When I met 8 week old Erik in Norway in October 2005, he was a gorgeous puppy, perfectly marked, lovely coat, big bone, nice structure, and very sweet. He was not an overly active puppy but played with his littermates. The flight home was uneventful with Erik sleeping at my feet in a Sherpa bag.

After a few days I noticed Erik began to trip when he walked. At first it was just once here and there but then it became more often. Ten days after we arrived home the crisis hit. Erik dropped his head, began to drag his feet, and could barely stand. He declined rapidly.

He was rushed to the local critical care center with a high fever. They began immediate antibiotics and fluids and ran many tests. He remained there for 6 days until his fever was under control. He improved slightly but no diagnosis was made. After a visit to the neurology department at NC State vet school, still no diagnosis was made. He had been through so much in just a few weeks that I did not want to subject him to more testing when there was no assurance there would be any answers. Even if they found an answer, it was doubtful anything could be done for him. He moved like he was drunk, dragging his feet and making a shuffling sound with his toenails.

He was put on prednisone. Housebreaking a puppy on prednisone, who cannot walk and stand for periods of time, is a real challenge.

The prednisone produced no improvement so we consulted with Dr. Jean Dodds for possible vaccinosis. She believed it was a possibility and started him on an immunosuppressant regimen.

After 2 more months and no improvement I opted to remove all medications. My vet spoke with me about considering “the alternative” which I could not do just yet. I wanted to give this puppy a chance.  He was only 6 months old.

A friend recommended a chiropractor and I was open to try anything. Erik hated the adjustments but began to feel his rear feet. The more he was adjusted, the more feeling he regained in his hind legs. He wagged his tail for the first time in 7 months! He responded to scratching his back and could actually shake off water. He was improving dramatically.

The adjustments were stopped when Erik showed no additional improvement.  By now, winter 2006, Erik was a happy, pain-free teenager, aware of the girly dogs, constant companion and playmate to my younger male, 4 months his junior, and housebroken. He was starting to walk on a slick floor in the house that he had avoided for months, had learned to jump on the bed, and had become quite accomplished with steps even though his slamming the risers with his front feet made a horrendous noise.  He still never “sat” on his own, choosing to stand or lie down, but he looked and acted like a normal young dog who made shuffling sounds as he dragged his feet.

Erik is now 2 years old and 100 trim pounds. In September 2007, my Mother and I took Erik to a rehab vet who specializes in canine athletes, joint replacement patients, and dogs with neurological problems. She took one look at him and said his cerebellum had not developed. His movement is classic. His understanding of the world around him is clear, he understands commands, and he remembers instruction. However, his brain does not understand he has legs. The reason he functions so well is that the other parts of his brain have compensated and learned what to do. The high fever he experienced was likely an infection not related to his current condition and the timing was purely coincidental.

She gave us a series of exercises to do on a regular basis to train his brain to compensate even better. She placed him in a tracking harness instead of a collar to support his shoulders and to adjust his movement, gave us a series of exercises including “doggie pilates” to help him balance, tight turns with starts and stops to help him learn to control the exaggerated movements of his forefeet, and she suggested boots to improve his traction on slick surfaces. As a reward for doing his exercises, he gets a body massage while stretched over a physio-roll ball which he loves.

The goal for Erik is to become a therapy dog at the local children’s hospital and to participate in a Read program for elementary children. In just a short period of time he has quickly learned to sit, which has been physically difficult for him, to down, and to heel. He still drags his feet but not as much. His mastering of his exercises and his excitement in learning has been a huge reward for my mother and me as we work with him. His training has been so successful in such a short of period time he could likely achieve his CD if AKC were to allow a dog with his issues to compete. Erik and my mother begin therapy dog classes soon and Chapter II will follow his progress.

UPDATE ON ERIK -- JANUARY 7, 2007

 

Erik began CGC/Therapy classes on January 3, 2008 ... in his class is an Aussie, a Golden, a mix breed, and a Malinoix. By the end of the class the Aussie was growling at everyone, the Golden was wearing a haltie, the mix breed had been in several time outs, but Erik was standing happily by mom waiting for another treat. When the trainer goes around and touches paws and ears as part of the class, she leans over and kisses Erik on the head - she says that's not part of the exercise but she can't resist. He just grins back at her.

 

Mom said some of the other class participants asked about his handicap and if their dogs could tell he has problems. They were all impressed he got along so well with all the other dogs - when the Aussie growled at him, he just looked away - Erik is 2.5 years old and intact but he also lives with his own family of intact Bernese and understands family dynamics and is expected to get along well with others so he has never understood fighting. He loves the attention and the class. He gets so excited when mom goes to pick him up. He knows it is his special time and the trainer is just amazed how much he adores her considering he is not her dog. They are already becoming a good team.

 

Mom came out quite proud of how well he did. She has ordered the study at home Delta Partners book and we are planning public outings to practice greetings crowds. I need to register Erik in AKC so he can get his CGC then earn his Delta Partners certificate so he can start his therapy work later this spring!

This is so exciting that this special boy has found his niche in life!

 

Molly