Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Nancy-
A quick word of caution- gabapentin is one of those meds you need to taper, not stop cold. I'm not sure how long Susie has been on it but probably long enough so that tapering would be wise. Of course check with your vet.
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Hi Karen!
I've been meaning to tell you that I think your dear departed Maggie and my Susie must be soul sisters! My Susie is extremely stubborn--hates changes--and, although a Westie--was dubbed an "honorary pug" and allowed to be a part of a pug playgroup when she was a puppy! So she has always loved pugs. She has also always been super-sensitive.
How would I taper her off the Gabapentin if she only takes a 100mg capsule once a day? (She has been on it since her two-week post-op checkup, so it will soon be about four weeks. (I can't sprinkle part of the capsule on her food, because she still won't eat much--and will only eat if I hand feed her. She got turned off her wet food--Canine i/d--because I was putting her liquid Meloxidyl on it. Now she is suspicious and gives everything a good sniff before she decides whether or not to eat it.)
Should I start now just giving her one every other day?
I can't ask the prescribing vet because I was the one who pushed for her to have it, and the vet gave me the prescription at my urging. The vet also is allowing two refills, if I want them, but I'd like to try to get her off after she finishes the first round, so that she's off all medication. (There were 42 capsules in the container, and now there are 10 left. The first day, I tried giving her two capsules--8 hours apart--instead of just one, as the prescription was written for her to have one capsule every 8 hours, but she slept so heavily that I then started giving them to her just once a day, in the evening.)
lyriclemon said
How would I taper her off the Gabapentin if she only takes a 100mg capsule once a day?Should I start now just giving her one every other day?
I can't ask the prescribing vet because I was the one who pushed for her to have it
Unfortunately we aren't vets and cannot give such specific advice here, so I hope you understand. And of course you can ask that vet. In fact they should have given you specific instructions on how to withdraw when the time is right. Be strong, be the advocate you are in your heart, and call them to ask these questions. You can do it!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Still a bit of panting now and then throughout the day. Whimpered a couple of times - I think he got up too fast when my ex came over. I set up the aromatherapy earlier this afternoon and went out for about 1 1/2 hours. When I got home, he bounced out to the kitchen to greet me, bounced outside to do his thing, bounced to his food bowl and then back to bed, snoring again. Nice to see that level of energy. So far, only 2 Tramadols today.
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.
That all sounds great, Christine!
My Susie still whimpers and pants occasionally. I think it's because she's using new muscles and straining them as she learns to get around.
I hope that Otis continues to do well.
((((hugs))))xxxx from Nancy & Susie
What a great night! 1 Tramadol before bed. He crawled up on the mattress with me and we both had the best sleep we have had since this started!
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.
thanks for the great update!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Just spoke with the vet about the panting. Looks like we might be on the Tramadol, at a reduced dose, a little longer. They were very understanding that different dogs handle and have pain differently.
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.
Just remember...heavy panting is also a common side effect for most dogs on Tramadol.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
We discussed that too - we are to give 1 Tramadol in the morning and one at night, and log when/if he pants. Then I will talk to the vet again tomorrow. So far, it seems as if the 1 Tramadol ends the panting (he got 1 at 10:00 a.m. and no problems since).
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.
YAAAAAAAAAY FOR A GOOD NIGHT SLEEP!!!
Absolutely every dog is different and every recovery is different!! Otis is only eight or nine days out of surgery? Most dogs, okay, not all, but most are definitely still taking pain meds this early out.
Sounds like you've got a good plan on how to proceed. Otis will continue to show bits of sparkle here and there and then BAM!! All the sudden Otisnis back!
Hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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!
Anyone see improvement in activity level and enthusiasm when they took the T-shirt off? It was soiled so I took it off before taking my daughter to school. When I got back, he greeted me in the kitchen and went outside and spent his time sniffing and peeing like he owned the yard again. There are so many ups and downs in this process!
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.
By the way, officially 2 weeks out from his surgery🐕
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.
Woot! Hoppy Two Week Ampuversary Otis!
Well I"m sure that taking that ol' t-shirt off perked him up, I'm guessing it's like the first shower you take after you've been laying in bed with the flu for a week....aaaaaah!
Hope you guys have a great day and continued hoppiness!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Happy two weeks, Otis! And MOM! Way to go!
My Chloe gets excited when we take the cone off of her, and when I briefly had a shirt on her she acted like I was picking on her, so I would say that for her, she perks up for sure when she has those things taken off. Otis just might be an au naturale kind of guy. 🙂
Anita - mom to two human kids and two dog kids.
Chloe the white boxer - tripawd on 2/16/16 at age 6.
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