Dogs ~ Paraplegic /Paralysis in Hind Quarters
Urinary Tract Infections
One of the biggest issues for these dogs is urinary tract infections if they cannot empty their bladders fully bacteria multiplies and results in infection.
Recommendation is to express the bladder in hind quarter paralysis dogs 3 times a day. However we've learned that expressing 5-6 times a day helps to prevent urinary tract infections. Using this method Ellie has only had one mild urinary tract infection in the past 3 years.
If a dog has frequent infections and is given antibiotics they can become antibiotic resistant and no longer treatable which will kill them in a short time.
If it is inconvenient to do the expressing outdoors, we place Ellie in the bathtub with a small towel under her front paws to help steady her and express her bladder in the tub which can then be easily washed down the drain.
How to Express the bladder: https://www.handicappedpets.com/blog/how-to-express-dog-bladder/
Fluids
Water: It is important that the dog is encouraged to drink plenty of fluids. We frequently put her water bowl in front of her and if it is hot add a couple ice cubes to make it more refreshing.
Bone Broth to encourage fluid intake:
I make homemade bone broth and freeze it into cubes for later use.
(Recipe: https://www.dogtipper.com/recipes/2022/05/bone-broth-for-dogs.html)
If you don't have time to make your own, you can also buy sodium free broths, thin it with water and freeze into cubes.
Adding a small amount of water or broth to dog food will also help with the dogs urinary function.
Diapers:
I used to use diapers all the time because Ellie leaked. Now that I express her 5 to 6 times a day we don't have that problem but if her bladder gets full she can still leak. Male dogs get belly bands and female dogs get diapers. I usually take a feminine napkin and cut it in half and put it where most of the water would collect in her reusable diaper; it aids in keeping everything dry and pulling the fluid away from her skin so she doesn't get rashes. If you do use diapers a moisture barrier cream will help prevent rashes.
I rarely use diapers now because we do not know always when she's going to have a bowel movement. Diapers tend to smoosh it up against her body requiring extra cleaning. I try to watch her very closely and have learned the indicators for when she is going to have a bowel movement. I give her a raw frozen chicken foot every morning which helps with fiber so she has firm stools. Collagen and calcium supplements help as well.
Wheelchairs, Drag Bags and Harnesses
In my experience wheelchairs, drag bags, and harnesses that lift the rear ends of dogs are invaluable.
A concern with paralyzed dogs is the lack of feeling in the extremities.
Ellie nicked her tail about 2 inches from the end on something and had a sore. We were keeping it wrapped with antibiotic cream on it. It had been wrapped for about a week and was starting to heal. The day after Christmas I got up and found that she had taken off the wrap and chewed most of the way through her tail. We had to take her in that day for emergency surgery and have much of her tail removed so nothing like that would happen again.
This same thing can happen to the legs of a dog. If they catch a leg or a paw on the bottom of a kitchen chair or if there’s something a little sharp sticking out…boom… they've got a sore. Even though they can’t feel the sore, they can taste the bandage and they don't know when to stop messing with it.
I keep the hair on Ellie's hind legs a little longer than the rest of her body. It helps protect her little feet too.
Leg Wrap I have seen people use that elastic type of bandage wrap that sticks to itself and comes in different colors (like what they put on your arm when you donate blood) or use an Ace bandage on bigger dogs to protect their legs.
Drag Bags are handy in preventing these kids of wounds.
However, Ellie and I have not had a good experience with them. Ellie she gets frustrated at the inability to move around comfortably in it; and it pulls on her shoulders.
But if you have a dog that's prone to accidents on his legs they are very, very important it's like a pair of suspenders with a bag on the end. It goes over their shoulders and it encloses the bottom half of their body If you have a dog that poos unexpectedly this can catch the poo so it doesn't end up on your carpeting and you just clean the bag. You can even get a Scooter for a drag bag.
We had all the carpeting removed in our house which aids in a healthier environment.
Ellie has a wheelchair that is great as long as she’s on pavement or a flat surface. However she really needs a better set of wheels with bigger, fatter tires. When she goes out into our yard, she just stops because it's too difficult for her to maneuver. I've heard good things about https://eddieswheels.com/ and hopefully some day I'll be able to get a new set of wheels for Ellie.
There are a number of other mobility assistance products that can aid a disabled or even an aging dog.
One that I highly recommend is a ramp. From temporary after surgery need to a dog that is getting arthritis & needs a bit of help on stairs. Get it before the dog fully needs it so the dog is confident when it is actually needed.
A lifting harness for a fully immobile dog can be a lifesaver! Ellie is small enough that I can roll up a thin blanket and slip it under her hips and lift her butt up and she takes off running!
Lastly, Physical Therapy can help with muscle tone and blood flow. Ask your veterinarian for a resource near you and after a session or two you should know what to do to help give your precious dog a better quality of life!
Resources:
DVSC-Dallas Veterinary Surgical Center article