Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I feel lost. we are one week post op. Tess is on Tramadol and Gapapentin and Rimadyl. before she had her leg amputated. On October 29th she had CCL lateral suture done. She seems to lay down or even if shes standing she is shivering. It breaks my heart. She eats and drinks fine. I really dont know what to do
I'm sorry, I know it's hard when they can't tell you what's wrong. Saw you in the chat earlier but you didn't say anything.
She's eating and drinking? That's GREAT! Really good signs, so don't forget that, many dogs aren't as enthusiastic this soon out. One week out is not a long time and things do get better but in the meantime the best thing you can do for her is to talk to your vet about her shivering, it sounds like she needs modified pain management , either the dosage, the interval or both.
Listen to these show on Tripawd Talk Radio when you have a sec, they're all about pain management tips from a really awesome expert:
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
OH and it looks like your avatar photo isn't working out, you need to upload the right format for it to work. See this link:
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi There,
Please don't feel alone as you go through this. It is a rough time for most dogs, right after amputation. But it does get better even if it might not seem like it right now.
I agree w/ Jerry about perhaps needing to modify her pain management . But a couple of other things pop to mind when you say 'shivering'. Do you mean that she seems terrified, or that she seems so weak that her legs tremble? If she's scared, then make sure she has a carpeted or non-slip flooring to walk on. Some dogs are more affected by change---and having a leg amputated definitely qualifies as change---and it takes longer for them to get confident that they can do it. If she's just so weak, then that will definitely get better as she gets stronger after the surgery. Our Ellie would only get a few feet before her back leg would just crumple. But she gradually got stronger and Tess will too.
You mention a CCL repair in October. Was the amputation because of a failed CCL repair or was it on a different leg? How big is Tess?
Denise, Bill and Angel Ellie.
Active 10+ Pyr mix suddenly came up lame with ACL tear in left rear leg. Scheduled for a TPLO but final pre-op x-rays indicated a small suspicious area, possibly OSA, which could have caused the ACL tear. Surgeon opened the knee for TPLO but found soft bone. Biopsy came back positive for OSA. Became a Tripawd 9/18/14. Carbo6 with Cerenia and Fluids. Pain free and living in the moment. Crossed the Bridge on 7/12/15 after probable spread of cancer to her cervical spine. A whole lifetime of memories squeezed into 10 months. Here's her story: Eloise
Denise you always think of things I forget to mention, thank you!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
No her CCL repair was her back right leg. her left front was amputated. She weighs 70 lbs. I guess its not really shivering her back legs quiver but not all the time
Tess, my Susie is one week post-op from her right front leg amputation, too. The surgeon wanted her off all meds as of today, but I think it's too soon. And Susie's back legs quiver when she stands, too...just from weakness and tiredness, I assume. She's not eating much. I'm just so happy we've reached the one-week mark! Just one week to go and they (hopefully) will take out her stitches!
Howdy and welcome!!!
Looking forward to seeing pictures of your sweetness! I can tell from your avatar she's 70 lbs. of adorable!
Now to the quivering part, not too long ago I decided I was going to help the hub-a-dub with some moving of cender blocks. All the while I thought that maybe I wasn't as out-of-shape until that evening and the next 2 days. First off, I could barely raise my arms and when I did I resembled Frankenstein's zombie. And, they quivered. They quivered for days when I tried to use them.
I can't imagine that Tess feels any different. She's having to use muscles (and balance) that's she's never had to use before.
I also want to make sure you're not being too hard on yourself regarding this emotional roller coaster. While you're going up and down and loop-tey-loop, look at the other cars, we're riding with you! xoxo
pam
Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.
"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."
- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey
Today is alot better. No Tramadol for 24 hours. We are just using Gabapentin 300mg every 8 hours and the Rimadyl two times a day. The only time she quivers now is if she has over done it some. She gets her stitches out on Monday. This morning she wanted up on the bed with me so I helped her up. She slept like a rock. Next week I'm taking her for Actupunture.
Good news! A lot of dogs don't tolerate Tramadol or just do better once they're weaned off it. She's probably still going to take some time to build up her strength but if you've been through a CCL repair, you're probably an old pro at that part.
Active 10+ Pyr mix suddenly came up lame with ACL tear in left rear leg. Scheduled for a TPLO but final pre-op x-rays indicated a small suspicious area, possibly OSA, which could have caused the ACL tear. Surgeon opened the knee for TPLO but found soft bone. Biopsy came back positive for OSA. Became a Tripawd 9/18/14. Carbo6 with Cerenia and Fluids. Pain free and living in the moment. Crossed the Bridge on 7/12/15 after probable spread of cancer to her cervical spine. A whole lifetime of memories squeezed into 10 months. Here's her story: Eloise
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