Vet says it's because Shepherd has been hit twice - one truck - one SUV.
What can we do to help him get around?
2007-01-06 09:30:44 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
There are dog wheelchairs, but they are probably expensive
I hope you get you dog up and walking again!!:)
2007-01-06 09:35:04 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am sorry to read this. Your dog has bad arthritis and, as a result, is unable to control her bladder. Talk to your vet. Sometimes a simple pain medication is enough to relieve some of her symptoms. That is, with the pain reduced, she may be able to walk better or at least control her bladder more. Be prepared, though, for a lot more messes in the future. I had a bigger Dalmatian who had to be put down at 13 years, 9 months after suffering a series of ailments. For the last year of his life, though, his back legs got weaker and weaker and he had more accidents in the house. What I'm trying to say is that the end is coming - so try to prepare yourself. Even with pain medication and medicine for arthritis, she will soon suffer other ailments. Only you know if she's reached the point of being put down. If she's still eating, drinking and seems happy - it's not time yet. But if she sleeps all day and can barely move, the time has come. I wish you the best in what will probably be some difficult months ahead.
2016-03-14 02:26:53 · answer #2 · answered by Ellen 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there may be spinal-cord damage, and IF it is corrected quickly, by surgery, the lessened pressure allows the spinal-cord to recover.
a 'compressed' spinal-cord will only recover if U get the surgery done FAST - the longer the wait, the less likely is full recovery.
other options:
* accupuncture: often helps neurofunction where there is no surgical solution
* accupressure: U can learn to do this Urself; there are books on self-performed accupressure, and this uses the same meridians as accupuncture, but instead of hair-thin needles, U use Ur fingers in very specific places
* a cart
* T-Touch sometimes helps stimulate sensation
* hydrotherapy, with an overhead support or a harness held by a handler:
allows the dog to 'swim' with no joint-stress and only the resistance of the water to move against; the dog's paws are not in contact with the 'floor', they are in the middle of the water-column
Q: does Ur dog have 'deep pain' response?
if it's been more than a week, and there STILL is No Deep-Pain Response, that's not a very good prognosis.
also: spinal-neuropathy in GSD's and other breeds/mixes does not require any trauma; the rear half of the dog 'answers' less and less to the brain, but it does NOT hurt; the dog is in no pain, the rear is just out of communication with the brain/spine.
an otherwise-healthy dog using a cart can still get about very nicely...
2007-01-06 10:28:08 · answer #3 · answered by leashedforlife 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If your dog is otherwise healthy and enjoying life, I'd suggest a vet that does acupuncture/Chiropractic for dogs. I've known several people who's dogs maintained a lot of mobility through regular treatment, including my own Akita/Pit mix. Who had severe arthritis in his spine.
the acupuncture and doggie chiropractic kept him mobile until his death from bone cancer Dec. 23.
There are also dog carts that hold a dog's hindy and let their front legs work. I met a German Shepherd with a cart at the dog park and it didn't slow her down.
2007-01-06 10:18:46 · answer #4 · answered by renodogmom 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Talk to your Vet about a sling cart. It basically carries the rear end around in a sling and has wheels . The dog propels itself around by the front legs and the rear end follows in a cart. Good Luck and sorry to hear about the puppy. (I have a 6 year old Shepard)
2007-01-06 09:36:21 · answer #5 · answered by J J 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Look to finding homeopathic vet, they might be able to offer you a fresh outlook and some solutions.
2007-01-06 09:33:03 · answer #6 · answered by looshia 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I took Maggie to a veterinary neurologist and he corrected two herniated discs. Yes it was expensive - $3800, but she can walk!!
-MM
2007-01-06 10:05:30 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is unfortunately common for shepherds. Put it out of its misery.
2007-01-06 09:41:10 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
First off i'm sorry about your dog.
About the question- You can got to a vet and have the back legs cut off and replaced by wheels.
By Wheels-I mean two pipes that the vets insertes were the old legs went and wire them in.
Then at the other end have wheels on it.
allso u cood use a sling cart
2007-01-06 09:43:56 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 5⤋
You could look for one of those wheelchair things for him. That might help. Good luck
2007-01-06 09:35:57 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋