A dog’s life does not end simply because he or she is paralyzed. Because of their loving owners, many disabled dogs have healthy and happy lives. Continue reading to learn how to care for your paralyzed dog so that they can live to their full potential.
Have A Routine
Establishing a regular schedule with your pet aids in the development of positive habits and ensures that their daily life is structured. Knowing what your dog’s day will be like will help them be stress-free and relaxed. Some fantastic routines include taking your pet for a morning walk or taking them to a familiar dog park where they know other dogs.
Watch Their Weight
Overweight dogs, like humans, are more likely to get stuck than dogs who maintain their ideal weight. When it comes to your dog’s weight, the only things you really need to worry about are exercise and a well-balanced diet. Take them for walks or runs to ensure they get the proper amount of exercise.
You can also let them run around in an open location, such as your back yard, front lawn, or a nearby park. Your pets should never be overfed or underfed. You can feed them a nice dog food mix or meat that you have prepared yourself. Consult your veterinarian about your dog’s appropriate weight and the best type of nutrition for it.
Exercise Together
Dogs with disabilities still require exercise. Most of them want to run around and play but can’t because of an illness like degenerative myelopathy or a deformity, you’ll therefore have to find an exercise that fits them. For a dog with restricted mobility, this may indicate taking a considerably shorter walk or perhaps visiting a dog swimming pool. Whatever form of exercise you pick, ensure your dog is able to complete it easily and appears to like it.
Monitor The Bladder
Many dogs who are paralyzed have difficulty urinating. Some of them are unable to hold the pee and it leaks out, while others are unable to pass urine and rely on the owner to do it three times every day. Urine infections, which are common in these circumstances, should be avoided by practicing good urination hygiene. It is also critical to be extremely vigilant in order to spot changes in the smell and/or color of the urine, which could indicate a problem.
Healthy Bathroom Habits
If your dog is unable to urinate on their own, your veterinarian will either give them a urinary or instruct you how to empty her bladder. To prevent infection from entering the body, keep the bag and line as clean as possible by cleaning them down daily with a mild cleanser.
If you see any redness, discharge, or swelling, please contact your veterinarian immediately. Manual expression requires gentle, continuous pressure on the lower belly until the bladder is empty. Keep your pet clean and dry at all times. Urine and stool are skin irritants that can cause skin irritation or infection.
Maintain Consistency in Your Dog’s Environment
When caring for a dog with disabilities, it is critical to anticipate and minimize changes that may cause him discomfort or confusion. While it is impossible to keep your dog’s surroundings same 24 hours a day, it is nevertheless strongly encouraged to stick to a schedule whenever possible.
Consistency will keep your dog from becoming confused or stressed. For instance, if a dog is blind, moving huge furniture items or rearranging the house might be upsetting since it can disorient him and cause harm. Another scenario is if your dog’s water bowl is relocated and they no longer know where to look for it, resulting in dehydration and discomfort. Try to keep your dog’s environment consistent as much as possible.
Get The Right Gear
Most pets with specific requirements require specialized equipment to make their lives easier. Pets who are paralyzed or have had limbs removed, for instance, will undoubtedly benefit from a pet wheelchair. These are unquestionably expensive investments. However, these accessories allow pets with unique requirements to feel as though they do not have any limitations.
Feed A Quality Diet And Prevent Obesity
Overweight dogs can have a negative impact on their health in a variety of ways. Follow your veterinarian’s dietary guidelines based on your dog’s nutritional needs, which are determined by size, age, amount of activity, and breed. As an incentive, remember to give healthy foods like Raw Dog Food Canada rather than people food.
Find Support For Special Needs Pets
It’s ideal if you’re an experienced disabled pet owner who already knows what to do. However, if you are a first-time owner reading this, you should not attempt to solve the problems on your own. There is lots of help available to you, and you can always learn something from them.
It may be other special needs dog owners in your neighborhood. It may be your veterinarian or a YouTube animal care clip. What matters is that this will have a long-term impact on how you care for special needs animals. Obtaining the necessary expertise and recommendations from other experienced owners will surely be quite beneficial.
Look For Injuries On A Daily Basis
This is especially important with paralyzed dogs. Because they are unable to feel, they may be unaware that they are hurt. Sores might develop as a result of immobility or incontinence. If you notice any sores or injuries, seek veterinary attention. Keep anything that could cause accidents out of your dog’s living area to help avoid injury. To prevent skin injury in dogs who drag their hind legs, consider covering the area with bandages or dog clothing.
Whether your dog is entering their old age or were born disabled, caring for them requires a variety of measures, patience, and love. Your dog can still and can actually live a healthy, happy life with proper care from you as a responsible pet parent.