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Caring For Dogs With
Disabilities
Jim McKiel
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A dog's disability may occur from
an illness, injury or physical handicap. The degree of disability may be slight
or may be incapacitating. Whatever reason for your dogs suffering will have
a great effect on you as your pet's guardian.
If you adopt a pure breed dog from a reputable breeder, you will most likely
have some type of health guarantee. If you adopt from an animal shelter, find
a stray or take one of your neighbor's puppies you won't get a health guarantee
or probably any information regarding the health of your new family member.
Either way, there are no guarantees that your puppy will grow up without
medical problems. Even with the purebred, it would be unlikely that you give
your furry family member back to the breeder if he came down with a disease
or disability after he's lived with you for a year or two. Most likely you
would seek the best vet care you could afford and keep your puppy with you.
Anyone who has raised a puppy or had a dog for any length of time knows the
bonding and commitment between human and canine.
Having annual visits to your vet (and the blood tests performed) will help
screen for many medical conditions that affect dogs. There are a few diseases
that are more common in older dogs such as cancer, arthritis, heart and kidney
disease. Younger dogs or puppies are not free from these conditions but they
are less likely to suffer from these diseases at an earlier age. If the dog
is diagnosed and treatment started at the onset of a disability, the prognosis
will be more favorable.
Some breeds of dogs are predisposed to certain health problems. Degenerative
Myelopathy appears to afflict German Shepherds more than any other breed even
though it has been diagnosed in a few other large dog breeds. Arthritis is
very common in Golden Retrievers and Doberman Pinschers, Boxers are prone
to a common heart disease called dilated cardiomyopathy.
Regardless of the disease or disability your dog may have, there are certain
things you can do to relieve the pain and suffering.
• Control your dog's weight. Giving your dog the proper amount of a good
nutritious pet food will aid in weight control.
• Getting daily exercise for your dog.
• Making sure your dog gets quality vet care.
• Administer medicine or pain medication when appropriate.
• Talk to your dog as you gently rub his fur or massage him. Sometimes the
human touch is more relaxing than sleep medication
If your dog suffers from arthritis, you will notice the difficulty they
have in getting up from a lying position or walking up stairs. They also
won't be able to jump up in the car or truck without some assistance. To
assist your dog, you can get a ramp to assist them in getting in or out of
a truck or SUV and there are dog stairs to assist them in getting on the
bed or couch. There are vitamins or supplements that can be given to your
dog to aid in their health. All medicines, vitamins and supplements should
be approved by the vet before administering to your dog. Water therapy is
great for dogs with arthritis or hip dysplasia and sleeping on an orthopedic
foam mattress also helps. Moist warm heat and massage are beneficial also.
Any dog that suffers from a lack of mobility due to hip dysplasia, spinal
disorders, myelopathy or any medical problem that effects the hind quarters
may be a candidate for a wheelchair for dogs. There has been vast improvement
over the years in the design and structure of the wheelchairs and most dogs
adjust quickly to pulling the rolling chair behind them. The chairs are made
to your dog's specifications and will provide them with a sense of freedom.
If your dog is unable to walk by himself, check out these chairs for your
peace of mind and your dog's future happiness.
Training your hearing impaired dog with hand signals is very important for
their well being and your sanity. It is much easier for the dog if you start
the training before they become completely deaf. This way you can associate
a hand signal with the verbal command which they may already know. If the
dog is losing their hearing due to a disease or old age, you will have time
to work with the dog before all hearing is lost. If the puppy is born deaf,
he can still be trained but it will take longer and require more patience.
Never allow a hearing impaired animal to roam freely or leave the house without
his collar and tag. If a hearing impaired dog is sleeping, never touch the
dog to wake him up as this could frighten him and cause him to nip or bite.
Either stomp real hard or bounce a ball to cause vibrations which may rouse
the dog.
Impaired vision may be caused by disease, injury or cataracts. Taking the
dog on a lead through the house will help him become accustomed as to the
placement of furniture and their smells. For the dog's benefit, don't move
furniture or leave any items on the floor as this will confuse the dog. You
will have to lead him around the yard also until he becomes comfortable with
his outing. If you are patient and encouraging, the dog will eventually settle
in a routine and his sense of smell and hearing will compensate for his lack
of sight. As with the deaf dog, do not let him outside the house or fenced
in yard without supervision.
Living with a disabled dog is trying and at times you may feel frustration.
Seek out help from your vet, trainers or groups that work with disabled dogs.
They will gladly assist you in your task of making a difference in one special
dog's life.
Jim McKiel lives in the Chicago suburbs with his wife Doris and their pet
family members Buddy and Buster. They have devoted their lives to the betterment
of pet ownership. For more information, visit: Large Breed Family Dogs
The above information is simply
informational. It's intent is not to replace the advice of a veterinarian
nor to assist you in making a diagnosis of your pet. Please consult with
your own veterinarian for confirmation of any diagnosis. Your pets life may
depend on it.