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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I am new to the community and I am overwhelmed today. Rex (5 year old Rottie) had his right rear leg removed only two days ago. He is not resting well despite tramadol and gabepentin. Any advice for pain management ? Are these the two drugs mostly used for amputees?
Our story begins with a broken femur which resulted in surgery with implant. Rex came home and was doing well for a few days, then began to feel terrible, crying in pain, loss of appetite, lethary etc. He had contracted a mersa infection from the implant. He was treated with Amakacin, which then caused kidney's to almost completely fail, resulting in Rex being a very sick dog. We had to switch him to Chloramphenicol. He also stayed at the vet hospital for 7 days to undergo flushing of his kidneys to try and save him due to the damage done from the Amakacin. Finally things began to look better and we took him off the antibiotics as the xrays showed healing of the femur and the infection appeared to be gone. He was in physical therapy and appeared to be doing better and finally bearing some weight. His last xray showed that the infection had returned and no most healing of the femur. His amputation on Thursday was almost 5 months from the day of his accident.
This has been an unbelievably stressful ordeal and as I watch him in pain right now, my heart breaks over and over for him. He is the most loving animal I've ever had and I love him so much. I just want him to feel better, to be his old comical self again.
I think I'm just overwhelmed with it right now. I keep seeing videos of dogs doing quite well and I just want my baby to be able to do the same.
I look forward to reading more posts and appreciate the community and all the resources.
Welcome to Tripawds. Your future posts will not require moderation.
I'm sorry you and Rex have had such a time- Rex sounds like quite a trooper.
The meds you mentioned are normal after amputation- but my pug Maggie came home with a fentnyl patch, then switched to tram. His restlessness may be due to the pain meds from surgery, or the pain meds now. Pain, and the side effects from pain meds often look the same. Many people here have had good luck putting ice on the incision- 10 min at a time, with something like a light towel to protect the skin. Bags of peas work well.
You might also want to read through Jerry's Required Reading List
: http://tripawds.....ding-list/, a compilation of what to expect with amp and recovery. Also, many have found the ebook Three Legs and a Spare
very useful: http://download.....tion-help/.
Most of us experienced lots of ups and downs during the first two weeks or so after surgery, that happens more times than not. Give Rex a couple weeks and I bet your comical boy will re-emerge!
If you have any concerns though please call your vet- that is what they are there for. Rex has had a rough few months- you want to keep the healing now on the right track.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Zeus also came home on Tramadol and Gabapentin. The restlessness that you describe sounds pretty much like what we experienced. Don't forget that he was probably on some really potent IV pain meds while he was still in the hospital a couple of days ago and those may still be working their way out of his system, too. Dogs react differently to the pain meds and I have seen numerous posts about the Tramadol making dogs really loopy - panting, restless and seemingly uncomfortable. The problem is exactly what Karen said above - that these also are the symptoms of pain. Try to pay attention to the timing of his meds and when the concerning symptoms show. If at any time you have a concern, do not hesitate to call your vet. That said, this is major surgery and it does take a couple of weeks for them to really start to show improvement so try not to get discouraged with setbacks. Karen was also right about the ice, it helped a lot with Zeus.
Good luck!
Lisa
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
Thank you Karen and Lisa. I've been using ice and that does seem to provide some temporary help. I appreciate the words of encouragement and it's so helpful to know find others who have gone through this ordeal.
Deebs, I"m sorry about Rex. You've been through some hard times for sure, I can't blame you for feeling overwhelmed. MRSA is a tough, tough thing to deal with, in addition to amputation. If it's any consolation, Tripawds member Bud dealt with MRSA and went on to live a fantastic life afterward:
MRSA Prevention in Canine Amputee Patients
Yes, tramadol and gaba are very commonly prescribed drugs by more progressive vets. It sounds like your vet is on top of pain management protocols, which is terrific! Some dogs only come home with an NSAID like Rimadyl, which is cruel in my opinion. The downside of the pain drugs is they can make dogs very, very crazy and out of their ordinary behavior. But at day two, you're still in the very early stages and I'm going to bet that Rex will start to calm down a little in a day or two. Have you called your vet to discuss his symptoms? If not, please do. They can help you either cut back or add more drugs to help him feel better. pain management is a delicate balancing act during this time, but it's not impossible.
In the meantime, remember to b r e a t h e and remember that the recovery is very temporary. In about two weeks you'll wonder why you were ever so upset! And in the meantime, we'll be here to help, so don't be shy OK? Post as much as you want, there's always great people here to help answer questions.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you Jerry 🙂
I plan to call my vet just to make sure everything is ok.
Looking forward to Rex feeling better soon and thanks for the encouragement.
Welcome to you and Rex. Sorry you had to find us and sorry to hear Rex isn't feeling good. I'm pretty sure Abby also came home with Metacam - an NSAID. I wonder if he needs something like that added to the mix? Might be worth asking when you call the vet.
Hang in there and please keep us posted. The recovery period can be so hard and nerve wracking. Stay strong for Rex!
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
welcome rex...wow, you really went the long way around the barn to become a tripawd!! hope you start feeling better soon - the tramadol, while a good pain drug, is like acid for many pups...heavy panting, restlessness, humming grateful dead tunes, tie-dye shirts..... but it will get better. breathe, rest when rex rests (say that three times fast), and when in doubt bother the hell out of your vet, that's what they are there for.
hope to hear rex is doing better soon - we'd love to see some more pictures of that handsome guy!!!
charon & spirit gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
Welcome Rex and family.
You've really had it ruff! And two days after an amputation is pretty ruff too!
Rex, if I were a betting person....I'd bet your pawrent is going on very little sleep! I bet your are getting the bestest nursing care in the whole wide world and no one is sleeping! Hence, the overwhelming scared feelings. Someone is taking a stroll down Sleep Deprived Avenue!
I betcha in no time you'll be bright eyed and bushy tailed and you'll put those fears to rest! I betcha you'll be hop, hop, hopping like a pro!
We'll be sending you lots of healing wishes in the meantime!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
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