Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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So, our "Foster Fail" Hobbes had his right rear leg amputated this past Wednesday due to being hit by a car and the repair not repairing. All has been good up until today. This afternoon when my wife went to the bathroom, he came after her "screaming" and practically lept into her lap (this was noonish.) About 6pm,he just went crazy, screaming and walking in circles. Again, I wasn't around, working on my truck. around midnight, when he was with me on the patio, hanging out and watching tv, he did it again. Once I was able to talk to him, reassure him, he was fine.
He is on 1 1/2 tabs of Rimadyl every 24 hours, and 1-2 Tramadol every 8-12 hours (we are doing 8 hour doses right now).
Once he "gets talked down", he is fine. He will circle, lay down and be out for an hour or two. Gets up, gets a drink, or goes potty, then lays down.
My question is, is he experiencing "phantom pain " from the leg that is no longer there?
I have heard of humans experiencing this, but do dogs??
Thanks in advance,
Ted
Hi Ted,
I've approved your post, your future ones won't need approval so post away. I'm on my mobile now and wil get back to you with more tips when I'm at my desk. My first thought is, it's very soon out of surgery, and he might need his pain meds adjusted. 8 hours apart is pretty wide, I would talk to your vet about giving it more often. I was going to say that it could be tramadol craziness (lots of dogs go nuts on it) but it's so far apart I'm kind of doubting it. Oh yes dogs do experience phantom pain , it is very real, just look for 'phantom pain ' here and in Jerry's Required Reading List , youll find info about it. Meanwhile call your vet and get the meds adjusted. You may want to ask about gabapentin too, it's a nerve blocker that many dogs with phantom pain use.
Can't wait to hear more about your pup!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Ted - My Jack experienced the same thing and it sounds like phantom pain . Some dogs get past this quite quickly and with small adjustments to medication and sometimes it takes a few attempts to figure out the right combination. Don't be afraid to be persistent if you think Hobbes is still in pain. My vet added on gabapentin and then methocarbamol (an muscle relaxant that stopped her shoulder from spasming), which worked well for us.
Great name, by the way! One of my golden retrievers growing up was named Hobbes and I've always been fond of that name.
YAAAAAAAAAY FOR FAILED FOSTERS! Sounds like Hobbes found the perfect
forever home!!
You've already votten great advice and it does seem like it could indeed be phantom pain . As already mentioned Gabapentin ks the best med for that. The nerve endings are firing off to a leg that ks no longer there. The Gaba somehow blocks that pain while the nerves are adjusting to re-wiring.
Can't wait to see pictures of this sweet pup!
Welcome to the Tripawd family! Keep us updated and know that we are all here for you and cheering for Hobbes!
Hugs to all!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
Yes do tell more about him!
Here is the post I wanted to share with you, it discusses pain management tips for Tripawds:
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks Jerry, dcjack and benny55!! I will be on the phone to vet first thing in the morning!!
Today has been much better. We "spaced out" the tramadol today and that seemed to help calm him down. We previously had a Pyr that would suffer from the "tramadol crazys" if we gave him one before 12 hours. At 120lbs, and with all four feet, you didn't get in his way and hoped it would end soon. (took us awhile to figure out 1 1/2 every 12 ours and he was just fine!!)
So, Hobbes will get one every 12 hours (today, he has been just fine) and I will talk to the vet about the Gabapentin and Methocarbamol just as soon as he gets in.
Ted
Glad today was better! Thanks for the update.
Remember, 'recovery" will soon translated to "recovered"!!
You're doing great!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
Yay! You sound so pawsitive, that's wonderful. Let us know what the vet says.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
post amputation...5 weeks. My sweet boy buddy 80 lbs 10 1/2 years old..foster failure doesn't seem to be doing too well. He had
seroma and that has cleared up but the lipoma he had under the area of his front leg has seemed to get bigger. I have talked with
the surgeon about phatom pain so we put him back on gabapentin, novax and tramadol if needed. Well he pants all the time until
his meds take effect and the other day while I was out he more or less trashed a room..ripping up anything paper. When I came
home he was asleep! He has never done anything like this before and I may add follows me all over the house. His panting is to
say the least is driving me nuts!! He stops panting about an hour after taking his pain meds.
I am at my wits end with the panting. Could it be from anxiety? And what can I do?
Hi Buddy's Mom, welcome. Your future posts won't need approval so post away. You might also want to start a new topic that's all about Buddy so we can better follow your story.
My first question: What did the vet have to say about the growing lipoma? I wonder if that could be painful for him (I know it would be for me!).
About the panting. It's so hard to tell if panting is from anxiety, pain meds, or pain. I'm wondering:
- how far apart are you giving him the medications? The goal is to stay on top of pain, stay ahead of it, by keeping a regular schedule so the pain doesn't spiral. Each time it does, it takes longer for the meds to take effect.
- how often is he getting the tramadol? Some dogs just don't react well to it and once it gets cut out of the pain management meds they tend to do better.
- what kind of activity is he getting throughout the day? He may be getting too much at this point, which causes pain.
- as for the anxiety. That could be part of him getting used to his new environment. How long have you had him in your care? You might want to ask your vet about xanax (for him, not you
Many dogs here get that added into their pain meds temporarily just to help them relax and recuperate.
Don't change anything until you talk to the vet.
I hope this helps. Stay tuned for more input from others. Keep us posted OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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