a tribute to the fastest runner in the dog park
Can you guess my absolute favorite part of running Lessons From A Paralyzed Dog? It’s the stories I receive from people about the amazing lives they have created with their paralyzed dogs and cats. I am in awe at each pet owner’s transition from novice to expert caretaker. While everyone’s journey is unique, the theme
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Like paraplegic dogs, cats with paralysis are likely to be incontinent. That makes them prone to urinary tract infections. And like dogs, the best way to keep those infections at bay is to learn how to express your incontinent cat’s bladder. The techniques used to empty a feline bladder are a bit trickier than a dog. This
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Do you know the 5 nutrition tips for dogs that can’t walk? Most of us with disabled pets are so caught up in the daily routine of taking care of our dogs that we never stop think about their special nutritional needs. When Sophie was sick, I relied on our veterinarian for this kind
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Pet hospice and end of life care is one of the big conversations no pet parent ever wants to discuss, but for those of us with a disabled or chronically ill dog or cat, hospice care is a subject we should know. Pet parents should be aware of the resources available in your community because
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Have you wondered how a holistic veterinarian treats a dog with IVDD or DM? Do you think the care would be different than a veterinarian trained in Western medicine? It is a question I’ve been curious about for a long time. Years ago, when my German shepherd, Bear, developed cancer I incorporated Chinese veterinary
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Could your dog have a spinal tumor? They are more common than you think, especially in large breed dogs. It was one of the diagnoses my veterinarian considered for Sophie when she became ill. Tumors in the spine can cause hind end weakness and changes in the way a dog walks. So, when Sophie
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The 90th Western Veterinary Conference was “the place to be seen” on the Las Vegas strip in early March. More than 15,000 veterinary professionals attended the 5-day event to learn the latest in veterinary medicine. Attendees were also treated to a concert by Jewel, an evening of comedy with Kevin Nealon, and a performance by
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If you share your life with a pug, you’ll want to know about an important study on spinal cord disease in pugs that is nearing completion at Michigan State University. The study examined a recently identified condition called Pug Myelopathy that is believed to be widespread in purebred pugs. Although researchers are in the
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Did you know that one in every 5 adult dogs will develop arthritis? The condition is caused by a combination of age plus wear and tear on the joints. It is a tough disease that includes symptoms of pain, stiffness, inflammation, and loss of mobility. But there is good news because pet owners can slow
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How many times have you seen a picture of a sad homeless dog living in terrible conditions and said, “Someone should help that animal?” Well an animal lover from Colorado named Susan, made that comment after she saw a photo of a sick dog who was fending for himself on the other side of
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Pet owners of disabled animals never cease to amaze me with their resourcefulness and dedication to their fur kids. When Jonathan Arbel wrote to me about the custom motorized dog cart he had a company build for his paralyzed pup, Riley, I knew I had to share the story. If you take your dog on
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When you write a blog, you never know who is going to read it or how it will affect them. I always hope to inspire people, but I really never know unless they reach out to me. Recently, Amber M. read one of our stories about amazing pets with disabilities. It encouraged her to
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Anyone remember this cute guy? His name is Tiger and I ran a story about him in December, titled Paralyzed Dog Would Love A New Family For Christmas. Well, Christmas has come and gone, but I am thrilled share a happy update. The paralyzed dog disowned by his family has a new home. Tiger will
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