Daily Care

One of the first veterinary specialists I took Sophie to see when her back legs started to give out, was a dog chiropractor. Dr. Nancy Brandt is a holistic veterinarian in my city, who specializes in animal chiropractic care. She had treated two of my other dogs when they became old and arthritic, so I …

Hearing the words that your dog will never walk again is a surreal experience that most of us don’t want to relive. That’s why I was impressed when a pet owner wanted to share the story about the day her dog became paralyzed. Her goal is to tell people about the amazing life her disabled …

Dog massage is a growing field, but you don’t have to be a professional to give a therapeutic massage to your dog at home. The techniques and the theory behind dog massage are easy to learn. It’s a therapy that improves musculoskeletal problems, lessens anxiety and has a real impact on your pet’s quality of …

Did you know that most of the products and medical care your handicapped dog benefits from today, didn’t exist a few years ago? It’s true. Back at the turn of the century (I love saying that), in the year 2000, canines with paralysis were routinely euthanized and veterinarians were taught that a wheelchair would make …

How do I take care of my paralyzed dog while I’m at work? It’s one of the biggest fears pet owners have. We worry about how we’ll manage our dog’s care and how we’ll keep a pet, who can’t walk on their own, safe when we have to be away from home. I have to …

The picture above is my beautiful dog Cody who suffered from pressure sores when he got to be an old boy. If you live with a senior dog or a canine with mobility problems you should know about pressure sores and hygromas in dogs. These common skin injuries can turn into a big problem, if …

Only one veterinary hospital in my city offered laser therapy for dogs when Sophie became paralyzed in 2010. We were referred there by a dear friend whose vet had just added the treatment to his practice. Laser therapy was only being used for dogs with severe arthritis at the time, but the vet agreed to …

Would you be surprised if I said the majority of pet owners don’t know the best way to carry a small dog? It’s true. The most common way people lift and hold a little dog could cause the pup to have back problems later in life. Our instinct is to scoop them up with one …

When pet owner Risa L. told me about the benefits of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for dogs, I was amazed. Her dog, Mia, suffered a life-threatening FCE (Fibrocartilagenous Embolism) stroke, but learned to walk again after receiving treatments in a hyperbaric oxygen (HBOT) chamber. To be truthful, the idea of putting a paralyzed pet inside a …

Dogs are good travel companions. According to a national survey 37 percent of us take our canines on road trips. But if you’re putting plans on hold because of your pet’s mobility problems, I promise you can still travel like a pro with a disabled dog. Traveling by car with any dog requires preparation. There’s …

Veterinarians keep dogs fit through regular exams and vaccinations. As their guardian, there are 10 habits you can do every month that will keep your dog healthy and add years to their life. Each of them begins with a simple touch. Your dog will think you’re giving them a rubdown, but once you start implementing …

Veterinary medicine offers a range of diagnostic imaging tests for dogs with mobility problems. But when your dog needs an MRI, CAT Scan, X-ray or Ultrasound, do you know what each test reveals about their spine? I was clueless. I knew the names of the tests when my dog was referred by our vet, but …

Are you searching for a pet sitter for a special needs dog? Just thinking about where to find a qualified caretaker, sends shivers down the spine of most pet owners. We worry that it’s impossible to find a person who can handle all the details that go into caring for our disabled pet. Many pet …

As humans, we live in a world where constant movement and forward progression is desired, and that feeling is no different for our sweet pets. Watch any dog and you’ll see a flurry of continuous motion. It’s one of the reasons dog wheelchairs are so popular. It’s also the reason why we need to keep …

Where can I find a wheelchair for my dog? It’s the first question pet owners ask me when they find out their dog is losing their mobility. Dog wheelchairs are a wonderful invention and I understand their popularity, but in my opinion, a support harness for your paralyzed dog will become your favorite mobility device. …

When my veterinarian recommended, I buy a wheelchair for my dog Sophie, I spent hours researching which one would be the right fit. But when it arrived, it took me by surprise that I couldn’t figure out how to put a dog into a wheelchair. It’s trickier than you think, especially if you have a …

The worst case of urine scald in a paralyzed dog I’ve seen came from a photo sent to me by a pet owner. The skin on the poor dog’s lower belly was red, blistered and looked like it had a bad sunburn. It happened because urine was allowed to stay on the dog’s skin too …

Can my paralyzed dog regain deep pain sensation? It’s an important question to ask after your pet’s had a spine injury or surgery. The ability to feel a painful stimulus is an indicator the nerves in the spinal cord are, at some level, communicating with the brain. Everyone knows paralysis means the inability to move, …

Dog Wheelchair LIFE is blessed with a large and dedicated community of pet families whose opinions I value. So, from time to time I check in with them for advice. Recently I asked members of our Facebook page for their favorite tips to treat dog urinary tract infections and urine scald. Dozens of pet owners …

Dog urinary tract infections are a common problem that makes life miserable. When bacteria enter the bladder, it causes a host of symptoms that range from pain and pressure to fever and bloody urine. Healthy, able-bodied dogs might experience a handful of UTIs during their life, but for paralyzed dogs and those with chronic health …

The mind is a complicated thing to navigate, especially when you’re exploring the needs of a loved one, like your dog, who can’t explain what’s happening or how they feel. It’s a delicate subject and that’s why I’ve taken a long time contemplating how to share my experience and advice about taking your dog to …

Your relationship with your vet is important and if you’re like me you spent a lot of time choosing the right one. But do you know your veterinarian’s philosophy about treating a paralyzed dog? There are a lot of emotions to deal with when a pet becomes disabled so it’s vital the professional you turn …

Just like humans who hurt their back, physical therapy for dogs with spine problems can be a huge benefit. It can increase mobility, improve strength and maintain overall health. Canine rehab can be done in a clinic setting and there are dog physical therapy exercises you can do at home. Both can be a big …

An estimated 600,000 pets use some form of incontinence product. These products range from disposable dog diapers, washable diapers, belly bands, suspender outfits, doggie pants, drag bags and more. The choices can be overwhelming if you’ve just started life with a urinary and/or fecal incontinent dog. The trick is learning how to choose the right …