Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I am happy to report Ryder came home today. I picked him up from the vet and he is doing fabulous the lady told me that this morning when they took him to breakfast that there was no walking him he actually dragged them to breakfast. When I took him out to the vehicle he jumped right in which I know he wasnt supposed to and actually planned on lifting him in but before I could bend down he was already up and in. I tend to believe he just wanted to make sure mom took him home since he has been away from us since Friday morning. The vet sent him home on antibiotics but no pain meds. Is this normal his surgery was friday afternoon and the vet said he had a pain injection this morning but I am concerned about what the night will bring especially since he is a puppy afterall and so full of energy. I know he needs his rest so I already HAD to put him in his crate so he would take a nap that was the only way to calm him down. After his nap I let him out to eat drink and go potty and he is now laying right beside me as I type. I am just so fearful of him being in pain tonight when the vet is unavailable and me not being able to help him. Am I just an over protective pawrent or do I have reason for concern.
Sincerly Corey and Ryder
We were sent home with pain meds, as I think just about everyone else on this site was. I would call back your vet before they close and just make sure this wasn't an oversight. And if it was an oversight, tell them you'd like some pain meds "just in case."
I'm not sure that is normal, unless treatment for puppies is different than for full-grown dogs? Hopefully that pain injection will last him a few days, but most of the stories here mention some pain pills are usually prescribed. The only other explanation is perhaps since he is just a baby, maybe he is too young for any kind of oral pain medication? I hope others here who have had the experience of surgery with puppies will see your post and weigh in on this. If I were in your situation, I would call the vet again and get reassurance or at least an explanation why the pain meds are not prescribed. Then you will know for sure. My girl had to be on pain meds for at least a week, particularly tramadol and carprofen.
Hang in there, this is usually when the two weeks of hell start, but perhaps puppies handle it way better than adult dogs? And perhaps the vet knows that your little guy will be okay. But like I said, the best peace of mind is following-up with the vet. DO NOT be afraid to call the vet if you have ANY question. You are after all paying him or her good money to be there for you. Either way, we wish Ryder a speedy recovery!
Spirit Jewels' mom Geraldine
Jewels was a gorgeous Lab-Shep mix that found us at the pet rescue when she was just 3 months old. Born June 2000; Diagnosed OSA on June 1, 2011; L-front Amputation September 12, 2011; Crossed Rainbow Bridge December 30, 2011. My "baby dog" will always be in my heart. Now she is running fast and free on all four legs after the rabbits and squirrels! Jewels was loved by her crazy-busy mom, even-keeled dad, pesky twin human brothers and monkeydog sister Aspen. Read about Jewels' Tripawd Journey here.
Great news that he is home and doing so well.
Kayla was only three months old when she had her amp and all we were sent home with was some metacam, like your boy she was givin an injection before I picked her up. She only needed the metacam for a couple of days, I checked with the vet and they said pups don't need the same amount of pain meds that older dogs sometimes do and the pain relief can let them do stuff they really shouldn't be doing as it works a bit too well. If you are unsure though ring your vet and check thats what they are there for afterall.
Sarah - Kaylas mum
That's great that Ryder is feeling so well. Don't be surprised if he "crashes" and wants to sleep for a few days. Even with a shot, I am surprised they did not give you any meds...even to use on an as needed basis. You may want to give them a call...the first night home can be rough, and I certainly can't imagine it with out some pain management .
Good luck and keep us posted!!
Meghan and Angel Bo
Abby was not as young as Ryder, but still a pup (15 months). We came home with Metacam and Tramadol. The tramadol made her a little spacey and not herself - but also helps make them sleepy. I would think that would be a good thing so the pup doesn't do too much and gets lots of rest. Might want to definitely call and ask about that.
Hooray for Ryder being home! He sounds like a litte trooper!
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Ryder has calmed down a little now lol. Even with the kids being home from school he is doing quite well at not being so rambunctious he was glad to see them and gave everyone kisses and is laying down just watching everyone and being very glad to be home. When I picked him up from the vet I asked if there was any pain meds for him to come home on and he said no just the antibiotics is all he needed so that's why I was curious about if anybody else has had this same experience. I did call the vet cuz the site had gotten very red since we left and he was breathing weird. He would be just fine then take a deep breath and his stomach would fill almost like a dog in labor going through a contraction. The vet said that wasn't normal and if he continued to do it deffinately bring him in so he could hear him do it but he hasn't since done it again. I am hoping I am not in for a rough night I just thought maybe since he is three days out maybe that's why no pain meds. Will try and keep updated thanks again for everyone's help
Corey, and Ryder
Does he have like a Fentanyl patch still on or something? It's not the first time someone has said their new tripawd was sent home without pain meds, but it doesn't happen often and it always sounds bizarre to me. Both the tripawds I've had (I'm on my second) were sent home with meds. One wasn't sent with antibiotics and the other was. One had a patch plus tramadol and the other just had tramadol. And they stayed on pain meds at least a week, but I'm pretty sure it was more than a week. Hmmm... maybe puppies are different and an injection lasts them a long while?
Gerry has been a tripawd since 12/16/2009.
He was a shelter dog with a mysterious past and an irrepairable knee injury.
Videos and pics of Gerry's pawesomeness can be found at: http://gerry.tripawds.com
This is our extra special puppy Ryder laying on the couch next to mama and the kids found just the right T-shirt for him to wear today too
What a little sweetie, we're so glad he's home.
Remember we are not vets here BUT…in our experience, it is NOT normal (or humane, IMHO) for a new amputee to come home without pain meds. Please call your vet and get some "just in case" as suggested here. Tramadol is usually prescribed, some vets also have a Fentanyl patch placed on the dog (you would know it if he had one on) and sometimes Gabapentin if the vet is more up on pain management protocols. In the UK and other countries similar drugs are prescribed under different brand names.
Since he had his surgery three days ago, that could be why your vet didn't prescribe any. But most new Tripawds are on pain meds for at least a week after surgery.
Just a little background on what I've learned about pain management and animals….until the mid 1980s, vets were taught that animals do not feel pain the way humans do, and that they didn't need painkillers after surgery. Of course that theory has been debunked, but it's only over the last 15 years or so that vets have become trained in pain management protocols. It's a relatively new concept, but when considering a new vet for your animals, keep in mind that vets who graduated after the mid '80s tend to be more up on this subject, while those who graduated before tend to stick to old school habits. It's always good to ask a prospective vet what their approach is, since in situations like this, animals most definitely need some help feeling better.
Keep a close eye on him and call the vet if you suspect ANYTHING weird. Remember that's what you are paying them for.
Paws crossed that he feels OK tonight, please keep us posted OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Zeus came home with Gabapentin and Tramadol. This surgery is so serious - they have cut through skin, muscle, tendons and nerves - I cannot imagine going through this without any pain meds. Remember that you know your baby better than anyone - keep an eye on him and don't hesitate to call them if he needs it.
Lisa
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
Regardless of age a dog that has had an amputation should have some sort of pain medication. I usually give an anti-inflammatory (like Metacam), Tramadol, and gabapentin for 10-14 days. Even spays and neuters at our clinic get pain meds for 5 days and those animals are mostly pups.
Pam
Update on Ryder...yesterday afternoon he was having some stomach cramping and we made it through our first night home. Mom got NO sleep but Ryder seemed to be doing very well he did have a couple episodes of heaving panting checked temp and it was normal but called the emergency hospital that we first took him to(who works very closely with the vet) just so they were aware in case I needed to bring him in. I managed to keep him calm and get him through the night, he ate breakfast this morning and took a little nap...mom too. When he woke up he came in my room and proceeded to vomit ALOT. I called the vet and they said bring him right in. I am happy to report he was not in pain actually, the vet was able to touch the whole incision site and Ryder didn't even turn his head or stop wagging his tail once. The vet concluded that due to the vomiting and loose stool he has an intestional problem so gave him two shots one for vomiting and one for diarrhea and we came home with PAIN MEDS. Doc said hes not in pain but having some stomach cramping so he gave us enough for 5 more days but said give them to him today and call back in the morning and we will go from there and see if we need to continue but at least now I have them just in case.
Corey and Ryder
I'm bummed to hear that he went through that experience! Definitely not something that happens to most new amputees but you acted really well and thanks to you he's going to do so much better! What kind of meds did the doc give him?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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