Having a Dog with a Disability

We have been dog owners for 10 years and having a dog that has special needs is an eye-opener. In hindsight, we should have studied up on how to cope with the possibility of special needs as it's a lot to take in when it occurs. 

We've talked with the veterinarian and spent countless hours looking at websites and videos that offer helpful advice for dogs with neurological issues. We've watched many videos and have read up on How to Help a Disabled Dog and Dog Cart Comparisons.

Since our visit to the animal hospital less than a week ago, things have changed for our dogs and for us. We are grateful that our schedules are such that our dogs generally have someone they know home with them. And we have a system set up where we can monitor and communicate to them when we are away from home.  

As I  mentioned in the previous post, Lucky now has limited mobility. Lucky's typical day starts with us carrying him outside as our vet advised us to do this so he can avoid steps. Lucky is still able to complete his doody but we have had a few occasions where we have had to clean him up afterward because he's stumbled and sat down in his own excrement. We purchased a lift sling for him and unfortunately when he goes to urinate it gets onto the sling so we ordered a rear-end harness which should arrive soon.

We generally pick Lucky up after he's completed his doody and carry him up the steps and inside to his bed. We then place his food and water in front of him and give him his medication.  I can offer him pills from my hand and at this time he will take them without issue. He is currently taking medications twice daily. 

We can see Lucky wants to be active. He will appear to move quickly and will get many feet and then begin to sway and stumble. If we are not there to assist, his leg will often cross and he will fall back into a sitting position. 

We have a hardwood floor and have installed a path of cushioned floor mats as we have him on an exercise regime that consists of us offering him intervals of short walks between the rooms to try and keep him as mobile as possible. As he spends more time in bed than previously, we are watching for pressure sores and are doing massage and range of motion exercises with him. 

Our purchases so far had been a new set of protective gear for his feet, the sling, and the rear end harness which should be arriving soon, and a cushion bed. Lucky is right at 25 lbs and he is 15 inches hind flank to tip of the paw. We are actively searching for an orthopedic bed and a wheelchair. If you have advice on models available please feel free to present it in the comment section below.

Our 3 senior dogs appear to be adjusting to the changes at home. They frequently go up and sniff Lucky and then will occasionally lay near him for a while. I saw our dog Monroe take a stuffed toy over to Lucky and drop it in front of him. We're making a list of ways to keep Lucky engaged. While this is not the situation we had hope for, we are blessed to have Lucky in our lives, and now it is our time to show him our devotion.

Update: Neurological conditions were not easy to be faced for our Lucky or for us. We tried many things to change Lucky's condition and tried to make him as comfortable as possible as he went through treatments and therapy to assist him.  He was a complete joy to have around even in the worst of times. Lucky passed in June 2022.