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Inspiring & Touching Special Needs Animal Stories

Posted by Barbara Techel

I can't think of any better way to express love going into Valentine's Day weekend, but then with these two stories of special needs animals.

Alyna the paralyzed bunny wears a special brace similar to a brace children must wear that cannot walk.  The photo is so touching- she is showing kids that if she can scoot along in her special brace, then they surely can to.

I Tink I can, I Tink I can.  I must confess I had HUGE tears rolling down my face watching this video of this oh, so sweet Tink.  How I would LOVE to meet her!  I didn't have tears of pity, but tears of joy to see her triumph and live life with such GLEE… and thanks to the people who care for her and gave her this opportunity.  She is a spitfire… and I am simply head over heels in love!  For more information and other videos of Tink, visit here.

 

 

 

Paralyzed Dachshund Walks Again- Paw Nation

Posted by Barbara Techel

Photo:  Geoff Robinson Photography
What a great story about Henry, the adorable doxie who took part in a study and is starting to walk again.  Woo hoo!

It is so hard for me to hear from someone who tells me their vet has told them the only option is to put their dog to sleep if it can’t walk…. but they did research on their own and discovered they can indeed help their pet.  When they find me and my story, I am so thrilled to share with them that there is HOPE, just like Henry’s story.

While not everyone can take part in such a wonderful study, I do want to let others know that there is always hope for their dogs even if they can’t be a part of the study.  If fitted for a dog wheelchair it is amazing what can happen with that as well.  Frankie is proof.

Though she still needs her wheelchair for longer walks, and to best support her spine, her wheels have kept the muscle tone in her back legs very strong.  When she walks in her wheels you will sometimes see her back legs move.  This is called spinal walk.  This means her brain is not making the connection to the spine, but because of her front legs moving, her back legs will mimic following along.  This has given her the ability to stand for moments at a time when not in her wheelchair, as well as hop like a bunny at times.  I believe her therapy wheelchair is a big reason why she is able to have some mobility now.

What I really want to encourage in others is if you can’t afford or even have in your area a dog rehabilitation center where you can go for physical therapy for your dog, there are still so many options.  I had a vet who specializes in spinal injuries in Dachshunds show me some physical therapy I could do on my own for Frankie.  I also did swim therapy in our bathtub with Frankie.  So where there is a will, there is a way… and there is ALWAYS HOPE.

Dodgers List- Great Resource for Pets Diagnosed with IVDD

Posted by Barbara Techel

 

Frankie 3 days after surgery

Bringing Frankie home after surgery over 3 1/2 years ago was a pretty scary and daunting experience.  I was uneducated in Intervertebral Disk Disease and was not sure where to turn for help.  I researched the internet and found Dodgers List.  They were a life saver and brought me much peace.

Since all of that has happened to Frankie I often refer people to Dodgers Listbecause they were so helpful to me.  I’m also always willing to talk with anyone going through this to offer my support.  Just recently I had someone whose dog was diagnosed with IVDD, but sadly the spinal chord was dying, and that is something from what I understand, not much can be done about.  But it prompted me to want to once again share the resource of Dodgers List.

One of the most essential things you MUST do when your dog has surgery or is trying to heal from a ruptured disk is STRICT cage rest.  So often people think it is mean to do this to their dog.  It is hard for owners to realize this is the BEST thing they can do to help their dog.  Keeping them calm gives them the best chance at recovery.  Having them in a crate that is movable from room to room so they can be with you is a good idea so they don’t feel lonely.  If we put ourselves in the dogs shoes (or should I say paws) and our back needed to heal, we know for ourselves we would need to be still.

Dodgers List website is jam packed with many great articles on care & crate rest, getting up to speed on IVDD, physical therapy, supplement & diet and nutrition.  You can also join their newsletter of which there is a small fee, but it is well worth it.  They also offer a yahoo group which you can join and ask questions to get help from others who have been through this.

Even if your dog has never experienced IVDD it is a great resource to peruse through and become familiar with the disease.  It is quite common in the dachshund, so best to know what it is about.  Not all vets are versed in IVDD and that is when sadly, with owners not knowing the options available, the dogs are put down.  IVDD is not a death sentence.  These dogs, like Frankie, can and do live full, happy, long lives.

Please do share Dodgers List website with every dachshund owner that you know!!

Frankie TODAY… HAPPY!