11/05 Update - Belle’s Caretaker, Hollie, has learned that she is pregnant. Hollie, overwhelmed by the responsibility of caring of rboth Belle and the new baby, is looking ofr someone who would like to adopt Belle. Read the Full story

Hi, I am so glad I found this site today. On Saturday April 16th my 2yr old female St.Bernard Belle was playing with one of our other dogs, yelped, and all of a sudden fell limp without use of one of her back legs. We immediately called her Vet. and he said if she wasn’t feeling any real pain, she probably sprained it. So he advised us to put her where she could rest. My husband and I did so and when we came home discovered both of her back legs paralyzed. This was at 10pm on Saturday night and thank god we were able to get a hold of one of the other Vets in town and she was willing to meet us immediately. Belle is experiencing no deep pain and needs help expressing her urine, ect…and still has no use of legs. After X-Rays and evaluating her symptoms, the Dr. is diagnosing her with FCE. From what I’ve read, the prognosis is not very good and I could use some words of wisdom and encouragement. We are hoping to take Belle home on Tuesday with instructions of bedrest and patience. From what I have read, it says that if there are no signs of improvement with in 21-30days, chances are slim that she will recover. I am looking for anyone who can give me some info and feedback. I am absolutely going out of my mind worrying about Belle and her future. I do not want to even consider euthanasia at this point and have never dealt with caring for a handicapped dog. Any response would be greatly appreciated.

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In this issue:

Now Available: Orthopedic Braces for Dogs and Other Animals. Lower Price on Life Jackets - An Important Safety tool. Pet Diaper Contest Continues. The Handicapped Pets BLOG New Style of Pet Boots for Muddy Winter Feet - Protects from Salt and Ice Melt Chemicals New Jersey Support Group for HandicappedPet Caretakers We’re Working on an Acupuncture Article - Anything to Add? You just made a donation to a pet-related charity! Thanks! Read the rest of this entry »

by Animal Communicator, Cindy Smith

http://www.animalsmith.com/ cin28711@yahoo.com 828-686-4564
Here come the holidays! They are often a stressful time for man and beast! If you become anxious or overloaded with holiday activities, your animals pick up on your feelings. Please be aware if your animals start exhibiting unusual behavior; they may be trying to get your attention. They may just need to be reassured that the emotions you are feeling are not about them. A quiet moment spent with them reassuring them that you love them will be good for both of you.

Holiday Parties and Your Pets If you are having a party, take into consideration your animal’s temperament. Do they want to join the party, even for a short time? If so, set them up for success by directing them in the behavior you want and not the behavior you don’t want. Another animal might prefer a quiet corner of the house to ride out the noise of the party. Be especially cautious if you have “inside only” cats. There’s nothing worse than a guest inadvertently letting one of these kitties out! Read the rest of this entry »

Sebastian, a duck with wheels!

Handicapped pets are not limited to just dogs and cats. This is Sebastian, my handicapped duck who just celebrated her 10th birthday with family and friends this past June 4, 2005.

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November 2005

Here are some photos of Ivan getting Acupuncture this past Monday. Really helped him out a lot. He’s had to go back to his wheelchair and could hardly get around due to the arthritis in his knees and his chronic recurring bronchitis…Wednesday afternoon he was getting around without his wheelchair again (after acupuncture!) He still gets his deramaxx and his glucosamin / chondroitin sulfate / etc. supplements…We are also adding Yucca now (used it over 20 years ago on my old horse…I had forgotten how much it helped him).

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Ivan has been walking without his wheelchair more and more the past month or so. The past 9 days he hasn’t used his wheelchair at all…he goes down into the low pasture to do his “duty” as he did in pre wheelchair days…quite a hike….He went to a nearby lake this past weekend and was able to go to and from the van without aid of any sort. He can even walk his way flights of steps (4 or 5 long) on his own. The doctor (Cathy Ott, DVM) who has been doing his acupuncture and shockwave treatments can’t wait to see him this Thursday when he has his next appointment. It will be his first shockwave treatment since December…(he gets acupuncture about every 6 weeks or so). I don’t know how many dogs ever walk on their own again after spondylosis prevents their being able to walk on their own, but I am very happy Ivan can! I would recommend anyone with a pet unable to walk because of spondylosis (or perhaps before it gets that bad) to check with their veterinarian about shockwave therapy, acupuncture and the like.

Ivan was in the New Market parade yesterday…his first since he got his wheelchair last November. He went along the parade route just like he always has…stopping to visit the spectators, just as happy as can be. Several places along the route people had buckets of water for our critters.

It is really neat that he can still do all these things.

Also, the shockwave therapy he had in December has helped him. He can get up and walk on carpeting or grass/ground (not smooth floors) when he really wants to get somewhere..something he couldn’t do for 5 months!

We’re still finding out new things about Ivan’s cart. I don’t know if I mentioned that he sits in his cart (braces the back support of the cart on the ground and then just puts most of his weight in the saddle….his hind legs just kind of shift out in front of his bottom.

He had acupuncture Friday and this treatment is really helping.
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Ivan is doing great with his cart. We’ve had a few issues with fitting the “saddle” properly…and when he had diarrhea, it was real fun washing the saddle a couple times a day.
The people at Doggon Wheels have been very helpful in adjusting and fitting Ivan, although I am still thinking we may need to have his next saddle modified a bit in the rear…perhaps it is because he is (as they call him) stout.

At one point I had him adjusted too high and he really had trouble urinating in the cart, as the saddle pressed on his urethra…..he still has trouble once in a while if he ends up with his legs in a rut. He has found a spot in the yard he likes to go where he is on a slight mound, with the wheels just an inch or two lower…it reduces the pressure on his urethra and he can urinate freely. Read the rest of this entry »

2 Movies of ivan in his cart

Click here for Movie #1

Click here for Movie #1