Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Rooney is about 1 week post amputation of his front leg. Everything has been going fabulous so far, he has been very active, was eating/peeing/pooing right from day 1. He hasn't been showing any overt signs of pain ... until tonight? When I got home from work I noticed the whole area around his incision was continuously contracting. Not just twitching, full fledge contracting (it looked like his chest muscles were contracting for a cough or a sneeze). He is doing these small quiet yelps. Is this what phantom limb pain can look like? Or is this something more serious we should be worried about? I have read that massage, heat/cold can help if it is phantom limb pain. I have tried the massage a bit, but it doesn't seem to be helping too much. I am off to look for a heading pad now. Any other suggestions?
Thanks!
Shannon
Back later......
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
Awww. Rooney! Sorry you're having some owweees!
I am no vet and I am certainly not offering vet advice. Please call yoir vet and let him know what's going on.
Phantom pain generally happens out of the vlue. All of the sudden a dog will get up and try and "run away" from the pain, often yelping loudly. It's nerve pain and it hurts like crazy. It usually is kver as quickly as it happens, but a dog may be afraid to even move for a few minutes out of fear it will haplen again.
Since his lain seems to be longer lasting and more than just twitching, it could be something hurting from the surgery itself...perhaps a staple has come loose and could even be sticking him. Yeah, that has happened!
Is he still in Tramadol and Gabapentin? The Gaba should help if it's phantom oain. Anyway, give your vet a call and see if he can offer some suggestiins.
This recovery lart is full of crazy ups and downs, but eventually it levels out and it will all be behind you!
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!
Oh...just wanted to add...his activity level should still be very minimal! I.noted you mentioned ne was "very active", so not sure if he's overdoing it. Just tossing it out tnere.
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!
The symptoms you describe could indeed indicate phantom limb pain. Please search these forums above or search all blogs here for lots of articles and topics on the subject, or consider downloading the Tripawds e-books for fast answers.
These News blog posts may also prove helpful...
Is Your Dog or Cat in Pain? Here’s How to Know the Signs.
Easy Massage Tips for Phantom Leg Pain in Tripawd Dogs and Cats
Best Pain Relief Tips for Tripawd Dogs and Cats
Phantom Limb Pain in Tripawd Dogs
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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