About Disabled Dog Care
Andrea Bartlett has spent 3+ years as a hands-on caregiver for her dog Rue, who was diagnosed with IVDD. This site shares what she learned — the hard way.
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 Rue was first diagnosed.
Rue 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 — Rue 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) — Rue’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.
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.