Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I was hoping that adding Gabapentin to my pups meds would help her sleep more comfortable, and she seems to sleep like a baby during the day, but at night, she is very restless. Anyone else have this problem?
I saw the same pattern in my Sketchie the first week+ post surgery and have to wonder if it doesn't to some degree correlate to human behavior where often sickness/pain seem far worse in the deep/dark hours of the night when everything is still and empty of the comforting sounds of others.
Sketch's Mom
Our Max had sleep issues both day and night. However I do think that is because he recovered at Grandmas house instead of his own home and my two dogs were in that mix too. I remember someone pointing out their dog didn't sleep well nights but in looking back pre surgery she realized her dog always slept while she was at work and was more active at night so this was her normal behavior. Don't know if this applies in your case or not just throwing it out there. One thing we did try with Max was we put music on at a low volume at night. We used soundscapes from our cable tv. It seemed to help to keep constant sound for him. Kind of like when babies get their days and nights mixed up 😀
Linda & Max
Good memory, Linda- that was my comment about Maggie's sleep patterns! She has always been a bit nocturnal, I think she feels like she's guarding us at night and sleeps more soundly during the day when she has the house to herself.
However, I also relate to bullmastiffmom's point, she definitely was more restless at night through the first couple of weeks of her recovery. I wonder if they get uncomfortable laying in one position, not on the incision side, and just get up and flop somewhere else thinking it will be more comfortable. Haha - I imagine it's similar to when I was pregnant and just couldn't get comfortable at night no matter what!!
How long ago was her surgery? With Maggie I noticed that around the start of the 2nd week when her meds tapered down a little bit, she seemed to sleep ALL DAY and I thought maybe she making up for not having slept great with all those meds in her system making her kooky.
Good luck, try not to worry, she likely needs all the rest and sleep she can get now. If she's sleeping comfortably, I think you're good!
Cindy and Maggie
Really good insight from Sketch, Maggie and Li da. All really good reasons.
My Happy Hannah barely slept at all for the first several days after her ampytation.
I do think dogs, just like humans, have a preference for their sleeping positions...rigt side...left side...on their back...in a tight circle, etc. Dogs also like to "make a nest", circle first, etc. Amputatuin can change those dynamics.
How are things going overall?
Hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
This seems to happen quite a bit during the first couple of weeks after surgery. Seems like you've got the pain issue under control so I'm thinking that maybe she's getting really wound up between the time that she's awake and when you go to sleep. If she sleeps all day then only has a few hours of activity before you go to sleep, maybe she's too wound up before bed to relax? What kinds of things do you do to try to help when she's restless?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you all. It's nice to know this is probably also normal for her. Her surgery was 11 days ago. So it's still early. She just finished her antibiotics and the Rimadyl so now only 2 medications! I cover her up, and have left the TV on low to see if that helps. One thing that does help some is if I lay with my face to hers. And she only seems to want me. I know she needs rest so I don't want to keep her up during the day. I will try to sleep when she sleeps.
We had this issue w/Shelby too (very soon after her amputation like you). She would pace at night. I never slept either. It was awful not being able to soothe her. She would take to my tiny bathroom but huff and pant in there... I finally, like others said, turned on some soothing tunes (we used Enya) and I shut my bedroom door and let her work it out. She finally rested.
We had the pain under control she was just getting anxious for some reason. It was tough but tough love did seem to work. And it got better.
We also got her some doggy xanax for intense episodes!
Good luck! It gets better.
alison with spirit shelby in her heart
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Ah yes, the soothing music really does help! Here are some great tracks we found:
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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