Quality of Life for Rottweiler Puppy
Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2018 6:50 pm
I am fostering a Rottweiler pup that is now 11 months old. The rescue originally got him from a concerned breeder at 10 weeks old. To give you the historical background: the pup was diagnosed with congenital abnormality (severe kyphosis spinal deformity) at 12 weeks old. This is deformity affected the thoracic and lumbar region of his spine. The kyphotic region was stiff with dorsoventral pressures, there were no hypomobilities detectable with lateral pressures, and no pain with either of these tests when conducted at the animal specialty hospital. He was never able to defecate or urinate on his own, due to the deformity. He also has some cranial deformities as well and is not a "full size Rottweiler" at 52lbs. The pup ended up seeing 3 veterinarians (one at a general practice, one at a specialty/ortho vet, and one neurologist.) The orthopedic specialist and neurologist but said to euthanize as a pup, due to his large breed and the fact that surgery is not an option for him.
Note from specialty hospital:
"Although it is possible to continue to care for the patient as a companion, it may not be the best thing for him. As he continues to grow into a large dog, the stresses of the weight on his spine may predispose him to fracture or subluxation, especially due to the stabilizing joints and ligaments of the spine that are also malformed. Additionally, as he grows larger, the daily nursing care that will be required, such as bladder expression and helping with defecation, will become more challenging. This will be extremely difficult for any owner who does not have medical or veterinary background."
Well, I do have a veterinary background and was willing to give it a shot as his foster mom. We have done physical therapy, exercises, and hydrotherapy to build up his muscles as he's gotten older. He's gotten use to a wheel chair for mobility purposes and he has a schedule with bladder expression, diaper changes, etc. Due to the location of his deformity, he cannot be in his wheelchair for extended amounts of time (no more than 2 hours consecutively.) We have dealt with frequent UTI/bladder infections. He cannot move on his on (on mats with grip, drag bag, booties, nothing.) He needs to be moved frequently as to not develop pressure sores. Unless he is in his wheelchair, his quality of life is very low (in my opinion. I'm beginning to wonder if I'm doing the right thing by keeping him here. He has developed food aggression, which I honestly think is due to food being the only "fun or positive" thing for him. I have worked with a trainer on the food aggression as well, but that doesn't seem to be getting better.
Overall, I don't see his quality of life getting better or him being adopted to a family due to his aggression and disability. At 11 months old now, I'm beginning to see that that this is good as it's going to get for him, in regards to QOL. He's a puppy; he should be semi-energetic and engaging. As he ages, the frequency of UTIs will increase, arthritis risk, and risk of fracture or subluxation will increase. He is generally not "happy" and doesn't engage in play, but just lies there (unless physically moved.)
I just wanted to post and get other's opinions who have dealt with congenital issues, quality of life issues, and tough decisions.
Any suggestions or thoughts?
Note from specialty hospital:
"Although it is possible to continue to care for the patient as a companion, it may not be the best thing for him. As he continues to grow into a large dog, the stresses of the weight on his spine may predispose him to fracture or subluxation, especially due to the stabilizing joints and ligaments of the spine that are also malformed. Additionally, as he grows larger, the daily nursing care that will be required, such as bladder expression and helping with defecation, will become more challenging. This will be extremely difficult for any owner who does not have medical or veterinary background."
Well, I do have a veterinary background and was willing to give it a shot as his foster mom. We have done physical therapy, exercises, and hydrotherapy to build up his muscles as he's gotten older. He's gotten use to a wheel chair for mobility purposes and he has a schedule with bladder expression, diaper changes, etc. Due to the location of his deformity, he cannot be in his wheelchair for extended amounts of time (no more than 2 hours consecutively.) We have dealt with frequent UTI/bladder infections. He cannot move on his on (on mats with grip, drag bag, booties, nothing.) He needs to be moved frequently as to not develop pressure sores. Unless he is in his wheelchair, his quality of life is very low (in my opinion. I'm beginning to wonder if I'm doing the right thing by keeping him here. He has developed food aggression, which I honestly think is due to food being the only "fun or positive" thing for him. I have worked with a trainer on the food aggression as well, but that doesn't seem to be getting better.
Overall, I don't see his quality of life getting better or him being adopted to a family due to his aggression and disability. At 11 months old now, I'm beginning to see that that this is good as it's going to get for him, in regards to QOL. He's a puppy; he should be semi-energetic and engaging. As he ages, the frequency of UTIs will increase, arthritis risk, and risk of fracture or subluxation will increase. He is generally not "happy" and doesn't engage in play, but just lies there (unless physically moved.)
I just wanted to post and get other's opinions who have dealt with congenital issues, quality of life issues, and tough decisions.
Any suggestions or thoughts?