Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Our Gordon setter, Ivy, turned out to have osteosarcoma in her back right leg. She will be 11 in May, and had started limping, which quickly devolved into not using the leg. We took her to UC-Davis veterinary medicine teaching hospital, where they convinced us to let her stay and be operated on the next day. She had a good appetite and wanted to go on walks and participate in our family activities, so we thought it would be unconscionable to euthanize her. We weren’t really ready for that extreme either, having just lost our Ruby on November 29th after a vet in another town overdosed her on hydromorphone.
Ivy got through the surgery just fine, and she was so happy to see us when we came to pick her up, that we knew we had made the right decision. Her first couple days post-op, she seemed to have more energy, but as time went on, she seemed to be frustrated with the limits on her lifestyle. We were advised not to take her on walks, to just let her do her business in our garden.
Then she started to get really restless, like she was uncomfortable, at times shivering so strongly that her teeth chattered. We had heard that they shivered when they were in pain, but it seemed like her restlessness and shivering were worst when she had her dose of Rimadyl. So we cut that out of her med regimen, which seemed to help a little. Now she only gets Tramadol. The shivering continued, though not as pronounced, so we lowered her Tramadol from 100 mg to 50 mg three times a day. I am concerned that we’re cutting back so severely on her meds, as she still seems depressed by her situation. I don’t know what we can do to help her. She also has to wear an e-collar 24/7, which isolates her somewhat.
This next Thursday, she will have her stitches out and start chemotherapy. I’m hoping that she’ll be able to lose the e-collar and be able to get more exercise, but I don’t know if she’ll be motivated, especially when she’s undergoing chemotherapy.
Has anyone else had the problem with shivering and apparent bad reactions to Rimadyl (and maybe Tramadol)? We really feel like we’re flying blind and don’t know how best to help Ivy and give her a little better life in recovery.
Welcome and best wishes for Ivy's speedy recovery. Your future forum posts will not require moderation.
Her progress seems to be going as well as can be expected so early after surgery. Please try to take things one day at a time, as the first few weeks can be a roller coaster ride, as you have discovered. Your vet is right, all Ivy needs right now is confinement and rest. There will be plenty of time to exercise and rebuild strength. You do not want her overdoing it to soon!
Panting, shivering and being generally out of sorts can definitely be attributed to the Tramadol. When weening off the meds, such symptoms may be related to withdrawals. You don't want to compound these issues with overexertion. The shivering, twitching or any sudden yelps may also indicate phantom pain. Watch Dr. Pam's video discussing common post-op complications for more information.
Be sure to bookmark Jerry's Required Reading List and consider downloading the Tripawds e-books for fast answers to the concerns you describe and much more! Please keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi there! Our Cody shivered after surgery... Although not so much to make his teeth chatter. We thought it might be pain, and we also attributed some of it to him being cold. It was really cold outside and we usually keep out house at a cool 68 in the winter. We bumped up the heat in our house and tried to spend more time just petting him and letting him lay on us, this seemed to help and the shivering stopped. We also used rimadyl and tramadol, but didn't really see any side effects (except maybe the shivering?) but we didn't decrease any of his meds as it didn't seem that serious to us and we were really worried about him being in pain. Ask your vet all of these questions and maybe they can try a diff pain med? Also, they are SO right about limiting exercise. The first two-three weeks are crazy and even after just going out to go potty Cody would be so wore out. It's best to just let them sleep and heal 
Good luck!
Cody and Family
Cody is our 7 year old Australian Heeler mix boy. Diagnosed on 2/20/14 and became a tripawd 2/21/14! We chose a homeopathic approach and he is being treated by Dr. Loops our of NC.
Have you seen the e collars at the pet stores that blow up? They can see out of them. Ty absolutely hates the " cone of shame
" 
he basically acts like he cannot move with one on. We had a bad reaction not to Rimadyl, but to Deramaxx. Now attributing it to vet not doing a wash out period from Pred. First. He just sort of crashed. Layer around a lot. This was before his amp. He did not shiver, but did become vocal for a bit. Hang on , it gets better. Lori & TY
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
Coming home can be quite and ordeal at first. We had issues with meds with post surgery also. Talk to your vet as often as you need and don't hesitate. They are there to help you. Med changes and reductions can cause a lot of different behaviors for sure. As Admin stated take one day at a time. This was major surgery and I think for most of them they need a month of good quiet recoup. Every dog is different as we are, so don't compare it's not fair for you or your dog.
Start slow, you wouldn't want them to compromise their recoup by doing too much to fast and soon. You'll see your girl will come back in her personality as time goes. It's a lot for her, and we all know here for you.
It's exhausting, emotionally and physically for you also. So take care if yourself, when's she's resting and you can take advantage of it. And as we all say here breath, it will get better.
Esther and her Snoop
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Her shivering is diminished, We think it was mostly med related. Her appetite is only a little off. She seems to like a little more scenery than the 4 walls and the garden, and I think even the short car rides pick up her spirits. Stitches come out in 3 more days.
Oh what a great update! Yes, car rides are great medicine for most dogs. Hang in there, she'll feel brand new when those stitches come out.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
How is tjat sweet Iv doing? Are stitches out now!
Sending you healing energy and lots of hugs!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
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