Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi, as you know, Storm had his front right leg amputated on Thursday and was home on Friday. He has been eager to get going and was soon out in the garden and having very short lead walks when we took the other dogs out (we had to take him or he would continually pace until the other dogs got home).
Yesterday he had his drain removed and things have gone downhill from there. He has become lethargic and gone off his food and cried when I touched him - first time that he has done this.
His wound is clean, some swelling but not pulling on the stitches and isn't hot etc. he is only on Tramadol as can't take NSAIDs. Do you think that it is not enough painkillers? Would the drugs after surgery have still been floating around in his system and have now worn off? Or maybe removing the drain has caused some damage?
I spoke to the vet and he said to just keep an eye on him as it is bound to be up and down for a while.
He also told me that his pathology confirmed OSA but that his lymph nodes were clear.
Any help appreciated.
Okay...deep breaths...B R E A T H E....B R E A T H E.......
Yep, welcome to the roller coaster ride none of us wanted to be on!! This is very normal around day threeish..fourish. Assuming there are no u derlying issues, once the hospital meds are out of their system you will often see a "crash". Now co es the balancing act of getting the lain meds right.
How .much does Storm weigh and what is his dose and how often? A lot of vets send dogs home with Gabapentin as well as Tramadol. Especially since he can't take NASIDs, maybe you could ask the vet about adding that to the mix
It sounds like Mr. Storm is starting to feel the pain of the major surgery now. That will definitely ruin his appetite and make him whining. It's real k y important that he takes his pain meds consistently so thenpain doesn't get a head start.
I know this part of the recovery is hard to watch. After talking to your vet maybe he'll suggest an I crease in lain meds AND addi g Gabapentin to the schedule. For nkw Storm just needs to rest, rest, rest!
Update us when you can. Try not to worry...hard, I know. This just sounds like "normal recovery"...although it did seem like he almost felt TOO good the first couple of days!! He must have had some really good hospital meds!.
And YAAAAAAAAAY for clear lymph nodes!
Hang in there, okay? Storm will be through this recovery in. no time!!
Hugs to all!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
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!
Welcome, sorry it's under these circumstances. Rollercoaster is the perfect way to describe the first couple of weeks, that's for sure. I agree with Sally, ask your vet about gabapentin, it could help ease his discomfort. My Dobe Nitro wouldn't eat for the first week due to pain; try not to let him overdo things, rest really is the best thing for him now. You will discover that it will be one step forward, two steps back for awhile, try not to get discouraged. Nitro eventually started getting chiropractic adjustments every 4 weeks and it's made a world of difference (he is also a front amp). Good luck, be pawsitive and patient...better days are ahead.
Paula and Nitro
Nitro 11 1/2 yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
Thanks for your replies, it's reassuring to know that this is 'normal'. Storm weighs 77 pounds, a lightweight compared to most, and is on 100mg of Tramadol twice a day and antibiotics. I'll ask the vet about Gabapentin if that might help. I was also surprised how good he was when he came home, he's not been right since the vet visit to remove the drain so I think they must have messed him around a bit then.
I've managed to get him to eat some steak and some raw chicken wings and to have a drink so he has some calories in him. Hate seeing him so low as he was full of life before the surgery - makes me doubt my decision even though I know it's for the best.
Plus, I'm betting the soreness is starting to set in. Storm is using muscles in a different way, so not only is he sore from the surgery, but a new way of posture and getting around. It's an awful lot to get through in just a few days. Crashing makes total sense. I know I crash about the 3rd day after starting a new exercise regime. I'm sure it's the same for Storm.
Like Sally and Paula said, just hang on to the ride, it's not a matter of if but when the ride will take another turn. We're here for you!
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
Oh...as far as "doubting your decision"...I did that for almost three weeks!! My Happy Hannah's sparkle didn't start coming back at all at first. It was five weeks before she laid on her amp. Side! And then... BAM...her sparkle started coming back bigger and brighter than ever! I was soooooo glad I made the decision! And you have made a great decision...it just takes a few weeks to recognize it!
And he is eating a bit...that's good!!
(((((((((((((((Hugs))))))))))))))
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
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!
At least you got Storm to eat a little...we resorted to spooning yogurt down Nitro's throat to get all his pills in him. As for my state of mind when our journey began? I wrote in my blog (Doberman's journey) "I stopped eating, my hair fell out and I cried everyday for 3 months straight). So your feelings of doubt and misgiving are totally normal. Just know he will get stronger and get the hang of it as the days go on.
Paula and Nitro
Nitro 11 1/2 yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
I thought I had replied to this post but it must have gone poof. Others have already suggested checking w/ your vet about Gabapentin. Ellie couldn't do NSAIDS either but she could take Gabapentin. Are you icing the area? We were instructed to do that 2x/day for the first week-10 days. Ellie actually seemed to like it.
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
Thanks for your support, it's great knowing that there are people out there who understand and have answers for me. He seems a bit more sprightly tonight, still didn't get up to greet his Dad but his tail was wagging so he must just feel as rough as a bag of nails Cost he loves his Dad. I just wish I could take it all away and feel it for him instead. Love the old man so much.
I am betting he was pretty sore after having that drain pulled out. Just try to make sure he gets his pain meds and ask about the Gabpetin like everyone has suggest. The ups & downs a crazy ride. He will start to have his spark back soon.
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
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