COMPLETELY OFF-TOPIC: Looking for a shelter home for a three-year-old paraplegic dog
Over the weekend, the daughter of a friend of mine’s dog—a wonderful three-year-old German shepherd /collie mix named Bella—suffered a spinal injury of mysterious provenance. At first, on Saturday night, the problem seemed to be just hot spot just above her tail. But by Sunday morning, she was unable to use her hind legs at all and was in severe pain. The emergency vet was unable to diagnose it, and gave her pain pills and anti-inflammatory medication, but the next morning she had no pain and also no feeling at all in her legs and the back part of her spine area. A veterinary neurologist confirmed yesterday that it is a permanent spinal injury.
My friend’s daughter, who lives in east central Michigan, is a 23-year-old student who is finishing her degree this year (taking classes and an internship this semester) and working part-time at a McDonald’s. She also has an 18-month-old son. She cannot care for Bella. Nor can my friend or I or anyone else either of us knows of.
My friend is arranging to get Bella a doggie wheelchair, and can arrange for Bella’s transportation to wherever. My friend has put the word out to shelters in Michigan, but, so far, without success. If anyone knows of a shelter that would care for a sweet, sweet three-year-old, otherwise-healthy, wheelchair-bound doggie, please post in the comments section below.
This photo of Bella was taken yesterday on her way home from the neurologist. She’s great with children and other dogs.
Thanks.
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This is the only time I’ve ever posted a personal, off-topic post here.
Good luck on finding Bella a home. As a German shepherd owner myself, I know what wonderful dogs they are. I would love to take her, but I am on the west coast and already have all the dogs my city will allow.
Sounds like Lyme Disease, has anyone tried ANTIBIOTICS?
OR tick paralysis could be the culprit, has she been checked all over very thoroughly? Remember these ticks can be the size of a pinhead VERY tiny and hard to see.
Thanks, Jerry.
Nah, Anonymous. Apparently, paralysis from Lyme disease or another tick infection would spread to beyond just the hind legs. She’s been to three vets, so ….
Very sad. Thanks for the suggestions, though.
There is hope for finding an adoptive home. We will share the story on our social networks for you. Also, we can offer a discount on a Walkin’ Wheels dog wheelchair from HandicappedPets.com. This is very on topic for us. Thank you for reaching out on behalf of Bella.
Thank you so much. I’ve passed along the info and link to my friend. This is social networking at its very best.
I would love to adopt her if I didn’t live so far away. She will find a home no doubt about it.
I would love to adopt her! I am in Wisconsin….is there a way I can contact them? My name is Karen and I live with my 11-yr old daughter. We moved into a home previously occupied by a man in a wheelchair. We took the ramp down over the summer but I still have another one. My daughter and I have been looking for a senior or special needs Shepherd for months now. And I will explain why when I connect with someone involved…thanks!
If you are able to take her, I know many certified transporters/moderators; I am sure we could get transport. As a driver/ worker with rescues concern whether you have dealt with dogs with paralysis before…..it is intensive. If you have experience, AWESOME!
If you are able to take her, I know many certified transporters/moderators; I am sure we could get transport. As a driver/ worker with rescues concern whether you have dealt with dogs with paralysis before…..it is intensive. If you have experience, AWESOME!
Share her story with the German Shepherd Community on FB as well- they are really great about helping the GSD’s in need!! Praying for her.
That is so awesome that someone wants to take a special needs dog- Bless your hearts- please give her tons of love. I hope that works out for you.
Beverly, almost the EXACT same thing happened to our dog, Calypso. If you can message me through Calypso’s Facebook page, we can try to help you find a home. I’m not sure that we personally could take her in due to the extensive care that we have to give our paraplegic dog (although I’m truly fighting the urge to tell you that we could), but through Calypso’s page we have done some extensive networking (and also thanks to HandicappedPets.com) and we will do anything that we can to help you! I will post this to Caly’s page as well in the hopes that the right person could see it. My prayers go out to sweet Bella and her family. http://www.facebook.com/calypsostewart
Please list her on http://www.rescueme.org, as well as http://www.petfinder.com
I am confident that a special person can give her a forever home!
http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/infectious-parasitic/c_dg_rocky_mountain_spotted_fever#.UIr76m9jqSo
Copy and paste this link. It really contains some good info on tick paralysis.
I truly hope you find Bella a good home! 🙂
This is AWESOME, UglySanta. Please email me at beverlymann673@gmail.com and I’ll put you in touch with my friend.
Thank you so much.
And thanks so much to everyone else who’s posted here, too–and to the Bears who’ve emailed me.
Beverly
Calypso. Oh, Anonymous! What a terrific webpage!
Thanks so much. As I said to UglySanta, my email address is beverlymann673@gmail.com.
Just want to say, Anon, what a beautiful Facebook page it is! Anyone who just wants to smile, try this: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=379759262100588&set=pb.210188935724289.-2207520000.1351302597&type=3&theater
Thanks so much, MomToo. I just forwarded this to my friend.
Bella looks exactly like my Beeper. Beeper is 5, I think. She was found on the side of the highway. She was diagnosed with a degenerating disc in her spine and this will be her fate at some point. Probably what happened to Bella. Her vet gives her dexamethazone for the pain, when she has it, and she’s back up on her feet like nothing happened the next day. There will be a day when that won’t work 🙁
My dog has had both Lyme Disease (twice, at least) and Anaplasmosis, which is also tick-borne. When he suddenly came down with Anaplasmosis, he could not get up off of the floor to walk. He was a year old. He was treated with antibiotics and, thankfully, recovered. I also would get a second opinion. She is a beautiful dog, no matter what her prognosis, and I wish her all the best!
Hey all, it is posted in the comments that Bella HAS gotten a second opinion and a third, as she has been to 3 different vets.
Has anyone tried messaging UglySanta/Karen through her Blogger profile?
Has she found a home yet? Does she have bladder and bowel control? How is her foreleg strength?
Thank you UglySanta. I hope ev
erything goes well and you are able to adopt the puppy. Good luck to everyone involved. Hugs to the pup.
Has she found a home? I so hope so! I have a shepard and know they are the most loving and loyal animals you could every want. I have my cities limit and live in Canada but wanted to send my best wishes and good lick to a sweet girl in finding a fure er home.