Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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5 days after rear leg amp and Bosley doesn’t seem to be doing as good as day 3 (he almost seemed back to normal that day). He’s panting a lot, licking his lips and will periodically shiver and once in a while will give a little cry. He’s on rimidyl twice a day plus 2 Gabapentin & 4 Tramadol (50mg each) 3 times a day for pain. I’ve been Looking at some of the posts on here and see that some dogs get anxiety From the Tramadol. Should I be doing anything different? I just feel so helpless watching him act like this 🙁 if this is all normal and the meds are right, how long does this usually last?
Hi and welcome. I’m so sorry about the worries you are having, but as you can see that is not at all uncommon. Call your vet and ask how to adjust the medication to see if Bosley needs more or less throughout the day.
Also, what has his activity level been like? Could he perhaps be getting too much right now? Can you describe what he was like when he was almost back to normal?
Your future posts won’t need approval so post away!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Jist wamt yo ade thst rhe hospital meds are now all out of his system too, so this is when a bit of a crash shows up and when pain meds usually need adjusting.
We'll be watch for your response to Jerry's spot on questions.
Hugs to uou! Stay connected! Recovery doesn't last furever!!
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!
Thank you so much. This site has really been informative. I was ready to rush him to the ER last night when he started doing the panting and shaking again. Then I found this site and read it’s normal (albeit hard to go through) so that put my mind at ease and helped me to be strong and just pet him until he goes to sleep.
The Second day he came home (day 3 post op) he was hopping around and trying to get back into his normal routine in between naps so I think that put me into a false sense of how recovery was going to go. Yesterday he was more mopey and started the shaking periodically. Vet said to limit movement more but incision looks great. Last night he started doing the panting and shaking in between naps and that’s continued to today. His activity is much lower today. Just laying down and so far only gotten up once to pee.
Omay, being "mopey" and just getting up to pee and going back to rest is good. The only "activity " he would have for the first two weeks, especially now, is short leashed potty breaks and back to rest. Jumping up on sofa, no stairs, no romping around at all.
Keep track of when the discomfort shows up. Is it an hour or so before the next dose of pain meds are due? And yes, the signs of pain (panting, shaking, ears penned back, tucked tail) can also be similar to reaction from pain meds. Crazy, huh?
How much does he weigh? What does of Gaba is he on and is that twice a day?
Keep us updated. You're doing a great job! Recovery is no picnic, that for sure!!
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!
I should probably also mention Bosley is at least 10 might be older so his age might play a factor as well. He’s just such a sensitive boy, I hate seeing him go through this.
He’s 80#. Currently he gets 200mg Gabapentin & 200mg Tramadol 3 times a day, 75mg Rimadyl twice a day all for pain. I haven’t been paying attention to the timing so far but I was just thinking I needed to do that going forward. Also, he won’t lay on the floor no matter how many beds or soft blankets I put down for him so I’ve compromised on letting him on the couch but there’s little to no activity once he’s up there.
Also, does anyone know if CBD oil will help? I was giving it to him for a week 1/2 prior to surgery, Vet approved because he said everything helps. But the Surgeon that discharged Bosley from the Surgery Center said no CBD because he’s on too much pain meds already. I really trust my Vet and he was on the same dosage of pain meds before surgery just less frequency (only took them twice as opposed to 3 times now) and the CBD seemed to help just fine. Any thoughts on adding the CBD back to the regiment?
jenk714 said
Any thoughts on adding the CBD...
Please see the many articles and videos about CBD for pets in the tripawds Nutrition blog .
Especially:
Three Tips About Medical Cannabis for Pets
Use the Advanced Search above to find much more feedback from others here in the forums, or search all blogs here .
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Make sure that you are alternating when you are giving the medications, not giving them all at the same time. That way there is adequate pain coverage. It helps when there is some sort of medication given every couple of hours. You can also try applying an ice pack, wrapped in a cloth, to the incision for about 10-15 minutes.
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
That is sooooo funny you suggest that. I literally just had that same thought yesterday so I started staggering the Tramidol & Gabapentin every 4 hours instead of both every 8. It seemed to cut down on the panting and let him sleep more over night. He only got up 3 times and Two of them were perfect timeing for another pain med! 🙂 full disclosure though, I also started adding the CBD oil, we’re in Texas so there’s no chance of any THC in it. I did the icing for the first 2 days he was home, now I’m supposed to do warm compress. The warm also helps with the Edema he’s got on his tummy same side as the amputation. This site has been great y’all. I think I must have spent every minute he slept yesterday reading everything I could on here. Thank y’all so much 🥰
Sounds like you have a good handle in things by staggering rhe meds etc. And Donna (midnight) just so happens to be a human Nurse too, so she knows her stuff!!
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!
Aww I’m glad he’s doing better! You definitely have a good intuition about his needs, keep it up!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Ok sorry to bother again but do the good & bad days go in waves? The past couple days Bosley seems to be getting just a little better every day meaning he’s sleeping better both during the day and at night. Wakes up every few hours, sometimes to shake & pant then get loves until he dozed off again but today, he’s been shaking & panting the better part of a few hours with no break to sleep yet. I gave him his 200mg of Tramadol little over an hour ago but he’s still going. Normal and just keep comforting him or should it not last this long this far out of op? (Day 8 post op)
jenk714 said
do the good & bad days go in waves?
Welcome to the Recovery Roller Coaster! Do your best to enjoy the ride...one day at a time. Bosley will be surprising you before you know it.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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