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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My greyhound had a front limb amputation one week ago. So far recovery has been very mixed. He is getting around great. We are actually having to stop him from running and jumping. It’s a struggle to get him to eat or drink. He runs from the bowls. sometimes when he is resting — and occasionally when he eats. He yelps suddenly and runs away. Like out of the room across the house. It is the most horrific scream. Nothing is touching him or his sutures. Does this sound like phantom limb pain? He is on gabapentin, carprofin and the vet added amantadine about 4 days ago. Does this typically go away after awhile? Any ideas?
Two things seem to calm him — his sister (we have three Greys) and a weighted blanket (only for a few minutes, attended, to help him calm down).
Hi Babs and pup. What's your dog's name and age? I'm sorry you find yourself in this community but rest assured you've come to the right place for help.
What you are describing does sound like phantom pain . That your pup isn't eating can also be a pain signal. I like that your vet added the amantadine in, sounds like they have a good grasp on pain management protocols. What is the dosage for the Gabapentin and what does your dog weigh? If the extra medication isn't helping, ask your vet to take a look at the incision just in case there is a suture pulling the wrong way, we sometimes see that happen. And if that's not the case, consider meeting with a vet who does dry needling acupuncture, it's one of the most effective ways to treat phantom pain . Also, the Tripawds Foundation can pay for your first rehab consultation if you haven't been yet. The link has details.
Also, check out Finn the Dane, he had a tough recovery with phantom pain but acupuncture took care of it.
Keep us posted OK? Your future posts won't need approval so post away!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
My dog's name is Reno. He is 11. The gabapentin is at 300mg 3x day (every 8 hours). Prior to surgery he weighed 69 lbs.Thanks for mentioning the sutures. I've been wondering about that. How do I find someone who does dry needling? Thanks so much!
Hi @babr! Looks like you had some trouble logging in? Let us know how we can help. I'm in the Tripawds Chat for a bit.
The Gabapentin dose sounds right for a Greyhound but we've seen there's room to bump it up if Reno can tolerate it (drowsiness is the side-effect). Aww and he's a senior too? What a sweetie! We are suckers for gray muzzles around here.
Definitely talk to your vet about his pain signals OK? And also ask to see if they work with acupuncture practitioners, many vets do. Usually the acupuncture practitioner is also a canine rehab therapist.
You can also check out the post about our Tripawds Rehab Reimbursement Fund (https://tripawd.....bursement/) which features directories of canine rehab practitioners about halfway down the page.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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