Tyson Merton

Very often our animal companions have more to teach us about ourselves than we would ever imagine possible. Devotion, consistency and non-judgemental honesty all come to mind. Sometimes, we meet a true hero in a companion, and it can change our perception of our own lives and what really matters.

Tyson was 12 years old when I met him. He had just undergone extensive surgery to repair a torn cruciate ligament in the knee. This procedure is costly and invasive and I was, quite frankly, surprised that it had been performed on a large breed dog of this age.

As a vet, I have often been called upon to discuss the pros and cons to the family of an animal companion facing surgery or some other form of costly, invasive procedure. Some issues are purely financial, others involve the likely success, risks and recovery factors of the procedure.  Other issues involve the biological stress on the specific animal companion and include the impact on the long term quality of life of undergoing a particular procedure.

Tyson, at first glance, would not have appeared to be an ideal candidate for such an expensive surgery and lengthy anaesthetic. He was clearly old, and blind in one eye. Notwithstanding his condition, his obviously devoted family opted to take the risks and costs of the extensive surgical repairs.

When it came to taking down Tyson’s history, I soon learned the true nature of his injuries and the source of his family’s unswerving commitment to achieving the best quality of life possible for him.

Matt told me that a couple years before Tyson’s operation, there was an attempted hijack at their home. The family were coming home, late, after a celebration of Matt’s birthday. As Matt was unpacking his gifts from the boot of the car in the driveway, he was stunned by an explosion and caught sight of the flash of a gunshot and watched in horror as Tyson fell. Frustrated by a closing gate the attackers fled, but not before Matt was able to look them in the face. It was 22:15 in the evening and a seriously injured Tyson was lying on the ground in a pool of blood after successfully defending his family from a potentially fatal attack. After a frantic drive and a number of desperate phone calls, Tyson got the medical attention he needed. He survived, but lost his eye to that gunshot.

Some time later, Tyson began to experience pain and inflammation in his one knee joint. His family used the prescribed anti-inflammatories to manage these symptoms but soon he was not able to bear any weight on the affected limb. When the family was faced with a decision regarding Tyson’s knee injury, rather than see him in pain for the rest of his life, they did not hesitate to choose surgery to repair the damage. They followed this with three months of physical rehabilitation at my facility. Tyson went on to walk well on the affected leg.

Fate had not finished with Tyson. Mid 2012 he was diagnosed with cancer. They were draining blood from him every few days and he was very ill. But just like the hero that he was, he fought valiantly to stay with his beloved family. After months of pain and discomfort, his family decided to take the step of letting him leave his this world. It was so very hard for them but they knew, from the depths of their hearts, that it was the right thing to do. Tyson touched his family’s life, like no other pet ever had.

Matt writes: “My parents said that they could not go through the heartbreak again. My dad was also diagnosed with cancer mid last year and life has seemed one endless battle. In June this year my Mom ordered a Boxer puppy. A house is not a home without a beloved Boxer. We received Harley on the 2 October 2013 and he is helping my Dad and the family tremendously. He is not Tyson but his own unique self, although we like to believe that Tyson is giving him guidance.”

From my perspective, it is easy to for us to pass judgement from a very human viewpoint. We do it all the time. Would I put my 11 year old companion through such an extensive surgical procedure? My initial response is no. I have had to re-evaluate that. This family made the decision which best suited all of them and honoured the life of a cherished, valiant companion. They believed Tyson deserved the best life they could give him and they did everything they could to ensure that, for as long as they could.

Is there a moral to the story? Absolutely! The value of our companions cannot be measured in monetary terms. So often they show us what it is to be fully human: how to live lives of unconditional, unselfish love and service. They show us what it is to be courageous, and to how defend those we hold dear without the slightest consideration of personal cost. They also teach us how to persevere and be patient in the face of suffering. And, as if that was not enough, they go on to bring out in us the noblest of human attributes:  generosity and appreciation.

Physically Challenged Dogs

Printed All About Dogs Nov/Dec 2014 

When is a dog considered physically challenged? I would include amputees, deaf dogs, blind dogs, dogs that have spinal injury or disease and their hindquarters are compromised, even tetraparetic individuals. As humans, supposedly having “dominion” over our canine friends, when should we make a decision to allow their lives to continue? That, of course, is very personal but I would like to give my views based on 14 years of small animal private veterinary practice, and a further 6 years as a physical rehabilitation veterinarian. 

Dogs do not have the psychological issues associated with disability, which humans have. Running around on three legs does not make them less of a dog in their minds. I would like to make the point that many disabled dogs live full and happy lives.

All dogs have a keen sense of smell. The olfactory sense of a blind dog is even more-developed. This, along with an acute sense of hearing, allows him to negotiate his surroundings. Provided there are not too many changes in the environment, and hazards such as swimming pools are appropriately barricaded, blind dogs can continue happily for years. There are even photographs of blind dogs having ‘guide’ dogs! These are other dogs that have taken on a role of being the blind dog’s eyes. Often these companions are inseparable. 
Deaf dogs should also not be discriminated against. Dalmatians have a genetic line which predisposes some to deafness. Their sight is unaffected. I have watched such a dog, and a teenage boy, build such a strong bond that they outdid all the other people and dogs in their training class. I am sure they had many pleasurable years together. 

Single limb amputees, whether front or back, are able to run and play with the same gusto as a four-legged dog. Consideration for the remaining limb is important but can be managed. I met Hanna, a Labrador x Bull Terrier, when she was two years old. She was hit by a car and had to have one of her front limbs amputated at 7 months of age. Hanna has been on hydrotherapy program since we met, in order to maintain the strength and mobility of the remaining front limb. Hanna’s guardian was hoping for 5 years but next year March she will be 10! Earlier this year we invested in a neoprene support for her wrist as she has developed arthritis in this joint. She lives on a smallholding with numerous other dogs and runs around like a mad thing! She also attends a private training session once a week where the focus is on mental stimulation as opposed intensive physical training.

Since I have been involved in physical rehabilitation of our canine companions, I have seen many dogs with compromised hindquarters. These dogs are unable to walk with their back legs and often drag them.

 Being disabled in this manner does not stop these dogs at all! Mobility carts are becoming more readily available and are a necessity if such a dog is permanently paralysed. When in the cart, these dogs cannot be left unsupervised as the cart may catch on an obstacle or even tip over in the dog’s excitement to chase someone. However, these individuals never consider that their so-called disability requires them to stop participating in life. They can and do catch a ball, and also chase the visitors at the gate. Recently, Pug Rescue SA (PRSA) received a 7 month old Pug with a spinal condition which is inoperable, leaving Pug-Lee paralysed in his back legs. PRSA is a pro-life shelter that has made the decision to give Pug-Lee an opportunity to live life. His mobility cart is on order. He is a part of daily life in the centre and is moved around from office to outdoors, based on activities. He has a specific set of exercises which he must complete daily. He also enjoys a daily massage and stretching session. He is interactive, eats well and is already much-loved.

In conclusion, living with a disabled pet has its challenges. The largest of which is adapting the dog’s environment to ensure it is a safe playground. Cognisance of compensatory patterns of movement is essential, and necessary adjustments must be made. Awareness is the key but these pets live a fulfilling life and it is most rewarding for their human family, too.