Caring For Dogs With Disabilities

Caring For Dogs With Disabilities

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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