About Andrea & Heidi: Why I Built Disabled Dog Care
After 3+ years caring for Heidi through IVDD paralysis and recovery, I built this site to share the practical lessons no vet handout covers.
About This Site
My name is Andrea Bartlett. I created Disabled Dog Care because I couldn’t find the resource I needed when my dog Heidi was first diagnosed.
Heidi is a dachshund. In 2022, she was diagnosed with IVDD (Intervertebral Disc Disease), a spinal condition common in long-backed breeds. At her worst, her back legs were completely paralyzed. I spent nights on the floor next to her crate, watching her breathing, learning to manually express her bladder, wondering if I was doing any of it right.
The veterinary care was excellent. The at-home guidance was almost nonexistent.
After three years of figuring it out, through multiple vets, a rehabilitation specialist, an IVDD support community, and a lot of trial and error, Heidi can walk. She’s not 100%, and she never will be. But she has a genuinely good life.
This site is what I wish had existed on the day of her diagnosis.
What I Know and How I Know It
I’m not a veterinarian. I have no formal medical credentials.
What I have is three-plus years of daily, hands-on experience managing a disabled dog through:
- Acute IVDD crisis (Grade 4 paralysis)
- 8+ weeks of strict crate rest
- Post-surgical rehabilitation
- Manual bladder expression
- Wheelchair fitting and daily use
- Proprioceptive exercises and hydrotherapy
- Long-term prevention protocols
- The emotional weight of YMYL caregiving decisions
Every article on this site comes from that experience, supplemented by conversations with veterinarians and the IVDD / disabled dog owner community. I write about what I’ve actually done, what worked, what didn’t, and what I’d do differently.
This site is a supplement to veterinary care, not a replacement for it. Always consult your vet for diagnosis and treatment decisions specific to your dog.
The Conditions Covered
Disabled Dog Care covers six conditions:
- IVDD (Intervertebral Disc Disease): Heidi’s condition. The most detailed content lives here.
- Degenerative Myelopathy: Progressive hind limb weakness; different mechanism from IVDD, different care approach.
- Hip Dysplasia: Joint care, pain management, exercise, home adaptations.
- Arthritis: Pain relief, supplements, exercise modifications for aging dogs.
- Neurological Conditions: Bladder care, wheelchair use, and other neurological presentations.
- Amputation Recovery: Life as a tripawd, recovery, adaptation, and thriving.
Recommended Gear
After years of trial and error, I keep a Recommended Gear section on this site, with products from Heidi’s actual care routine, organized by category. It covers mobility aids, incontinence management, bedding, and home modifications. Everything listed is something I’ve used personally or that comes up consistently in the IVDD and DM communities. There’s a full disclosures page explaining how affiliate links work and how gear gets selected.
Contact
Have a question about your specific situation? I read everything.
You can reach me through the Support page: there’s a contact form for questions and a Calendly link if you’d prefer a short video call.
Disabled Dog Care is published by Andrea Bartlett. All content is written from personal caregiving experience and is intended to complement, not replace, professional veterinary care.