Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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We are 24 hours post op amputation of my dogs front left leg.
The first night was awful. He was inconsolable until 1 in the morning, whimpering in what I thought was pain. I thought there would be less discomfort than the bone cancer pain? My dr thinks maybe he was just reacting to the meds.
At any rate I gave him a ton of pain meds and some acepromazine last night and he's been zonked since. He's too lethargic to even bear any weight. He is eating and drinking and voiding.
im worried he won't be able to stad at all. My dr thinks he should be able to tomorrow but what if he can't?
like most, I am worried I didn't make the right decision and am so worried!
Welcome to Tripawds, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
So you brought him home the day of surgery? If he was being vocal he could have been reacting to the meds. Most pups stay in the hospital overnight, some do come home the same day. But most experience what you have- an inconsolable pup.
What is your pup's name?
Please be talking to your vet about the dosing schedule for pain meds- he is most likely now to doped up to stand. And be careful with acepromazine- Here is some information to read.
Now- remember the reason you went with this...to get rid of the unending bone pain. You are doing your best for your boy- that is what is important. You must keep a positive attatude around him, you have to be a strong pack leader and let him know everything is going to be OK.
Eating and drinking and voiding are great signs! I think you need to get the meds adjusted correctly, and yes it is difficult sometimes, and then you will see some progress. The first couple weeks after amputation can be full of ups and downs, keep track of the small improvements and you will get through this.
BTW- I spent the first 6 weeks regretting my decision to amputate- most of us have been there, and we understand. My little pug Maggie was really stubborn and hated change. Most pups are back to themselves in two to three weeks.
Stay strong- you are doing your best. This is really, really hard!
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
BTW, adorable avatar picture! What's your pup's name?
Okay, take some deep breaths....B R E A T H E....B R E A T H E.....You are not alone!!
He is eating and drinking, pooping a d peeing...that's really good!!
Recovery from MAJOR surgery is rough for about two weeks, more or less. But the first several days and nights are usually without much sleep, a lot of restlessness and whining. As Karen said, most dogs, not all, spend at least the first night at the vets.
As far as pain meds, most dogs are sent home with Tramadol, Gabapentin, Rimadyl and an antibiotic. Is that rhe case with yiur dog?
It is very, very important that the pain meds be giving correctly and consistently. And yes, pain meds can make the a little whacky sometimes, but it's better than bing in pain! Humans would be in the hospital on a morphine drip for days after major surgery!
I'm no vet, but please, please be careful with ACE. Let your vet know how zonked out he was and, hopefully, he will advise yiu NOT to give it to him anymore.
Everything you are describing as far as whining, restless, not sleeping, etc. are all normal reaction to major surgery, a surgery that hurts, and adapting to three legs!
My Happy Hannah did not sleep for almost twenty hours. Of course, I didn't either. And this was after spending one night in the hospital.
Again, I'm no vet, but the ACE,along with the other drugs, would make it almost impossible for him to stand. He would be waaay too woozy.
Right now your dog just needs to rest, get his pain meds on a good scheduled and just go out for potty. And yes, some dogs have accidents jn their bed the first day or so. And yes, some dogs take several days before they can get up on their own. Try using a sling towel to help hum up and help keep him stable after that ACE wears off.
And yes, once recovery takes place his sparkle will come back bigger and brighter than ever. That painful leg will be gone!
STAY CONNECTED!!!! We understand the emotions of this journey and how scary recovery looks! We are here for you and will help you get through this, okay?
Sending hugs to you and your cute pup! Will look forward to your update as soon as you can.
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!
lesleyjohnson said
We are 24 hours post op amputation of my dogs front left leg.The first night was awful. He was inconsolable until 1 in the morning, whimpering in what I thought was pain. I thought there would be less discomfort than the bone cancer pain? My dr thinks maybe he was just reacting to the meds.
At any rate I gave him a ton of pain meds and some acepromazine last night and he's been zonked since. He's too lethargic to even bear any weight. He is eating and drinking and voiding.
im worried he won't be able to stad at all. My dr thinks he should be able to tomorrow but what if he can't?
like most, I am worried I didn't make the right decision and am so worried!
I'm right there with you Lesley. We're just home from the hospital. If it helps - that question of, did I do the right thing seems to be a very very common question among all of us. I am looking at it as I am giving my girl a chance bc without the amputation, she'd be at the Bridge. I would be cautious about Ace. I give Ace to my pittie and it really knocks her out. Good luck!
Hi Lesley,
If you amputated for bone cancer, then you did make the right choice. Amputation of course hurts also, but the pain can be managed and it gets better over the next couple of weeks. Bone cancer pain would have just gotten worse and worse and nothing would have stopped it. So even though right now it things seem very dark, they will improve. But it is major surgery and everyone here will tell you that the next couple of weeks could be a rollercoaster. But you will see improvement, a little progress every day so don't lose hope just yet. Eating and drinking and peeing and pooing is all good progress.
We had a dog with a hip-replacement and he came home from surgery and laid in his crate whimpering all night. The doctor had warned us---he said he is not in pain but the coming out of the surgical drugs they will whimper and cry a lot. (It is probably one reason vets like to keep the dogs overnight, so the poor owners don't go crazy with worry!) So I think your doctor is probably right about the whimpering. But of course your dog does need pain management in the next couple of weeks so I hope you're working with your doctor on that. Don't be afraid to ask for pain management , they shouldn't have to suffer when there are drugs that will help. Most have a Fentanyl patch, Tramadol and Gabapentin (used for nerve pain). Some dogs tolerate the Tramadol, some don't. But regardless of what you use, it is important to "stay ahead" of the pain.
I bet by the time you read this, your pup will have stood up and you'll be feeling better about things!
Denise, Bill and Angel Ellie (and Toby Two-Toes too!)
Active 10+ Pyr mix suddenly came up lame with ACL tear in left rear leg. Scheduled for a TPLO but final pre-op x-rays indicated a small suspicious area, possibly OSA, which could have caused the ACL tear. Surgeon opened the knee for TPLO but found soft bone. Biopsy came back positive for OSA. Became a Tripawd 9/18/14. Carbo6 with Cerenia and Fluids. Pain free and living in the moment. Crossed the Bridge on 7/12/15 after probable spread of cancer to her cervical spine. A whole lifetime of memories squeezed into 10 months. Here's her story: Eloise
Lesley, we have all been where you are and can totally sympathize with your worries...the first days/nights can be hard. But it does get better and looking back you will know you made the right decision. Do discuss your concerns with your vet and make sure the pain meds are at the right dosage. Wishing you and your beloved guy the best as he adjusts to his "new" life...which he WILL do.
Sketch's Mom
Oh goodness, I have walked this mile! You have definitely found the right place and all of the wonderful advice you are getting/will get will see you through. I was so scared to bring my pupper home the day of surgery but we made it and now, a month out, she is doing so great that I'm firmly glad that I had her leg amputated. That said, I asked myself more than once, "What have I done?" The good news is that you will have lots of love and support here and we are all cheering for you both!
Amy and Izzy (my lil hopper)
Momma to the world's most beautiful American Bulldog, Izzy!! Lost her front leg to OSA 9/18/15. Diagnosed w MCT in June 2016. Celebrated her 1 year ampuversary with knee surgery on 9/18/16! MCT recurrence in Dec 2016. Happy & hungry til nearly 14, earning her wings on 7/31/17.
Just checking in for an update. Is he doing better today?
Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.
"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."
- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey
Hi everyone! Brownie was groggy the day after surgery and slept all day, but the following day, woke up nearly back to himself! My partner and I were thrilled when ar 6 am he was standing at the door to go potty! He indeed had too much ace on board. He continues to do better and better each say. Thank you for all your support! Ps he gets Ganapentin once a day, and oxycodone 3 times a day. No Rimadyl or NSAIDs as his liver enzymes are elevated. Hopefully due to using a lot of it the past month?
Glad to hear Brownie is feeling better.
He is on oxycodone? I don't think I've heard that given to pups at home before. No wonder he was groggy! I was on oxy after one of my surgeries and while it kept the pain away I sure didn't want to move!
I hope now that you seem to have a balance that his recovery will move along smoothly.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
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