Phantom Pain In My Amputee?

[Guest tennesseegrey]

Has anyone out there who's had a greyhound leg amputation experienced phantom pain in their grey? My girl Rosie had her front leg amputated about 3-4 weeks ago and experiences sudden pain and trembling. It's hard to tell where the pain is exactly, but it seems to scare her a great deal. Pain meds don't seem to help too much. Her vet said her chest was clear of tumors and bloodwork was fine and that there really aren't many studies done on Phantom Pain in dogs, but suspected that is what Rosie was experiencing. Any help or advice is much appreciated.

[Devotion]

Yes, it does occur. Some vets believe that it occurs, others do not. It WILL go away with time. Is your pup still on pain meds.? Hoping that each day brings relief.

[Guest MorganKonaAlex]

I've had 2 amputees here and yes, they do get phantom pain. It will dimish with time. Neurotin (Gabapentin) is good for nerve pain.

[Guest tennesseegrey]

Yes, it does occur. Some vets believe that it occurs, others do not. It WILL go away with time. Is your pup still on pain meds.? Hoping that each day brings relief.

 

 

I had her off pain meds, but had to put her back on them due to these phantom pains. Thank you for your comments. They're very incouraging.

 

I've had 2 amputees here and yes, they do get phantom pain. It will dimish with time. Neurotin (Gabapentin) is good for nerve pain.

 

 

Does my discription sound like phantom pains to you? I also worry about osteosarcoma in the other leg.

[Guest SoulsMom]

I have not seen it in a dog, but I have in a cat. She would screech if you stepped in an area where her leg would have been.

[Burpdog]

Two of the amp greys I know have had it. Neurontin appears to be the drug of choice

[tammystroops]

My husband cut all his fingers off but his thumb almost 4 years ago. HE still has phantom pain.

 

if a human can have this type of pain..why can't an animal???

 

I truly believe they can suffer from it too. they just can't tell us how bad it hurts.

 

 

[Aerosmom]

I have not seen it in a dog, but I have in a cat. She would screech if you stepped in an area where her leg would have been.

 

Snickers yelped when we stepped on her cushion where her leg would have been. She also had a lot of screaming episodes after her amputation.

[Guest Bodie]

The first month to six weeks after Bodie's amputation, he had periods where he screeched in pain. He would be asleep and all of a sudden he would convulse and writhe in pain, until we stroked him and calmed him down. We had no idea what caused the pain - no one was near him. The episodes occurred during the day and at night. He remained on painkillers for a long time and these episodes have subsided over time. He had his amputation in August and we have not seen any screaming episodes for several weeks, so it does get better. I've always suspected the episodes might have been phantom pain.

[Guest tennesseegrey]

The first month to six weeks after Bodie's amputation, he had periods where he screeched in pain. He would be asleep and all of a sudden he would convulse and writhe in pain, until we stroked him and calmed him down. We had no idea what caused the pain - no one was near him. The episodes occurred during the day and at night. He remained on painkillers for a long time and these episodes have subsided over time. He had his amputation in August and we have not seen any screaming episodes for several weeks, so it does get better. I've always suspected the episodes might have been phantom pain.

 

 

This discribes Rosie's behavior exactly. She doesn't seem to cry out at night though and I'm not noticing pain medications helping any. I'm so glad to hear it does subside. You feel so helpless when you can't make the pain go away or keep it from occuring. How old is Bodie? He sure is handsome!! Thanks for your help.