TRIPAWDS: Home to 24860 Members and 2182 Blogs.
HOME » NEWS » BLOGS » FORUMS » CHAT » YOUR PRIVACY » RANDOM BLOG

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.

JUMP TO FORUMS

Join The Tripawds Community

Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:

Instant post approval.

Private messages to members.

Subscribe to favorite topics.

Live Chat and much more!

Please consider registering
Guest
Search
Forum Scope


Match



Forum Options



Minimum search word length is 3 characters - maximum search word length is 84 characters
Register Lost password?
sp_Feed sp_PrintTopic sp_TopicIcon-c
Nicholas, 8 year old Newfoundland goes in for surgery tonight (Newf, Newfie)
sp_NewTopic Add Topic
Member Since:
10 June 2023
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
91
26 July 2023 - 11:00 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

I think Honor and Nick would have a good time exchanging war stories. Bears outrank bobcats, I think, but the bobcat had just killed two of our chickens! 

Wednesday July 26 41 days post op. My husband has music students and jam members who come weekly.  So far, they've always commented on how much more energetic Nick is and how much better he is getting around. I suppose when they don't see much difference week to week, that's the post op "new normal"

The swim party tired him out, emotionally and physically both, but in a good way. His rehibilitation therapist supports letting him rest, then pushing him a little, and generally following his lead with some nudges here and there, rather than sticking to a predetermined schedule. That approach seems to have worked so far. I've been really happy that we found a good rehabilitation therapist. I think she can sense his pain level (none now) better than anyone as she massages him and I'll need that feedback in the future.

Nick started to go down the Absolutely Restricted 5 steps from kitchen to family room and through a baby gate to say goodbye to someone yesterday. I panicked! He was halfway down the stairs so he stood politely while I opened the baby gate , waited for me to go through, and then executed a very smooth finish, but I still think he shouldn't use those stairs!! We disagree.

Nicholas's third rehabilitation appointment is today. He loves her. Maybe she can talk some sense into him!

Virginia



Member Since:
22 February 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
92
26 July 2023 - 11:20 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Hahaha.....cant "talk sense" into the head of a Tripawd Warrior  who is out of pain now!!

    BYW....I love your Rehab Specialist!

    His rehibilitation therapist supports letting him rest, then pushing him a little, and generally following his lead with some nudges here and there, rather than sticking to a predetermined schedule. That approach seems to have worked so far. I've been really happy that we found a good rehabilitation therapist. I think she can sense his pain level (none now) better than anyone as she massages him and I'll need that feedback in the future.

Knowing each dog as an individual  is so important!!  And Nicky is cert an "individual " fella's

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!

Member Since:
10 June 2023
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
93
27 July 2023 - 1:26 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory sp_QuotePost

Thursday July 27 42 days post op  SIX WEEKS!! When my vet first told me about the osteosarcoma he was so concerned, ...he'd know Nicky since he was a puppy. I told him not to worry, all I wanted was two months and any more was a gift. Looks like those two months are going to happen! Nick has his second CT scan next Monday, and then his second shot in Seattle on Wednesday, then were're all through, just rehab and swimming rehab, and a daily pill. Could be a good prognosis or not, but we have had our two months.

To celebrate, Nicholas broke through the gate again and had a great "midnight bark" in the side field, just to make sure the Bad Guys stay away, maybe the bobcat again. I was working late with the doors open and missed his exit. My husband went out after him and some time later met him heading home! At 2:30 AM! He was panting very hard for about an hour so I stayed up with him until his panting subsided.  He's sound asleep this morning.

Earlier we went to the home dog park for the first time. Nicky seemed confused about how to play because he's alway batted other dogs with his paw and then blocked them rather than chasing. So he barked until I told him he had to go home if he kept making so much noise. He and his tiny friend Louie made up a great game that would have gone on for hours. Nicky lay down. Louie took a little stick and paraded back and forth in front of his nose while Nicky tried to grab the stick. It was kind of a tiny stick for Nick to get ahold of, so Louie mostly won! I'm not usually a small dog person, but Louie is something else! He thinks he's as big as Nicky.Image Enlarger

 

https://nichola.....p?item=613

Member Since:
4 July 2023
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
94
27 July 2023 - 5:44 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

This post made me smile and, believe me, I did not think that was possible tonight!

I love your outlook and reading about Nick’s escapades and his demeanor always cheers me up.  I’m with you on small dogs, but that Louie seems like such a good little guy!   It looks like Nick is smiling at his antics in that photo.  

The Rainbow Bridge



Member Since:
25 April 2007
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
95
27 July 2023 - 6:27 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

WOOHOO! Six weeks is almost here! smiley_clap

I love the way he celebrated with a prison break and romp in the field. GO NICKY GO! And a dog park visit too? These are all really big markers of a dog who is feeling good and moving on with life.

Your stories about him really are entertaining. The way you read him so well shows me that you really do stay in the present moment to understand him. He is so lucky to have such an in-tune mom. 

Virginia



Member Since:
22 February 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
96
27 July 2023 - 9:47 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

    

  To celebrate, Nicholas broke through the gate again and had a great "midnight bark" in the side field, just to make sure the Bad Guys stay away, maybe the bobcat again. I was working late with the doors open and missed his exit. My husband went out after him and some time later met him heading home! At 2:30 AM

NICHOLAS, you sure do know how to celebrate!!!   Good boy!!!  Er....er....I mean... naughty boy!

You've just been waiting for an opportunity  to go on a freedom run.  You knew sooner or later one of your hoomans  would screw up and leave the doors  open.  After all, you are a very big boy kn three who just had MAJOR surgery a vit ago.  Surely you would have no interest in escaping  and coming home at 2;30 in the morning!!!  Hahaha.....nothing's gonna keep you from being you!!  And to all who are concerned  about ma big dog handling  lofe on three just watch Nicky loving life on three!!

That picture of sweet Nicky playing with little Louie... soooo cute!!!.

Thanks so much for this good update.  We all needed some good news with an adorable picture

Keep on keeping on Nicholas👏

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!

Member Since:
10 June 2023
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
97
29 July 2023 - 10:38 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Friday and Saturday July 28 and29 44 days post op Nothing much happened on Friday and Nick just lay around unless we got up from the computers and took a walk with him.  I tend to get absorbed in what I'm doing and I wish he'd feel like showing a little more initiative. Hard to remember what he was like before. Almost the same, I think. He likes company but he did poke around by himself more.!

On Saturday morning we took a long walk along the river and Nick lay down while my husband picked blackberries. Then a short dog park time with some nice puppies and a Golden. I'm still a little leary of out of control, aggressive German Shepard teenagers, but those dogs left without coming in. People that don't know their breeds are sometimes scared of Nicholas, he's so big..

Our new thing is for Nicholas to come up the front stairs and have dinner with us, which he loves, and then to go down them and go around to the lower entrance to our bedroom. He still needs a cheering section to get started. He has to make up his mind about those stairs and work up his courage, but he does it well.

Member Since:
4 July 2023
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
98
30 July 2023 - 10:34 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

The days sound relaxing and enjoyable for him.  Perfect!  I would be a little worried about young hyper dogs under the circumstances too...although I'm guessing Nick lets them know if he doesn't want to be bothered.  I would love a video of him doing the stairs sometime.  I'm having a hard time picturing large dogs navigating stairs on 3.  Not to underestimate them...I just can't figure out the logistics!

Virginia



Member Since:
22 February 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
99
30 July 2023 - 10:47 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Eustacia.....had a little chuckle.  😂

    .I just can't figure out the logistics

The dogs figure out the logistics so you don't  have to 😉😉  

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!

Member Since:
10 June 2023
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
100
30 July 2023 - 1:45 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory sp_QuotePost

Eustacia, I couldn't figure out the logistics either! You know they didn't have a horse's gallop figured out until fast action photography, so you and I aren't so slow... I can tell the difference between a hop up and down stairs and a walk and I can see if he is skipping a stair, so I try to arrange things so he will walk up and down stairs (possible for a giant dog). That's his new command when getting in the car WALK. He does know the difference although he can't always manage it (or doesn't want to)

I try to remember: The dogs figure out the logistics!!icon_razzicon_razz

Sunday July 30  45 days post op. We opened up the temporary fencing so now Nicky can go all around the outside of the house, up and down the front stairs to the higher level and up the bedroom annex stairs to the lower level. He's been moving around more. My husband thought of this a couple of days ago, but i get protective. Because he is not in this room all the time I can finally give it a good clean. YAY!

Monday July 31 46 days post op. A very frustrating day at OSU. I never received an email or call with instructions and gave Nick a half cup of kibble at 6AM, We arrived at 8 and at 10 found out that his CT scan had been moved to 2 because he should have fasted so he was in a kennel with all the anxious dogs until almost 5. The staff and techs are great there but the systems don't work well, probably outdated. 

Tuesday Aug 1. 47 days post op Nick slept all day. I hope they didn't sedate him twice yesterday.

Wednesday Aug 2. 48 days post op. Nick got his Yale booster shot at BARC in Edmunds WA. All went very easily. The office manager requested the report from OSU which I was supposed to get yesterday. This must have given them a reminder and they then sent one to me.

CT Scan  showed NO apparent lung mets!!! It also showed: Gastric and small intestinal mineral opaque foreign material. because he stole a stew bone off the kitchen table, last night  which he never does. I think he's forgetting his manners. Or maybe it was because the bone was intended for the bobcat trap! 

He hasn't begun chemo yet so I was a little concerned. He will be taking cytoxin with rimadyl chews, metronomic so administered at home. 

Member Since:
4 July 2023
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
101
3 August 2023 - 5:56 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Great news on the CT scan!  That must have been an extra long day for both of you…him being stuck there longer and you waiting for results. 

Glad the first Yale vaccine went smoothly and that chemo sounds like it will be low stress for him.  I’m sure he’ll be happy to have a no medical appt week next week after this week.  I know Honor will be!  

Virginia



Member Since:
22 February 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
102
3 August 2023 - 9:41 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Hahaha.....a stew bone on the table within Nicky's reach.....yum, yum, chomp, chomp!

YAAAAAY FOR CLEAR CT SCANS!!!  Fantastic news!  But oh my goodness....what a loooong dayatOSU!  No wonder he slept all day the next day.  Hope you got some rest too.

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!

The Rainbow Bridge



Member Since:
25 April 2007
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
103
4 August 2023 - 8:24 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

WOOHOO!!!! That's terrific news on the clear scans. I love how they found other interesting objects though! Too cute.

Member Since:
10 June 2023
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
104
5 August 2023 - 11:55 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory sp_QuotePost

Thursday Aug 3. 49 days post op, seven weeks! This was a rest day for everyone after a pretty hectic beginning of the week.

Friday Aug 4 50 days post op  Nick had his swimming therapy at 10AM. He does not like the ramp. He does not like the indignity of being helped by two people to back into the water, which is what they do with big dogs. He probably wouldn't let a man do that. He does not like me agreeing that he has to go through with this unseemly entry into the water. He lets us know loud and clear, so of course I worry that he is also pulling a muscle or something but he was protesting before he had even tried it so I think not.  He likes the swimming though, once he gets there.  While he was exercising up and down the pool, JayJay a chubby two year old Lab was retrieving over and over and I could see Nick wanting to join in. Maybe some day, although good luck getting a Newf to repeat a simple trick more than a couple of times! He knows this water business better than anyone. I think it would be fun for him to try the Water Dog I title at Centralia next year, if present. He can do a lot of things beyond that but not get in and out of a boat, so that's the limit.

For people following the Yale vaccine experience, When he came home from swimming (and a hour round trip in the car) Nicholas began to yelp as he moved when lying down (first pain noise out of him since the cancer appeared, he doesn't complain) He was hunched over and generally looked miserable.  We noticed that he had developed a lump or cyst subcutaneously at the injection site between his shoulders. It may have been present earlier this morning, but he seemed chipper before the trip. So according to the Yale EGFR/HER2 information, the lump is normal for some dogs receiving the vaccine and actually a good sign as it shows the immune system is active. Was the pain normal? My husband thinks any cyst of that size in that location would cause pain on movement  About 6" across times maybe under an inch high. I gave him the 1.5mg x twice a day Rimadyl that he was perscribed pre and post op. The only thing Yale doesn't want administered is steroids. He had trouble settling down to sleep. I will email  BARC if it's still painful tomorrow.

Saturday Aug 5, 51 days post op. Nicholas woke up feeling better, no yelps, moves around more but still thinks about where he wants to go. I will check with BARC that the pain could have been caused by the swelling so I know if the swimming should continue. With BARC I get to consult with a doctor. Tuesday is his wonderful rehab therapist, and she can tell if he's in muscular pain.

OSU wants weekly jugular blood draws. I think not. Other metronomic consultation schedules that I have researched are less frequent; but perhaps OSU is prescribing  a larger dose for Nicholas (19mg Cytoxan capsule daily). They are really pretty scattered and I have not yet talked to anyone but a Resident, who may reverse her memorized opinion after she consults the oncology DVM. I wish I had researched more and found a private oncology clinic like BARC but in June they were backed up in oncology appointments until September and I wanted to get started with the vaccine. So there you go.....

The Rainbow Bridge



Member Since:
25 April 2007
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
105
5 August 2023 - 6:24 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

What a description of him getting into the water! At least he got in and was able to enjoy some wave time. That's awesome! Hopefully he'll get to do that water dog activity next year. 

I'm glad that his vaccine reaction isn't as severe. Funny how that lump can be a good thing! I'd imagine though that it was pretty painful, I know I'd be howling if I had a 1" lump like that after getting a vaccine. He's a stoic guy indeed.

Interesting about the weekly blood draws. That does seem like a lot!

Forum Timezone: America/Denver
Most Users Ever Online: 946
Currently Online:
Guest(s) 76
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 1286
Members: 18412
Moderators: 6
Admins: 3
Forum Stats:
Groups: 4
Forums: 24
Topics: 18842
Posts: 258860
Administrators: admin, jerry, Tripawds
Tripawds is brought to you by Tripawds.
HOME » NEWS » BLOGS » FORUMS » CHAT » YOUR PRIVACY » RANDOM BLOG