Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi everyone,
Our 4 1/2 mth old GSD puppy Serge goes in for his surgery(Left rear full amp.), on Wed (14th) and I'm not sure if this is the right place for this question.... Are there any recommendations on pain meds/anti-inflamatories for his immediate recovery period. Are there any medications that should be viewed with caution, or avoided completely.... I trust the vet implicitly, but it is still good to know of any problem meds out there..Should the wound be "open to the air", or covered up... He will be wearing the satellite dish/"collar of shame !!" so he can't lick it...
We have his "enclosure" set up already, and Raven our older GSD is already fired up at the thought of going to the kennel..All we have to do is mention the breeders' name, and she is at the front door "chomping on the bit", so to speak.
I realize I'm "waffling".... Any advice on meds and immediate care would be appreciated, as we are trying to think of everything, and consequently getting nowhere !!!
Richard
"No matter how eloquently the dog may bark, he cannot tell you that his master is poor, but honest".....Bertrand Russell
Hey there, you're not waffling at all, you're doing your investigative work, that's great. Be sure to check out this article:
One Vet’s Canine Amputation Surgery and Recovery Tips
And in our ebook, Three Legs & a Spare, we write:
"The current gold standard in pain management is to prevent pain before it occurs. She says many vets are administering the drug Gabapentin before surgery, then using an MLK (morphine) drip during and after surgery. Nerve block drugs are also used during surgery.
The most common post-amputation pain relievers that dogs receive are a combination of:
• Fentanyl – a transdermal skin patch that delivers timed narcotics (similar to morphine) that lasts for
about three days per patch
• Tramadol – a daily pain reliever with similar effects to narcotics but not as strong.
• Gabapentin – an anti-seizure drug that blocks pain and is often used to control phantom limb painLess common medications include butorphanol, which can alleviate pain but only provides relief for up to an hour, and buprenorphine, an injectable drug that lasts slightly longer than butorphanol.
A Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug, or NSAID, such as Metacam or Deramaxx is also often prescribed.
When used in combination with any of the above drugs, NSAIDs provide long term effective pain relief
after surgery."
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
jerry said
Hey there, you're not waffling at all, you're doing your investigative work, that's great. Be sure to check out this article:One Vet’s Canine Amputation Surgery and Recovery Tips
And in our ebook, Three Legs & a Spare, we write:
"The current gold standard in pain management is to prevent pain before it occurs. She says many vets are administering the drug Gabapentin before surgery, then using an MLK (morphine) drip during and after surgery. Nerve block drugs are also used during surgery.
The most common post-amputation pain relievers that dogs receive are a combination of:
• Fentanyl – a transdermal skin patch that delivers timed narcotics (similar to morphine) that lasts for
about three days per patch
• Tramadol – a daily pain reliever with similar effects to narcotics but not as strong.
• Gabapentin – an anti-seizure drug that blocks pain and is often used to control phantom limb painLess common medications include butorphanol, which can alleviate pain but only provides relief for up to an hour, and buprenorphine, an injectable drug that lasts slightly longer than butorphanol.
A Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug, or NSAID, such as Metacam or Deramaxx is also often prescribed.
When used in combination with any of the above drugs, NSAIDs provide long term effective pain relief
after surgery."
Thanks a lot Jerry....Plenty to keep me occupied....(I can only re-install Linux so many times....lol)...BTW, I was born and brought up in South Wales, and coming from a nation of teachers, preachers and one-time Rugby champions, I DO waffle on occasion !!
Richard
"No matter how eloquently the dog may bark, he cannot tell you that his master is poor, but honest".....Bertrand Russell
Richard you are funny!
One more thing to mention; some vets are using a "soaker catheter" that you may want to ask about. We just started hearing about it being used. It's a relatively new way of administering post-op pain meds for animals and the folks who've dealt with it for their Tripawd say it's been great. Here's more about Kat and A'tuin's soaker catheter experience.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
The soaker catheter was amazing, and I personally think it really helped a lot with post-operative pain, in fact, thinking back to A'Tuin's amputation, his wound never seemed to be very painful to him. He was never sensitive around the incision, even when it was draining.
Best of luck with your pup's amputation, you'll be in our thoughts.
A'Tuin's story can be found on my personal blog along with a dash of my life and poetry.
I said goodbye to my puppy love on 5/15/14 after more than tears years of the greatest love I've ever known.
Kat said
The soaker catheter was amazing, and I personally think it really helped a lot with post-operative pain, in fact, thinking back to A'Tuin's amputation, his wound never seemed to be very painful to him. He was never sensitive around the incision, even when it was draining.Best of luck with your pup's amputation, you'll be in our thoughts.
Hi Kat,
Thanks for the good wishes...I'll ask the vet about the "soaker"...... Anything that will help to relieve post op. pain is worth asking about
"One more sleep"...
Richard
"No matter how eloquently the dog may bark, he cannot tell you that his master is poor, but honest".....Bertrand Russell
The last photo of Serge, (taken this a.m.) before he goes in tomorrow morning.. You can clearly see where the hock is missing in the left rear leg in the picture..The cat also did a number on his nose..Maybe he will finally get the message !!!...Raven is still "snoring" away. Yesterday while he was out running, playing "catch me" with Raven, his flailing foot banged a tree root pretty hard. There was a small cut, but he must have walloped it pretty god, because he was whining for four or five minutes. The older and the bigger/heavier he gets, the injuries would get progressively worse, if he did not have the surgery now.. This again confirms that as hard as was to make, it is the right decision, and we have all you wonderful people to help us along the recovery road.. I'll upload the post op. pics when he is home on Thursday...
Richard
"No matter how eloquently the dog may bark, he cannot tell you that his master is poor, but honest".....Bertrand Russell
Ohhh I can't think of a better way to start my morning than seeing Serge's handsome face and those big satellite dish ears.
I agree, there would be a lot of potential for injury with the leg left on the way it is, you can't keep a Shepherd down, that's for sure.
We're cheering you on, keep us posted and give him a big big smooch from us.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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