Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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When I took Baxter to the ER last night, the vet there prescribed Gabapentin. She told me she preferred Gabapentin because studies show Tramadol isn't always effective for managing pain in dogs. Anybody ever hear that before?
I'd never heard that before, but thought I'd post it here since we all need pain meds. Rocky was on Tramadol after his biopsy and amputation and it seemed to work fine.
David and Rocky (and Baxter now too!)
Rocky had his right front leg amputated on Valentine's Day 2017 after being diagnosed with osteosarcoma.
He joined the September Saints on September 3, 2017.
He is the toughest, bravest, sweetest and best friend I'll ever know.
Hi David,
Yes, that has been discussed here quite a bit. One vet I talked to recently said she thinks part of the problem is that vets prescribe too low a dose.
Maggie went through amp recovery, Obie went through 2 knee surgeries, and Elly has been taking tram since she broke a tooth and now as she recovers from dental surgery. In all those cases I think tram worked well, in Obie's case when I tried to taper down I could tell he was uncomfortable. And Elly is definitely more comfortable on the med.
Later in life Maggie could not tolerate Tramadol- she got very agitated on it, but I've had my last 3 dogs use it at one time or another and they have been fine, maybe a little sedated.
I was told that gabapentin is more effective when used with a NSAID, the only time I've used it was for chronic arthritis pain in quad-Pug Tani, she was also taking a NSAID.
I think it is important to find what works for your pet.
I hope Baxter is feeling better!
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Thanks Karen!
I had never heard that about Tramadol. Rocky's vet, surgeon and oncologist had all prescribed it for him, so I was a little surprised when the ER vet said she didn't recommend it. You learn something new every day.
Thanks again.
David and Rocky (and Baxter now too!)
Rocky had his right front leg amputated on Valentine's Day 2017 after being diagnosed with osteosarcoma.
He joined the September Saints on September 3, 2017.
He is the toughest, bravest, sweetest and best friend I'll ever know.
Ditto to everything Karen said. They really are all different and they either do well or experience agitation. I think it's really an individual thing.
❤️❤️
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
Aww poor Baxter! How is he doing? Did I miss an update somewhere?
Yep, that is true when it comes to current thinking about Tramadol as far as how it is used to treat osteoarthritis pain. See:
Study shows tramadol has no effect on osteoarthritis pain scores
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi David - our experience with Tramadol was that prior to surgery it seemed to work pretty well. Once we were about 5 or 6 days post op, it started to make her pretty agitated, which of course mirrors pain symptoms so I had no idea what to do.
Once we ended up doing a mix of Gabapentin and lower dose of Tram, she evened out until the sutures came out. After I got her completely off the pain meds and "detoxed," she started acting normal again. Hope that helps some!
Sara, I’m glad you shared this info, I’m going through the same experience I believe. My Bosley tolerated 200mg each of Tramadol & Gabapentin twice per day for 2 weeks prior to surgery but is now about 8 days post op and he seems to be having trouble after I give him the Tramadol so I’m thinking he may be having a similar issue as your girl.
Jen, let your vet know what's going on so that you can adjust Bosley's meds for his current needs. Let us know what they advise OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
isntc gabapentin used for nerve pain? With all the pain meds available I wonder why doctors prescribe tramadol now. I know my onco Vet. gave me tramadol and gabapentin but I had no amputation and no side effects and no real pain so I’m not sure how well it would have worked if that was real pain. I can tell you now, I would not accept tramadol is my dogs regimen.
luke4275 said
isntc gabapentin used for nerve pain? With all the pain meds available I wonder why doctors prescribe tramadol now.
Yes, that is why Gabapentin is used. When given together with Tramadol, the two work synergistically, which is why I'm guessing vets prescribe it. When given alone, Tramadol is not as effective at alleviating pain. But yes if a dog shows issues with Tramadol, there are alternatives.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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