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Title: Caring For Dogs With Disabilities
Author: Jim McKiel
Article:
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.
About the author:
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: http://LargeBreedFamilyDogs.com
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