Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Morning everyone! Things are so good with Abbee! Hooray for that!!!
Her surgery was Monday and I've been giving her Tramadol 2x daily. But this morning she seems to not be in any pain. She is even trying to scratch at her inscision area and it's causing no pain.
She is waking well, eating and drinking. And even wanting to cuddle now!!
However, I just can't get her to take her tramadol this morning. 
Should I just let her be or dissolve pill in water and force her to take it with a syringe? This method I have used before bc it could tell she was in pain and needed it. However, it obviously really stresses her out to do this to her.
How early did y'all stop giving them tramadol?
Go Abbee! I am SO glad to see you are doing so well! Hooray!!!!
I can't remember exactly how long my Jake was on pain meds after his amp but it was at least a couple weeks. We also switched from tramadol to gabapentin somewhere during that time, and he was on gabapentin for quite awhile. I'd talk to your vet first before not giving it to her. Some of those meds shouldn't be stopped suddenly and I'm not sure if Tramadol is on that list.
Also, it could be that she seems like she's not in any pain because the Tramadol is doing its job. I know its stressful to force medicine on them but it could be more stressful if that pain creeps back up. Towards the end with my Jake when he wouldn't eat, I was breaking his pills up to give him with liquid in a syringe and our vet specifically didn't give us Tramadol because she said that it was so horrible tasting that we'd have even more of a problem giving it to him once he tasted it. That might be one of the reasons she's really resisting it.
I'd give your vet a call and see what they say. We were able to get liquid forms of meds in chicken flavor from a compounding pharmacy.
Mom to Tripawd Angels Jake (2001-2014) and Rosco (2012-2015) and Tripawd Tanner. “Whatever happens tomorrow, we had today; and I'll always remember it”
Yeah, pretty much ditto everything Elizabeth said.
Yo realy have to go to extremes when hiding Tramadol because it is soooooo foul tasting. I actulyy got so I picked it up with tweezers.....so she couldn't amell the scent on my hand....nestled it well nto the chicken, hot dog, cream cheese...whstever. That way, when I smashed it i to the food...nothing ever jad the scent...if any of that makes sense!
Unless your vet says, I would not stop the tram. jist yet...he may suggest tapering, if thst.
Most...not all....dogs are on t for two weeks.....maybe with some tapering. I actually put Happy zHannah back onto it going i to the third weekas she was showing signs of pain without it. I think it was Gabapentin only at that point.
It is major surgery and it's harder to stop the pain once it gets a head start. I would keep trying the food trick. I think to "syringe" it in water would really, really be such an awful, awful taste...UGH!
It's really wonderful to hear how well she's doing and I kow you are loving the cuddles!! Good job everyone!!
Hugs to all!
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!
Like I have said before, Shelby was all off all meds about 6 days post-amp. BUT that was because they made her crazy. So she was on something for that but I dno't really think she wasn't in pain... I think she was confused and disoriented. I would check with your vet. Maybe ask about reducing. Abbee is very tiny... she might not need as much.
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
I agree with the others. Don't stop the pain medication too soon, because it's easier to keep on top of pain than to stop it from scratch, if you see what I mean. If her pain comes back in full force, it can be harder to get control of it again.
You could ask your vet if he could give you Tramadol in capsules which would mean that she wouldn't have to taste it - I understand it's horribly bitter. We give Sid his Tramadol in Milano salami! Salami is strong tasting and tends to be thin and a bit sticky so that it wraps well (Milano salami doesn't have onion or strong spices in it). I've also had success with moulding corned beef around pills, and we've also used a strong tasting cheese, finely grated and rolled into cheese balls with a 'surprise' in the centre. They don't taste it, because they don't chew.
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