My dog just got diagnosed with IVDD, and I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed.

One of the worst days for a dog owner is when their pet gets a horrible diagnosis such as IVDD or any other neurological diagnosis that leaves them unable to walk and sometimes impair their ability to control their bowel and bladder. I’ve unfortunately had a few of these days in my life as a dog mom.

The first things you need to master are:

1. Bowel and bladder expression

2. How do I assist my dog in moving in the most pain free way for him but also for my back.

3. What equipment do I need to purchase to help my dog get up and move again or at least be comfortable? ( canine wheelchairs/carts, harnesses, slings, strollers, diapers, non skid surfaces)

4. How do I set up my house for a dog on restricted activity? What does that even look like?

These are the questions that definitely come up that first week when you are at home with your differently abled dog.

All of these questions and even more you haven’t thought of can be answered by a mobile canine rehabilitation therapist/Canine PT

. They can come to your home help you problem solve how to set your dog up on restricted activity in your home, how to get your dog outside safely for you and him, and help get you comfortable with bowel and bladder expression. Then after you’ve mastered the care of your newly injured pet you can start to work on the physical therapy that will help get him back up on his feet and mobile again.

Lisa McHale MPT, CCRT

owner of L&B Pet PT in Chicago.https://www.lbpetpt.com/