Caring for a Paraplegic Dog

Taking care of a paraplegic dog can be very emotionally and physically exhausting. Though most owners that decide to keep their dog despite their condition are aware of the elevated needs their dog now has, they do not realize how much time, work, and dedication it entails. Here are some useful tools and strategies that may help relieve some of the physical strains that come with caring for a paraplegic dog.

SLING

Using a sling helps in walking your dog and can also help in expressing the bladder. Your vet can provide you with a sling, but common household items can also be used as a sling, for example, a towel or a blanket. To use a sling, wrap the sling under the belly, so that it fits snugly before the back legs. You will hold up the dog's back legs and express the bladder at the same time, so make sure to take the dog outside before using the sling. The sling may not fully express the bladder, so make sure to manually express the bladder to squeeze out any remaining fluids. Depending on the size of the dog, sling-walking can be very difficult on the owner. With heavier dogs, sling-walking can strain the back and is difficult to do for more than a few minutes. Sling-walking regularly will help the dog become used to walking in the sling and will learn to help you, by trying to hold up part of the weight himself as much as he can.

HARNESS

A harness is used when walking any kind of dog, paraplegic or not. It provides more support for the dog's back and gives more control for the owner. Finding a sling that is in the form of a harness are hard to find in stores and can be expensive, but are useful when sling-walking. The harness helps the back end of the body move with the front end and prevent any added strain or further damage to the dog's back.

WHEELCHAIR

Dog wheelchairs are available, but can be pricey. However, using a wheelchair instead of a sling can be much easier on both dog and owner. If funds are unavailable, a homemade wheelchair can be easily constructed and just as effective for a quarter of the price. To make a wheelchair, you will need PVC pipe, wheels (size depends on the size of the dog), bolts, a harness, and a small piece of fabric to use as a mini sling. The PVC pipe, wheels, and bolts can all be found at any hardware store such as Home Depot or Lowe's. You will need to measure your dog and cut the pipes accordingly to fit the height and width of the dog. Use PVC pipes and corner pieces to make a U-shaped piece. The U should be measured to fit your dog. Use bolts to attach the harness at the opening of the U. Set this piece aside and cut two pieces of PVC pipe to be 2-3 inches taller than the height of your dog. These pieces need to be slightly taller, so your dog's paws will not drag against the floor. Drill a hole in each piece at the bottom of each piece to bolt the wheels on. Bolt two small pieces of PVC pipe diagonally to attach the wheel pieces to the U-shaped piece. Attach the fabric at the curve of the U. This is where the back end of your dog will sit.

KENNEL

Confining your dog is always important to prevent your dog from destroying property or from using the bathroom in the house. With paraplegic dogs, confinement is important so they can get the rest they need, prevent further injury, and to keep the dog in a position that is comfortable and that will protect the dogs leg's and tail. Be sure to use a kennel that will give the dog plenty of room to move comfortably. A kennel that is too small can make the dog uncomfortable and he may come to think of it as an unpleasant place. It is important to make the kennel as comfortable as possible. Place warm blankets and some favorite toys inside to make it welcoming. If possible, use a kennel that is big enough to feed the dog in. This will help give the dog the idea that the kennel is a positive environment.