Journal, The (Harrington, DE)
May 12, 2010
Water aids dog's recovery
Gwen Guerke; The Journal
HARRINGTON - Twice a week, D.U., a massive 115-pound yellow Labrador retriever plunges into the pool at Harrington Raceway.
What's so remarkable about this swimming dog is the aquatic retrieving game he plays with his owner, Tammie Deputy of Greenwood, is very therapeutic.
D.U. was stricken with Fibro cartilaginous embolism, or FCE, on Oct. 6, 2009, and the rare condition left his hindquarters paralyzed.
Some of the pulpy substance of one or more of DU's discs has penetrated the blood vessels surrounding the spine, blocking blood supply to the spine and causing the paralysis.
Mrs. Deputy, a paraprofessional teacher who works with autistic children in the Cape Henlopen School District, recalls noticing that DU, who is just 3 1/2 years old, at first seemed to have a problem with his right leg, something her family thought might be a minor injury or simply stiffness.
"Within 24 hours, he was paralyzed. It happened that quickly," she said.
A visit to a veterinarian offered little hope.
"The prognosis was grim," she said, remembering that the vet told her that he would need to be put down if there was no improvement within 24 hours if he didn't respond to the medication.
"We had to hire somebody to dig the hole for him. We couldn't do it," she said.
"Our first ray of hope was that the vet tech said to take him home and give him the meds and spend some time with him. It was really a rough couple of weeks."
Because of the paralysis, D.U. became incontinent. His bedding needed frequent washings to keep him clean. He had to be turned to avoid bed sores. He developed pneumonia.
In addition, he had to be carried outside through all the snow and rain of the past winter.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Deputy went online to learn more about FCE, and there she discovered blogs, online discussions with others dealing with the same situation.
"That gave me hope. He was making progress but it was so slow," she said.
She also found supplies for handicapped dogs and even started her own blog.
Much like a disabled person, D.U. needs constant attention and he goes to a chiropractor for regular acupuncture treatments.
Mrs. Deputy learned about the equine exercise pool inside the Jack Walls barn at Harrington Raceway.
"When I heard it was $5 or $6 for a half hour, I just cried. There's no place around here, no therapy for dogs," she said.
"When he first came here, D.U. was afraid of the water. I had to wade in to push him in. He wore a man's life jacket and had the lead."
Times have changed, and now D.U. is eager to swim.
"It's been seven months now. He's on a schedule. I need to find an orthopedic vet, one who knows enough about his condition. Some days he looks good. I have faith in him and in a higher being," she said.
It was at the pool that Mrs. Deputy became acquainted with Karen Craft, Harrington Raceway's facilities manager.
Ms. Craft, also an active Kent County SPCA board member, is all too familiar with the issues associated with dog therapy. Her dog, Toby, also a yellow Lab, had successful flexor tendon surgery at the University of Pennsylvania's small animal clinic.
Toby's rehab also included pool swimming.
Dr. Annie Renzetti, Delaware Harness Racing Commission veterinarian, said aquatic therapy "is huge. It's the best therapy because of the weightlessness and the resistance of the water. It also provides cardiovascular training and saves wear and tear on joints."
Ms. Craft, like Mrs. Deputy, also noticed D.U.'s progress, but realized D.U. could regain more mobility if he had a cart, or wheels, attached to his hindquarters.
Mrs. Deputy started making dog biscuits to sell as a way to raise money for the cart which is custom made to meet each dog's need.
However Ms. Craft, deciding the D.U.'s need was more urgent, solicited eight or nine friends and co-workers to raise the $600 need to buy it.
Mrs. Deputy's taken the measurements and sent them to Eddie's Wheels, so the cart is expected to arrive next week.
D.U. is a family dog. Mrs. Deputy and her husband have three children, ages 20, 14 and 10 and a working chicken farm.
Mrs. Deputy is attending school to become an occupational therapist, and because of her experience with D.U.'s condition she's investigating the possibility of using those skills on dogs.
"If I listened to the vet, I would have buried him. What a blessing it was to find this place, and it's affordable. And the gift of the wheels, it's very heart-warming. Hopefully, I will be able to return the favor some day."
News Editor Gwen Guerke can be reached at tell2gwen@aol.com or 422-1200.
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