Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi all,
I've just joined the community and I have already got some great advice to help with my dog Norman. Norman had his surgery on the 14th February and everything went well. 3 days after the surgery Norman started crying and yelping everytime he moved. I noticed the muscle was twitching quite a lot too. We took him back to the vet 7 days after the surgery and the vet gave higher dosage to all his medication. That evening Norman was crying every 2-5 minutes. We took him to the emergency hospital and they kept him for 2 days to help with pain relief. Norman returned to us and the vet has given more medication to help with his anxiety, sleep and eating. When Norman arrived home he became very stressed. He began yelping and crying. We rang the vet and they said we could give him more pain killers. He is constantly crying, I have observed that his crying isn't necessarily when he moves. Norman has always been quite an anxious dog and I don't know if this is stress or pain.
I forgot to mention he is eating very little.
I wonder if anyone in the community has experienced something similar?
Thank you everyone!
Hi Keren & Norman, thanks for posting. Your future posts won't need to wait for approval so post away. I'm so glad we got to talk last night, I hope it helped.
So has the vet talked to you at all about the possibility of phantom pain ? Is the crying random, like he's just laying there and lets out a howl or yelp? Typically this is how phantom pain presents itself. It's a disconnect between the brain, the nerves, and the missing limb. I hope the adjusted medication helps. It could take a day. Remind us, what is the current dosage and timing of the Gabapentin and Amantadine? He's on Methocarbomol too, right? I recall that your vet gave you a good mix of medications.
How are you giving him the medication? Whatever you do don't mix it into his regular food. You want to give it to him in yuummy things, away from mealtime. Here are some tips about giving meds:
https://nutriti.....medication
I hope today is better! Please let us know how he is doing.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Just want to say hello and welcome. Clearly you already know you are in the right place for support. Jerry's input, as well as the insight you've gained from the forums....invaluable!!
As Jerry me tioned, usually it's a matter of pain management . Did the two days at the ER with constant pain management help at all during the stay? We have also found some rare causes of pain that happen on ocassion like a "nerve" that was left exposed at surgery, or even a stitch/staple that could be sticking
FWIW, have you tried massaging gently around the incision, along with maybe using a warm compress periodically? Alao massage up and down his spine and his neck area to just help him relax.
And yes, any yummy food he will eat is the path for now. Cheeseburgers, warm rotisserie chicken, cheese pizza whatever it takes.
Hang in there, it'll get figured out. As hard as it is, retain a strong and confident energy around Norman. He will feed off your confidence.
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!..
PS.How old is Norman and weight? Was he mobile when he first came home. Het keeping his activity very, very minimal? As you probably already know, of you have hardwood floors you'll want nonslip scatter rugs for traction . .
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!
Thank you for your replies.
Update on Norman:
He seems like he is doing better . He managed to sleep the entire night 10-7am no yelping.
I took your advice with smelly foods. This morning I gave him rice, tuna cheese and gravy with chicken broth and he managed to eat a cup. Thank you!!!!
I give him his tablets with peanut butter which works a treat.
Today I noticed everytime I left the living room the whining started. I have also noticed for the last two days at midday he begins to cry and yelp more regularly. I currently give him gabepentin 200ml at 7am, 2pm and 10pm.
He is also on:
Amantadine 25mg X3
Cephalexin 500mg 3/4 X2
Methocarbamol 500mg 1x2
Trazodone 0.5 X2
Omeprazole 20mg 0.5 X2 only for 3 days
Meloxicam 0.9 x1
Mirtazapine x1
When he first came out of surgery he was able to stand the next day. Currently he can walk about 10 steps but struggles with balance. He hasn't been for a walk since the surgery. He often looses balance on his back legs and his weight will fall to his left side. We have rugs and where there is tile we have put down yoga mats. We also have a ramp where the doggy door is so he doesn't have to hop out on the other side he has managed to use this successfully and taken him self into the garden to pee. We also built a ramp that leads up to the sofa ( he can't use this at the moment because he can't find his balance. )
One last thing he has not pooed for two days but there has been a lot of gas.
He currently weighs 13.7, before the surgery he was 15.1. He is a Boston terrier mix (we think French bulldog dog but not sure) and he is 11 years old.
I appreciate all of your support. I didn't realise how overwhelming this would be for the little man.
Thank you for the info on the phantom pain too. This has been useful to read about!
What a pretty darn good pupdate! I'm so glad he is doing better. The pain management he is on sounds reasonable and well-done by the vet. I would let them know about his pain levels.
Today I noticed everytime I left the living room the whining started. I have also noticed for the last two days at midday he begins to cry and yelp more regularly.
Hmmm. That is interesting and does kinda sound like anxiety. Was he clingy before the surgery?
As for midday, I'm wondering if his pain meds are wearing off at that hour. Have you tried staggering the pain meds or do you give them all at once? Spreading them out through the day often helps with pain control. Kinda a pain in the butt to remember the times to give them, but it's worth a try if it'll help him feel better. Check with your vet though OK?
We have rugs and where there is tile we have put down yoga mats. We also have a ramp where the doggy door is so he doesn't have to hop out on the other side he has managed to use this successfully and taken him self into the garden to pee.
The house sounds like it's Tripawd-proofed, great job! And impressive that he uses the ramps, lots of dogs won't start using them all of a sudden.
One last thing he has not pooed for two days but there has been a lot of gas.
Try adding fiber to his food. Just a little, but some pumpkin pulp, steamed squash, or fiber flakes should help move things along. The more moisture in his meals the better for his GI system.
He hasn't been for a walk since the surgery. He often looses balance on his back legs and his weight will fall to his left side.
It's still verrrry early if he had his surgery 2/14. Remember, he's an older guy and older pups need more time to get their sea legs. The pain medication is likely making him off-kilter too. Rest is medicinal so try not to worry about him not getting his usual walks right now.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks Jerry!
Norman always had some separation anxiety issues. At the moment his safe space only seems to be when he is cuddled up and layed on me. Or when one of us is touching him.
Today I have staggered the meds to see if this helps him. I will let you know how it goes. I will also try him on the pumpkin too. He didn't wake up with much of an appetite today and has only had some chicken broth but is still drinking water.
We kinda began the ramp process as soon as he had his limp so it made the process a lot easier for us.
Almost day 14 so he will be getting his stitches out.
Some things to celebrate....eating better and sleeping "better".good signs!.
Sweet little Norman has a lot of different "meds" or other "-therapies" going into his tiny system. Additio I. Sure the antibiotic may be interfe with his appetite too.
The only thing I could.offer (WITH Vet approval of course) is to eliminate the Trazedone and see if he's inclined to be a little more active. It's a sedative and not a pain med, so you dont have to feel like you are taking a pain med away.. I have no idea about the pain med dosage for such a little dog. Even wondering if, rather than not enough meds, too much....just to throw out a crazy possibility. Of course, all this needs to be discussed with your Vet.
Gently massage up and down his spine and neck area. Any areas of tenseness? Regardless, it will help keep his muscles agile as he adjusts to his new gait on three,
Excellent job of making your home tripawd friendly! Norma0 is a very lucky boy!
Fetting to this part of the journey can be mentally and physically exhausting. Y7ou are min the hardest part of recov, so be sure and get some rest when you can. Trying to make things as normal as possible can be a little daunting at first.
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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!
Hi all,
I just wanted to give you all an update. Day 21 and Norman is sleeping and eating well.
He is stil on pain medication but only gabepentin.
Norman is dealing with a lot of anxiety. If my partner and I leave the house, there is a lot of crying and howling. This is something we saw when we first adopted him 2 years ago so we know it is a part of his personality. He has not been on a walk yet but he has been exploring the garden.
I just wanted to take the time to thank you all for your support. It has been a rollercoaster of emotions but we are getting there.
Thanks for checking in, especially with a good update!!
Some dogs stay on pain meds for several weeks and some stay on a low dose for several months. We say soooomoften.....every dog is different when it comes to recovery, to pain meds, etc, etc.
Wonderful that he's eating and rearing well. Guess his separation anxiety is sort of "standard" for Norman, but bipummer that he experiences it.
You are doing such a good job of caring for Norman. I'm sure he knows he's a lucky boy....we sure so.
Thanks for the update and give him an extra treat for us, okay??
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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!
Hey there, just checking in on Norman. How are things going? Hope he's doing well!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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