has anyone ever adopted a special needs pet before

**Missy** · 03-20-2006, 11:59 PM

what has been your experience? We had a cat once prone to epiliptic seizures. And we had another who was shot up with heroine as a kitten. The vet on post confiscated her and once she was detoxed, she called my father who immediately took her in. She was a beautiful Himilayan. She continued to have problems her whole life. Our black DSH cat was epileptic (figure if i keep misspelling it, eventually I will hit on the right spelling) got better as she got older.

These were all as I was a teenager, and Mom did most of the care.

Now I am adopting a pup with a heart issue. He's the younger brother (by about a half hour, lol) to the one we are bringing home soon.

I am comfortable bringing home another dog (this will make 3!! total) not a problem. And his heart doesn't keep him from playing and romping and such. His vet check was good, although his heart rate was higher than is normal. I expect some higher than usual vet costs, and possibly medication. He tends to play and play and tucker out faster than the others and seems to know when enough is enough for him.

The kids understand that we have a new puppy comming that is very special. He needs extra special care and tht when he is tired we have got to be careful to give him his rest. I don't know that it has the same meaning without the pup right in front of them, but they understand verbally what I have said.

Anyhow, what's your experience with special needs pets?

**halloweenfreak** · 03-21-2006, 12:10 AM

i had an epileptic cocker spaniel growing up. we had to keep an eye on him and make sure he didn't wander off too far since we never knew when it was going to happen.
i also had a crippled cat a few months ago. he didn't let it bother him tho, he went everywhere the other kitties went. except tree climbing of course.

**tbs727** · 03-21-2006, 08:19 AM

We adopted a dog with emotional issues. She had been beaten by her previous owners and left inside the gate of the trailer they abandoned to starve to death. Thankfully the owner of a rescue found her and brought her home to take care of her. We met her when we went looking for a play mate for our first dog, Max. She is a doll, the absolute sweetest dog I have ever met. A 75 lb. lap dog.

She is mostly recovered from her trauma (we adopted her about 4 1/2 years ago). Sometimes she still meets people she is afraid of.

I hope you enjoy your new pups.

**ama** · 04-05-2006, 08:36 AM

I have a special needs puppy. Its been very touch and go but he's doing so much better this past 2 weeks. What a relief! It really makes me feel for women who have sick children -- I can just imagine the heartache and worry they go through!

I wouldn't trade my doll in for the world but it sure takes some knowledge and knowing your stuff!

**slowtypinwoman** · 04-05-2006, 05:11 PM

We had a dog that some beast had tried to set on fire when he was a puppy. He was a loving and happy dog once he figured out that we weren't going to hurt him.

**ama** · 04-16-2006, 10:15 AM

omg -- that is just terrible. It still kills me how cruel people can be to an animal.

**baxjul** · 04-16-2006, 12:18 PM

I've had many. An epiliectic poodle when I was a teenager, an abused cocker spaniel, a blind cocker spaniel, and my dog now was burned with cigarettes as a puppy! Baxter who we have now is the one burned as a puppy, I smoke and he will bark at my cigarettes.

**QuilterMom** · 04-20-2006, 10:53 AM

Our youngest Aussie is a rescue. He was abused (we figured that one out on our own) and neglected. He is the absolute sweetest dog you could ever want and extremely protective, especially of ds1. We had issues with him at first when we would take him to the vet's office. We don't know what happened in his past, but he was very agressive toward the vet and would have to be muzzled. We still go to the same vet office, but see a different vet that is more softspoken and is very relaxed and easy going (doesn't get in a hurry, doesn't make sudden jerky movements, etc.). Charlie has done extremely well with this vet and was able to go muzzle free at his last appointment. He will still sometimes act like he thinks you're going to hit him if you move your hand a certain way or come at him a little fast while moving your hands.

**PeacewithMyself** · 04-20-2006, 11:29 AM

We have a dear to my heart German Shorthair Pointer. She has had a badder control problem since she was spaded. Darn.
We had raised her as an indoor puppy. But, her problem is just too much of a mess for in the house. So, she has a wonderful outdoor pen at night. And a nice doggie house on the porch, a fresh blanket everyother day and lots of lovin'.
Her only complaint is that we do not stay outside with her enough.

**FrugalMomof3** · 04-20-2006, 12:06 PM

I dont know about my dog but he also flinches and the such when I move my hand a certain way, I also put up his chin and tell him now to worry that I would never lay a hand on him. He also get's very scared if he sees a belt, I would assume that he was beaten when he was younger but he has nothing to worry about with us, we love him so dearly.