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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Hi Mary,
I'm sorry Hector is having trouble.
Since the vet called it idiopathic nerve pain (means that the origin is unknown) Hector may be dealing with phantom limb pain. It is relatively common, and your description of how Hector is howling sounds like what others have gone through.
Here are a couple links to check-
Phantom limp pain in Tripawds: http://tripawds.....pawd-dogs/
Forum search- scroll to the second post in this tread, Jerry posted several links on phantom limb pain: http://tripawds.....from-naps/
Gabapentin is most often prescribed for phantom limb pain.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Thank you, and I am going to the phantom link pain links now. You have helped me calm down a bit, I just feel so sad for Hector, and have started questioning the decision to get the amputation, in particular as my husband and son were against it as they did'nt want to see Hector suffer any more. I convinced them that we had to give Hector a chance, as he is such a brave dog and loves life and people.
I just hope the pain settles and he is back home soon. He had been doing so well on his 3 legs.
Thanks again.
Mary
Hi Mary,
I hope the links were helpful.
Please don't question your decision, you made the best choice you could for Hector. Having said that, I spent weeks questioning my decision after my tripug Maggie was unhappy after her surgery. Mag had her amp before the Tripawds site was established so we went it alone. My vet said that most pups do fine on three so I was expecting Maggie to bounce right back. When she didn't I was sure I had done the wrong thing.
I know it's hard, but you need to stay positive around Hector and let him know everything is fine. Hopefully the Gabapentin will work for Hector and he'll be home soon. It's good that he was doing well on three, he will get back there.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Hi Mary,
So sorry Hector has had a minor setback, and trust me, that's all it is. I personally did not have to deal with this situation with my Polly, but I know many others here did. Karen gave really great advice, and most everyone asks themselves that question, of whether or not they did the right thing with amp surgery.......most will say, definitely yes.
I have no doubt that Hector will be back home in no time, and be back to himself as well.
Continuing to keep you and Hector in my thoughts,
Bonnie & Angel Polly
Doggone it Hector! What, you didn't think you were getting enough attention so you go rolling on your incision and found out it hurt like craaaaaaazy.....nope, not a good way to try and get more attention!!!
Mary, I KNOW this is soooooo hard on you and the second guessing...oh yeah...that's our favorite pastime around here! Granted, the"art of second guessing" the surgery usually kicks in around day five or six...so you've already gotten a good headstart.
You've probably already read the links on phantom.pain now so you know Gabapentin is usually the route to go. For whatever it's worth, usually the sharp pain comes quickly and leaves quickly. Yeah, it may continue off and on for a bit, but it will go away! Seems like you could give him the gabapentin at home and maybe be able to take him home tomorrow. It's certainly worth asking.
you and Hector have been through an incredible journey. The same spunk that has gotten him through each time before, will continue to work for him now!
I do think, however, we need to bump up your medication for the night. Perhaps in addition to the chocolate, we now need to add ice cream with 2 tablespoons of Nyquil poured over it.
Hector's not feeling much pain right now and sleeping like a drugged up puppy, so you should too!
Stay connected to us, okau? We sure do understand the ups and downs and twists.and turns of theis recovering period! Nope, no picnic yet, but it will be soon!
SENDING HUGS!!!!!
Sally and 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!
Hi Mary,
Hector sounds like an incredible furbaby!! He also seems like he's doing really well after surgery-there are usually some ups and downs. My Lily also had those screaming attacks, and it was very unnerving. It happened within 1 week after surgery, and all of the sudden she would start "screaming", and we would all come running. It happened several times during walks, and also when she was just lying around. They stopped around 2 weeks, and we were all so relieved. She was on Rimadyl and Tramadol at the time. We actually ended up reducing the Tramadol after awhile because it was making her loopy--we were hoping that might reduce the screaming.
We are here for you and thinking of your family and Hector.
Sending hugs,
Joan and Lily
Our beautiful Lily was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her front leg on 12/14/11 at age 8 and had amp on 12/16/11. She completed 5 rounds of carbo. She was so brave and kicked cancer's butt daily! She lived life fully for 4 years, 3 months, and 15 days after her amp. My angel is a warrior princess. I miss her so much.
Mary,
I'm sorry to hear that Hector is dealing with one of the "lows" on this crazy journey. You don't need to question your decision to amputate...you were just trying to do right by Hector and give him a pain free, quality life. This is just a little misstep that will pass. I believe Hector's vet will get him on the right combination of pain medication to assist him through the recovery. Every dog/cat is different in what they need to cope with the pain of major surgery. There are several different medications that can be tried.
I'll be sending positive thoughts Hector's way that he makes it back home soon. I believe recovery is much easier on our fur babies when they are home with their human pack supporting them.
Sahana and her Angel Leland
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
Thank you so much again for all your kindness, experience and advice. The vets have been giving us regular updates on Hector today, and he is doing well and they are confident that they now have his pain under control. They are keeping him in again tonight, and as long as he continues to do well, we should have him home tomorrow which will be fantastic.
I am now starting to relax, and accept that we have done everything right for Hector to give him the best chance in life. It was so sad and distressing to hear the awful screams, but I hope these will have settled.
I will continue to update you on his progress..
I am so glad I found you all, as you have managed to keep me sane.
All the best Mary
I'm so glad to hear he is doing better! Someday you'll look back on this mishap and be amazed you ever questioned your choice because Hector will be running around like nothing's missing. Stay strong and just try to stay relaxed. He's in good hands, and it's clear he'll be in good hands when he comes home to you too. 
Tina and Smore
(with the spirit of Pebbles watching from the Rainbow Bridge)
Smore is my tripawd kitty who adopted me one summer evening. She had an injury to her front left leg and had to have her leg removed July 17th. She was only 3 or 4 months old at the time. Now she moves faster than some four legged cats!
Yay Hector! They're going to make sure you are up and around soon, hang in there buddy! You too Mary, you're on the right track.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I logged on today just to check on Hector. I'm so glad he is doing better, and that you are feeling better about your decision.
I did not have to deal with phantom limb pain, but from everything I've read here it does sound heartbreaking to hear the screams. I don't think I've read anything about a dog not getting past this, sounds like Hector is on his way.
Let us know how he is doing when you get him home.
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Hi all
Hector is back home, and looking great, the new pain meds are working well and he is doing good on his 3 legs. I just hope his good progress continues.
The only thing we have noticed is that he has started to try and scratch the wound. Do you have any advice what we can do to stop him scratching? We don't want to put the Cone on him, as he gets distressed. Advice appreciated.
It is so lovely to have Hector home, as the house was so quiet without him.
All the very best.
Mary and Hector
Wonderful news for both of you! I'm so glad he's back.
As for the cone, unfortunately it's the most guaranteed way to ensure he can't get at them, but others have tried to come up with new alternatives like these and this disc-shaped one:
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Lots of front amps have had luck with a tee shirt covering the incision. If he tolerates it you might put a bootie or sock on the back foot that can reach the incision. But be really careful with that- don't mess up his gait or traction .
I know it's hard to make them wear the cone, but if he keeps at the stitches you could have a bigger problem like an infection and then the cone would be in use longer.
I'm really glad he is home and doing better!
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Oh, yay, handsome Hector is back home and doing well !! So happy to see this !! Karen is right about front amps and a t-shirt......I used one for a short time with Polly and she did fine with it. I kind of altered one of mine a bit to fit her better, not too snug but loose enough that she didn't feel restricted. Polly truly hated cones as well, I had a very hard time using those on her.
Hoping everything continue to go great, and also continue to keep us updated on him.
Love,
Bonnie & Angel Polly
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