Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Any advice on when and how to stop pain meds? Wolf is now on Tramadol and Gabbapentin and we are at day 7 post amputation. The surgeon only gave us enough Tramadol through Monday but my regular vet gave me more. I'm going to keep him on the Gabbapentin but would like to start decreasing the Tramadol because now I'm worried (my newest worry 
) that the pain meds are making him unwilling to move. He is finally eating again but I have to keep coaxing him to drink and he is so weak that he can only stand or walk very briefly. We have to literally pull him out of his crate because he does not want to come out. I know he needs lots of rest (which he is getting) but I'm wondering if the pain meds should start to be weaned???? Pain med stories/advice would be appreciated! Thanks again, Eileen and Wolf
I personally think 7 days is too soon to start pulling back on the meds. I remember Magnum was still resting a lot at that stage and was clearly very sensitive in the wound area. I think it is pretty normal to just want to sleep.
Magnum stayed in hospital for 4 days after surgery and was treated to heavy pain meds like morphine for the first couple of days. For at least the next 2 weeks she was on Rimadyl and Tramadol and we kept it at the recommended dosage for that time. The Tramadol certainly made her very dopey and affected her appetite (and was a challenge to get her to take it!) but her energy levels did start to increase with time even before we started reducing the meds.
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
We aren't vets, but 7 days sounds soon to me too. Sometimes the really young pups who don't have cancer and recover quickly are off the meds in a short period, but I think at least 10 days is probably more the norm.
You could post in the "ask a vet" and a real live actual vet would weigh in with her opinion!
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!
Okay, thanks. That's encouraging that this fatigue is expected. And I would prefer to keep him on the pain meds if that is best. Eileen
And he's seeing the chiropractic vet in the morning so will see what he has to say as well but didn't realize what the "ask a vet" was so thanks for the tip! Eileen
I agree seven days is a bit early. Zeus' vet prescribed the Tramadol and Gabapentin for 14 days. He stressed that this is major surgery and shock to the entire body (not just the surgery site, but all of the muscles and joints that are being used in different ways). Dr. R is very sensitive to doing what is right for the dog, including making sure he is comfortable. We ended up keeping him on both meds for a month due to a strained back one week after amp, but even if that hadn't happened I would have been totally on board with the original 14 days prescribed. Also, be sure to talk to your vet when you do start to reduce the meds - Gabapentin has to be tapered (technically I think that is recommended for dogs that have been on it longer term, but to be safe some vets taper even after only two weeks on it).
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/
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