Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi,
I have a 6yr old 80 pound pit mix who had TPLO surgery about a year ago. After the surgery the leg still was not working correctly and he still had pain. We did another surgery that didn’t solve it. The vet said we should amputate, but we were not ready so we went for a correction surgery and PT to see if we could fix it. A second surgeon suggested PT, which we did for 2 months. As well as 1x carprofen and 1x 300mg Gabapentin.
We finally went for amputation 3 weeks ago.
He came home and was able to get around really well. He was on Meloxicam 1x a day, antibiotics 2x a day, 300mg Gabapentin 2x a day and 50mg tramadol 2x day. After 1 week he started panting, and crying all the time. We saw the vet at week 2 to remove the stitches and were told to take him off the pain medication. That he should no longer have any pain. That the crying and panting and drooling could be with drawls from all the pain meds. He spend 1 week in awful pain crying all the time. He seemed ok on walks and was interested in interaction with other dogs.
About 3 days ago we started Gabapentin again. We started with 300mgs and it didn’t help. Increased to 600mgs every 5 hrs and now we are at 900mgs. After about 6hrs he starts crying again. He spine is really obviously sticking out he now has lost function of his back leg. It started with knuckling and not is fully not functional. We have had to carry him out to potty and he is pretty much immobile.
We called the surgeon and he suggested to see a neurologist. I’ve called several hospitals and cannot get an appointment before April. I am at a complete loss for what to do. I feel like we have not gotten much support from our vets and I do not know what to do? Is it the Gabapentin that is making him lame? Do we need. Better pain med? Are we giving the right dose? Is it a back injury?
please help!
thanks Mundi
Mundi I'm so sorry, what a stressful situation. Your poor pup! There's something going on obviously and he needs some relief.
Vet clinics are so slammed everywhere, but there's got to be one near you that has a specialist on-board who can help sooner, that's a crazy long time to wait. Did you make it clear that your dog is in severe pain? Did the surgeon's clinic call or did you? Maybe if the clinic calls they can have more sway in getting you into the specialist sooner.
While you search for a clinic, get in touch with the rehab place to help with your dog's pain, asap. Gabapentin is not known for making dogs lame. Groggy sometimes, but not lame. pain management can sometimes need multiple approaches: medication, therapy, and sometimes surgery. So please first, get that pain under control by asking your primary vet for help and if they don't offer anything different, ask for a referral to rehab therapy. And if they are unavailable, see if you can find a pain management specialist. Here's one way to search:
https://ivapm-m.....sp?id=6052
I see you were in the Tripawds Chat earlier. I'm usually in there during business hours.
Oh about your dog, what's his name?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi,
my boys name is Gus. We are headed to emergency today to see if we can get some help with pain management . Also very concerned because he had a little blood in his anus this morning.
I will keep you posted after the vet visit.
mundi
Hi @Mundi and Gus, looks like you had trouble logging in? Please let us know how we can help.
Please let us know what the vet says. We are sending lots of Tripawd Power to you both!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Just catching up and will be awaiting your update also. Cannot imagine your frustration and know this has been exhausting me tslly and phusically.
Hopefully the all this can be resolved after more check up by your Vet..or a second opinion Vet.
It certainly "could" be an issue with a disc in his spine (or some other back issue,), since his paw is curling under, limb weakness, etc. The "hunched back" could be sign of pain.
Hopefully with better pain management , better and more thorough diagnostics, the issue can be determined and treated.
And yes, your Vet SHOULD be avle to get Gus Iino a neurologist sooner.
So very sorry you and Gus are going through this. Hoping some serious resr, pain management can help. IF it is a disc issue, Prednisone "can" be helpful in reducing inflammation while trying to develop a better path forward (again...IF).
(((((((((Hugs))))))))
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS. Yes, it certainly made sense to move forward with amputation after trying other options that just were not working.
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!
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