Cerebellar Hypoplasia is a congenital brain disorder that affects an animal’s ability to maintain balance. Mild cases of CH result in animals who walk along the wall, using it as a prop to hold themselves up. In severe cases, some pets (dogs and cats) have head tremors and are so ataxic that they cannot stand or balance at all.
We met our first dog with CH many years ago. Isadora was a feisty Jack Russel Terrier puppy, but like a typical Jack, she had a strong will. We built Izzy a cart with training wheels to keep her from falling, and within no time at all, she was chasing tennis balls in her cart.
Newman, the sharpei in the video, was a 6 month old puppy when he came here for a cart. His balance issues were mild and once again, a simple cart with detachable front training wheels to keep him balanced provided him with enough support to allow him to take normal walks on the road. Eventually, Newman was able to get around without the aid of his cart.
Bobby, a boxer puppy, had more extreme problems, with constant head tremors that constantly through his front legs off balance. His caregiver, Joanne Lofthouse, believed that a full quad cart with a headrest would be the only way Bobby would ever learn to walk. She was correct in her intuitions. With the headrest supporting his head, all his other tremors quietened down sufficiently for him to learn to walk in a quad cart. We were delighted to hear recently that Bobby is now managing to walk independently of his wheelchair.
Being able to read this practical, REAL advice from someone who has had so much experience with disabled dogs, is a fantastic. Thanks so much and please continue.
I’m so glad I’m not alone with a dog that has Cerebellar disease . I’m looking into getting Liam (my dog) a set of wheels but I don’t know where to start.
I had to buy a stroller for him when he broke his hip running and playing . He had surgery to mend the break and couldn’t walk while recovering.
It’s been almost two years since his surgery but know he hesitates to use his right front leg when he walks , it’s like his brain can’t make the connection to his leg ? Is this possible ? Its a new symptom for Liam.
My GSD Briya suffers from Cerebellar Hypoplasia and got her cart when she was a year old. It helped her with her balance and muscle tone to the point where she only uses her cart while she works on keeping her balance in check and if she gets too tired from chasing her sister Atiya around the yard! I was amazed at how the cart helped her to “learn” how to keep her front legs apart to keep her balance while she was standing and she wobbles much less since I have used the cart to help her learn how to place her front legs to keep her balance.
Hi. I red your testimonial about your baby with cerebellar Hypoplasia. I volunteered to foster a mom with her pups, and one of the pups was diagnosed with CH. It was recommended that I put her down, but she still seems to have so much life in her. She doesnt appear to be suffering. She thinks she is the boss over my other dogs, loves to eat, loves to flop all over in the grass, and bite on peoples pant legs. I, however, am the one thats suffering. I work a full time job, and am having a very hard time taking care of Sparkle. It really is challenging! I just am curious to know if the wheelchair will be beneficial. I dont know if I can afford one, either. Do you have any feedback for me?I can use any type of information, especially from someone who is familiar with this awful disease. Thanks! Debbie Green
We are finding that a quad cart is a real quality of life – line for dogs with CH. The headrest is critical in calming the tremors that accompany CH. Once the head is held in place, the dog can concentrate its energy to move its legs in a coordinated fashion. Our carts are custom-built to hold the body close and snug – this also helps to calm them……If you would like a quote on a custom quad cart, call us to discuss and we’ll give you a quote based on the size and weight of your pup.