Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
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I just wanted to say Hi and a very, very late welcome!
I haven't been around as much as I usually am- I'm three months in with pup I adopted and she is a bit of a hooligan! I'm also working for our local Summer Shakes company.
I have really enjoyed reading your story- so thoughtful and detailed! When I was a kid (looooong ago!) I found a puppy in our driveway one morning and somehow convinced my parents to let me keep him. I distinctly remember saying he wouldn't get too big (how would I know) even though his feet were as big as dinner plates!
Our vet's best guess back then was that Bo was a Newfie x lab. He matured to 150 pounds! Looking at old pictures his head doesn't look quite right for a pure Newfie... but who knows. Your story about breaking up a fight at the dog park reminded me that Bo was so protective of me but never aggressive. He would push me away from the danger he perceived, like a hug from a family member
And he was the smartest dog I have every had!
It's funny that people don't notice a leg missing. My first Tripawd was a little Pug named Maggie who lost a back leg to cancer. People would sometimes ask me why she was limping! I always assumed it was because she was so low to the ground, it seems like it would be harder to miss on a Newfie but I guess not.
I'm glad you and Nick are doing well. The cancer journey is a tough one, it really helps to have a good attitude like you do!
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls and Boy
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Thank you. You understand Nicholas so well. This forum has helped me to think through what would be best for his life and I really appreciate it. I'll continue the updates to August 2, 50 days, then turn it into a Newfie blog or maybe just change the title on this forum and insert some photos..
Bo could very well have been a Newfoundland only, you know. They are breeding them with more mastiff like heads these days. That lean sounds pure Newf.
July 17. I watched a Newfie underwater online and she kind of churned her good leg in a circle, somewhat like her old breast stroke, not a dog paddle. It seemed to do the job. We took Nick to the river, a pebble beach and rather slippery, but he did well in the shallow water and swam a few feet. I was afraid he would have trouble with the current so didn't throw a stick any farther. He was delighted to be back in the water.
Nicholas has been invited to our annual Newfie swim party on the 23rd, so I wonder how he will swim. His party is at a man-made lake with a sloping entrance. Lots of expert swimmers will be there - 20 Newfs. I hope he can keep up with his friends. They aren't competitve with each other, just trying to get stuff out of the water that doesn't belong there, like sticks or bumpers or drowning people.
He continues to be very bouncy and active but stays near me all the time unless my husband or daughter are near. At some point soon I may have to give him some purposeful alone time, but not until we see about the chemo.
just trying to get stuff out of the water that doesn't belong there, like sticks or bumpers or drowning people
OMD!!! "Drowning people".... Yoi gave me one of those spit my coffee out my mouth laughing moments! Well, I wasn't actually drinking coffee, but I did laugh out loud!!
Awww....so glad Nick got to take a awim..It kist amazes me how our Tripawds figure out how to adapt to everything. Maybe Rene can advise on a swim vest. I know they used one for Jerry.
PLEASE rake videompf the Aigist event! Seeing Tripawd RockStar Nicholas with an all Newgie swimming pawty....what a blast!!!
Higs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS. Karen....loved hearing about Bo💖 Ypu always have a way of telling such great stories about your puppers
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!
I love these updates and the post about your decision making process. It sounds like Nicholas in engaging in so many of his old, enjoyable activities again now and I think that’s what we all hope for the most. I constantly am reminding myself that the number one goal has to be to extend quality of life and not lose focus too much thinking about quantity. Hoping for more pictures!
Well one of my tasks today is to learn how to work the video on my phone and post it. I think I have lost or misnumbered a day somewhere, but anyhow:
Sunday July 16 31 days add on. We have a music jam every week and it gives me a chance to look at Nicky's movements with new eyes. Looks good. He sits by people he thinks need cheering up.
Monday July 17 32 days post op I think I have lost or misnumbered a day somewhere, Who knows what happened Monday
Tuesday July 18, 33 days post op A loud whistle from the side field which Nick and I thought odd, so stood we went out front and there was the sheriff. Nick stood between me and the sheriff until he saw we thought he was a nice guy. Then he went over and gave the sheriff a warm welcome. Our cows had got out and crossed the highway. They didn't want to get in the trailer, so that took up most of Tues and today.
Then OSU called and said because of the carboplatin shortage, they would be using 5 doses of doxorubian for his chemotherapy. I was barely going to agree to the carboplatin anyway, so a drug that has been linked with heart problems in 15% of giant breeds, plus the fact that they could not be somewhat sure of the condition of his heart without further testing, plus the fact that his full brother Sam had died of heart issues two weeks before, plus the fact that they gave me two days notice and I am a little tired of them.... I am so glad I wrote out my intentions for Nick's quality of life on this forum!
Then we went to our rehabilitation therapy with Nicholas's new friend. The feeling is mutual I think. She wrote: "Also, I had the books for you to look at in my car the last time you were here. I forgot to get them out! I get distracted by the enormous loving spirit in Nicholas. " He feels so good after each visit. Nicholas has lost over 2 pounds of the target 9 pounds to be an agile tripawd! YAY! Same daily diet as usual, but no treats and no pan licking. She said he's had excellent nutrition at meals all his life, just a few too many extras.
Wednesday July 19 34 days It is now almost 5 and I have been making arrangements all day and Nicholas has not had fun at all. He can do a great exasperated groan when he's bored. I used to tell my kids to go read a book... Anyway, I cancelled the OSU chemo, and took another look at metronomic therapy. This was my vet's suggestion before the amputation, knowing Nicholas so well, and I had hesitated about daily medication, but considering that it's more gentle with almost no complications and is administered at home (but no more cream cheese coverings, just dog food) we'll see. I first called my vet and he is checking to see if they could deliver it, which would be perfect. Otherwise it's back to the OSU phone tree. The problem of course is that it takes about a month to take hold, just like Yale. So we'll just cross our fingers for the next few weeks.
The swimming therapy worked out easily. We have an appointment at Bailey's Journey on Friday morning. It's a pool, I don't think he would put up with a tank, and there will be an old lab and a corgi there too, so that will be a just fine. We'll be able to see how the swimming stroke goes and get an idea of his stamina. Looking forward to it!
We went to the dog park in the evening and he had a long chat with his human friend who has a pack of huskies Nick has grown up with. We skipped that encounter. I was afraid they'd start wrestling, maybe later. Then went to a little music store and waited while Truman played. Nicholas takes up a lot of room these days, less able to fit in a corner. He met a new baby. He loves the way they smell and the baby had no problem with a giant hairy dog as big as an elephant.
If there is any way for you to nail down carboplatin in advance by being pushy, probably a good idea. I got the feeling that this was a last minute decision on OSU's part, not to start any new patients, just to continue the ones in mid treatment, because they called me two days before a long scheduled appointment.
We are doing Yale, have done the first shot on July 12 see above, and have one more scheduled. Yale is an add on, not a solution, but it has been conducted with more that 600 dogs, minimal to no side effects, just a subcutaneous shot, can be at the same time as chemo. It may be very effective and outliers get complete remission, but it may be ineffective. So for us, basically, why not? For you I know it's a long drive , twice, and hard to get appointments. Here's a link if you can stand looking at any more information and research!! https://www.ccr.....gLfYvD_BwE
Recent updates re requirements ets. https://www.ccr.....uly-6-2023
Thursday, July 20, 35 days post op. Nicholas spent all morning and early afternoon at an open air book sale at the Philomath fairgrounds. Met crowds of new people, was very good waiting with one of us outside the enclosure. Many people fail to notice the missing leg, but a judge on the way to a dog show yelled out the window.. Is that a Newfoundland? Doing well with amputation? Yay!!!!
Friday, July 21, 36 days post op. We went to swim therapy, a 25" pool where he takes turns with other dogs for a total of a half hour of swimming. Nicky can swim!! We're all so happy!! He gets tired easily but has quite a strong stroke, and his head, which bobbed at first, stayed level at the end, so he figured it out . He looks like a four legged Newf in the water. And they love him.. We're going to do this twice a week in the beginning, then maybe once a week. It's fun for him socially as well as great exercise. I can see that his first post op Newf swim party is going to have to be a shorter experience.
![](https://nicholasnewftripawdscom.tripawds.com/files/2023/07/Nicky-swim-therapy-7-21-23-720x546.jpg)
His vet called back with the news that our local clinic is not equipped to administer metronomic chemo. So I will call OSU. I want to continue it for about 3 months, by which time Yale will be working, if it is going to. Yale requires follow up lung xrays at 3, 6, and 9 months.
Nick has figured out how to go down the 5 stairs from the front porch (up was easy). He starts at one corner and descends diagonally to the opposite corner, which gives his back legs more room to walk down, so his front leg is saved the impact of going straight down. It would have been impossible to teach him that, even if we had known how. What an athlete!
Loving following Nicky's adventures as he continues to be a Goodwill Ambassador for Newfies.... especially three legged. Newfies😎
Pretty special that he got a "shout-out" from the Dog Show Judge. I know he was quite impressed to see a big tripawd Newfie.
Nicholas is definitely an athlete...and a very smart one.at that. Love her he figured out how to navigate the stairs and a way that protects his joints amd accomplishes os goal of using them. Tickled me how he figured out the best swimming style that keeps him floating as a three-legger like a Michael Phelps👏
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS. Bummer about the metrono delay.
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!
Beautiful day at the lake. Nicky has been coming to this gathering since he was a puppy, and he was one of the dogs who swam way out I think he did remember.
Unfortunately the owner had lined the shore this year with small slippery rocks so it was hard for him to get in and out of the water, He slipped the first time out but kept at it and went in the water three times. Next year I hope. Lots of Newfs, mostly teenagers this year so the atmosphere was less focussed!
He came home and had a good sleep with his friend Oliver. I had the camera on selfie for the best parts... maybe someone else took better pictures of him
All pictures of Nochola are good pictures!! And seeing him tired after having some swims....yeah.....a very good picture.
Glad that he stuck with it and maneuvered over the rocks to get to swim.
A very good day. Thanks so much for sharing👍
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie!
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!
Well the party was Sunday July 23, 38 days post op, and we took good rests the day before and after. I have a nice picture of all of them but need some help from my kids to transfer it from Facebook to here.
We took Nicholas up to the cemetary again last night and he bounded all over the place, just like old times, Happy Newfs kind of bounce in a big clumsy way, which looks very much like the hopping gait! So being with them feels joyful!
On Monday the doctor from OSU called. Somehow the leg and lymph gland never did get sent to OSU but they are proceeding as if it is likely osteosarcoma. She prescribes daily pills, no wait time because he is so big they don't have to split the purchased pills. They'll try it for a month. He'll have a baseline CT scan next week and then another in a month. So we'll be able to see how much it has spread to his lungs.. If nothing has changed, they may or may not continue (Yale will be taking effect if it is going to by that time.) Also, the doctor assured me that if he had fractured his leg jumping over the wall to get the bobcat, we would definitely see limping and pain. I'll be glad to see the CT scan as well, but that's good to hear.
So today is Tuesday July 25, 40 days post op, almost 6 weeks.
suzanne52515 said
On Monday the doctor from OSU called. Somehow the leg and lymph gland never did get sent to OSU but they are proceeding as if it is likely osteosarcoma.
If you haven't already, please request a refund for any testing you paid for that did not get done because the tissue wasn't sent to the lab.
Looking forward to party pictures!
Oh, I love all those pictures! He is such a determined guy not to let those rocks stop him!
I think I missed the “jumping over the wall to get the bobcat” incident. Oh, that sounds all too much like something Honor would do. I normally love our bear, bobcats, deer etc. but, lately, I am not enjoying seeing them so much. That’s a relief that he didn’t injure himself.
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