sutsibe Posted July 23, 2011 Report Share Posted July 23, 2011 I've been worried recently because Shad hasn't been able to walk. He evidently has a pinched nerve in his back, because when he tries to walk, his toes on his back feet (especially the right, but the left as well, to a lesser extent) curl under. When he tries walking on the 'knuckles' of his toes, he stumbles, and it's obviously not comfortable, so I've been having to carry him in and out (he's a big boy - 65 lbs!) several times a day, and help him move around to relieve himself! He's losing strength from not using those muscles, and I was starting to be afraid I'd have to let him go because of that - it's no way to live. I had him out last night, and was thinking, trying to come up with some way to keep his toes from curling under. I have some sledding booties, but they're fleece, and are too soft to work. I remembered that my vet has some nylon booties with plastic soles for sale, so I went and got a set for him today. He's not crazy about having them put on, but... HE CAN WALK with them on!!! :yahoo:They seem to work fairly well at keeping the toes as they should be! Here's a picture of him modeling them, and then another from about a week ago of him enjoying some ice cream! Love my Shad! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah Posted July 23, 2011 Report Share Posted July 23, 2011 :yahoo::yahoo: that's great you've found something that will work for him - hopefully it will allow him to enjoy his life even more so Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sutsibe Posted July 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2011 :yahoo::yahoo: that's great you've found something that will work for him - hopefully it will allow him to enjoy his life even more so I hope so! He's very good about being carried, but he's heavy enough I'm starting to feel the strain of it - I'm sore! What he really hates is that I have to help him when he needs to poop, so that he doesn't fall - if I can get him walking, hopefully we can get his muscles built up enough that he's more self-sufficient... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
26nikita Posted July 23, 2011 Report Share Posted July 23, 2011 That's awesome!! Shad is so handsome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elenamarie Posted July 23, 2011 Report Share Posted July 23, 2011 That's wonderful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sid&BellaNTX Posted July 23, 2011 Report Share Posted July 23, 2011 A handsome guy like that should definitely be doing some modeling. Happy to year he getting around in them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sutsibe Posted July 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2011 That's awesome!! Shad is so handsome! A handsome guy like that should definitely be doing some modeling. Happy to year he getting around in them! Thanks! I think he's awfully handsome, but then he's my best-bud! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tan J P Posted July 23, 2011 Report Share Posted July 23, 2011 aww ello gorgeous boy:heartbeat: what a good idea gigi,hope he picks up a little for you and they enable him to start getting around with more ease Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sutsibe Posted July 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2011 aww ello gorgeous boy:heartbeat: what a good idea gigi,hope he picks up a little for you and they enable him to start getting around with more ease Thanks, Tania - I hope so, too! It's really humid here tonight, and he doesn't want to do ANYTHING! The weather is supposed to improve a bit after tomorrow, so maybe he'll feel better then... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lebe03 Posted July 23, 2011 Report Share Posted July 23, 2011 I hope Shad's continues to improve and is fighting fit soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RIOTcore Posted July 23, 2011 Report Share Posted July 23, 2011 aww yay thats great news Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BingBlaze n Skyla Posted July 23, 2011 Report Share Posted July 23, 2011 thats fantastic!!! nice 1 gigi glad to hear they are working n helping him too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nikitashuman Posted July 23, 2011 Report Share Posted July 23, 2011 would some swimming/hydrotherapy help him at all? I only ask as the lady I foster for had a dog in that had become paralized and the hydrotherapy has really helped her Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Val (Zebedee) Posted July 23, 2011 Report Share Posted July 23, 2011 what a great idea, Gigi! Maybe Shad's not a fan of them, but hopefully he'll abide them if they give him his independence & privacy to poop alone! Well done, Shad, you earned your ice-cream!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Posted July 23, 2011 Report Share Posted July 23, 2011 Hope Shad improves. Poor boy. Hugs from my lots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Removed #2 Posted July 23, 2011 Report Share Posted July 23, 2011 Hugs to Shad....when my Stormy would no longer go off the deck and couldn't take care of her business, she would not let us help her and pretty much stopped eating....it will be one year tomorrow that we said our final goodbyes....hardest decision of all the dogs we've lost over the years. Had my boy Andy within a month and I believe (especially when the porch light comes on by itself) that Stormy still comes by to visit sometimes.....I have even thought that I've seen her on the deck...but then I'm a little looney when it comes to that kind of stuff because I saw her there immediately after we'd gotten home from the vet!!! Hoping Shad improves and sending support for having to make whatever decision you need to make! Looking so forward to meeting in person in Iowa!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mydiamond Posted July 23, 2011 Report Share Posted July 23, 2011 Aaww those socks look good on him LOL maybe you should make Shad play in a commercial ad or two to advertise the booties on TV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoya&EisasMom Posted July 23, 2011 Report Share Posted July 23, 2011 Oh, Gigi....I hate to hear that Shad is having more troubles. It brings back so many memories of what we went through with our Elke, just 3 years ago. I sure hope he can build up his strength again, now that wearing the booties enables him to walk on his own. On a happier note....he sure is enjoying his ice cream! Hugs to both of you from the MAZZ pack.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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