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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Chloe had a rough night last night. Around 2 am she yelped out for a good 5 seconds and then wouldn't calm back down. We gave her tramadol a little early, but it didn't help her rest. She paced and whined the rest of the night. We tried feeding her multiple favorite things, going outside, laying with her, massage, ice.. nothing was calming her down. Our vet had us come in this morning - her stitches look good and they said the small amount of fluid was less than they had expected. They did a rectal exam - no feces or signs of constipation. They prescribed 100 mg of Gabapentin, 1-2x daily. I convinced her to eat half a can of dog food, and she took her meds in a lunch meat & cream cheese snack and is finally resting now!!
Last night was harder than I expected, but it kind of reminded me of that third night with a newborn baby. Ooof. Send strength, Tripawds friends. I have to keep reminding myself why we did this. It will be better for her!
Anita - mom to two human kids and two dog kids.
Chloe the white boxer - tripawd on 2/16/16 at age 6.
Online
Okay....get ready.....stand up....open your arms wide, really wide!!! The whole Tripawd Universe is sending you to s of strength right now!!!
BAM!!! BAM!!! BAM!!!! Your strength is now installed permanently!!!
Glad you got the Gabapentin as another tool to manage her pain.
I know just hearing the words "recovery is no.picnic...recovery is rough for about two weeks sometimes", doesn't do enough to prepare you for seeing your Chloe go through the ups and downs snd crying in pain. You just can't prepare for the exhaustion, the stress, the worry.
Stay connected. We've all been through it. Recovery does NOT last forever! When you see Chloe's slarkle come back, when yiu see her playi g with Jenson again, it will all be soooo worth it!!!
Love!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS...Hope the infusion of strength didn't hit you so hard it knocked you down!
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!
More strength and pawsitivity coming to you from all of us too!
I'm sorry things got tough but happy to hear that she's started the Gaba. It will very likely be the magic ingredient that helps her stay calm and relaxed. Remember to stay on schedule and don't withdraw it suddenly, you must do it gradually or it can cause problems, so talk to your vet when you think she may not need it anymore.
If you could handle bringing your infants home from the hospital, you can definitely handle this, Mom! Stay strong and know that we are here and cheering you on.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I totally agree that it was like having a new baby. If it is any consolation, Otis is on day 10 and doing great. I started to see a difference on day 8. Still not perfect, but obviously getting better. Last night, I left him alone for the first time and everything was fine. You are only a couple of days behind us, so there is light at the end of the tunnel, just get through the next couple of days😀
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Last night was terrible again. After such a great day, too. Her pain seems managed during the day, but it seems like anxiety at night. We had her fentanyl patch removed today, I hope that helps relieve the anxiety. We are going to try to keep her more awake during the day to see if she will sleep at night. Who knows..?! This too shall pass, I suppose.
Anita - mom to two human kids and two dog kids.
Chloe the white boxer - tripawd on 2/16/16 at age 6.
Yes, it shall pass...just doesn't see like it when you're right in the middle of it AND exhausted!!
Mu Happy Hannah never had the patch, but she was crying and restl for the first three, maybe even five days. She was on Tramadol, Gabapentin and Rimadyl. She seemed to jave had a lot of surgery pain, as well of course, of figur out maneuvering on three legs. Others who did have the patch said they noticed a difference in the anxiousness level.
Ive forgotten...you are sleeping with her, next to her, right? It won't help you rest much, but it does seem comforting to them!
The first week especially is so up and down. You've already seen he showing improvement yesterday, then a bit of crash again (all normal). Just slow and easy, she's getting there!
Thanks for the update. Stay connected.
Hugs to all the pack!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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!
Your story sounds similiar to ours ... we had the patch and tramadol and by day 3... all heck was breaking loose at night. It was horrible - the crying, panting, pacing ... Shelby was beside herself. We finally got her a doggy xanax to calm her nerves and help her (and me) sleep ... I did have to 'tough love it' a bit with her and Shelby took over my tiny bathroom as her 'safe place'. So that worked for us. But yeah, the nights were harder but once we turned the bend ... shelby enjoyed her tripawds life!!!
Hugs!!! hang in there...
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
"Like having a newborn baby" is exactly what I've told all my friends about my experience with Susie during the first two weeks of her recovery period. It's just so intense.
And, yes, it was always worse at night. That's why I gave her the Gabapentin at night instead of during the daytime once I finally got the vet to prescribe it (at her two weeks post-op appt.)
Believe me, you will soon see the light at the end of the tunnel. Hang in there!
(((((hugs))))xxxxx from Nancy & Susie
Hi Anitalynn, my dog Zeus was experiencing increased anxiety after his surgery. He was taking tramadol, rimadyl, gabapentin, and trazadone. On his sixth day post op I nearly took him to the Vet, he was totally anxious and panting. However he would not go down the steps. I spoke with the surgeon the next morning and their advise was to wean him off his meds. I have since weaned him off all his medications except the Rimadyl which is a non steroidal. He is almost back to his old self. Now I am not suggesting that your dog is not having pain but with Zeus, I believe, that his behavior was connected with the medication. I hope your Chloe feels better soon.
tz02 said
my dog Zeus was experiencing increased anxiety after his surgery...
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Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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