by [email protected]
There are millions of companion animals that die each
year because of lack of homes, and there are thousands that die because
of their caretaker's inability to cope with the animals' physical
handicaps. Oftentimes people are so overwhelmed by the thought of their
dog or cat having a handicap that they euthanize the animal before even
seeing if they or the animal can cope. Certainly living with a handicap
is a challenge, but what isn't a challenge in this life? Following are a
few thoughts on living and coping with a handicapped "pet."
Blindness
There are usually 3 types of blindness in dogs, the type
where a dog was born with this infirmity, the type where the dog became
blind because of trauma or illness, and the type that comes to some dogs
as they age. Dogs that are born blind are probably the easiest to deal
with. Their other senses are usually stronger and they cope quite well.
As with any other handicap, the "owner" has to take some precautions,
making sure that the dog isn't put in a perilous situation, but then
even dogs with all 5 senses shouldn't be put in perilous situations
either. The second type of blindness caused by trauma or illness is
probably the hardest to cope with because it comes on suddenly and takes
more adjustment. The third type caused by the dog aging is a bit easier
because the owner still has time to work on acclimating the pet to the
problem.
Several years back my dog and I were faced with the
second type of blindness. Honey was stricken overnight with a luxated
lens. This means that the lens of the eye slips out of place. It is
painful and though we rushed her into the vets, by the time she got
there, she was blind. The eye had to be removed, and since signs showed
that the second eye was in danger, a board certified veterinary
ophthalmologist decided it was best to remove the lens in that eye as
well in order to try to save part of her sight. The operation failed and
she is totally blind. It's a devastating experience to pick up your dog
from the vets and find one eye stitched closed and the other staring
blindly, and many people assume that the dog would be better off dead.
Well let me tell you, my Honey has done marvelously. She surprises me
every day.
Fortunately, we had obedience trained her when she was
younger, and many of the commands came in very useful. But we set about
learning a few new ones. Honey knows that the word "careful" means that
she is approaching something that she might bump into. She stops, sniffs
the air, and approaches with caution. If she is in further danger of
this object, my repeated "careful" with more emphasis usually makes her
turn the other way, or at least stand still until I can guide her away
or around the object. Honey knows the word "step" means that she should
slow down and step up or down. Her nose doesn't always tell her when a
step is there, so this helps. We've also found that a constant noise
source, such as a fan or radio helps her to acclimate herself to where
she is and where she wants to go. I have watched her be more confused in
a power failure when the noise source isn't available, so I know that it
is of a help to her. When outside, the noise source from inside the
house helps her to find the door to inside. Any surface that causes a
problem, we mark with a light scent - either a very light perfume, or by
rubbing a little cheese on it (I'm sure that soy cheese would be fine
for the vegans reading this). She never has a problem jumping up and
down off of furniture, though she is a little more cautious jumping down
because of course she can't see the floor. And she has absolutely no
problem finding my pillow <sigh>. There are only 2 times that I have to
be extra vigilant for her and that's when we are away from home, at
which time I become her "seeing-eye dog" and with the use of a leash,
she stays closely next to me, and when she is picked up, sometimes it
takes her a moment to acclimate herself when she is put down on the
floor again. All this takes is a moment of holding her in place while
she locates her constant sound source. She still plays with her toys,
and plays with her brother. We use balls with bells in them or any toy
that comes with sound. Obviously chasing a Frisbee is no longer her cup
of tea, but there are so many other things she likes to do that I doubt
she misses the Frisbee much.
When I think that there are some people that would
rather destroy their blind dog than to put out that little extra time
and energy to help the dog cope, I find it really sad and just give
Honey an extra hug.
Deafness
This is also a handicap that can come at birth or be
caused by age or trauma/disease. And again training can make the dogs
life so much easier. Those dogs who become deaf later in life are much
more likely to adjust well if the owner had trained at an earlier age
with hand signals. If the dog is deaf from birth, it needs to learn hand
signals. The easiest to cope with is the dog that was trained with hand
signals before deafness occurred. The hardest part of dealing with it
would seem to be getting the dogs attention, but it only takes a bit of
thought and some consistency. This is another time when dogs tend to use
their other senses to a greater degree. Stamping ones foot on the
ground, causing a vibration can often get the dogs attention. Also
tossing an object just in front of the dog (being careful to not hit the
dog) is a good visual cue for the dog to look towards you. Another
visual cue is to use a flashlight to shine on the ground just within the
dogs' visual range. Once one has the dog's attention, then the hand
signals work great. "Come" can be achieved by extending one's right arm
in front of one's body and bringing it inward across to the left side of
the chest. "Stay" is best communicated by placing the right hand up in a
"stop sign" position. With these two hand signals, the dog can be guided
to almost anything one would want to do, because once the dog comes,
then a leash can be snapped on and the "owner" can guide the dog from
there. These same things can be taught to a puppy that is deaf from
birth, and they learn it just as fast as any dog learns any training
technique.
Whether a dog is blind or deaf, it is vitally important
to make sure that the dog is never off leash outside the home or in an
unfenced area. A deaf dog will never hear a car coming. And though I
believe it is safest if all dogs were kept on leash in these
circumstances, it is even more important when dealing with a handicapped
dog.
Loss of limbs
This is another case where people feel that the quality
of a dogs' life is lessened if a leg has to be amputated. I have seen so
many dogs with the ability to run like lightening on 3 legs that I know
this is something where humans need to get past their own fears of being
handicapped, because the dog has no problem with it. There may be a few
times at first when a dog may fall when acclimating himself to his new
method of mobility, but then if you think about it, puppies fall over a
lot when they are first learning to walk. Granted pups are a bit closer
to the ground, but the dog will adapt and will adapt quite nicely. A
couple of years back I had the privilege of meeting a dog that had both
right front and right rear legs amputated, so he was only able to get
around on his left front and rear legs. This dog was chasing balls,
heeling beside his owner, doing everything a dog with 4 legs could do.
It was amazing and inspirational as well. And to think that he could
have missed the balance of a happy life if his owner was less
enlightened.
The Paralyzed Dog
There are usually two types of conditions that cause
dogs to become paralyzed. These are trauma (i.e., those hit by cars) or
a genetic illness. Either way, the condition usually occurs in a short
amount of time. I once had a Dachshund who was required to have back
surgery to remove calcium deposits between the spinal discs. This is a
condition that is frequently seen in long-backed dogs. After the
surgery, he could no longer walk, and would drag his hind end across the
floor. Dogs that suffer trauma are just the same, so both instances
would be managed the same. The first thing to do is depend on the advice
and counseling of ones veterinarian. Some dogs can no longer express
their bladders and this is something the "owner" has to do for them. But
with a little coaching by a vet, it is a process that is easily done by
just pressing on the right spot on the "tummy." The second thing to do
is to invest in a K-9 cart. This is a contraption that enables the dog
to become mobile again. It replaces hind legs with wheels, and the dog
is up and running again. I've seen K-9 cart dogs jogging with their
human companions, and seen these dogs chasing balls. In my opinion,
these carts should go down in history as one of the greatest inventions
for dogs. They can be found on the web by going this site ~~ K9 Cart
Company
http://www.mri.jhu.edu/%7Edara/k9cart.html
COPING
The one that has the hardest time coping is the "pet
owner." Finding out that one's beloved companion animal is handicapped
or about to be can be traumatic. But the "owner" has to realize that it
isn't the dog being traumatized, it is the "owners" feelings that are
getting in the way of living successfully with that handicap. When
thought of as just another part of training, it is dwarfed by all the
training that went into dealing with typical puppy nonsense when the dog
first came into the family. Yes, there may be a need to shed a few tears
at first, but realize that a dog can have a happy, loving, quality life
even with a handicap. My handicapped dogs sure enjoy their lives, and I
wouldn't trade them for the world.
** For anyone dealing with a handicap or a potential
handicap, and would like further help, please feel free to e-mail me at
[email protected]
Postscript: This article ran in Animal Writes a few
years ago, and has appeared on the websites of several humane
organizations, and I've received quite a bit of mail from people facing
their own problems with handicapped dogs. My thanks goes to Animal
Rights Online for allowing me to repost it in memory of my blind dog,
Honey, who passed over to Rainbow Bridge this week, taking a very large
piece of my heart with her. Because of the experience that Honey gave me
in caring for a blind dog, and Animal Rights Online's kindness in giving
me a forum for this article, I believe that other dogs (and cats) have
been given the opportunity to prove the joys of giving one's heart,
time, and a home to a handicapped animal. I only have one thing to add,
and that's that every loss of a companion animal rips at our hearts, but
the loss of a handicapped or special needs dog (or cat) is especially
painful because of that special bond one makes with an animal that needs
so much extra attention and care. There is such a large hole in the day
caused by the fact that I no longer guide her past obstacles, or let her
know when she needs to take a step up or down. I'd become so accustomed
to seeing the world from her perspective that I feel at a loss now.
So be aware that if you give your heart to a handicapped
dog, your bond will be exceedingly tight, leaving you at loose ends when
the time comes to part. There will never be another Honey, but maybe,
just maybe, those loose ends need to be tied to another handicapped dog
in need. Que sera, sera.
Go on to Compassion
For Animals Action Symposium
Return to 28 October 2001 Issue
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