wheelchairs for dogs

New Website to Help Disabled Animals

Posted by Barbara Techel

I was so delighted to come across this new website, Disabled Animal dedicated to helping special needs animals find a home, as well as a resource page, that is expanding as the website gains more awareness.  If you are looking to bring a special needs pet into your life, this page might help you do just that.

When I discovered the website through a post on Facebook from Eddie’s Wheels, I was touched to learn the website is the work of a 3rd year vet student.  I just had to interview her and share this with you.  Part of the challenge with dogs diagnosed with Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) is the lack of education among vets and society, as to the options.  Thanks to the organization, Dodgerslist and others, this is changing, but there is still much work to be done.  That is why it is so wonderful to see a young vet so enthusiastic and full of heart who wants to help disabled animals.  Thank you, Celine!!

Without further ado- My interview with Celine.

1.  Why did you start Disabled Animal website?

I was so frustrated! I chose veterinary medicine as a career and like many others, thought that I would like to share a home and help a disabled animal. I started to do research on my options and decided that I would like a wheelchair dog to adopt. It spoke to me. After deciding I started to look and to my surprise… they weren’t easy to search for! I was astounded at this and got to the point of where I was literally cold calling to California from Georgia looking for one to adopt. I hung up the phone, decided that was enough, and within five minutes was working on the website so that others wouldn’t have to do what I did.

2.  What is it about disabled animals that you want people to know?

I want people to know that they really aren’t broken. I go to school every day learning how to treat medical problems and many of them simply take a pill for them to be able to live a normal life. There are so many advances in veterinary medicine that pets are living longer and are able to be helped more than ever. A wheelchair dog can still live a normal life with an aid, too. No legs? No problem! They’re still capable of loving to me!

3.  When you are done with college and in practice as a vet how will you bring positive awareness to special needs pets?

I am done with vet school in May of 2012 and I would like to be a personal veterinarian. What I mean by that is that I’d rather not be a drive-thru clinic. I would like to get to know these pet parents and be able to connect with them and be a resource for their special needs pets. Depending on the need, there may need to be modifications to techniques such as training and that information can be hard to find.

4.  I see on your website you are looking for a two-legged dog to adopt.  Why a two-legged dog?

Actually, I just want a medium to small wheelchair dog. I called a rescue for one without back legs but he was set out to be adopted the next day. They informed me of one that was missing the front two legs and I got attached. Sadly, the foster parents said that I would not be considered for adoption due to the fact that I was going to have children and they thought that he needed someone at home for the majority of the day. That’s really the only reason – I honestly wouldn’t mind one with all four legs attached as long as they are in a wheelchair.

5.  What do you think animals with special needs teach us?

To live life! Have you ever seen a special needs pet wallow in their own sorrow? No. I believe that humans tend to think about themselves too much sometimes and feel as though they can’t do much because of a disability. Wrong. These pets are still smiling, still wagging their tails if they can. Carpe diem because life’s too short to be unhappy.

6.  What advice can you offer those wanting to adopt a special needs pet?

Do your research. Don’t look at an animal and think, “oh, you’re cute because you have paralysis,” and not know what you are getting into. You don’t need to adopt one just because you feel pity. Animal ownership is a big responsibility and it shouldn’t be taken lightly regardless of whether they are normal or disabled. With that said, adopting a disabled animal can be an incredibly rewarding experience even if you haven’t owned one before.

7.  Anything else you’d like to share?

Absolutely. A big thank you to my fiance Chris as he has helped me through my vet school years so far. I am indebted to him for all of the support he has given me. GO DAWGS and UGA VET MED!

Hospice Care for Our Pets

Posted by Barbara Techel

The more I learn about hospice the more I see the beauty and grace of transitioning from this world to the next… wherever that may be.  I personally believe it is a wondrous place of absolute love, and that we are all reunited again… and reunited with the love of the animals we have had in our lives.

I just ran across this story about hospice care for pets.  It had many emotions in my heart swirling for many different reasons, as you will see when you watch the video.

I think it is great hospice care for our animals is gaining more acceptance and understanding.  It is something I give more thought to now than I did with my other pets.  Working as a volunteer in hospice I see some tough situations, but I also see many beautiful moments… and our pets should have the same dignity and respect as they make their journey to the other side.

What do you think of hospice for pets?

 

Read the full story King5.com

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!