Advice of practical management of above please.  Four year old Border Terrier, bright as a 'Button' mentally.  A fabulous little dog.  PLEASE HELP!!  Can get a pair of 'Wheels' for mobility, that's the easier part (I think)

May not be the advice you want to hear, but if it were my dog who was paralysed I would have him/her quietly put to sleep in my arms. He wouldn't know anything about it other than a hug. Better that than a long road to recovery, with whatever pain and indignities that entails. I hate to see dogs in those wheel contraptions :-(

I have to agree with Tigger2, I would let go. To both have lost the use of the legs and be  incontinent, there is no dignity or proper life left. :( Very sad but sometimes we have to put the dog first, above our own feelings. Extra sad when the brain is all clear and the dog young.

I agree with above, owning Borders I know how upsetting it must be, but you must put the dog first.

I agree with Tigger2. I sadly had to do this very thing a few months ago with my beloved dog who managed to paralyse himself following an apparently minor injury. When it was clear that he was never going to independent enough to do more than drag himself around by his front legs, getting friction burns and pressure sores, at high risk of bladder infections, urine scald and fly strike, there was no option. We loved him too much to force him to endure such misery.

its the incintinence that I think will be main issue.  sores quickly develop when they leak uncontrollably and that is both painful and distressing for the dog and very hard to prevent. My last dog had urinary incontinence after her spay (thankfully 95% fixed after repair surgery) and she was very very upset over it, she had to be washed a lot to try and stop urine scalding to her nether regions, thighs and belly and still ended up with some sore spots, had the surgery not worked I would have had her put down as it got more distressing for her not less as time went on.and she had working back legs, working bowel so was in far less disabled position then your poor little chap. 
its very hard to let go and very easy for us here to say have your friend put down but in all honesty I would sugguest you search your feelings hard and ask are you keeping him going for you or him? quality of life is what matters not quantity.
I am sorry. you are in a terrible position and I really wish I could find some more positive thing to say.

>ask are you keeping him going for you or him?

That was exactly the question we asked ourselves about Harry; would we be keeping him alive for our benefit (because he was so special to us and we didn't want to lose him) or for his?

My heart goes out to you Molly and I can well appreciate (though not as severe thankfully) your situation. I posted here 2 weeks ago regarding my 4 year old cocker who had a disc rupture. Now he only had ataxia but my world came to an abrupt halt. I was so upset as I could visualise him losing power in his rear legs. Now so far he is recovering but I dont think your terrier will recover function. How did it happen do you mind me asking? I think it is easy for us to say put him to sleep as we dont know him, but he is your boy. I think it would have caused me so much distress, I would likely have thumped anyone who would mention it to me regarding my dogs but on reflection, I would never cause them suffering. I believe we should always do the best we can for our dogs, no matter what its effect is on us. I would not put Alfie through it but I would give all I have to fix any of my dogs. Ultimately this is your decision and I'm very sure with advice from your vet, you will make the correct decision for your boy.

I know he's still young but sadly I would go with having my dog PTS if I was in this situation.  Hope whatever you do that all goes as good as it can do.

Having had this decision with my 3 year old Beardie cross I would go with the others and let him go with dignity. Much sympathy as I know it broke my heart to have to let Braid go

Another here in agreement with all the others, many on here know the pain i went through when i made that exact decision on my 13 month old girl who i doted on, to ask her to endure painful surgery and a long drawn out recovery with no guarantees was something i couldn't do though it broke me (literally) to let go of her at that age too. Wheels is something i would never consider, not in my breeds anyway. I wish you strength and courage in whatever decision you make.

I have been thinking of you today since I first read this and I imagine perhaps wish that you hadn't posted. I can only imagine what you are going through as our dogs are our best friends, part of the family and we love them as much if not more, but I learnt early on with our second dog that due to his severe deformities that at some time in the future a decision would have to be made. His quality of life is far more important than prolonging it for either me or my husband. Our oldest was also in a similar situation to yours this time last year after being attacked, five days of paralysis from behind the shoulders, yes it is easy for me to say it now as he has made a 'full' recovery after being found standing one morning but from the outset I promised myself that I would not prolong his life by becoming a 'trolley BH'. The specialist told me it was possible and he knew of one that even went hunting but from the outset I said 'No', we'll give him so much time and then home for a final day, and even reading that now it would have been kinder to PHTS there than a five hour journey home.  It is a hellish decision but whenever I see a BH being pulled around on a trolley or supported by wheels I want to weep for the owners and the dog but it only re-enforces my belief that quality of life is more important than length. Sorry to ramble and thinking of you.

Really sorry but I' afraid I agree with the others, if there is no reasonable hope of recovery then I would PTS. Depends how long this has been going on I think.
That said, re the incontinence, I would have thought a very close clip/shave around the back end would make it easier to keep clean. If he has long hair saturated in urine he's going to get very sore. perhaps coating with petroleum Jelly, (or better still, udder cream) after cleaning would protect the skin.

I have never used it but heard others recommend Vet bed for dogs with leaks as it allows the liquid to soak away and keep them comfortable.Keep several pieces and change several times per day.
Good luck, I'm sorry that this is probably not what you were hoping to hear.

{{{{  hugs  }}}}

I don't have any practical advice Molly but wanted to send you a huge warm hug.

I can't say what I would do in your shoes. I don't know your little dog and how his day to day life is.

What sort of advice is your vet giving?

Why don't you contact Steve Dean - Tyrian Border Terriers who also happens to be a vet too.
Writes a vets view column in the dog paper.
He'd give you an honest appraisal of the situation I'm sure.