Pets, like people, age.  As pets age, they often face disabilities not unlike those faced by people. Our nine-year old Bernese Mountain Dog, Hannah-Anna (aka “Hannah Banana”) was diagnosed at seven-and-one- half years old with Fibro-Cartilaginous Embolism(FCE)/Ischemic Myelopathy (IS).  FCE/IS is a vascular disease of the spinal cord (myelopathy) caused by a blocking of its blood supply (ischemia). It is a common cause of paralysis in dogs (particularly German Shepherd Dogs and large and giant dog breeds).  Typically, the FCE/IS patient experiences acute, sudden onset of paralysis rather than the gradual decline in mobility experienced by dogs suffering from the more commonly seen  Degenerative Myelopathy (DM).  While there may be less time to adjust to mobility loss in FCE/IS, the strategies used to accommodate DM patients can also be used effectively with FCE/IS patients.  As in DM, diagnosis of IS/FCE is usually done by excluding other diseases. Although the  cause of the disease is unknown and there is no cure, carefully planned management of the disease can extend independence, mobility and quality of life significantly.

Upon the advice of the veterinary neurologist in Ohio, Hannah-Anna went through a program of physical therapy at Therapeutic Options (http://twinbrookanimalclinic.com/index.html) in Valencia, PA.  This included hydrotherapy/underwater treadmill, physio-roll ball exercises, passive motion with the rear limbs and body massage.  As a result, some neurological function was restored and Hannah was able to get around on her own for another three quarters of a year.  Aside from its neurological benefits, Hannah enjoyed every moment of her therapy sessions, joyfully cooperating with her three therapists.

IS/FCE is a progressive disease.  Approximately a year after diagnosis, Hannah’s  neurological function in her rear legs declined to the point where she was no longer able to walk supporting her own weight.  For a period, we managed her condition using a sling to lift her hindquarters and a harness to guide her direction.  After several months, we were facing a decision that neither my husband nor I wanted to make.  The decision was made more difficult because Hannah is still very mentally alert, enjoys her food, does tricks for treats, and enthusiastically greets us when we come home at night.  Not insignificantly, she was also our first Berner. Ending her life, no matter how humanely, seemed premature to us, but what were our choices?

Fortunately, we had reconnected with a friend, Vicky Hall,  at the BMDCA National Specialty.  Raven, her Bernese Mountain Dog, had been a successful performance dog in her youth and middle age, obtaining titles and awards in obedience, drafting, rally and agility.  She was working on her tracking title when at nine years old Raven was diagnosed with DM and gradually lost function in the rear.  Happily, someone forgot to tell Raven to slow down because she, too, was attending the Specialty, walking along with us as we talked --- about her wheelchair!   

So, this year, when Hannah’s mobility came to an end, we went looking for canine wheel chairs.  At the suggestion of Vicky, we went to the Doggon’ Wheels website (www.doggon.com/home.html) and ultimately contacted them.  We measured Hannah as instructed and had a chair built for her.  It was easier than it sounds because the company is very service oriented. Within a week, Hannah had her wheelchair.  Adjusting the wheel chair took us some time, but we did our best, took pictures of Hannah in the chair, and e-mailed them to the people at Doggon’ Wheels.  They looked at the photos and then gave us specific advice on “fine tuning” our adjustments. Hannah took to the chair quite easily. We suspect this was because of her prior experience with carting. Because she was “knuckling over” which caused her nails to wear down excessively, we also outfitted her with a pair of Muttluk boots (www.muttluks.com/) for protection.

        While we are still learning the ways that we can and cannot use the wheelchair with Hannah, she now has her WHEELS and is doing all the things that ambulatory senior dogs do  -- including taking walks, entertaining the neighborhood children, teaching manners to the puppies that inhabit our house and standing guard awaiting the arrival of the school bus every afternoon.  Indeed, Hannah and we are doing so well that we think that she may be with us next September when she turns 10 years old. This 10th year will qualify her for a spot in the “Veterans” issue of the The Alpenhorn.  It’s an honor to the dog, the owner and the breeder to have a dog featured in that issue.  Let’s hope Hannah wheels her way into her 10th year.

2007 Nancy Paule Melone (Reprinted with Permission)