Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi everyone Cosmo was/is doing well post surgery it has now been 8 days since his surgery. He was doing great in the beginning of the week then he had a bad day tuesday night and then a good day wednesday now today Thursday he is like yelping extremely loud when you barely graze his back legs and stomach. I can't get a read on whats going on. Its no where near his front limb incision this is strictly back legs. I will BARELY TOUCH him like one finger lightly graze his back leg and he will scream. His back leg is a little shakey when he lays down but when your not touching him he is quiet and not whimpering. This doesn't happen everyday or all day for that matter it's just some days and sometimes during the day. I can't tell whether or not he's in actual pain or is it just anticipatory pain? We did have his entire body xrayed about two weeks ago like 4 days before surgery and there were no other lesions anywhere in his body, but of course I am nervous that the cancer could be somewhere else, typical mom worries. Has anyone experienced anything like this? Please help I am panicking and we don't have a vet appt until Monday. I just am so confused because it's not all the time and it's not everyday, so I can't see it being something chronic like mets because it is not a constant. UGH I hate this!! PLease I need some help and reassurance!
It's really hard, this roller coaster ride you're going through. It was awhile ago for me, but I still remember it. I kept questioning whether or not we did the right thing, every time something new popped up with Murphy.
Cosmo is using muscles in different ways than he did before, so he could be having muscle spasms, or they just could be sore. Is he still taking pain pills from surgery? Murphy was on his for about 2 weeks and we weaned down during the 2nd week. He could be having phantom pain , or be worried that you're going to be touching where he hurts. It's always hard to know. If possible, I would try massage. I know that Murphy's back and back legs got sore & stiff from hopping so differently. We still rub and massage his back and his back legs all the time for him. Maybe some warm compresses for the muscles might help? If none of those things seem to help, I would see if you can get into your vet sooner than Monday and get their opinion, or at least a phone call.
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
Thank You Donna! I really think it is scared pain because i will like just touch his fur and he will start to cry. I am most likely going to call vet tomorrow to see if I can get in sooner. He is still taking tramadol and gabapentin so I am hoping that will help. Thank you for your kind response!
Awww Cosmo! Sorry you're having these owwees!!
You've gotten some good inight from Donna.
What's yiur energy like when you approach Cosmo! If you are "anticipating" that he is going to yelp...well...you get the point!
Phantom pain could be involved. The Gabapentin should help.
I do think something caused him some pain somewhere down the line and it scares him that "it" may hurt again. He could have pulled a muscles, strained his back, pinched a nerve, etc.
For nkw, keeping him quite and giving him pain meds is about all you can do.
Let your vet know what's going on. This kind of thing does, indeed happen! And no, it's not anything BAD!
Keep us posted. Deep breath! Stay connected! Recovery doesn't last forever! Promise!
Love!
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!
How much and what type of exercise is Cosmo getting? He might be overdoing it on those days he's vocalizing when touched.
You might consider reading Loving Life On Three Legs and consulting with a certified rehab vet/tech. The Tripawds Foundation will even reimburse you for your first visit with the Maggie Moo Fund for Tripawd Rehab!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you everyone for the responses! So i went to the vet yesterday because I was paranoid and needed an xray to ease my mind. And there was nothing on the xray thank god! So the vet is just thinking muscle strain. Now when my husband and I touch him he screams! But the vet manipulated him a little yesterday to try and find where its hurting and just the tiniest whimper from him! She thinks he is playing us and pulling our heart strings with the over the top complaining. There is no doubt he is in pain but how much really is the question. It seems to mostly stem from his back legs and I noticed the of his back is little bit more like rounded or curled then usual so I am thinking he pulled something. My question is has anyone had to put their dog on a muscle relaxer. The tramadol isn't really doing much for him so I'm hoping the vet could switch him from tramadol to a muscle relaxant to help with the spasms I believe he is having. As for the incision area no pain at all. I want to continue gabapentin and try and muscle relaxant instead of tramadol (sorry now I am just repeating myself) OK so QUESTION ANYONE TRY A MUSCLE RELAXANT WITH THEIR DOG? WHAT WAS IT? AND HOW DID IT WORK?
Glad you got some reassurance! I know it's hard not to let your mind go to scary places with every little hiccup in this crazy journey. We all do it!
I don't have any insight in a muscle relaxer, perhaps others will.
Is Cosmo still on Rimadyl? That's an anti-inflammatory and should help. Generally, not always, a hunched back does indicate some pain. As tripawds adjust to a new way of walking, sore muscles, back strains, etc. are not uncommon at all!
Keep your energy level strong and confident. Cosmo will pick up on that. He clearly has some pain, but with his human in a strong emotional state it will help him be less frightened and maybe not quite as reactionary...maybe.
I know this recovery is so hard and it hurts yiur heart to see them in pain. You are doing all you can to help Cosmo get through this. Continued rest is so important right now while his precious self heals and lets his muscles adapt WHILE recovering fro major surgery!! Humans would still be in the hospital on a morphine drip!
Sending love and 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!
Sorry, I know how worried you are, who can blame you?
First, please under any circumstances do not give your dog a muscle relaxant of any kind without consulting with your vet. Even if he's been given one before amputation for other issues. You do not want to mix any drugs without vet guidance.
It sounds to me like he is suffering from a condition called "hyperalglesia." We discuss it here in this article with vet pain management expert Dr. Mike Petty. Hop on over and check it out, you will find lots of background info that you can discuss with your vet so that Cosmo gets on the right pain regimen.
If you suspect Cosmo is in pain, he is. When an animal shows signs like that, something is wrong. It takes a lot for them to show they hurt (remember in the wild, a dog could get eaten by the pack if they did, so they instinctively hide pain until it's really bad). It's not unusual for a general practitioner vet not to see pain indicators in patients. pain management is a relatively new field of animal medicine and unless a vet has made a conscientious effort to become knowledgeable about it and become a certified pain management expert like Dr. Petty, they can often miss important indicators. You can save a lot of time and effort by going to a rehab vet for Cosmo's immediate pain control needs, and further needs. Where are you located? We can help you find one.
Hope today is a good day for you guys. Hang in there, we're here to help.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks Jerry! We are in the Buffalo New York Area! I would love to find someone to help him rehab his little legs and help him get walking better again and a pain management doctor would be fantastic!
You bet. I looked at the IVAPM website and found these clinics for you:
Really like these two, they are both pain management specialists and have a CCRP rehab vet too!
570 E Robinson St, N Tonawanda, NY 14120
2217 Kensington Avenue, Snyder, NY 14226
Are either of these close?
Remember if you go, your first consult is free with a Maggie Moo Tripawd Rehab Grant.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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