Pet Health

  I love when pet parents reach out to share their stories about life with their wheelchair bound dog. Kacey started following us in 2015 when Penny, her Pug, suddenly became paralyzed. She wrote to say that she had “zero information” about caring for a disabled dog and that she didn’t know anyone with experience. The Lessons From A Paralyzed Dog community became her go to source. Today Kacey and Penny have turned the obstacles they faced into an incredible life. Here’s their story and what Kacey learned about her dog’s resilience and zest for life. Kacey and little Penny I adopted Penny Halloween 2013. She had been left at a shelter overnight, so they had no history. But her injuries implied she was likely hit by a car. She had a rib that stuck out, and deep wounds that were sewn up by someone who clearly had no medical experience. I had her 1.5 years before she became acutely paralyzed. At 4:00am the Emergency Vet gave me the news she had a herniated disc, with a large h...

Just when I thought I’d heard about every kind of disease that can prevent a dog from walking, a reader left a comment about Beagle Pain Syndrome. It’s a rare disease that primarily effects Beagle puppies. It causes them to have a host of confusing symptoms that include severe pain in their neck and muscle spasms in their front legs. Reading the words “Beagle Pain Syndrome” sent chills down my spine. Three years ago, my family adopted the sweetest little Beagle puppy named Olivia. I knew she was prone to IVDD (Intervertebral Disc Disease) and I watch her like a hawk for symptoms, but knowing she could be disposed to another disorder sent me on a quest. I needed to learn everything I could about the condition. Note: This post contains some affiliate links. What I learned about Beagle Pain Syndrome The first thing I discovered about Beagle Pain Syndrome is that’s known by several names. Some vets refer to it as Juvenile Polyarteritis and others call it steroid responsive meningitis...

Dogs love to be outdoors whether they’re able-bodied or they get around on wheels. It’s great for their health and their happiness. And just because winter’s making its mark all across the country, our fur kids don’t have to get stuck inside. Winter is the perfect time to add a dog wheelchair ski attachment. Note: This post contains affiliate links. Lessons From A Paralyzed Dog only shares products we like and are relevant to our readers. Walkin’ Wheels Skis for dog wheelchairs If you haven’t heard about them before, Handicappedpets.com makes a ski attachment for their dog wheelchairs. The skis are easily exchanged with the tires and struts on your pet’s cart. And they come in sizes that are compatible with the mini, small, medium and large Walkin’ Wheels. That way every dog, from toy and small breeds to dogs that weigh up to 180lbs. can enjoy fun snowy adventures. How the dog wheelchair ski attachment works The Walkin’ Ski Attachment is made for rear support dog wheelchairs....

Have you heard the term “spinal walking or “spinal reflex walking”? The phenomenon happens to a small number of dogs (and cats) that are paralyzed after a spinal cord injury. These animals are able to use their reflexes to move even though their limbs no longer communicate with their brain. Circumstances that promote spinal walking The miracle of spinal walking isn’t fully understood, but researchers believe it happens in dogs who become paralyzed in their lower spine due to a herniated disc or an injury, like being hit by a car. These dogs don’t have feelings or (deep pain sensations) in their legs, but they’re able to walk by using their reflexes. Apparently walking is hardwired into the spinal cord. The theory is they’re moving by way of instinct and muscle memory. These canines have typically gone through some form of rehab such as physical therapy, massage or water therapy. And their bodies have learned to remap the pathway of movement to their limbs. It’s a type of involunt...

  If your dog’s been diagnosed with IVDD (Intervertebral disc disease), it can be tricky and sometimes frustrating to find the right the steps to treat the condition. That’s because there are 2 forms of this neurological condition and 5 stages of IVDD. When you add up all the possible combinations, the treatment process can quickly get complicated. To help you make sense of your pup’s condition, we’re going to breakdown the “language” of IVDD. Then at your next veterinary appointment you’ll have a better understanding of your dog’s individual condition, now and in the future. What is IVDD?   An estimated 2 percent of dogs will be affected by the back pain, hind end weakness and paralysis of IVDD. Dogs generally display their first symptoms after a spinal injury called a ruptured, herniated or slipped disc. But, actually the disease process of IVDD began much earlier. Let me begin with an explanation of the spinal column. The spine is made up of small bones called vert...

Jennifer Garrison was researching the crazy phenomenon of Spinal Walking for her paralyzed puppy Scooter when she came across an article on Lessons From A Paralyzed Dog. She and her husband adopted Scooter after he was hit by a car and left with a severed spine. Since joining the Garrison family, the little dog’s gained the ability to walk short distances even though he has no feeling in his hind legs. His neurologist attributes this miracle to spinal walking. Jennifer agreed to share Scooter’s story so other pet families can learn about this rare occurrence. Scooter’s story Jennifer and her husband Michael never had a handicapped dog before, but when they saw Scooter highlighted on their local news, Jennifer knew she wanted to make him part of the family. Michael agreed they should adopt the puppy. Scooter was a malnourished puppy who had been living in an 8 inch crawl space under a building outside of Dallas. A recue group gained his confidence and pulled him to safety. When th...

  With the holiday season officially starting, it’s time to bring out the family recipes for you to enjoy with loved ones. In my home, that means it’s time to bake the yummy homemade chicken nuggets my dogs love. I first started preparing this warm and healthy dish for my pup, Cody. It was the first Thanksgiving after Sophie and her best buddy, Shadow, crossed the Rainbow Bridge. I’ve continued the holiday tradition over the years and today Bailey and Olivia get to enjoy this chef inspired treat. Chicken nuggets inspired by a chef Lots of bloggers share their famous recipes at this time of year, but I have a deep, dark secret when it comes to cooking. The truth is, I am terrible at it! While I cook every night for Bailey and Olivia, the meal consists of ground turkey, lamb or beef that I boil with a rotating variety of frozen vegetables. Thank goodness for the “jolly green giant.” Then I spoon the mixture over their store-bought dry food. So, when I wanted to learn how to p...

  When life hands you lemons, you’re supposed to make lemonade. It’s a great analogy for making the best out of a bad situation. But sometimes, when you’re forced to make lemonade, you find out you’re actually phenomenal at making life-changing lemonade. For one pup named Sadie and her owner Joal, that’s exactly what happened. Sadie, a paralyzed dog’s tale of hope and inspiration turned a tragic event into a worldwide mission. That’s why I wanted to share this story from one member of the disabled pet community. Sadie’s story shows that life doesn’t end just because you can’t walk. Instead, it can open the opportunity to make life better for others. When Joal met Sadie In 2012, after giving birth to a litter of puppies in Kentucky, Sadie’s owner took her into the woods and shot her twice; once in the spine and once in her head. Two people nearby heard the shots, and rushed Sadie to a local veterinarian. She suffered serious injuries, but thankfully she survived the ordeal. T...

Oh the weather outside is frightful, and the fire inside delightful, but when Fido has to go, he’s gotta go, gotta go, gotta go… Brr! It’s that time of year again when everyone’s trying to stay warm, including your pup. To manage the frigid temperature during the long winter months, we’ve pulled together the best dog indoor potty options. You’ll be surprised at the number of products available and the creative ways people have convinced their dogs it’s okay to pee inside. Even if you’ve never thought about it before, the recommendations in this story can be a big help if you’re a pet owner who has to bundle up in a heavy jacket, wool hat, gloves and boots every time your fur kid has to relieve themselves.     Note: This post contains affiliate links. Lessons From A Paralyzed Dog only recommends products we feel will benefit our readers. Be sure to keep your pup warm Freezing weather is tough for dogs. Their bodies feel the drop in temperatures as much as we do. Even d...

  Dog wheelchairs are the number one device pet owners of disabled animals buy. It’s a miracle to watch your paralyzed dog take off running like they did when their legs worked. But with so many carts being used, new unintended consequences are occurring. Wheelchair pups are having serious and sometimes fatal accidents. To prevent this problem, it’s vitally important for every pet parent to learn dog wheelchair safety. One dog’s story Recently I was introduced to a dedicated pet owner whose dog had a rare form of paralysis. I did an interview with him for an article about the dog’s condition. In my wildest dreams I never expected how the story would change. It’s the reason I’m writing about dog wheelchair safety. About an hour after our interview, the young dog came home from physical therapy. She was happy to be back so she began running around the yard in her cart. Somehow, the dog fell into the swimming pool. The wheelchair was heavy under the water and her owner couldn’t ...