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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Hello - I am new to the group. My 5 year old Vizsla had rear left leg amputated 12/18. Great recovery so far....except this a.m. he woke up screaming in pain. Not sure if he moved the wrong way or had a muscle cramp. He has had some spasms on the stump but nothing like this. Can anyone share a similar experience.
Hello and welcome to you and your sweet Vizsla. Your post has been approved.
Of course, we aren't Vets and aren't giving Vet advice. Yes, phantom pain can happen even at six weeks out.
Phantom limb pain has a pretty distinct reaction when it happens. It is a sudden jolt of pain and the dog will yelp, get up and try and run away from the pain. Sometimes the brain is still sending messages to the nerves of the amputated leg. The nerves no longer have that leg and they fire off painful jolts with no place to go. Generally the actual pain lasts for maybe 30 seconds or less. Sometimes the dog will still stay in a corner afraid to move thinking it may happen again. GABAPENTIN is what Vets prescribe for phantom pain,
Now, that said, your Vizsla may have merely had a painful leg deamp or spasms like you said. Try gently massaging around the incision area and stump area.
If it happens again and sounds like phantom limb pain, let your Vet know and get a prescription for Gabapentin.
Let is know how things are gping, okay? Glad to hear that, other than this hiccup, he is doing really well👏
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!
Hi Liz, welcome to you and your dog. What's his name?
Sally's input is spot on. Add some rest and cut back on activity for a few days to see how he copes. Hopefully this is a one-off. But if not I would let your vet know. He could be having some untreated pain happening as his body gets stronger and more used to doing longer stretches of activity.
What is his daily activity level like? How long/far are walks? Does he play with other dogs at home?
This could be a sign that he needs to slow down a little and ramp back up more slowly. Did you know that a rehab therapist can guide you as to what that looks like for your guy? We really recommend having all Tripawds evaluated by a therapist, so that their parent can know exactly what kind of activity their dog should and should not be doing. This is super helpful to know, and gives peace of mind too.
Tripawds Foundation can pay for your first rehab visit we believe in the benefits of rehab that much! So you have nothing to lose! Let us know if you help finding a therapist. That rehab link will take you to more info on the program.
Keep us posted on how things are going.
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