Tyrion, a seven-year-old Maltipoo, has overcome more challenges than most dogs, but with courage and a set of tiny wheels, he’s defied the odds and found new joy in life.
Named after the resilient character from Game of Thrones, Tyrion’s journey took an unexpected turn when he was suddenly left paralyzed due to an autoimmune disease, despite living a healthy life for the first seven years.
His owner, Dagmar Gudmundsson, 28, has been Tyrion’s companion since he was just eight weeks old. The sudden onset of Tyrion’s condition began one afternoon in March 2024. After playing fetch and taking a nap, he woke up unable to move his back legs. “Within three to four hours, he went from playing fetch to having absolutely no movement in his back legs,” Gudmundsson recalls.
Initial vet visits suggested a possible intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), but an MRI revealed a different cause: Tyrion’s spinal cord was severely inflamed due to granulomatous meningoencephalitis (GME), an autoimmune disease where the body attacks its own spinal cord, leading to paralysis.
The path to recovery was slow. Tyrion went through six months of acupuncture and hydrotherapy, helping him regain some mobility. By six or seven months, Tyrion began attempting to stand, and though he couldn’t feel pain in his legs, he started “spinal walking”—a remarkable feat considering his condition.
In the months following his paralysis, Tyrion was fitted for a customized wheelchair. “He loved it immediately,” says Gudmundsson. “He was free and could run again.”
Today, Tyrion thrives in his wheelchair, which has become a symbol of his strength and determination. Inspired by his journey, Gudmundsson also started an online business, Wag & Wheel, which donates to rescues and sanctuaries caring for disabled animals.
Tyrion’s story is a testament to resilience, love, and the healing power of support. “He’s thriving,” Gudmundsson says, “and now he’s living life on his own terms.”
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