Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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So, it is day 17 post-op. Charlie is doing really well...at least we think he is. He had his sutures removed on day 14 and the surgeon and staff seemed impressed on how well he was doing. On the way home, we stopped and bought him a new therapeutic bed...we were sure he would love it. We think he does but, it took some getting used to.
We went back to work and Charlie was home alone for himself for the first time on day 15. We're sure he rested and was excited to see us when we got home.
We finally stopped all medications on day 14 at the direction of Charlie and the surgeon. He seems to be doing fine without them. No symptoms of pain. There are a few things that are troubling us...
We know it is still so soon after his surgery but, he lays on his bed all the time. We thought we would be seeing more of Charlie by this time...he seems sooooooooooo sleepy all the time. Really deep sleep. Should we be encouraging more standing/outside time?
He also won't rest in any other position than on his left side (his right front leg was amputated). When he gets up his back left leg, I'm sure from resting on it so much, seems asleep almost.
Our daughter turned two today and we celebrated with pizza (Charlie's favorite) and he never even got off his bed to "beg" for some. I guess the energy just isn't there.
Are the meds (tramadol, rimadyl) out of his system and maybe he's feeling the surgery for real for the first time?????
Are we being paranoid?...we just want to see more of Charlie. Could he be depressed? We know it's so much work for him and such an adjustment and we're so proud of him and know he's doing great...just want to hear from others and make sure nothing is wrong.
He is getting up to go out and to eat and drink and to greet us when we come home. Today was his second day home alone.
Also, he pants a lot at night and seems to cry or whimper and readjust ALL NIGHT LONG. My husband is still sleeping on the floor next to him on the first floor. Maybe that is why he is sleeping all day. We're thinking of trying stairs this weekend.
The panting/crying at night could be a symptom of pain... Check with you vet, but you may want to try a low dose of tramadol...at least at night when he is restless. We didn't start seeing the real Bo again until about 3 weeks post-amp. We're sending healing wishes your way!
Hi! Maybe try asking your vet about Methocarbamol. Out dog was restless and just a mess still at two weeks. I was so upset that he wasn't feeling any better...We finally figured out that he was having muscle spasms from the change in the way he moves etc. The Methocarbamol made a world of difference for him when none of the other pain killers did anything for him...Good Luck!
Levi was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 7-7-11
Ampuversary 10-14-11
Lung Mets Discovered 1-4-12. Chemo seemed to not be working so we switched to Artemisinin and other supplements. In May, Levi developed a sinus infection and started having seizures. The cancer had moved to his brain. We let him go 6-26-12.
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