| A dog's disability may occur from an illness, injury or | | | | assist your dog, you can get a ramp to assist them |
| physical handicap. The degree of disability may be | | | | in getting in or out of a truck or SUV and there are |
| slight or may be incapacitating. Whatever reason for | | | | dog stairs to assist them in getting on the bed or |
| your dogs suffering will have a great effect on you | | | | couch. There are vitamins or supplements that can |
| as your pet's guardian. | | | | be given to your dog to aid in their health. All |
| If you adopt a pure breed dog from a reputable | | | | medicines, vitamins and supplements should be |
| breeder, you will most likely have some type of | | | | approved by the vet before administering to your |
| health guarantee. If you adopt from an animal shelter, | | | | dog. Water therapy is great for dogs with arthritis or |
| find a stray or take one of your neighbor's puppies | | | | hip dysplasia and sleeping on an orthopedic foam |
| you won't get a health guarantee or probably any | | | | mattress also helps. Moist warm heat and massage |
| information regarding the health of your new family | | | | are beneficial also. |
| member. Either way, there are no guarantees that | | | | Any dog that suffers from a lack of mobility due to |
| your puppy will grow up without medical problems. | | | | hip dysplasia, spinal disorders, myelopathy or any |
| Even with the purebred, it would be unlikely that you | | | | medical problem that effects the hind quarters may |
| give your furry family member back to the breeder if | | | | be a candidate for a wheelchair for dogs. There has |
| he came down with a disease or disability after he's | | | | been vast improvement over the years in the design |
| lived with you for a year or two. Most likely you | | | | and structure of the wheelchairs and most dogs |
| would seek the best vet care you could afford and | | | | adjust quickly to pulling the rolling chair behind them. |
| keep your puppy with you. Anyone who has raised a | | | | The chairs are made to your dog's specifications and |
| puppy or had a dog for any length of time knows | | | | will provide them with a sense of freedom. If your |
| the bonding and commitment between human and | | | | dog is unable to walk by himself, check out these |
| canine. | | | | chairs for your peace of mind and your dog's future |
| Having annual visits to your vet (and the blood tests | | | | happiness. |
| performed) will help screen for many medical | | | | Training your hearing impaired dog with hand signals is |
| conditions that affect dogs. There are a few | | | | very important for their well being and your sanity. It |
| diseases that are more common in older dogs such | | | | is much easier for the dog if you start the training |
| as cancer, arthritis, heart and kidney disease. Younger | | | | before they become completely deaf. This way you |
| dogs or puppies are not free from these conditions | | | | can associate a hand signal with the verbal command |
| but they are less likely to suffer from these diseases | | | | which they may already know. If the dog is losing |
| at an earlier age. If the dog is diagnosed and | | | | their hearing due to a disease or old age, you will |
| treatment started at the onset of a disability, the | | | | have time to work with the dog before all hearing is |
| prognosis will be more favorable. | | | | lost. If the puppy is born deaf, he can still be trained |
| Some breeds of dogs are predisposed to certain | | | | but it will take longer and require more patience. |
| health problems. Degenerative Myelopathy appears to | | | | Never allow a hearing impaired animal to roam freely |
| afflict German Shepherds more than any other breed | | | | or leave the house without his collar and tag. If a |
| even though it has been diagnosed in a few other | | | | hearing impaired dog is sleeping, never touch the dog |
| large dog breeds. Arthritis is very common in Golden | | | | to wake him up as this could frighten him and cause |
| Retrievers and Doberman Pinschers, Boxers are | | | | him to nip or bite. Either stomp real hard or bounce a |
| prone to a common heart disease called dilated | | | | ball to cause vibrations which may rouse the dog. |
| cardiomyopathy. | | | | Impaired vision may be caused by disease, injury or |
| Regardless of the disease or disability your dog may | | | | cataracts. Taking the dog on a lead through the |
| have, there are certain things you can do to relieve | | | | house will help him become accustomed as to the |
| the pain and suffering. | | | | placement of furniture and their smells. For the dog's |
| - Control your dog's weight. Giving your dog the | | | | benefit, don't move furniture or leave any items on |
| proper amount of a good nutritious pet food will aid | | | | the floor as this will confuse the dog. You will have to |
| in weight control. | | | | lead him around the yard also until he becomes |
| - Getting daily exercise for your dog. | | | | comfortable with his outing. If you are patient and |
| - Making sure your dog gets quality vet care. | | | | encouraging, the dog will eventually settle in a routine |
| - Administer medicine or pain medication when | | | | and his sense of smell and hearing will compensate |
| appropriate. | | | | for his lack of sight. As with the deaf dog, do not let |
| - Talk to your dog as you gently rub his fur or | | | | him outside the house or fenced in yard without |
| massage him. Sometimes the human touch is more | | | | supervision. |
| relaxing than sleep medication | | | | Living with a disabled dog is trying and at times you |
| If your dog suffers from arthritis, you will notice the | | | | may feel frustration. Seek out help from your vet, |
| difficulty they have in getting up from a lying position | | | | trainers or groups that work with disabled dogs. They |
| or walking up stairs. They also won't be able to jump | | | | will gladly assist you in your task of making a |
| up in the car or truck without some assistance. To | | | | difference in one special dog's life. |