Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi,
Fred's condition is not good. It's 12 days post op and pain has been a major factor for the last three days. He's on the highest dose tramadol he can be on and he's still uncomfortable. The shoulder is constantly twitching. Could it be nerve pain and if so, what can be done?
I took him back to the vets yesterday and they said he was fine there, didn't look in pain. His temp is still slightly (0.1 degree C) elevated and breathing a bit fast so they took bloods to check for infection but they are not overly worried (results not back yet).
He looks so very very uncomfortable though. Is this normal 12 days out? I'm going insane with worry, this has been up there for the worst 3 days of my life.
Thanks,
Kirsten
I'm sorry Fred is uncomfortable. It's unnerving when our babies are out of sorts. Has he been on the tramadol since his amp or did you restart it in the past few days? Tramadol can make them wonky and if the dosage has been upped the effect may be even greater. If it's nerve pain, gabapentin works well but the twitching doesn't necessarily mean nerve pain. He's still early in the recovery so ups and downs are common. Do you have another follow up with the vet?
Amy & Spirit Libby
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
Thanks Amy, He's been on Tramadol the whole time. I don't think he can take gabapentin with tramadol as they interact (at least in humans, I am always on either one or the other for my pain issues but cant take both).
I've tried massage, cold packs even relaxation music, nothing is working.
Libby took tramadol and gab at the same time along with metacam. If you would like to try the gab, ask your vet. It was well tolerated with Libby but I know not all dogs respond the same. Is he crying out in pain or just can't seem to get comfortable? Is his eating, drinking, peeing, pooing all ok? How is he doing hopping on 3 legs? This WILL get better as he gets used to his new normal. If all that is good, I'm thinking it's a reaction to the tramadol. Once you wean him from the pain med I bet you will see a difference.
As far as Fred not showing pain at the vet's...that's fairly common. The adrenalin gets pumping on top of the fact dogs are good at hiding pain, especially labs.
I'm sure others will chime in here with some good ideas.
Amy & Spirit Libby
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
Bless your heart! I KNOW this is sooooo upsetting!
Is the pain consant or does it seem to come and go. For example, resting fairly comfortable and then a sudden yelp and whining, ears pinned back, restless, etc. If so, they "could" be more off an indication of nerve pain/phantom pain .
As I recall...and check with your vet, you can have them n oth Gaba. and Tramadol. Either way, it would be worth a try to switch to Gabapentin as that seems to ave more success with phantom pain .
It is still early in recovery. My Happy Hannah was on pain meds for over three weeks and had a slower recovery than some. Larger dogs can have a rougher recoveryperiod.
Eating?
Drinking?
Pooping?
Peeing?
Engaged?
Tail wags?
Mobility okay...not ready to run a marathon but moving around okay?
I would ask your vet about adding Gabapentin i to the mix and reducing the Tramadol or elimnating it. I knowit's frustrating when a vet says "nothing is wrong". I mean... that's good...but you know your Fred and Fred ismhurting and needs some help. I do agree with Amy, a lot of Tramadol can make them extra whiny and restless...as, of course, pain can also. Ugh! Difficult times right now.
I know stitches aren't out yet, but they could realy be causing some discomfort too. Again, it sounds like a switch to Gaba. may be helpful.
So what exactly was Fred's temperature? And wnat ws their explanation for a higher reading? I "think" normal is up to arou d 102.5 ish...and can be a little more elevated just by beng at the vets.
You're doing a GREAT job holdng it together!! This recovery is rough, that's for sure!! Fred's sparkle will return and ths recovery period will be vehind you and you will be thoroughly enjoy the bliss of beng in Fred's happy world!
Stay connected, okay? You are not alone!!
Love and hugs...and a little extra ice cream for BOTH of you!
Sally and Happy Hannah
PS...in the meantime, keep doing the GENTLE massage around the skte...compresses, re-direct his focjs as best you can.-.and just love him throughit.
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!
Thanks guys. My husbands come home from work to look after Fred. I was in the wardrobe with him for 40mins, massaging him. I can hardly walk!
Vet nurse called, bloods came back normal so no infection. his temp is 39.7 Celsius (103.5F I think).
He has been pooing/weeing ok except for today. Just doesn't seem to have the strength. Eating was normal but not interested in food atm.
Vet is calling back re Gabapentin but I'll insist on it unless valid reason why not.
Thanks for all the support guys, I really appreciate it. I thought when you said it is like having a newborn you were being over the top but now I know. Just the inability to help them settle is very distressing. I know he will get through this. Hope we will too. He is such a precious member of our family.
K
Yay on the normal blood work! Good luck to you and keep us posted. I still think he may be reacting to the Tramadol. Weaning him from that may really help. Stay connected with us.
Amy & Spirit Libby
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
Hang in there, you are doing a GREAT job being his advocate and caregiver. Yes, it iS like bringing home a baby.
Ditto what others said; gaba and tramadol can be given simultaneously. When you say he's uncomfortable, is it generally whining, panting and pacing? If so, that might indicate he's intolerant of the tramadol. Many dogs are, including our Wyatt Ray . Once the tramdol is stopped for these dogs they feel SO much better.
Make sure your vet knows what his symptoms are like and when they occur. They don't live with Fred, they don't see what he's doing and some vets just aren't all that up on pain meds (they should be!). Maybe you can video it and show them what's going on?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi, Is he showing any signs of pain like restlessness or heavy panting although panting can be side effect of drugs used. Dexter's shoulder used to twitch post op but I dont think it was causing him pain. Eating is a good sign they are feeling okay Is he wagging his tail? all good signs he is happy. The eyes also tell you if they are bright, engaged and alert then again good signsx The first two weeks are stressfulx
Thanks for all your support, guys.
You are all awesome, the vet agrees with you and thinks it's a reaction to the tramodol. We've taken him off it. He is constipated though, so he's on coloxyl. I gave him some milk earlier this evening so hopefully in the morning we will see some movement. Although he doesn't have an infection, his temperature is still up which is a concern.
Kirsten
Oh good, I hope the weaning from the tramadol makes a difference. Is the vet concerned about the temp?
Plain, Greek yogurt always loosened Libby's poo if you want to approach it from his diet as well. Around here we all end up being "poo" experts. 
Amy & Spirit Libby
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
How is Fred today? Better i hope. I'm a big believer in adding plain pumpkin for intestinal issues - funny it works for both constipation and loose stools. I just put a big spoonful and stir it into their other food. (If you try this - be sure to get plain and not pie filling which has sugar and spices).
Hoping for good news today!
Cindy & Dolly Momma
How's he doing? Does this mean he's now on gaba? That can help a lot! You're still fairly young in the scope of recovery, unless you're saying that it's only recently he's developed these pain-type behaviors?
I hope today is better!
~ Katy & Jackson
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
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