The wonderful folks from Doggon' Wheels in Bozeman kindly came out to the ranch today to measure three of our dogs for wheelchairs. All three -- brothers Smokey and Charlie, and Noodle the Collie mix -- have cerebellar hypoplasia, which affects their balance and fine motor skills. We have several animals with this condition, and have never needed to get wheelchairs for them before. Because they are born with cerebellar hypoplasia, these animals typically improve their stability as they get older. Their brains start figuring out how to compensate, and they learn to stand with a wider stance on their front legs, use their tails for increased balance, and walk with a gait that keeps them upright ... most of the time. Yes, they tumble and fall, but they cherish their freedom of movement.
But Charlie and Noodle have not improved as they grew older. In fact, Charlie -- the little tan guy in the photo above -- has actually seen his motor skills diminish somewhat since arriving. His biggest problem is that when he falls, he almost always lands chin first. As a result, he has a permanent open sore on his chin. This is no doubt painful for him ... and painful for us to watch. It's almost like an involuntary reflex, because as he's starting to tumble, he arches his back and then dives head first. Most perplexing, he seems to put extra energy into it, pushing off with his back feet as he begins falling. We don't know why Charlie can't get a paw out to block the fall, or why he doesn't roll over to land on his side ... but he doesn't. It's chin first. And as the weeks have ticked by, we've realized that for whatever reason, his brain and body can't change the biomechanics of this.
Charlie's brother Smokey is more stable, but still tumbles more than he should, so we think he would benefit from a wheelchair as well -- at least for part of the time. It would also probably help Charlie adapt to the chair more quickly if he saw his brother using one as well. Here's Jason from Doggon' Wheels measuring Smokey for his chair:
Noodle had better motor skills when she first came as a skinny pup, but as she grew and gained weight, her stability decreased. She can "walk" in short bursts of about 10 feet or so, but that's about it, and she can't stand still. If she stands up, Noodle has to move in her burst of speed. Her sister Soba is much more stable and cruises everywhere. In this next photo Jason is measuring Noodle while I hold her. (If I look a bit overdressed for the occasion, it's because I had just come into our welcome center from doing barn chores in the 5-degree morning cold ... and was heading right back out again.) The hands at the table belong to Kenny from Doggon' Wheels, who's writing down the measurements as Jason takes them.
We're getting quad chairs -- with front and back wheels -- for the trio, and we should have them within about 10 days. Then we'll see how they do!
WOW! I've looked around on their website and they have amazing stuff!! The quad looks really good and stable for this trio, I wonder what it will feel like for Noodle to stand and look at the world without it zooming by...
For me (with cats at home) the picture on their "others" page of the white cat quietly lying underneath a tree with a happy face says it all. Wonderful.
Posted by: Jessica, NL | January 06, 2008 at 05:37 AM
I think the chairs will give the dogs a different sense of mobility and freedom that they will love!
We look forward to pictures and maybe even a movie clip of the dogs in chair action.
Posted by: Boundforglory | January 05, 2008 at 01:24 PM
I have such a soft spot for the wobblers. Thank you for helping them cruise!
Nancy
Posted by: Nancy | January 04, 2008 at 05:32 PM
Thanks, Rolling Dog for the wheels for my babies, Smokey & Charlie. Noodle is a cutie, too. Looking forward to seeing the kids in their carts. We had a german shepherd that fell on ice when he was about 4 months old and had spinal damage to his back legs. He had a cart and was the talk of the neighborhood. We lost him a couple years ago, but he sure loved that cart and could really go. His front legs were really exceptionally strong. Good luck to the kids. Will look forward to seeing the results.
Posted by: Sonya Brooks | January 04, 2008 at 04:25 PM
I can't wait to see them! I am sure it will make life much easier them and you!
Posted by: Lahna Zandi | January 04, 2008 at 01:25 PM
I can hardly wait to hear how the dogs will be motoring around the ranch with their new wheels..what a wonderful improvement to their quality of life!! Thanks to Doggon' Wheels.
Posted by: Nina | January 04, 2008 at 01:03 PM
Awesome support Doggon' Wheels! I enjoyed your website. Keep up the great work. Looking forward to the action shots of Smoky, Charlie & Noodle. Soba might be jealous, :)
Posted by: Margaret | January 04, 2008 at 11:15 AM
These cute pups are in such good hands already - now will be in good wheels too!! Look forward to hearing all about how they do with their new equipment. As always, bless you all for your loving work.
Posted by: usfour | January 04, 2008 at 09:53 AM
I have just added your blogs to my home page, I enjoy keeping up with all the animal stories going on at your ranch! What an inspiration. I can't wait to see these guys in their chairs!
Posted by: Kylle | January 04, 2008 at 08:15 AM
How exciting! I cant wait to see the results! Three cheers for doggon' wheels!
Posted by: Kate and Luke! | January 04, 2008 at 12:39 AM
Another reason why you call it "Rolling Dog Ranch." These wheels will be rolling....
Posted by: Shirley & James, Portland, OR | January 03, 2008 at 11:49 PM
So happy for this group to be more mobile. Thank you Doggon' Wheels. We look forward to future blogs on this Gang on Wheels!
Posted by: Shirley & James, Portland, OR | January 03, 2008 at 11:45 PM
Thank you Doggon' Wheels :- )
Looking forward to seeing pics of the wobbly furkids tearing around the ranch in their new rigs.
Posted by: Karen | January 03, 2008 at 11:30 PM