Sheba The Quad Dog Productions presents:
CARING FOR A HANDICAPPED PET: A HOLISTIC APPROACH |
Deborah Kazsimer, Pet Owner, Developed this Video For Treating
Handicapped Pets with Holistic Techniques.
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Deborah Kazsimer has created a video designed to help owners deal with the care and treatment
of handicapped pets. The video includes a wide range of treatments
including special nutrition diets, acupuncture, magnetic therapy,
and infrared light. The holistic pet treatments were inspired
by Kazsimer's paralyzed German Shepherd dog "Sheba." Sheba suffered from the incurable spinal cord disease degenerative
myelopathy. The dog's condition inspired Kazsimer to seek alternative
medical solutions to her pet's distress.
This video provides any animal lover with many
options regarding optimal wellness whether your animal companion
is handicapped or not. Topics include acupuncture, magnetic
therapy, physical therapy, infrared light, bed sore care/prevention,
music therapy, nutrition diets, color light tontations, chiropractic
care information, mobility, transporting a large immobile dog,
vaccine information, natural insect repellant information, and
additional topics.
See for yourself what can be done and where to turn for help
in caring for a handicapped pet. But don't wait until your beloved
pet is handicapped to educate yourself on available options.
Learn what you can do today to provide your animal companions
with quality lives.
This video was inspired by the unconditional love of the producer's
dog Sheba, who lost the use of all four legs to an incurable
spinal cord disease. |
This
video was given a wonderful review in The Whole Dog
Journal
A
monthly guide to natural dog care and training
SHEBA, MY QUADRIPLEGIC DOG
May 15, 1991 - December 29, 2001
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This is the true story of a search for a cure for my beloved friend, Sheba. Sheba was diagnosed with degenerative myelopathy in July of 1999. Degenerative myelopathy is a spinal cord disease that has no cure. It is similar to multiple sclerosis in humans, as the myelin sheath around the spinal cord deteriorates, causing the nerve fibers to die. Early symptoms of the disease include dragging of one of the rear legs. A veterinarian or animal chiropractor can do a simple test by bending the given paw back to test for nerve damage.
Sheba began a protocol consisting of high doses of antioxidants in August of '99. With the symptoms progressing (which included rear left leg dragging and falling down), I took Sheba to get an MRI to see if her nerve damage was a result of a disk problem or tumor. The MRI revealed a protruding disk in the L7-S1-S2 (lower lumbar) area. A dorsal laminectomy was performed. This is a procedure where the top portion of the disk is surgically removed, allowing the nerves to pass freely over the disk without being pinched.
Expecting Sheba to be able to walk again after the surgery, we had very high hopes as the surgeon had assured us that the procedure was successful. During Sheba's recovery time the next couple of weeks, there was very little improvement, if any. Sheba began deteriorating at a rapid rate, despite the daily physical therapy, diet, supplements, chiropractic adjustments, and acupuncture treatments she had received. My husband or I walked her with a towel for support. Realizing Sheba was soon to lose the use of both rear legs, we ordered her a cart (doggie wheelchair).
SHEBA LOVED HER WHEELCHAIR! Because she still had the use of her front legs, she could run around all over the yard and play with my other two dogs, Jerry Lee and Trouble. Although discouraged that Sheba would never walk again, I was content that she could get around in her wheelchair.
After taking Sheba to various specialists, it was agreed that Sheba's problem may have been the result of a disk or tumor in the upper (thoracic) part of her back. I made arrangements to have a second MRI on Sheba. To my surprise, the MRI was done on the exact same location as the first one! It revealed that the disk was still bulging but the doctor assured us that Sheba's symptoms were a result of degenerative myelopathy because there was supposedly ample room for the nerves to pass over the corrected disk.
I looked into other forms of treatments for Sheba. I learned and began doing color light tonations with crystals as well as infrared light therapy and magnetic massages. I also began using homeopathic remedies, flower essences, glandular supplements, herbs, natural diet, and continued the chiropractics, acupuncture, and physical therapy. I read many books on optimal health and alternative medicine for pets.
I began getting titers for Sheba as well as my other dogs. A titer is a blood test to determine how strong the antibodies are to a particular virus such as parvo, distemper, etc. Because the titers are normal, I quit getting the vaccines for my dogs.
Sheba's condition seemed to stabilize for awhile. She was able to get around in her first cart for a little over a year. By the time Jan. 2001 rolled around, Sheba was getting weaker in the front legs. By Feb., we bought Sheba her second cart, which was for a quadriplegic dog. The cart did not work for Sheba so my husband and I re-designed it to accommodate her. She got around in this cart for a couple months, but began deteriorating at a rapid rate again. We currently pull Sheba around by means of a Tylift.
Although Sheba is a quadriplegic, SHE DOES HAVE A QUALITY LIFE!!!!! We take her in the swimming pool for exercise and to get her off her bed. She also receives so much love and attention. The new supplements she's on have been helping her, as her bloodwork reveals optimal ranges for everything being tested. It seems like the new magnets I'm using on her are helping her to sleep better.
Although she is a quadriplegic, Sheba still loves to play with her football. She can toss it and catch it. She loves to hear me sing and play the guitar. That is great therapy for her. You have to see her to believe that she is truly happy. Sheba has no pain because of the nerve damage. Although I know she does not have much time left, I'm doing everything in my power to keep her quality of life comfortable and happy. It is very expensive doing all these things for Sheba, but I love her and will do anything for her. After all, she'd do the same for me.
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