very first day on the job, and she didn't know where anything was. So it took forever! And finally I just happened to spy them myself.

After my exercise in frustration at Petco, we waited around in the Target parking lot for a while, and then I went in and waited in another long line to pick up the prescription. Finally I got to the front of the line (again!) and the pharmacist came over and said, "Your vet wrote 'Jan. 14, 2015' on this prescription. According to Federal law, I can't fill it--until you go back to the vet and get a new written prescription with '2016' written on it instead." She claimed that she'd tried calling my cell phone numerous times while I was at PetCo, but kept getting the message that my cell phone service had been discontinued. (I can't figure out why, as my phone was working just fine.)

I nearly started crying. All these nights (since Susie's surgery) of very little sleep have been taking their toll and I felt as if I were just going to lose it, right there in the Target store.

We drove back to the vet's office, getting there just minutes before they closed, and they handed me a new script with the correct year written on it. Then we sped back to Target. I got in line again (this is the stuff nightmares are made of) and finally got to the front of the queue again (yes, I know I'm being redundant to the extreme, but this is real life, not a story) and then worried that the new script didn't have Susie's address on it, like the old one did. However, the pharmacist said it didn't matter, and I waited while she filled the prescription.

We had seconds before the vet's office closed at this point, so we drove back there, and they cut the pills in half for me.

So there you have it, the entire saga. Oh, except for the fact that, about an hour after we got back home, the veterinary student from K-State called me back to report that she hadn't been able to get in touch with the surgeon all day, so she couldn't ask her if Susie could have additional pain meds. So it's a good thing I also contacted my local vet!

All in a day in the life of a pet parent, eh?

kazann

Member Since:
27 July 2014

Offline

14 January 2016 - 11:30 pm

This story is a nightmare. I've had nightmares like this but they've been while I was sleeping but yours was real.

I know what I'm about to say is unkind but your nightmare began with K-State. Not being provided with the appropriate pain medications right from the beginning was cruel. Amputation is major surgery. What's the concern? Is your dog going to become an addict? I'm sure folks will want to defend a teaching facility but I think there was a serious flaw in their pain management process.

You should not have had to go through this stress. Surgery and recovery is bad enough. I hope that you have enough medication to get your dog through the rest of the recovery pain free. And then maybe you'll get some sleep yourself!

Hugs for both you and your little Susie..

Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona

benny55

Virginia

Member Since:
22 February 2013

Online

14 January 2016 - 11:34 pm

Holy craaap! I'm screaming through the computer scream, " For the love of goD, give her the pain pills!!!! Susie is in pain!!!!" I was getting angrier and angrier bymthe second! I know I would have been a hysterical mess!!! And poor Susie! It is so hard ro stop the pain once it gets ahead start!

YIU ARE A SPECTACULAR ADVOCATE FOR SUSIE!!! BRAVO!!! clap

Yes, as you coukd tell, we were trying to be "somewhat" diplomatic without alarming you. You "read between the lines" and knew we thought ahe should NOT be off her pain meds yet!! All the while covering our butts by saying we weren't vets of course!

Whew! I'm exhausted just reading what you and Susie have been through just ro get to the amputation stage, now the recovery and now this!!

If you dont drink alcohol, you may want to start! At least grab the CHOCOLATE!

Sending hugs and love...and some zzzz's

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!

benny55

Virginia

Member Since:
22 February 2013

Online

14 January 2016 - 11:37 pm

Yeah Kerren...just saw your response. Iagree...K State needs to get updated on managing pain in animals. I'm still a little curious about the codeine and, I believe their statement was that Tramadol wasn't effective. But codeine ks good though.

lyriclemon

Member Since:
11 January 2016

Offline

14 January 2016 - 11:44 pm

Thanks so much, Kerren (what a beautiful name)! I was actually able to buy another little vial of Meloxidyl from my local vet today, too...so even after the codeine runs out in six days, Susie will still be able to take the Meloxidyl (Meloxicam). The surgeon at K-State had wanted her to stop taking it on Sunday, just a few days post-op, because of possible side effects. (She's been on it for pain since October.)

The veterinary student at K-State had given me a tiny amount of Meloxicam (only enough to last a couple of days) in a vial, but she had demonstrated it using a very thin syringe, and it had all spilled out, so there was nothing left in the vial! Luckily, I still had some leftover from pre-op days, and now I have a whole new vial of it. The local vet really wanted Susie to be on nothing but the Meloxidyl, but the K-State surgeon wanted her to be off everything, especially the Meloxidyl.

Meanwhile, I just wanted my dog to not be in pain. I keep asking about Gapapentin for the phantom limb pain, but neither my local vet nor the K-State veterinary student seem to think it's necessary, even thought they agree that Susie has phantom limb pain, based on her symptoms.

lyriclemon

Member Since:
11 January 2016

Offline

14 January 2016 - 11:55 pm

Thanks, Sally! I've been reading through some of the forums about others' experiences with post-op pain meds, and I became frustrated that Susie was given so little (just one week of codeine and four days of Meloxicam), and other new Tripawds got lots more. I couldn't believe they were cutting her off ALL meds after just one week, when she was still whimpering in pain.

I think she got off to a bad start when her IV infiltrated right after surgery...and then the second IV they tried to place in another leg also blew a vein. They were scared she wouldn't have any good veins left if they poked her any more, plus she was already so bruised and swollen from previous attempts. So she had to go off continuous infusion and put on only oral meds (codeine and Meloxicam) right away, instead of getting "the good stuff" immediately after surgery. So that's how the pain got a foothold--and the first time we saw her in the hospital, she was whimpering and crying in pain, and screamed whenever we touched her.

Anyway, her second dose of codeine today was only four hours late (she is supposed to get 15 mg. every 8 hours), so hopefully, no damage was done.

And...I did tell the tech at the local vet's office when I came in today for the THIRD time that I thought I needed some "hard drugs," myself!

Fortunately, I do have a bottle of wine in the fridge, leftover from New Year's! And plenty of Christmas cookie goodies!

harmony

Norene, TN

Member Since:
21 October 2014

Offline

15 January 2016 - 8:09 am

Oh, this post made my already hurting head pound more.

It truly amazes me that we have to put our lives and the lives of our loved ones, furry or naked, in the hands of people who are so tied up with regulations and procedures that it greatly compromises our health.

My grandma used to say, "He ain't got the sense God gave a billy-goat to eat paper cups." Seems to me a little (or alot) of logic would have gone a very long way in this situation.

There was an old joke, "They finally found out what was killing the little white mice in the laboratories . . . the scientists."

I must confess feeling like a little white mouse more and more every day.

Bless you for having to go through this, for not giving up, for not taking 'no' for an answer, for being Susie's guardian angel.

xoxo

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

Tripawds

On The Road

Member Since:
24 September 2009

Offline

15 January 2016 - 12:15 pm

Oh my gosh it's days like that when I just want to have a meltdown...then I look at Wyatt Ray , breathe, and remember that things will be OK.

GOOD FOR YOU! I''m really happy to hear that you hung in there and did what had to be done for Susie. I hope she's feeling better now.

As for the indifference toward gabapentin....we just learned last Sunday on Tripawd Talk Radio that even today the average vet student has less than a dozen or so hours of schooling in pain management . Sad but true! If Susie continues to be very sensitive and have pain management issues it would pay to consult with a vet who's gone the extra mile to study pain management .

Here's to a better day ahead! Hugs to you both.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

linda8115

Schofield, WI

Member Since:
13 August 2015

Offline

15 January 2016 - 1:45 pm

I'm with Pam just reading your fiasco makes my head hurt. Wow just wow! What a stellar pawrent Suzie has in you. Kudos to knowing what your girl needed and getting it. Looking back over our Maxs pain management I wish we had swapped out the tramadol for the Tylenol with codeine. We did end up doing that later (only because we had some leftover from his pre surgery pain management ) and it worked so much better than the tramadol did in helping him not be so anxious and actually sleep. In hind site I would ask for it and leave the tramadol alone. It seems like so many dogs have adverse reactions to tramadol. Pat yourself on the back your are doing a wonderful job with your precious Suzie. Hugs

Linda & Max

dobemom

Green Bay, WI

Member Since:
18 May 2014

Offline

15 January 2016 - 6:49 pm

Holy crap! I can't believe you had to go through that fiasco! I would've been wild and ready to murder someone! How you stayed sane is beyond me. I'm so sorry you had this added stress to deal with, hopefully it's smooth sailing from here. Kudos to you....enjoy your wine!

Paula and Nitro

Nitro 11 1/2 yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"

http://nitro.tripawds.com

"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior

lyriclemon

Member Since:
11 January 2016

Offline

16 January 2016 - 1:00 am

Thanks so much, Pam, Jerry, Linda, and Paula! You are all the BEST!

I just feel such relief that Susie will now have pain meds until she is almost two weeks post-op. (And I may continue giving her the Meloxicam for a little while after that.)

Today I was encouraged because it was the first day post-op that Susie actually ate a little food from her bowl. (I've been having to coax her as I feed her by hand--with canned food, that can get pretty messy, especially when she's lolling on my bed on the floor at the time!)

Tripawds

On The Road

Member Since:
24 September 2009

Offline

16 January 2016 - 10:34 am

Really happy to hear she ate! At times like this hand-feeding is something that you've just gotta try, she's had such a ruff time she's earned it!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

lyriclemon

Member Since:
11 January 2016

Offline

16 January 2016 - 1:15 pm

Thanks, Jerry! Well, I guess I spoke too soon. I'm back to hand-feeding today! But at least she's eating! 🙂

benny55

Virginia

Member Since:
22 February 2013

Online

16 January 2016 - 1:22 pm

Oh yeah, this is why we call it a roller coaster!

If ja d feeding gets her to eat, then I personally think that's great! Another thi g that may work, is to fee her off your dinner plate when your done. Let her lick the scraps and try and sneak in a little of her food. I'm sure you've tried chicken, etc. Keep trying different things.

I jad to swirl ice cream in Happy Hannah's water to get her to drink! Yeah, she trained me well!

HUGS!

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!

lyriclemon

Member Since:
11 January 2016

Offline

16 January 2016 - 1:37 pm

It sure is a roller coaster, Sally!

I give her the Meloxicam by squirting it from the syringe on her canned food. (She ate a very healthy dry food before all this started in October, but had stomach upset with the pain from the cancer, so the vet put her on Hill's Science Diet I/D.) So I absolutely have to get her to eat the food that the medicine is on! How I've been managing is that I put little slices of hot dog (which she loves) on top of the food! Then I use a little piece of hot dog to wipe the residue out of the bowl after I hand-feed her, just in case some of the liquid med is still lurking there!