Trent on Wheels2

Trent is a Rhodesian Ridgeback, weighing in at 110 pounds. He truly is a great dog. Trent started showing signs of DM in January of 2005. The only way to prove or disprove DM was by performing an MRI. We were hesitant, since the cost of an MRI was $1,500. After months of watching Trent decline, we decided to go ahead with the MRI. To our surprise, the MRI disclosed a tumor on his spine. To me, this was good news, since the tumor was operable. We decided to go ahead with the operation in September of 2005, which, of course, was very costly. To our surprise and disappointment, Trent was left paralyzed after the surgery, but we still had hope. We brought him to physical therapy 3 days per week from October to January/February of 2006. We also brought him to acupuncture. At first, he started showing signs of improvement, but gradually the improvement decreased. We stopped physical therapy when we realized he would never walk again. We were devastated, as was Trent, but we were willing to trudge on. After Trent’s surgery, we bought a cart from Eddie’s Wheels. Trent’s wheels enabled him to go for walks. We also bought a couple of slings from Handicapped Pets. Trent’s muscles began to deteriorate and eventually he became incontinent too, but we still took care of him as best as we could. We bought diapers and ointments, as well as waterless shampoos to keep him spiffy and handsome. A year and one-half later, Trent was still around and still happy. Unfortunately, he was then diagnosed with congestive heart failure and within less than one week, he was gasping for breath and we knew it was time to let him go. Trent left us on January 30, 2007. We miss him very much. Tammy S.