Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi everyone,
I know to expect ups and downs but Tate was steadily declining all weekend. Great Friday night, but then we had to increase his pain meds on Sat and then on Sun add ice packs. Lots of panting in pain. We are keeping him quiet, out only for potty but he did have two car rides in two days (Fri & Sat). His appetite is also decreased but will eat if we add something yummy.
I just don't know if this is normal or if we should get him in to the vet?
If there is an answer to this elsewhere on the forums, I apologize...I'm back to work today and can't spend a lot of time trolling. Dad's with Tate, he's much better at this than me anyway.
thx,
Jan
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
How long has it been since his surgery. Are you sure the increased dosage isn't causing the panting, Gus didn't get along at all with Tramadol, heavy panting, restlessness, lack of appetite, and once we took him off that he was alot better. I think I would make a call to the vet and see what he/she says, they might recommend a change in pain meds if they thinks there might be a chance Tate might be having a reaction to the meds
My buddy Gus had a left front amputation on April 7, 2010 and lived a great life until July 26,2010
Hi Jan,
The panting may be pain, or may be due to his pain meds. What is he taking? Anesthesia & analgesia can cause a decreased appetite. Particularly if he is overmedicated, he may not have much interest in food on his own. If you need to encourage him, take him to his food, resist the urge to bring the food to him. If his sypmtoms are worsening as you increase his medication you may want to look at that as the source.
While you want him comfortable, you have to expect and accept a certain degree of discomfort after a surgical procedure. He should be getting up regularly be now, & may need encouragement to do so. He is already deconditioned from his hospital stay. If he were a human, he would be spending more time out of bed & rehabbing by now. The only way to rebuild his strength is with activity. He will get tired quickly, but that will improve.
Thank you for your speedy feedback!
His surgery was last week on Tuesday but he didn't come home until Friday night because of his drain. He's on Tramadol, Rimadyl and an antibiotic, and he's been on these pain meds for about a month, since he was diagnosed. Tram at 150 mg, they supposedly decreased it to 100 on Thurs night but when I called on Sat, the nurse said she'd given him 150 the previous day so we bumped it back up. He's done pretty well in the past on this med routine.
Maybe I am just expecting too much, he is more active than he was in the hospital so I guess that may be the cause. He comes to his bowl, moves around the house between all his favorite spots, goes the distance to his pee area (I thought he might go right off he back stoop but he doesn't). His ability to take the steps (only 2) has improved already.
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
we think you have to give tate time. it's not been a week yet - many tripawds heal slowly and are not 'up and about' like a light switch. i agree with dan, the tramadol is a 'wacky' drug, which may be keeping tate down a bit....hard to balance between comfort and wacky we know. we recommend up-ing the number of medicinal naps, as napping promotes healing and well being....and more treats.
charon & gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
Jan,
As long as he's up & about, it sounds like he's doing OK. The pain he is experiencing post-op is different than what he had been having before surgery. Since this pain is likely decreasing, you might think about starting to decrease his pain meds & tailor them to times he really needs them...around activity, at bedside, etc
Cynthia
Thank you everyone, just so I know this is normal. We'll take your advice on meds and activity, naps and treats. He's having his stitches removed Wednesday, we'll ask about the Tramadol then.
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
We went off the tramadol too soon and had to go back on for a while. We also had complications from 2 secondary infections that showed up a week after his surgery. If in doubt, call the vet or take him in early. No one knows Tate better than you!
Hope Tate is feeling better soon! He sure is a cutie! Glad he is home!
Heavy panting is a very common side effect of Tramadol so be careful not to over-medicate too. Sorry to hear Tate's having a hard time, recovery certainly has it's ups and downs. Confinement and moderating exercise is very important while Tate regains his strength. Best of luck, please keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I agree with Gayle.. Tate needs more time, I would certainly not hesitate to call your vet and ask questions though in the meantime. They are there for the asking. I know that Cooper was a little slower in recovery than a lot of the dogs I read about and he panted and was restless and bounced around all night! everynight! I thought he was going to be a permanent fixture on our landing but he came around. Main thing like Gayle says a week isnt much time for the major surgery Tate just went through, please keep us posted!
Coopsdad
Coopsdad/ Kenneth Blackburn
http://cooper.t.....ipawds.com
the monkeydogs only THINK they have invaded the tripawd state
When Mackenzie came home from her surgery, the first 3 days were ok but then she got worse and I was so worried - between the 4th day or so up until the 8th day she was listless, no appetitie and I really thought this was it. As everyone said, the tramadol can really do a number on their recovery but you need it to manage the pain unfortunately. Mackenzie was on both tramadol and gabapentin and I realized after we weaned her off the tramadol (starting about the 8th day or so) she made a dramatic turnaround for the better. (you might want to talk to your vet about gabapentin - it's milder and doesn't have as much side effects.) Balancing the pain meds is the hardest part - because the symptoms of being in pain and side effects of being on pain meds is very similar. So you just have to watch this closely. I would definitely contact your vet if you have any questions. I was probably in touch with my vet on a daily basis when we were going through the worst of Mackenzie's recovery (I'm sure they were tired of me calling 
).
Also know that the 2 week recovery period can be extremely difficult. Like riding a roller coaster. So hang in there and just know that Tate will make a full recovery.
Kami, Angel Mackenzie and Kobe
My sweet golden Mackenzie. She became my angel on Dec 29, 2010 at the age of 8 1/2 although she was always my angel from the time we brought her home. She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in Sept 2009 and officially became a tripawd (front leg) on Nov 5, 2009. She will be forever in my heart and now she's running free with all of our other tripawd heroes. I love you Mackenzie!
The "crash and burn" syndrome happens quite a bit. Dogs bounce off the walls when they come home then crash hard a few days later. It's my own unscientific theory that it's the pain meds working their way out of the system, which leads to a drop in relief until the pawrents get the pain management remedies under control.
A bit of pain is normal for sure, especially after such a dramatic surgery. But if he continues to look very uncomfortable tomorrow, definitely call your vet to see what you can do about the meds; there's always a way to manage this situation and help him through recovery.
Keep us posted OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi there, am sorry to hear about your pup being in pain.
My dog underwent the surgery as well and coped pretty well after, the doctors gave him morphine patch to cope with the pain and that really made him very comfortable. Perhaps you might want to check this option with you vet and see if it helps.
The patch last for about 3 days and it is plastered directly onto a shaven patch of the skin.
I hope this helps. Take care!
Saw your blog post & am happy Tate is doing better this morning. Nothing like sitting outside under a tree to lift everyone's spirits!
Cynthia & Isabelle
In our experience, everything was fine for the first 3 days, then all of a sudden Jackers started screaming in the middle of the third night and after he calmed down he was shaking and wouldn't stop. The problem? Phantom pain! A little gabapentin and some mandatory bed rest helped like a charm 🙂
<3 Laura and the Invisible Stinker
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