Okay, We've Got a Paralyzed Dog
Now What?
So true, we are nurses, so we can figure out a thing or two. But everyone knows that doctors and nurses are the worse patients ever. And we are not so good as suffering family members either.
If Isabel seemed the least bit uncomfortable I would become anxious and feel like I had to do something. I just couldn't stand by and do nothing. So I repositioned and arranged her pillows, and made sure her water and food was very close. I am sure she thought I was a nuisance bothering her so much. I also think she learned to use it against me. It didn't take long to realize that she was really working it and that really nothing much was wrong. She was just fine. That little stinker. But hey...she is a paralyzed dog that is crazily loved. Why not?
So we had to learn what to do, how to do it and still live a normal life. There had to be a way to do it, this is where the nurse kicked in.
Isabel Before her Injury - Always Ready for the Next Walk
October 2006
A Day at the Park, Pre- Paralysis
October 2006
Isabel and James Out for a Walk at the Park
October 2006
Isabel on Wheels on a Walk With Her Dad
Winter 2010
Come on Dad, Enough Posing, Let's go!
A Very Beautiful Girl - Well Adjusted to Her Wheels
Another View of Isabel in Her Wheels
We got her wheels through EddiesWheels.com. I highly recommend them
Things to Consider for the Care of a Paralyzed Dog
After all the Trial and Error This is What Works
- 1You'll need to learn to express the bladder and bowel and if necessary to diaper your dog. Go to Youtube and watch videos on how this is done. Also I posted some links to help answer some questions.
- 2You'll need supplies, If you have a warehouse like a Costco or Sam's Club nearby, this is the most economical way to keep supplies. I use 6 Huggies for my 55 pound dog. Also I line the diaper with poise pads in a T, one across her tummy to keep her from getting sores and one down the length of the diaper to help with absorbency. Once the diaper is in place I cover the whole thing with Depends pull ups for adults. This catches any overflow from wiggling around or scooting when the diaper is wet.
- 3You'll need puppy training pads to use for diaper changing or for sleeping on. It makes your life so much easier to have this. Trust me.
- 4A strong sling. Usually padded with lamb's wool is best, It will protect her skin. This is used for going out to eliminate or for short walks, or for helping her up the stairs. Not for long walks.
- 5You may consider a wheelchair. I highly recommend Eddie's Wheels, they are a family owned and operated business and they hand make each wheelchair to the measurements of your dog. They are very sturdy and the one we bought in early 2007 is still the one we use today. And we really do put it through a work out, living in Michigan with all the snow and salt. And it still works great! There website gives you a ton more information. But the most important thing I found with my research is that many of the companies out there, use tension on the dog's skin to hold them in the chairs. Absolutely NOT! You will have skin sores and misalignment and discomfort for your pet. Please research carefully and consider Eddie's Wheels. And I am not an affiliate, I am simply an owner of a paralyzed dog and I know what works. And you can get wheels for back and front end paralyzed animals. And not just dogs. Anybody can become paralyzed.
Yeah, I'm paralyzed, so what? I'm loved and life is good!
She is so bright and cheerful. A joy to us both.
Well How Do You Feel About Caring For A Paralyzed Dog?
Do You think You Could Cope?
No one is saying it is a walk in the park to care for a paralyzed dog. But I am saying it is the easiest thing in the world to love one. Yes there is a learning curve. Yes there are supplies needed. Yes, going for a walk is no longer just snapping on the leash and off you go. But, once you settle into a routine of love and care you can have a "normal" life again, and the unconditional love of your beloved pet.
Would you Adapt to the Care of a Paralyzed Dog
Yes, they are a family member, I love them.
nightbear says:
Oh you sound so lost without your chance I hope your healing will be quick. And you are so right, there is nothing like puppy love.
nightbear says:
Your little Aspen sounds delightful and well worth any extra care she might have taken. I am so sorry for your loss too. We dog people are a real bunch of softies but so dedicated we'd do about anything for our fur babies.
happynutritionist says:
Yes, in fact my sweet Aspen lost use of her back legs for a long time, not paralyzed, but cruciate ligament tear in both. She was an elder dog with numerous other issues, but happy, so with TLC and lots of it she regained use of the legs for a year...her small size helped...but a couple of weeks ago lost use of front leg, and this lead to back and more issues. She was in obvious pain and it was so very sadly time to say goodbye. But the extra year with her was treasured, and she was spoiled. We miss her terribly.
flinnie says:
Hi I cared for my paralyzed dog for about a month before she died. My little girl Chance was almost 13 old and not in good health. She had back and legs problem for a while then one day she was just paralyzed. She slowely got worst, she stop eating and died. It was so sad and hurt so much. That was about 3 months ago. Chance came into my life as a 5 and 1/2 week old puppy, we had many happy years. I loved that little dog so much, there is nothing like puppy love.
nightbear says:
Oh I am so sorry. I do understand, and know how much you want your boy back. My heart goes out to you.
nightbear says:
thank you for your very kind words. they are hugely appreciated.
GlitterNMe says:
I would hope we would adjust as your family has! Such a touching story and you can see how happy she is. I'm so thankful for animals lovers like you because this is what makes the world a better place with you all in it.
nightbear says:
Oh thank you so much, I sure hope so. Isabel was amazing, in many different ways.
RHKnight says:
I am so glad you all adapted as a family. What a valuable topic to cover, I am sure people will read this that need an informational story and also find inspiration. Isabel is a real trooper and a beautiful dog.
TwoDogHouse says:
Absolutely, positively! We just had to put one of our dogs to sleep because of cancer and I would give anything to have him back, even paralyzed. Isabel is very blessed to have you.
StephenJParkin says:
The thing is whether or not the animal is in pain. If not and Isabel seems happy then of course you care for them, that is what you took on when you bought a pet in the first place. We have 4 horses 2 dogs and a cat and we do our best for all of them. Sometimes life is not fair, but that is life and we have to make the best of it. Congratulations on the LOTD and your spirit to overcome Isabel's problem.
blacksmith007 says:
i really appreciate your love for your isabel. i hope many of us would learn from this to take care and give affection to animals.
kasman says:
Of course we would - a pet is part of the family, just like a child
TanoCalvenoa says:
Certainly - it would be difficult, but they really are like a family member.
esmonaco says:
Pets are part of your family Of course
DaveStone13 says:
Dogs (and cats) are family. You do what you need to do.
christy_rose says:
I would do whatever it takes!
smine27 says:
I would definitely do anything for my dog. He is my baby:)
LadyDuck says:
Absolutely yes.
darkflowers says:
It depends on how the dog is feeling, is he/she still as happy as before he became paralyzed... etc. It also depends on the age of the dog! A young dog can adjust I guess but for an old(er) dog this might be very hard to get used to. So it's not a yes or no discussion. Every situation, every dog is unique. Sometimes loving your dog means letting him/her go, because life isn't good anymore. And in other cases like yours the quality of your dogs life is still great. So it really depends.
No, It is way too much work and expense. I couldn't do it.
More Help for a paralyzed dog
These may be useful to you
- You can learn to cope with a paralyzed dog in diapers. We did.
- Sometimes life just happens. And you have to decide how to react. You can be defeated or you can fight. Our loved pets need us to fight. figure it out. Cope!. Here's what we did. Be sure to read the comments, very encouraging.
- Paralyzed Dog Saved From Death Due to Chicken Jerky Dog Treats From China
- We almost lost Isabel in 2011. The Chicken Jerky Dog Treats From China were tainted and although thousands of people had already complained, they were still on the market and they almost killed our dog.
- Bowel and Bladder Care of a Paralyzed Dog
- How Isabel and I had advanced from being completely unaware of how to care for the needs of a paralyzed dog to having a useful routine that we have both adjusted to quite well. Life is good. Again, be sure to read the comments. I have had private conversations with many of these wonderful dog lovers.
- Isabel's Story Before and After Paralysis
- Meet Isabel, A precious Belgian Sheepdog Mix Puppy that we have had since she was 5 weeks old. Rescued and loved. At 5 years old she became paralyzed. This is her story.
You Must Understand It is not all Sad News When You Are Told Your Dog is Paralyzed
You Must Read This Please
It is not always permanent when a dog is paralyzed. It all depends on so many factors. Please read on...
If your dog is a short legged dog, low to the ground like a Dachshund or a Corgi, the paralysis they may experience is frequently spontaneous and without injury or trauma. These dogs will usually walk again, and frequently within a matter of weeks. It is the taller, heavier dogs that have more issue and sometimes more trouble being able to recover. But...
They can recover too. There is all kinds of therapy now for paralyzed dogs. Water therapy, acupuncture, massage, physical. All kinds of therapy and each kind of therapy works well, and when you combine they are amazing. Plus the dog loves them. So talk to your vet to determine what is best for your dog.
Sometimes, there is injury or trauma involved with the paralysis. And sometimes they have to have surgery to repair the damage. These dogs are the ones that take some time and effort on your part to get them back to walking. It takes time, therapy and love, but it can happen. A dog's cord heals at about 1 mm a day. That is really really slow. But even if the dog doesn't walk, with continuous healing the dog may seriously improve in certain areas, like incontinence.
Then there are cases like Isabel's. She had a traumatic injury and had spinal cord damage and resultant surgery with bleeding into the canal and cord. Her's was the worse case scenario. We still didn't give up hope. They said it could be as much as two years for her to walk. It's been nearly six. Kind of hard to stay hopeful. But what is wonderful is that she has regained some control of bowel and bladder in that I was able to train her to eliminate at timed intervals. (Remember I am a nurse) so with her improvements and my training, our lives have become very manageable and so can yours.
No matter what kind of paralysis you may be facing. You will cope. There is help and there are people that care. The love of your dog and the unconditional love your dog has for you will get you through. I promise.
Isabel and the Rest of Her Family
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Newest Family Member-Foxy! Our Rescued Barn Cat
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A Very Sad Day September 1,2013
We lost our Isabel and life will never be the same.
Our Isabel is gone. We lost her Sunday, September 1, 2013. She has been paralyzed seven years and this month was her twelve birthday, Over the years she has had so many urinary tract infections due to being in diapers and I thought again that she had another infection which explained her not feeling so well. Well Saturday night she developed a weird respiratory pattern where she seemed to be laboring and couldn't get comfortable. I was up with her most of the night trying to find some relief for her. By Sunday morning she seemed a little more calm and my husband Jim and I had to get on with our routine, I had to go to work. But when I spoke with Jim at about 5 pm she was in distress and he felt we needed to take her in to the emergency vet right away. A wonderful coworker of ours without question came in to take my shift and I went home.
Jim and I took her to the ER and right after we got there she arrested. Jim and I had already discussed this and knew we didn't want to put her through anything else and so we made her a no CPR. The vet said that when he tried to do a compression on her chest before he knew our wishes, he couldn't compress it due to all the resistance, he said it felt like her chest was full of blood or fluid, he didn't know which. He told us he agreed it was time to let her go. He put her to sleep and out of her misery right then and it was over.
In hind site we feel we missed several clues she may have been giving us, but we can make ourselves crazy and there is no blame to be had, we gave her 12 great years. First we rescued her from a shelter and then when she was paralyzed, nothing was going to stop us from helping her have the life she deserved. So we did well. the vet said he thought she had a chest tumor that may have been growing slowly over time but it finally ate through one of her vessels and she bled into her chest causing all the swelling and respiratory distress. We could never have put her through surgery or chemo if that was the next step if she was to live. It is done.
We are in misery and can find very little consoling. But today we gathered up all Isabel's things and are going to take them to the rescue that we got her from tomorrow. Also she had diapering supplies that we are going to take to the nursing home down the road from us. Poise pads and Depends, some little old lady will be able to use them. One of our co-workers just had a baby so we will give her the diapers and another co-worker has a big dog that can use Isabel's remaining heartworm pills. So Isabel would have liked helping so many people. We do too.
Our lives will never be the same, it is truly remarkable how entwined in our lives her routine was. There is no one to greet us at the door any longer. There is a terrible void, but we know we love dogs and will not be able to be without one for long and besides there are so many dogs in need. It is just what we do. We continue on. Someday we'll have another baby and we'll introduce you when we have her.
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