Dogs with Disabilities Resource Page
They deserve ALL the Love!
We believe that thinking about having a dog with special needs is scarier than actually having a dog with special needs! Here are some great resources to help you either make a decision about adoption or provide better care for a dog already in your home.
Vision Challenged. Hearing Challenged. Both Hearing and Vision Challenged.
Dogs with hearing and/or vision challenges adapt so quickly to their new environment. It may take some time for them to explore and learn their new surroundings. Give them that time without any other dogs around so they can freely explore and you will set your dog up for success.
Tips:
Scent and texture are great tools for training a blind (or blind and deaf) dog.
- Putting a nontoxic essential oil scent near the door they will use to potty will help them learn that this is the correct door to use. Don’t use a scent you would normally use around the house. Birch is one that is used by many dog trainers.
- Adding a differently textured rug on the way to the door they would use to potty.
We love the information that Keller’s Cause has put together for training. Check it out here:
https://www.kellerscause.com/with-a-deaf-dog
https://www.kellerscause.com/with-a-deaf-and-blind-dog
Some other GREAT resources
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/advice/how-to-train-a-deaf-dog/
https://be.chewy.com/training-tips-for-blind-dogs/
https://www.rover.com/blog/your-guide-to-training-a-blind-dog/
Wheely dogs!
PIPs takes in a lot of dogs that use wheelchairs. Most of the time it is a congenital disorder they are born with, but other times they have been in an accident. Often these dogs can be Incontinent. Incontinence is easy to manage with diapers, belly bands, and bladder expression.
https://www.walkinpets.com/blog/how-to-express-dog-bladder/
These dogs can live a long happy life with just slight adjustments from their new family! Usually, the foster family has ironed out all the nuances of taking care of the dog you’re interested in!
Our favorite wheelchairs are from Walkin’ Pets – they do an amazing job at helping you fit your wheely dog with the right size and fit. https://www.walkinpets.com/
Bottle Feeding / Tube Feeding
If you find yourself with a puppy that needs bottle feeding or tube feeding we suggest reaching out to someone who has experience. If your pup is born with a cleft palate/lip, check out Save The Clefts for tips on how to care for them: https://sites.google.com/view/savetheclefts/home
Heartworm-positive dog
Heartworm is easily prevented with heartworm prevention, this only costs a few dollars a month, but can save your dog’s life. Even if your dog is an indoor dog, they can still contract it. Heartworms are spread by infected mosquitoes. Here is more information about how it is treated:
https://www.heartwormsociety.org/heartworm-positive-dogs#my-dog-has-heartworms-my-vet-started-her-on-monthly-prevention-before-he-started-treatment-is-this-ok
We understand that it can be scary adopting a HW positive dog, but they usually do great with treatment and live a long happy life.
Treatment for a HW+ dog (each vet does this slightly different)
- 2 months of heartworm prevention
- 30 day course of doxycycline
- Then the injection to kill the adult worms, this is either done in a 2 shot course or a three shot course
- The dog will stay over night and be given the injection one each day of their stay.
- If a 3rd injection course if recommended, they will go back in 30 days for the 3rd
- It is essential that you keep your dog on strict rest for an additional 6-8 weeks while the worms are dying.
- The vet will retest for HW in 6-9 months
Tri-Pod (pup with 3 legs!)
Tri-Pods – these 3 legged dogs adjust so fast to their new life as a tripod. The can lead amazing lives of running, jumping , playing, nothing holds these guys back. We do suggest keeping them on a joint supplement and keeping them at a healthy weight.
https://www.thesprucepets.com/three-legged-dogs-4177794
And just think….one less paw pring to clean off the floor!
Megaesophagus
Megaesophagus (Mega E) is a condition in which the esophagus loses the ability to contract and move food into the stomach. It can cause these pups to regurgitate. If you have a dog you suspect is a Mega E dog, it’s best to get them to a vet that understands this disease. There are tests that can be done to determine if the pup would benefit from surgery. Other dogs can be managed by eating in a Bailey’s Chair. There are also some meds they can take to help manage it.
Mega E dogs can live a full happy life . There are some small lifestyle change for these dogs humans. These pups can not get into food other then when they are sitting upright, so the people in the home should be aware of that, especially any children in the home. Some dogs can drink water at a “normal” level, while others will be to drink when upright.
https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/megaesophagus
https://www.baileychairs4dogs.com/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/119508814890942