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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.

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New tripawd Mum needs advice
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Member Since:
5 August 2016
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21 August 2016 - 4:08 pm
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sorry to hear your rotty is having trouble our dog jake had the same operation 11 days ago I would not worry about over medicating him for the first few days we followed our docs advise and gave him his meds every 8 hours 2 pain killers and an antibiotic and he did fine he is now down to twice a day

Member Since:
18 August 2016
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21 August 2016 - 5:14 pm
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The surgery meds have definitely worn off as he's making more noises. Am alternating between the Tramadol and Gabapentin every 8 hours.

How long post surgery did the vets provide pain killer medication for ?

He's on Day 6 now post surgery and just looks miserable 

Member Since:
14 February 2016
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21 August 2016 - 6:00 pm
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Talk to your vet - we did Tramadol every 8 hours, and most dogs do the Gaba too.  I am not sure why he has you alternating since these meds work in different ways.  We continued until day 10, when we were told to eliminate the midday dose of Tramadol and then start tapering down.   We stayed on the Rimadyl until it was gone, and by the end of week 3 were only giving one Tramadol before bed (v. 3 every 8 hours).

Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016.  Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016.  Lung mets August 25, 2016.  Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016.   Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.  

Wherever they are, they are together.

Member Since:
15 July 2016
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21 August 2016 - 6:29 pm
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Hi,

Your post sounds much like mine just two weeks ago.  The title was "Three steps Forward, 1 step back.  Stupid Drugs"    http://tripawds.....d-drugs/  You may find some of the advice I received useful for you, too.

Milo's amputation was July 28.  That means today is Day 24 or something like that.  As a peek into the near future (hopefully), Milo is no longer up to long walks around the neighborhood, but we started the day with a walk around the house, he wandered into the meadow, I was laughing as he was trying to kick his back legs after doing a poo, and getting his feet caught in the long weeds (chest high on me), and trying not to lose his balance.  Later in the afternoon we went to Petco and he hopped all around the store, sniffing bones, and birds, and all the other things he's always sniffed there.  He had no problems with the slippery floors.  Then tonight after dinner he kept heading down the driveway like he wanted to go on a walk.  He already had a big day, so we just went across the street so he could visit the two dogs there, and my friend who spoils him rotten.  He's now laying at my feet on the ottoman while I type.  He is my Milo!  Huffing and puffing more than he used to, and I'm sure he'll be achy and sore from the big day and I'll have to help him stretch tonight and tomorrow, but he's Milo!  On Day 24.

Back on Day 10 or whatever, I was much closer to where you are.  He looked sad and pathetic.  The fentanyl patch came off.  His surgeon said just gabapentin 3x a day would be fine.  It wasn't.  I added some Tramadol.  After hearing from people here, I added more Tramadol.  Pofi seems to be the dog whose path is most like Milo's, so I rely big time on Hester and Pofi!  (thank you!) 

The other thing that happened to us was that when the drugs got low, he got sore.  Even when we kicked up the drugs, he still didn't want to move because of soreness.  It was a long, sad 4 days for Milo and me.  He broke out after a long day at the hospital with lots of walking, and some high speed walking.  Since then, I've tried to make sure he moves, and has some fast movement most days -- even if it's just a short distance. 

We still get the occasional yelps of pain, but they are fewer are further between.  I think it's mostly his back legs and back that get sore.  He chased a bunny rabbit the other night (very funny!), and the next day he was sore and more yelps.  Yesterday he chased a dog walking by, and again got sore.  I'm hoping some day the soreness after sprints goes away, but even if it doesn't, I'm glad he still wants to run sometimes.

Milo is ~33kg post amputation.  Here is our drug history if it helps:

  • He came home with Fentanyl patch and Gabapentin 300mg 3x a day
  • Fentanyl patch off after one week, same Gabapentin
  • Added Tramadol 50mg 2x a day on Day 9 (not enough),
  • Upped to Tramadol 100mg 2x a Day on Day 11
  • Vet suggested we try Tramadol 150mg on Day 12-- but it made him too drowsy, so back to 100mg 2x a Day
  • I may have the first dog who got a fever from Tramadol (happens in humans, not documented in dogs), so dropped Tramadol after Day 15.  Down to just Gabapentin
  • Added Derramax on Day 22 for occasional pain when over-doing things.  No plan to keep long term because my dog also has a rare bad reaction to some NSAIDs.  Still on Gabapentin.  Will start tapering down soon.

Hopefully Milo's history helps with perspective.  Hopefully all the answers people shared with me when I was asking the same questions will help you, too.  And hopefully, the peek into the near future helps with your emotional and mental well-being. 

Peace,

Jenifer & Milo

Member Since:
18 August 2016
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21 August 2016 - 8:06 pm
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Have spoken to the vet and will get more Gabapentin and Tramadol then slowly ween him off the Gabapentin depending on how he is.

I do get him up to pee ( still no poo) and ice pack when I can but mainly he just looks sad and miserable.

Is still eating but not drinking as much compared to when he was on the patches.

All your personal experiences are really helping us thanks so much

Beanca and Juvey 

Member Since:
14 February 2016
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22 August 2016 - 4:26 am
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Day 6 or so, right?  This is normal.  I joined this community about that time - go look at my initial forum posts (Otis - New Tripawd).  The hospital meds are out of his system, and especially if you are still working to manage pain meds, there is a lot going on.  Let Juvey sleep.  Short leashed potty breaks - I kept a log so I knew when Otis really needed to go.  If he didn't want to, I let him sleep unless it was just time, and then it took all combinations of bribes, begging, etc. 

Many of us hand carried water to our dogs in smaller bowls (and some of that water has been mixed with chicken broth or even ice cream).

Hang in there.  Being able to give both meds should help, but still may take time to get them properly balanced.  In my mind, you are at the low point right now.  BUT most dogs perk up amazingly around day 10, when the staples come out.  Just hang in there!

Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016.  Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016.  Lung mets August 25, 2016.  Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016.   Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.  

Wherever they are, they are together.

Member Since:
23 May 2016
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22 August 2016 - 5:01 am
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Completely agree with Otisandtess. Please don't question yourself or loose faith. Juvey is just dealing with the cocktail of drugs and the aftermath of major surgery in the best possible way... Sleeping. Don't let the mussy headed demeanor he has be mistaken for being miserable. His sparkle will come back once the drugs start to wear off a bit. Just stay strong and positive for him, he'll thrive on your attitude. Lots of love and cuddles

Zuki Wuggafer 30/09/06 - 11/11/16. Right hind tripawd due to Osteosarcoma. He had a strong 5 and half months as a tripawd but unfortunately a secondary issue with his spine ended our battle. He loved life, loved our family and was the best dog I could ever ask for. Truly my first love, forever in my thoughts and heart.

Read our story: http://zuki.tripawds.com/



Member Since:
21 May 2016
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22 August 2016 - 3:35 pm
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Eurydice took 5 days to poo and I was going mental thinking she wouldn't be able to do it on her own.

But when she needed to go, there she went!

It was a crazy, rainy, stormy night and we got completely wet but I was so glad she did it.

Fear not, time will come for your sweetie.

Be patient, he will get better and better as time goes by.

Sending you big hug and cuddles to your cutie heart

Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-) 

Member Since:
18 August 2016
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22 August 2016 - 3:40 pm
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Day 7

Woke up with a great big yell , only 2 hours after I gave him his Tramadol and Gabapentin. 

Feeling terrible and called the vet and they said if I'm so upset then bring him in but I know that distress him more. Vet suggested monitor for 48 hours. 

He's yelling when he gets up and it's not every single time. 

Scar is looking good not infected or anything

I can restrict his movements but not when he wants to get up for a stretch 

Durham, NC
Member Since:
16 September 2015
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22 August 2016 - 7:06 pm
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Hi Beanca and Juvey!

My Izzy would yelp and cry out for a good long time after her surgery. For her, it was phantom pain and gentle massage over her amputation site helped a LOT. I had her on Gabapentin, Rimadyl and Tramadol for weeks after the surgery and (after getting advice from the great folks here on this site) was very careful about not missing doses, which made her recovery much smoother.

Every pup is different and it's so stressful to watch your babydog hurting but as Sally would say, "Deep breaths and Chocolate!" (for you, no chocolate for the pupper!!)

Please keep us posted. Izzy and I have paws crossed for you both! heart

Amy

Momma to the world's most beautiful American Bulldog, Izzy!! Lost her front leg to OSA 9/18/15. Diagnosed w MCT in June 2016. Celebrated her 1 year ampuversary with knee surgery on 9/18/16! MCT recurrence in Dec 2016. Happy & hungry til nearly 14, earning her wings on 7/31/17.

Member Since:
18 August 2016
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22 August 2016 - 7:17 pm
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Thanks Amy
I gave him a massage today near his scar and he immediately fell back asleep again. I really don't want to take him back to the vets he hates it there.
Plus he sleeps much better at home without all the noise ( in fact he's snoring now) 
I wish he would stop lying on his scar side but I'm just glad he's sleeping.
Still no poo but refused dog food but would eat toast ( only with butter).
I am keeping positive and fighting for his recovery. Ok back to massaging him now

Beanca and Mr Juvey

Member Since:
15 July 2016
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22 August 2016 - 7:27 pm
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Ouch!  We went through a stretch of that just last week.  Yelps when trying to get up, and sometimes yelps when trying to sit or lie down.  It's heartbreaking.  We had some around Day 10-12, then again at Day 18-21.  I wish I could tell you what the magic answer was to when they went away.  The sudden long, painful yelps in the middle of the night set the adrenalin going and tear at your emotions.

Some thoughts....

It could be the staples or sutures. Someone on here had a dog that took to painful yelping when standing, and it was getting worse.  They took their buddy to the vet for discussion, and also happened to get the staples/sutures out, and the yelps went away.  If the wound is healing, something could be dried and tight and pulling.

I think our yelps were due to back end or back leg pain (he's a front leg amputee.)  Possibly from the twisting,,scrambling effort to get up.  

In hindsight, the Day10-12 yelps started after a drug change. I think he got stiff and sore when he wasn't moving much because he needed more drugs.  But tripling the Tramadol didn't stop the yelps, it only made him lethargic.  On Day 12 he had to do LOTS of walking, and at the end of the day he was somehow fine.

I think the Day 18 stuff started after doing too much.  We did add a bit of Derramax (an NSAID, like doggie Advil) for the days he does too much.  I also focused more on massage and stretching.  There are some decent videos linked from this sight on both massage and range-of-motion work.  For whatever blessed reason, Milo seems fine for now,    

I wish you the best.  Many of us here can empathize.  It rips at our hearts to hear them hurt.  Oh how much I wish Milo had worked on his English language skills. I nagged him for years yet he never really tried.

Peace,

Jenifer & Milo

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18 August 2016
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22 August 2016 - 8:44 pm
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Hi all

JUVEY just did two big FARTS in his sleep....I'm so happy!

Been massaging his scar (loves it and puts him back to sleep)

I did buy the Ruffwear Webmaster harness as suggested by this website so I'll wait til his stitches aren't too sore to try it on. 

Trying to figure out how to upload some pics...

Beanca and Juvey

Livermore, CA




Member Since:
18 October 2009
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22 August 2016 - 8:53 pm
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Glad to hear things are looking up for Juvey!

Follow these instructions for adding photos to your forum posts.

Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls

Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.

1999 to 2010

 

              Maggie's Story                  Amputation and Chemo

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22 August 2016 - 8:59 pm
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