Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Our 2 year old English Setter mix had his left front leg amputated 4 days ago due to bone cancer. He is able to get around - we are limiting the area as the vet told us to. He is eating, drinking and eliminating normally but he won't lay down. The only way we can get him to lay down is to lay with him and coax him down with love and gentle pressure. He is able to lay down, he will occasionally do it but jumps right back up. We gave him Tramadol for 3 days like we were instructed and quit giving it to him last night. My husband has spent the last 3 nights on the floor with our guy and his back just won't take another. I know Jet needs rest just don't know how to make it happen. Poor baby (both of them) is exhausted. Any suggestions would be really appreciated.
Hi Susan, welcome to Tripawds. Your future posts won't need approval. I'm so sorry Jet got diagnosed with cancer, he is so young! What type of cancer is it?
So would you describe his behavior as restless? Is he panting or whining? Or is it simply that he just won't lay down? The reason I ask is because a lot of dogs exhibit restlessness when they're on Tramadol. Unfortunately pain medication is a two-edged sword sometimes. It helps tremendously but it makes some dogs crazy. Please talk to your vet to see how you can modify his dosages, often times that's all it takes to calm a dog down. Four days out from surgery is not a long time and most dogs don't get their pain medication cut like that until at least 10 days out unless it's causing severe problems. Please talk to your vet before having him go cold turkey.
Now if he's not acting restless and you don't think it's related to the Tramadol, it could be that he's nervous having you watch him so closely. I know it sounds crazy, but when a dog's routine gets all whackadoodle and suddenly his people are sleeping on the floor with him, constantly watching his every move, it can be a little nervewracking. Dogs do figure out how to lay down on their own and I know it's hard but a little tough love will go a long way toward helping him get there. This video by our friends at Cal Animal Rehab tells why it's important to be strong and normalize your routine again:
Canine Rehabilitation: Amputation Recovery Advice with CARE
Please let us know how today goes, we look forward to hearing more about Jet.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Jerry. Thank you for your quick response and very wise comments. Jet has osteosarcoma which was found not quite 6 weeks ago when he started with alimp that just wouldn't get better. He was very restless and panting but since we've stopped the Tramadol that seems better. Still some restlessness but not as frantic feeling. He went over 12 hours without once laying down before we tried the on the floor approach. He really doesn't seem to have any pain without the Tramadol but I will call our vet tomorrow just to make sure the length of time we gave it to him was correct. I'm pretty sure he's just feeling a little insecure much like when it storms. Just being close to one of us seems to really calm him hopefully this will pass soon.
Glad Jett is home and has started the recovery process! The first two weeks can be quite tough but MCE the recovery subsides you will be amazed at how his sparkle will co e back! Having the bone cancer pain gone is a great gift!
Every dog's recovery is different, but K think almost everyone here will tel you that their dogs were n pan meds for an average of two weeks. The hospital meds wear ogg between day two or three so the at home meds take over. Yes, please check with your vet as it seems awfully soon to not ave him on any pain meds!!
My Happy Hannah...a larger dog.....was quite restless and panted a lot for quite awhile but here was definitely due to getting her paid. managed. I switched over to a co no of gabapentin and tramadol and then just gaba (that was going into the third wk). The delima is TT the side effects of pain meds look UST like the side effects of pain!! The balance may be a little trial and error first. For me, I'd rather err on the side of a little too much pain meds than have my dog suffer pain. Again, ever dog is different.
I'm sure the incision site is incredibly sore and she's still trying to adjust to her everyday movements and figuring g things it
I slept on the floor with my Hannah for weeks as that was the only thing that helped settle her down......at first it was necessity....then, later on, more in the line of over-indulgence!!
When I knew Happy Hannah's pain was gone was when she started actually laying on the surgery site (rear leg amp).....it was about three weeks. other dogs, a lot sooner.
Again, I'm no vet and take r for whatever it's worth----I just cannot I a fine not being g on pain meds at this point. Is Jett on anything else? Most surgeons send them some with Rimadyy too.
Really glad Jett is eating, drinking, etc. That is amazing!
You are doing a great job and we really look forward to more updates....and maybe some potos:-) 
Just love on him and pet him and stay close to comfort him for now. Recovery will take place and it will get better. This is still sooooo early from a major surgery and I know it's hard to watch......but it will all be worth it!! It will!
Try to step into a place of calm and positivity and applause every victory. You are so strong and doing a great job!
We are here for you and sending you loving support!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
Yes, we are giving him Rymadyl Amazingly, the incision doesn't seem to be that sensitive. He has actually laid on that side - briefly but with no indication of pain when he laid down or got up. For the first two days he would yelp if he moved a certain way or sometimes just standing still but that has stopped. He's eating very normally and I take that as a sign that he's not in pain. What signs would I look for other than volalization or lack of appetite? He completely stops panting and relaxes when someone is loving on him.... I'm going to try to post a picture. Emphasis on try!
HIS STOMACH! Gerry had a similar experience and in his case, it turned out to be stomach discomfort. I believe the vet said it could have been from the Tramadol or the antibiotics he was on (I think she leaned toward the antibiotics, but did not say definitively). Went on for soooooo long, because in Gerry's case he was still shelter property and I was the foster, so it took some convincing to have him seen that he truly wasn't laying down like ever. For a while they had me increase his Tramadol to the max, which didn't help. Good news, is that if it turns out to be his belly (and she basically diagnosed him by listening to his belly) it was pretty easily remedied by Pepcid AC. So, if this is still going on, I recommend having him see the vet to rule out stomach trouble. Though maybe it could be answered over the phone whether your pup is on anything that could have upset his tummy (in case I'm wrong about the Tramadol).
Gerry has been a tripawd since 12/16/2009.
He was a shelter dog with a mysterious past and an irrepairable knee injury.
Videos and pics of Gerry's pawesomeness can be found at: http://gerry.tripawds.com
Glad to hear Jett is recovering well except for the laying down thing. Hopefully Gerry's Mom has come up with something that will help. Hoping you get some rest soon.
Luanne and Shooter
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
Wow Gerry's Mom always has such great insight! I didn't even think of stomach discomfort as being a reason why. I think I read somewhere that anesthesia can also cause stomach gas post-op? Hmmm. Interesting Bri, thank you!
As for photos, here is a post about adding images.
How did Jet do last night?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Not laying down for two my pugs has been a sign of pain, although they would sit down. Maggie was on tramadol for about 2 weeks after her amp. But she could get quite agitated on tram- once I gave it to her and she didn't sleep for 12 hours! It is sometimes difficult to tell the difference between pain and the affects of meds, but three days out from an amp sounds like pretty soon to be off pain meds. The most important thing though is that you get Jet comfortable as possible. Keep talking to your vet and keep adjusting things until you are happy (and hubby gets off the floor!).
Karen
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