Articulate Animals Blog, Kelly Krueger, Animal Communicator

Animal Communicator Kelly Krueger puts voice to your pet's thoughts, needs, and emotions.

Posts Tagged myelopathy

Assisting our Pets with Disabilities

May 2

Posted by Kelly Krueger in Health & Well Being for Pets, Pet Nutrition, Products & Animal Resources | No Comments

When our beloved pets are still full of life even in the midst of a diagnosis or physical disablity, there are many resources and alternatives to keep them healthy and active for a while longer. It is amazing to me the resources available for our pets. Diabetes, degenerative myelopathy or similar, and cancer are all scary words to hear and difficult diagnoses to wrap our heads around.

These diagnoses don’t necessarily mean the end is near. Certainly, we don’t want our beloved pets to suffer if we can possibly help it.  In some cases the most loving, compassionate, and selfless act is to let (or assist) our companion pass. In many of these cases, however, there are ways we can help our pets to continue to live happy, fulfilling lives for as long as they wish to remain on earth with us.

Diet and nutritional supplements is a great place to start in supporting our pets living with a medical diagnosis. Talk with your holistic veterinarian about foods and supplements which support, and in some cases, help to counter-act elements of the disease.

I have known animals in my animal communication practice who lived many happy years with diabetes - receiving daily injections to keep their insulin levels in check. I also have several kitty-clients in various stages of renal failure, and they are living active lives with IV fluids administered by their loving humans a few times a week in the privacy of their own home.

Physical therapy, acupuncture therapy, chiropractic treatments, and energy work like Reiki can all help our pets with neuromuscular conditions to remain active on their own, and wheelchairs, slings, or leg braces can be appropriate for those whose spirit for living remains high as their condition progresses.

The resources available nowadays are many, and it is important that we consider all aspects of the diagnosis carefully. It is not a “one size fits all” proposition. The animal’s condition, demeanor, and spirit are paramount in our decision making process. Ask your pet how they are feeling and include them in the treatment strategy. If you and your pet agree that there are more weeks, months, or years of living left, know that there are resources out there that may work for you.
 

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The Belly Band for Boys

Sep 15

Posted by Kelly Krueger in Products & Animal Resources | No Comments

Valentino modeling one of his belly bands

Valentino modeling one of his belly bands

It’s a topic we don’t often discuss – at least not in public! But for a variety of reasons, animals can become incontinent. Sometimes incontinence sets in as animals age, or there may be a physical/medical reason for the leakage. No matter the reason, and as understanding as we are regarding the circumstances, its not fun cleaning up and over time odor can become a problem.

I’m speaking from first-hand knowledge. My boy-dog, Valentino, has been living with a degenerative neurological condition for more than five years. It started slowly at about age six, and now at almost 12 years old he is still a very happy boy but has lost nearly all control of his rear quarters.

After experimenting with natural treatments (chiropractic, acupuncture, homeopathic remedies for increased bladder control, etc.) there came a time when we needed to recognize this as a stage in his journey and simply accept it. We started with doggy diapers. They were a step in the right direction, but it was a challenge to keep them on. Valentino had very little muscle mass left in his hips, thighs, and lower back by the time his incontinence began, so there wasn’t much for the diaper to hang on to. His dignity didn’t deal with it very well either – “a diaper, really mom? Okay but promise no one will see me in it but you!”

Styles of belly bands

Styles of belly bands

Thankfully while flipping through an animal product catalog I learned about “belly bands” for boy dogs. They have been a lifesaver. Valentino doesn’t even mind going out in public now, especially with his very manly camouflage band on. He’s such a tough guy! There are a couple of styles of which I am familiar, and if you find yourself in need of trying a belly band you may find pros and cons for your own particular needs and the breed of the dog. I found both of these styles (pictured) in animal product catalogs, and now my local boutique pet store is carrying one of the styles as well. You should be able to find a belly band that fits your needs easily.

My needs have focused on a small-breed male dog, so if you have a similar solution for females and/or larger breeds, please leave a comment for the benefit of all!

 

Photo:  Earlier in Valentino’s journey the band pictured on the left  by Susan Lanci Designs was perfect as it is self-contained with an absorbent swatch of  fabric sewn in.

Later, he needed more protection and we found the Kennel Komforts band with elasticized sides in which we lay in our own absorbent pad.

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Pug on Wheels

Jun 9

Posted by Kelly Krueger in Health & Well Being for Pets, Products & Animal Resources, Stories about our Animals | 3 Comments

Valentino's wheels - June 2009

Valentino's wheels - June 2009

Those of us with elder animals or pets with special needs know how difficult it can be to watch our beloved companions slow down. Emotionally, we want to help however we can and often feel helpless. Our animals tend to “deal with” their physical limitations better than we do (see my “Comments from Kelly” in a past Articulate Animals Newsletter about my own little guy’s advice to me as his mobility declines) and they want nothing more than to minimize our worry.

There are a myriad of products and options to help our ailing and aging pets. One such solution has been my saving grace as my eldest loses his mobility.

Valentino’s Story

Valentino was diagnosed with degenerative myelopathy about five years ago at the age of six. It started and has progressed slowly; first I noticed tentativeness in running up stairs, then a little wobble here and there. Now he’s only successfully using his back legs about 10% of the time, dragging himself around the house the rest of the time. His spirits and energy are high and he takes his condition completely in stride.

I wasn’t sure he would be willing to admit his need for assistance, so I waited until this past January before taking his measurements for a custom-fit wheelchair. I looked at the different types of wheels for dogs, determining what my priorities were and weighing each wheelchair style against my list. It is wonderful that we have choices to accommodate our needs – indoor vs. outdoor; size of animal; harness vs. saddle, etc. Every animal has different needs, and every guardian will have a slightly different priority list.

The chair arrived with a comprehensive set of instructions, including several tips on how to acclimate the animal to the chair for long-term success. Thankfully Valentino took to his chair immediately with no trauma, drama, or mishaps. He *loves* his chair! Within a day he knew how to back up if one of the wheels got caught on a chair leg. He can “turn on a dime” and is breaking speed records both in and out of the house. He doesn’t have the strength to maneuver up more than a slight incline so I found a trail that is packed and level for our weekly hikes. I wondered if he would be embarrassed, but he is his same old social self when we are out on the trail, introducing himself to everyone who passes.

What a blessing that resources for our special needs companions are becoming more and more available. I am happy to be able to give my four-legged loved ones the best quality of life possible as they age.

For more stories and examples of dogs on wheels, as well as a listing of resources for animals with disabilities, visit Frankie’s website at http://joyfulpaws.typepad.com/joyful_paws/.

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