ivdd

National Dog Week- Help Us Celebrate Disabled Pets & You Could Win

Posted by Barbara Techel

Don’t you think we should have National Dog Year?  Though happy to have a week devoted to these special critters because they so deserve our love!

I need your help… so please read below… and then at the end see what you could win for helping!

Campaign:

 THERE IS HOPE!

My passion is bringing positive awareness to animals with disabilities, especially dachshunds diagnosed with Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD).  There are still so many that are not aware of the hope there is for this breed when diagnosed with IVDD.  So many are told there is no hope and their dog must be put to sleep.  I am here to tell you that a doxie with this diagnoses CAN live a quality life.  Frankie is living proof, along with oodles of others.

 

Sadly many are still being put down. I just learned of another doxie needlessly put to sleep last night because they were told there was no hope.  It broke my heart beyond any words I can say.  Please, during this week of National Dog Week help educate other dachshund owners, vets, vet clinics, etc. that there is HOPE.  Please share with them the resource of Dodgerslist which is a website dedicated to helping educate others on the options available.  You can print out brochures to give to your local vet clinics or to those you know have a doxie.

 

If your doxie is diagnosed with IVDD it is imperative that they have IMMEDIATEcrate rest and get to a vet specializing in IVDD asap.  See Dodgerslist for more Emergency FAQ’s and please pass along.

The cost for surgery may not be an option for many due to various reasons but there is conservative treatment which often times works.  Frankie had the surgery, followed by physical therapy and now in her wheelchair.  She has made leaps and bounds since being fitted for her wheelchair from Eddie’s Wheels four years ago. Her wheelchair has helped maintain her muscle tone and she can spinal walk at times without her wheels- this is huge!!  I shudder to think if I had made the fatal mistake of putting her to sleep.

So what’s in it for you?  How can you help?  It is easy! Just forward this post to any dachshund owner, vet, or vet clinic you know to help educate others that IVDD is not a death sentenceand that there are many options available ( I don’t need proof as I will just trust that you do).  Post it on your Facebook or Twitter about it or if you have a blog post a link back to this information. Or print out the brochure from Dodgerslist  website and give to your vet or doxie owner you may know. Just let me know that you did in the comment section and I will enter your name into a drawing to win:

Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog Book Series

(Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog, Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Therapy Dog Visits Libby’s House, Frankie Activity Workbook)

Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog T-shirt

Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog pin– EXCLUSIVE!

Dachshund magnet set

Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog Tote Bag

Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog Poster

Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog Stickers

Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog book, by Dana Hilton

(thank you to Sparkles for donating your book- you are a great friend!)

Almost Perfect:  Disabled Pets & the People Who Love Them by Mary Shafer

(thank you so much Mary for donating a copy of your beautiful book!)

Donation made in your name to Dodgerslist

$150 value!!  Drawing will be held Sunday, May 9th.

Thank you, during this week of National Dog Week, in helping to save the lives of dachshunds whose lives are often cut short due to a diagnoses of IVDD.

With your help we can make a difference and save their lives. 

Thank you so much for passing this on!

Support & Education for Intervertebral Disc Disease

Posted by Barbara Techel


When Frankie was first diagnosed with Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) it was a very difficult time in my life.  I have, and will always be, grateful for finding Dodgerslistwhich is an organization dedicated to helping pet owners understand and live with this disease.  As they adamantly say, and I so agree, IVDD is not a death sentence.

With the proper help and education your pet can live a quality life.  Frankie is just one of many examples of doxies living a full, happy life.

Part of my reason in writing Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll book series was to educate not only children on caring for a pet when something goes seriously wrong, but to also educate the parent/grandparent as they read Frankie’s book to their children.  I was uneducated in IVDD and thought my only option was to put Frankie down– thank goodness I didn’t.  As many of you know, Frankie is one of my biggest blessings- oh, how my life has been enriched because of her.

I think at times people take pity on special needs animals.  But if we take pity we then lose out on all they have to teach us.  Believe me, Frankie takes no pity on herself.  Each time I do a presentation with her I feel this passion rise up in me sharing with children that Frankie is still Frankie- she never changed.  Her mind and spirit are as alive and happy as can be.  The only thing that has changed is that now she has a special tool (her wheelchair) that helps her live the best life she can live.

So with that said, I was perusing Dodgerslist website this morning, of which I encourage you to do.  I came across their database of doxie’s with IVDD and the outcomes.  I found it quite interesting and wanted to pass along. You may at some point encounter someone going through this with their pet. Please let them know about Dodgerslist.  Unfortunately some vets don’t know these animals can be helped and sadly they are put down needlessly.

Total Dachshunds in Database: 1838

Total Dachshunds Walking: 1255
Total Dachshunds Paralyzed: 583

Total Male: 949
Total Female: 889

Of all dogs, 669 have had surgery. Of those, 444 are walking and 225 are paralyzed.

Of all dogs, 1169 used conventional medicine. Of those, 853 are walking and 316 are paralyzed.

Of all dogs, 1644 had problems occurring in the back, and 194 had problems occurring in the neck.

Of all dogs walking, 1079 had problems occurring in the back, and 176 had problems occurring in the neck.

Of all dogs paralyzed, 521 had problems occurring in the back, and 62 had problems occurring in the neck.

Of all dogs, back problems first occurred at 4 years of age and younger for 950 dogs, at 5 to 10 years of age for 798 dogs, and at 11 years of age and older for 48 dogs.

Of all dogs, 1190 have only had one episode, and 648 have had more than one episode to date.

Of all dogs, 189 have known relatives with back problems, but 1312 aren’t sure and could have some unknown relatives.

Letter from a Frankie Fan Touches My Heart

Posted by Barbara Techel

I have “met” some very amazing people since embarking on my journey with Frankie.  Every day there is a new blessing that reveals itself.  Every time that happens it makes me feel incredibly grateful for the path I am meant to be on.


Luke with his dog Jake

Recently I received a very touching letter from a fellow dachshund lover.  We “dachshund people” are a breed of our own and I consider it an honor to be among these kind people.  Luke sent me the letter below, along with a poem he wrote about his dear Jake who passed away.  It especially struck me coming from a guy- who sometimes are not always so willing to share their feelings, so I was just so touched he shared this with me.  He also gave me permission to share with all of you and hopes his poem may help others.  I have no doubt it will.  Thank you, Luke.

My departed dachshund Jake had a similar story. When he was around 12 years old he ruptured a disc and after a good deal of money he thankfully recovered from surgery. He later became diabetic and eventually died from (I believe) a brain tumor. The last year or more of his life was very tough as he lost the ability to walk and eventually could not stand on his own. I had to carry him outside and hold him up to eat but I did not care. I loved that dog more than life itself and would had done anything for him.

When he passed it was very sad but looking back it was time as he was not enjoying life and was starting to have episodes due to the tumor. God bless you for pointing out to others that back disease does not equal a death sentence.

Poem written by Luke after Jake passed:

Goodbye To A Friend

There is no need to fight, or to hang on another day
Though I am sad to see you go, and I have always dreaded this day

I think back to the days when you were so young and so free,
You loved nothing more than to chase a squirrel up a tree

But the squirrel had no worries, about meeting his end
You were such a gentle soul you would had just made him your friend

But time took it’s toll, and you picked up some gray
The walks were a bit slower, but we made more friends that way

And when you could no longer walk, or no longer stand
I was there as your best friend, to lend you a hand

Now you no longer suffer, nor feel any pain
Goodbye my friend, until we meet again

Jake and Minnie (Luke lost both in the same year)  I like how Luke said, “until we meet again.”  I truly believe we all do meet again… for me personally that is what brings me peace about beloved animals I have had that have passed on.  So I’m sure Luke will see Jake and Minnie again… and how lucky those dogs were to have Luke while here on earth.