Tripawd Talk Radio

Tripawds podcast Episode #139: Rene is joined by veterinary surgeon Dr. Alex Avery to discuss one of the hardest parts of caring for a seriously ill pet: making treatment decisions when there are no easy answers.

Whether you're facing amputation, cancer treatment, surgery, or end-of-life care, emotions, finances, quality of life, and uncertainty can make every option feel overwhelming. Dr. Avery explains why there is rarely a single "right" decision and shares a practical framework to help pet parents evaluate their options with greater clarity and confidence.

The conversation explores how to balance medical recommendations with your family's circumstances, why doing nothing is also a decision with consequences, and how asking the right questions can help you avoid regret later. Dr. Avery also introduces his AI-powered Treatment Decision Toolkit, designed to help pet parents organize information and prepare for more productive conversations with their veterinarian.

This episode offers compassionate, practical guidance for anyone struggling to make difficult healthcare decisions for a beloved pet.

Key Takeaways:

• There is rarely one "right" treatment decision. The best choice depends on your pet, your family, and your circumstances. 
• Quality of life, realistic expectations, finances, and practical limitations all deserve consideration without guilt. 
• Organized information and thoughtful conversations with your veterinarian can help you make decisions with greater confidence and peace. 

Save 10% Off Dr Avery's Treatment Decision Toolkit with Coupon Code: TRIPAWD10

Resources

• The Treatment Decision Toolkit
• Call the Vet Podcast
• Best Pet Health Tips for Tripawds from Dr. Alex Avery (September, 2018)
• tripawds.com
• tripawds.circle.so

Support the show

Learn more at tripawds.com. Join the free Tripawds Support Community at tripawds.circle.so. Help Tripawds everywhere at tripawds.org. Follow @tripawds on Facebook and @tripawdscommunity on Instagram. 

Tripawds Podcast Episode #137: Rene is joined by Dr. Giovanni Tremolada, surgical oncologist at the Colorado State University Animal Cancer Center, to discuss a question many pet parents have wondered about for years. Can short-legged, long-bodied dogs successfully adapt after losing a limb?

Breeds like Dachshunds, Corgis, Basset Hounds, and French Bulldogs have a unique body structure that often raises concerns when amputation is recommended. In this episode, Dr. Tremolada shares insights from a multi-institution retrospective study examining how these chondrodysplastic breeds recover after limb amputation and what their outcomes can tell us.

The conversation explores mobility, recovery timelines, orthopedic considerations, and the role of factors like body weight and rehabilitation. Dr. Tremolada also discusses why these dogs may adapt better than many people expect, and why careful evaluation before surgery is still important.

Key Takeaways

• Nearly 90 percent of the dogs in the study were able to walk on their own after surgery, showing recovery rates similar to other tripod dogs.
• Pre-existing orthopedic conditions like arthritis or cruciate ligament disease did not appear to significantly impact mobility outcomes.
• Maintaining a healthy weight and considering rehabilitation therapy can play an important role in long-term mobility and comfort.

Resources

• Colorado State University Animal Cancer Center
• Tripawds Support Circle

Support the show

Learn more at tripawds.com. Join the free Tripawds Support Community at tripawds.circle.so. Help Tripawds everywhere at tripawds.org. Follow @tripawds on Facebook and @tripawdscommunity on Instagram. 

Tripawds Podcast Episode #136: Rene is joined by Dr. Deanna Worley, surgical oncologist at the Colorado State University Animal Cancer Center, for a compassionate and practical conversation about one of the hardest decisions pet parents face: limb amputation when cancer is involved.

Dr. Worley explains how she evaluates dogs and cats who may not be “perfect” amputation candidates, including seniors and pets with arthritis or neurologic issues. She encourages families to clarify their goals and real-life limits, including emotional, physical, and financial concerns.

This conversation also covers alternatives to amputation, including limb-sparing surgery, prosthetics, stereotactic radiation, and a new 3D-printed limb-sparing trial for giant breed dogs. 

Key Takeaways

• There is rarely a need to make a same-day decision. Families usually have time to gather information and reflect.
• Quality of life goals, emotional capacity, finances, and physical ability all matter in choosing the right treatment path.
• Advances in limb-sparing surgery, radiation therapy, and pain control offer more options and better recovery experiences than ever before.

Resources

• CSU Flint Animal Cancer Care Center
• 3D-Printed Implant Study for Limb Sparing
• Tripawds Support Circle

Support the show

Learn more at tripawds.com. Join the free Tripawds Support Community at tripawds.circle.so. Help Tripawds everywhere at tripawds.org. Follow @tripawds on Facebook and @tripawdscommunity on Instagram. 

Tripawds Podcast Episode #135: Rene is joined by returning guest Dr. Casara Andre, a Colorado-based veterinarian specializing in behavioral health and veterinary cannabis medicine. This is a thoughtful, science-based discussion for Tripawd caregivers who want to better understand cannabis medicine and how it may fit into their pet’s care plan.

Dr. Andre shares how cannabis is currently being used in veterinary practice, what has changed since the early days of CBD-only products, and why the recent AVMA report on cannabis and veterinary medicine is an important step forward, but not a complete solution. Together, they explore how cannabis can support Tripawds dealing with pain, anxiety, sleep disruption, and post-surgical recovery, while emphasizing the importance of proper guidance, product safety, and veterinary oversight.

Discover how cannabis interacts with common medications, why lab reports and certificates of analysis matter, and how pet parents can advocate for safer, more effective care options. Dr. Andre offers practical insight into using cannabis as part of a holistic, team-based approach that supports not just the animal, but the entire household during recovery and long-term care.

Key Takeaways

• Cannabis medicine is legitimate, but it requires guidance and product quality matters.
• Cannabis can change how other medications work, so veterinary oversight is essential.
• Pet parents play a key role by asking questions and advocating for safe, transparent products.

Resources

• Veterinary Cannabis Consulting: www.veterinarycannabis.org
• American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA): www.avma.org
• Tripawds Cannabis Corner: tripawds.com/tag/cannabis

Support the show

Learn more at tripawds.com. Join the free Tripawds Support Community at tripawds.circle.so. Help Tripawds everywhere at tripawds.org. Follow @tripawds on Facebook and @tripawdscommunity on Instagram. 

Tripawds Podcast Episode #134: Amputation pain in cats is complex and often misunderstood. Veterinary pain specialist Carl Bradbrook shares how the Zero Pain Philosophy shapes modern feline pain management and recovery.

Pain after amputation can look very different in cats, and it is often harder to recognize and manage than many pet parents expect. In this episode of Tripawd Talk Radio, Rene speaks with Carl Bradbrook, a UK veterinary anaesthesia and pain management specialist and co-founder of the Zero Pain Philosophy. Together, they explore how amputation pain develops, why nerve pain and inflammation play such a big role, and how pain can begin even before surgery takes place.

This conversation focuses on cats and covers pre-surgical pain control, hospital pain management, medications commonly used before and after surgery, signs that pain is not well controlled at home, and what phantom pain can look like in feline amputees. Carl also shares why healing takes longer than many people realize and why pain management often needs to continue well beyond the first couple of weeks.

This episode is designed to help cat parents ask better questions, recognize red flags sooner, and feel more confident advocating for their cat during recovery.

Key Takeaways

• Amputation pain in cats often starts before surgery and can involve both inflammation and nerve pain, which is why early and ongoing pain control matters.
• Cats hide discomfort well, so changes in behavior, posture, appetite, and facial expression are often the best clues that pain is not well managed.
• Pain management does not end when stitches come out, and many cats need continued support well beyond the first two weeks to heal comfortably.

Resources

Zero Pain Philosophy: zeropainphilosophy.com

Feline Grimace Scale: tripawds.com/2021/03/31/amputee-cat-in-pain

Tripawd Cat Pain Management Tools: tripawds.com/2022/01/12/tripawd-cat-pain

Support the show

Learn more at tripawds.com. Join the free Tripawds Support Community at tripawds.circle.so. Help Tripawds everywhere at tripawds.org. Follow @tripawds on Facebook and @tripawdscommunity on Instagram. 

Tripawds Podcast Episode #133: Veterinary surgical oncologist Dr. Maureen Griffin from the Colorado State university Flint Animal Cancer Center shares her work as part of a collaborative oncology team advancing cancer care for dogs and cats.

With this in-depth conversation Dr. Griffin reveals how veterinary cancer treatment is becoming more precise, less invasive, and more informative for pet parents facing difficult decisions.

Dr. Griffin explains how minimally invasive surgery can reduce pain and recovery time, and how sentinel lymph node mapping helps identify early cancer spread that imaging alone may miss. We also discuss how these techniques can sometimes be performed during the same procedure as tumor removal, reducing the need for multiple surgeries.

Key Takeaways

• Minimally invasive cancer surgery can mean smaller incisions, less pain, and faster recovery for pets
• Sentinel lymph node mapping helps identify where cancer is most likely to spread first
• CT scans are valuable, but may not detect early lymph node metastasis
• Pet parents can and should ask about staging options and referral centers when navigating a diagnosis

Resources

CSU Flint Animal Cancer Care Center: csuanimalcancercenter.org

Tripawds Foundations Course: tripawds.circle.so/c/foundations

Support the show

Learn more at tripawds.com. Join the free Tripawds Support Community at tripawds.circle.so. Help Tripawds everywhere at tripawds.org. Follow @tripawds on Facebook and @tripawdscommunity on Instagram. 

Tripawds Podcast Episode #132: In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Mauricio Dujowich (aka: Dr. Dujo) — board-certified veterinary surgeon, certified canine rehab therapist, and founder of the Bone, Joint & Spine Center at The Veterinary Referral Center (VRCCO) in Bend, Oregon. 

Join us for a talk about what truly helps three-legged dogs and cats thrive.

Dr. Dujo explains why rehab matters, how pet parents can protect their Tripawd’s remaining limbs, and what groundbreaking surgeries like total hip replacement in amputee pets are making possible today.

Key Takeaways

• Rehab is a game-changer for Tripawds recovering from surgery or managing long-term mobility.
• Keep weight down and build muscle — the simplest and most powerful way to protect remaining limbs.
• Supplements aren’t a cure-all; Omega-3s and Adequan are Dr. Dujo’s top evidence-supported choices.
• Yes, amputee pets can be candidates for major orthopedic surgeries like total hip replacement.
• Pet parent involvement is everything: activity control, safe recovery spaces, and consistent follow-through matter most.

Resources

• Dr. Mauricio Dujowich: https://vrcvet.com/dr-mauricio-dujowich/
• Moira’s Total Hip Replacement: https://vrcvet.com/moiras-total-hip-replacement/
• Tripawd Remaining Leg Surgery Studies: https://tripawds.com/2021/11/03/leg-surgery-on-tripawds-studies/
• All Tripawds “Remaining Leg” Articles: https://tripawds.com/tag/remaining-leg-surgery/

Support the show

Learn more at tripawds.com. Join the free Tripawds Support Community at tripawds.circle.so. Help Tripawds everywhere at tripawds.org. Follow @tripawds on Facebook and @tripawdscommunity on Instagram. 

Tripawds Podcast Episode #131: We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Nancy Kay back to the show for an important discussion about animal welfare and the hard decisions pet owners face about amputation for their four legged friends. Dr. Kay is one of the first voices who taught us how important it is to advocate for our pets. So if you’ve ever walked into a vet clinic feeling overwhelmed or unsure what questions to ask, you’ll love this episode!

• Know what to think about when your vet recommends amputation for your pet.
• Get practical tips, real-world examples, and a gentle reminder that it’s okay to slow down, ask questions, and trust your gut when making veterinary care decisions.
• Plus, Dr. Kay shares how you can gently help educate middle-grade kids about puppy mills, through her brand-new book, A Dog Named 647. This middle-grade story gently tackles the tough truth about puppy mills through an age-appropriate story that kids can’t put down.

RELATED: Tripawd Talk Episode #23

Be the Best Medical Advocate for Your Dog

Connect and Learn More

www.drnancykay.com

Books:

• A Dog Named 647
• Speaking for Spot
• Your Dog's Best Health

Support the show

Learn more at tripawds.com. Join the free Tripawds Support Community at tripawds.circle.so. Help Tripawds everywhere at tripawds.org. Follow @tripawds on Facebook and @tripawdscommunity on Instagram. 

Tripawd Talk Radio 130: In this inspiring episode of Tripawd Talk, we’re joined by Dr. Nicola Mason, a leading veterinary immunologist at the University of Pennsylvania, to discuss her groundbreaking work in treating osteosarcoma in dogs.

Dr. Mason explains how immunotherapy — specifically CAR T-cell therapy — is showing promise for dogs with metastatic bone cancer. You'll learn about a brand-new CAR iNKT cell therapy clinical trial using off-the-shelf donor immune cells to help dogs fight lung metastases after amputation and chemotherapy.

We also talk about the importance of immune system “fitness,” what researchers have learned from past clinical trials, and why the courage of pet parents participating in these studies is helping to advance care for both dogs and children with osteosarcoma.

Whether you’re facing a recent diagnosis or simply want to stay informed about the future of canine cancer care, this episode offers hope, insight, and valuable next steps.


GUEST BIO:
About Dr. Nicola Mason
Dr. Nicola Mason, BVetMed, PhD, DACVIM, FRCVS, is a professor of Professor of Medicine and Pathobiology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. She a leading researcher in the field of veterinary immunotherapy.

Dr. Mason has pioneered groundbreaking cancer treatments for dogs, including immunotherapies that activate the body’s own immune system to fight osteosarcoma.

Her current research focuses on innovative cellular therapies, including CAR iNKT cell treatments designed to target metastatic disease. Dr. Mason’s work is helping shape the future of cancer care for both pets and people.

RESOURCES:
Mentioned in This Episode

New Clinical Trial at Penn Vet: Off-the-Shelf CAR T-Cell Therapy for Dogs with Osteosarcoma

https://tripawds.com/2025/07/17/penn-vet-clinical-trial-for-osteosarcoma-dogs/

Penn Vet Comparative Immunotherapy Program: 

https://www.vet.upenn.edu/research/centers-laboratories/research-laboratory/clinical-immunotherapy

PBS Feature with Dr. Mason
Shelter Me: The Cancer Pioneers
https://www.pbs.org/video/the-cancer-pioneers-jemhoc/

AVMA Animal Health Studies Database: https://ebusiness.avma.org/aahsd/study_search.aspx

Connect & Learn More
Facing osteosarcoma? You’re not alone. The Tripawds Support Circle is here for you:
https://tripawds.circle.so

Stay updated with the latest in Tripawd news and research:
https://tripawds.com/subscribe

Subscribe to Tripawd Talk wherever you get your podcasts!
https://tripawds.com/radio

Support the show

Learn more at tripawds.com. Join the free Tripawds Support Community at tripawds.circle.so. Help Tripawds everywhere at tripawds.org. Follow @tripawds on Facebook and @tripawdscommunity on Instagram. 

Tripawd Talk Radio #129: Today on Tripawd Talk Radio, Rene chats with Dr. Kristen Couto, a compassionate board-certified veterinary oncologist based in Bend, Oregon. Dr. Couto walks us through the latest cancer treatment breakthroughs—from promising new vaccines to immunotherapy options that could extend survival time and improve quality of life. Whether you're just starting yourTripawd Journey or exploring treatment paths after amputation, this conversation is filled with must-know insights and real hope for your pet’s future.

RESOURCES

Dr. Kristen Couto DVM, DACVIM ONCOLOGY

Veterinary Referral Center of Central Oregon

The Yale Vaccine Cancer Treatment: A Dog of Science Field Report

Torigen Immunotherapy Vaccine: Hope for Pets with Cancer Podcast

Dogs Beat Osteosarcoma Odds with ELIAS Cancer Immunotherapy Treatment

Stelfonta: A Canine Mast Cell Cancer Treatment Breakthrough!

Gilvetmab: An innovative option for treating cancer

Support the show

Learn more at tripawds.com. Join the free Tripawds Support Community at tripawds.circle.so. Help Tripawds everywhere at tripawds.org. Follow @tripawds on Facebook and @tripawdscommunity on Instagram.