Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi, my Drakey had Amputation of his hind limb 5 days ago. He finally ate yesterday, however this morning he seemed more uncomfortable. He keeps jerking back to his amputated side like something is aggravating him. When he sees there is nothing there he turns back his head. He also would not eat for me this morning. He is on his last day of the fentanyl patch, carprofen, gabapentin, and antibiotics. He is also on cerenia for nausea. He is prescribed 200mg gabapentin so I was giving 100mg because that seemed to be ok until this morning. So I gave him another 100mg and now he is passed out. It seems when he jerks back to his amputated leg he is getting phantom nerve pain? Is this possible so early on? I read that if he had severe pain before the amputation is more likely to have bad phantom pain
after? He had a bad infection from TPLO surgery and was on pain meds since Feb of this year. As the infection got worse so did his pain. So 9 months later here we are. 
Thank you for posting. Your future posts will not require moderation.
I am sorry to hear Drakey had to have an amputation. It is very possible it is Phantom pain. It sounds like what it is to me. (My dog, Sassy, luckily did not have that.) You said he is on his last day of carprofen and gabapentin? That seems like a very short time for pain meds. Very normal for the fentanyl patch to come off on day 4 or 5.
You lowered his dose of gabapentin which is used for nerve pain. Raise his gabapentin back to the prescribed dosage please. If he needs refills of the carprofen & gabapentin then ask for them 5 days worth is not that much. He will get better he just had a major surgery and it takes time to recover from this. He is getting used to using muscles that he has never had to use as well.
Normally we say we see our dogs personality come back about the time the stitches/staples come out about day 14.
Others will jump in with some experiences as well. Keep us informed of how he's doing
Michelle & Angels Sassy, Bosch, Baby Simba and Sweet Snickers
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Hi thank you. He has 2 weeks of carprofen and gabapentin. I also have tramadol. However he was not eating until yesterday. I reduced his gabapentin because he gets to knocked out with the full dose AND fentanyl. He has rapid breathing and very lethargic. The fentanyl patch comes off tomorrow. So starting tomorrow he will be on his regular medication.
I did give him his full strength gabapentin after I posted. He had the symptoms I just described but within an hour he was better.
So I will definitely give him the gabapentin full dose 3x a day. I can give it every 8 hours according to the prescription. I did not know that helps with nerve pain . And I appreciate knowing that he will be more himself by day 14. So thank you again.
Michelle and Drakey
Good feedback from Michelle.
Jiat a quick pop in to ask how much does Darkey weigh? Sorry for quick reply……more later
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 Im sorry to hear about Hannah.. but it sounds like she had her favorite meal. Drakey weighs 31-32Ibs.
Michelle
Oh gosh, that was so kind of you to to mention myHappy Hannah .and with such a lovely thought. Thank you.
As mentioned Michelle, getting him back up to his prescribed dosage should help, as well as getting him off the patch. The patch can make them a little whacky sometimes.
Also, more recent studies have shown the Tramadol to not be effective for the surgery pain of amputation. Of course, we are not Vets and not giving Vet advice, so always discuss these changes with your Vet.
You might find once you get his pain managed on a consistent asis, and eliminate the patch and the Tramadol, h appetite might pick up. Is he on an antibiotic too? If so that can me with his appetite too sometimes.
Drakey just had major surgery all while trying to adjust to three. This is still VERY early in recovery. Heck, hoomans would still be in the hospital on a morphine drip!
For now, try any yummy food he’ll eat. Give him cheeseburger, warm chicken, eggs and bacon, etc. Whatver it takes. Just SHORT leashed potty breaks and back in for rest and more rest.
Drinking and peeling are important. Poop may take a few days.
if yup have hardwood floors you’ll want non slip scatter rugs for traction .
If you are like many of us this early on you are probably asking, “What have I done TO my dog?” Soon you will be saying you are so glad you did this FOR your dog!”
Hang in there} We are here to help you navigate through this part, okay?
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS Having a TPLO and recovering from that and now this You two jace been through a lot! Drakey is very lucky to have you as his hooman. ❤️
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!
Hello there to you and Dramey. I hope you don't mind me moving your post but more folks can help when it's in this location.
Sorry for all that you've been through! Yes stick to the recommended Gabapentin dosage. That fentanyl patch is done by now so he's going to need consistent pain relief as prescribed. A lot of time it needs adjusting so that is not unusual at all.
And as Sally mentioned don't expect too much right now, he should be resting and just taking leashed potty breaks.
Let us know how it goes this week!
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