Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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We are now 8 days post-op - for my 9-year-old, 70 lb, pit bull mix - who had his left , front leg amputated due to bone cancer (possibly osteosarcoma). He is getting around okay. However, for the last several days, he has been randomly screaming ( a series of piercing yelps) about twice a day. I'm wondering if it's Phantom Pain
. But, he’s on the max doses of Tramadol and Gabapentin - shouldn't that help? We got him an orthopedic (like a Tempurpedic) bed and give him lots of massages. He also seems a little depressed and confused - standing up, then laying down often. It's also a lot of work to get him to go outside to go to the bathroom. He's actually held his urine for 24 hours at time. On the plus side - we accidentally left his doggie door open - and, he cleared it, no problem. We weren't going to let him try it until his stitches are removed - and, won't again, until they are. But, happy to know - he'll be able to do it, once he's healed. I need to remind myself that Zeke has had major surgery and it will take awhile before things return to "normal-ish." But, it breaks my heart to see him so drugged and confused - when he's usually so engaging. If lab work comes back positive for osteosarcoma - he will start chemo next week. I just hope it won't make him feel worse than he already does.
Hello and welcome, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
I'm sorry you are dealing with cancer and amputation for your boy Zeke.
It does sound like phantom pain - is he doing anything when he does it? Maybe trying to get up or moving somehow? Does it happen near when a pain med dose is due?
Usually gabapentin does take care of phantom pain , are you sure he is on the max dose? Are you spacing out the tram and gaba so he has overlapping med coverage? How often does he get the meds? Maybe a change in dosing schedule would help. Be sure you are letting your vet know what you are seeing, hopefully a little tweak to the meds will help. You could also try icing the incision site if he will tolerate it.
Drugged and confused it hard to see, but he will get through that soon. Most pups are off pain meds in two or three weeks- then you will see that personality come back. And most pups, something like 80% have no reaction to chemo. Even if he has some mild side effects the vets have meds that should take care of them (nausea and/or diarrhea).
Going through the dog door is a great sign! I agree that you should not let him do that again until stitches are out- but it bodes well for the future.
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
My Sophie is a week out from surgery, and I have had the same problem about getting her to go out and do her business. I’m afraid I don’t have a solution to the problem, just solidarity! Over the past day or two, I’ve started to see her personality coming back, so I hope that’s some encouragement to you.
Welcome! I'm sorry to hear he's having this issue but rest assured it's not uncommon. Karen gave you great insight about the meds and I'd also like to add that when it comes to any kind of severe pain, a multi-modal approach is most effective. So for instance, besides the medication, acupuncture and gentle massage and stretching will make a difference.
Has he seen a rehab therapist? If not, please ask your vet for a referral or let us know where you live and we can help find one for you. They can pinpoint the problem and help him start feeling good again. Also, the Tripawds Foundation may even pay for your first rehab consult so you've got nothing to lose!
When it comes to chemo, only about 5% of dogs experience any kind of side effects, so we'll keep our fingers crossed that your pup remains in the majority who do not.
Let us know how things are going.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
foggidawn said
My Sophie is a week out from surgery, and I have had the same problem about getting her to go out and do her business. I’m afraid I don’t have a solution to the problem, just solidarity! Over the past day or two, I’ve started to see her personality coming back, so I hope that’s some encouragement to you.
Finally today, with no prompting - my dog went outside and did his business. One of the things we had been doing, because after 24-hours of him not peeing, we were desperate - we took him to a trail head near our home, where he could smell where all of the other dogs had gone. That seemed to break through the drug fog and awaken his senses. I've also asked neighbors to have their dogs pee in our front yard - to make it interesting to him.
jerry said
Welcome! I'm sorry to hear he's having this issue but rest assured it's not uncommon. Karen gave you great insight about the meds and I'd also like to add that when it comes to any kind of severe pain, a multi-modal approach is most effective. So for instance, besides the medication, acupuncture and gentle massage and stretching will make a difference.Has he seen a rehab therapist? If not, please ask your vet for a referral or let us know where you live and we can help find one for you. They can pinpoint the problem and help him start feeling good again. Also, the Tripawds Foundation may even pay for your first rehab consult so you've got nothing to lose!
When it comes to chemo, only about 5% of dogs experience any kind of side effects, so we'll keep our fingers crossed that your pup remains in the majority who do not.
Let us know how things are going.
Thank for the insight! Today has been a very good day. He escaped out the doggie door again - and, happily did his business. Zeke slept 9 hours on his new orthopedic bed - and, so far, no yelping. We are massaging him often - and, that really does seem to help.
krun15 said
Hello and welcome, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.I'm sorry you are dealing with cancer and amputation for your boy Zeke.
It does sound like phantom pain - is he doing anything when he does it? Maybe trying to get up or moving somehow? Does it happen near when a pain med dose is due?
Usually gabapentin does take care of phantom pain , are you sure he is on the max dose? Are you spacing out the tram and gaba so he has overlapping med coverage? How often does he get the meds? Maybe a change in dosing schedule would help. Be sure you are letting your vet know what you are seeing, hopefully a little tweak to the meds will help. You could also try icing the incision site if he will tolerate it.
Drugged and confused it hard to see, but he will get through that soon. Most pups are off pain meds in two or three weeks- then you will see that personality come back. And most pups, something like 80% have no reaction to chemo. Even if he has some mild side effects the vets have meds that should take care of them (nausea and/or diarrhea).
Going through the dog door is a great sign! I agree that you should not let him do that again until stitches are out- but it bodes well for the future.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Hi there. The yelps seem to happen while he's resting or sleeping - so, he may be shifting positions. It also seems to happen when he's about halfway from taking the next dose. He's taking the max dose of gabapentin and Tramadol - and, the same time, every eight hours. He's hasn't yelped since yesterday and slept 9 hours last night. Today, has been a good day. 🙂
Hooray for a good day! Yes, Sophie also is more inclined to mark where other dogs have gone. Dogs, am I right? 😉
foggidawn said
Hooray for a good day! Yes, Sophie also is more inclined to mark where other dogs have gone. Dogs, am I right? 😉
They're the best! 
Yay for a good day! And 9 hours of sleep!
Hopefully those yelping episodes are in the rear view mirror.
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
Update: Zeke is recovering from his amputation nicely. We are weaning him off the drugs, he’s doing his business on his own accord, sleeping through the night and getting his sparkle back. However, tests results came back positive for osteosarcoma- so, he starts chemo tomorrow. About four, one-hour IV drips - spaced three weeks apart. So far, we have a clean chest X-ray and a lymph node that was removed along with his leg - that show no signs of cancer. Hopefully, this chemo regimen keeps it that way. Zeke is the light of our lives - and, we will do anything to keep him healthy and with us for as long as possible. XO
Getting the final diagnosis is a heartbreaker, but Zeke has everything on his side to fight that disease and rock life on three for as long as possible! He sounds like he is doing so well, and you sound like you have a great attitude. Keep it up!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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