Wheelchairs for dogs, what are my options?

Question

I'm looking at getting a wheelchair for my senior dog. I've looked at ones to purchase and they are all far too expensive and I can't find a place in Canada near where I live. I've found some ideas to make your own but honestly I don't have the tools or the know how for it. I do however know a few people who do, that would be willing to give it a shot. I just would like to know if anyone has made their own and how it worked out, and any kind of advice about it. My dog is having trouble eating because she can't hold her legs still when she stands in one place.. when she walks shes okay but when she stops they just keep sliding in on her. She won't eat laying down. I've two choices really, either I let her go and put her down or I get her moving more.. She is ancient and well her back legs are just worn out. Her front ones are fine, and yes she has been to the vet there isn't anything they can really do other than medicate, and at her age it's not very advisable to have her on powerful meds for long times. As it stands the vet has me giving her aspirin sparingly and glucosamine regularly but it can't cure her, nothing can.. I just want her to have a happy end of life.. I don't think shes happy right now because she can't get around very well. So any ideas to help me get her more mobility and give her a good last year, I know she won't live much longer, but what she has left I want to be pleasant. If she can't move around it can't be pleasant so I need to get her moving easier. I think some wheels would really make a difference. SO any advice or experiences would be appreciated any ideas would be great, or plans for building a cart... anything.. Thanks!

Answer 1

Hi, I know the feeling, my German Shepherd had a similar problem. Before I forget, I added comfrey leaves boiled or fried to his meals & it did help a lot. I keep my animals as long as they are eating.

You don't say what size your dog is. I've seen a wooden square with 4 wheels on, I'm not sure if they were swivel wheels or not. On top of the wooden square were 4 posts that were supported by wooden struts to strengthen them. A piece (strap) of leather was hung across on which the dog's stomach rested & another thinner strap went over the back of the dog. The strap was adjusted so that the back legs just touched the platform (wooden square) comfortably. It worked well but did have limitations. The dog loved it. It worked well on smooth, flat surfaces. Steps, stones & downhills were a problem but the dog loved it. I wish you & your pet all the best.



http://www.comfreycentral.com/



Peace.

Answer 2

This happened to my 5yo Cavalier. I was there when it happend and took him straight to the vet who immediately sent us to a canine neurologist. The neurologist did a myelogram which showed a ruptured disk pressing on the spinal cord. He was taken in for immediate surgery. He made a complete recovery and runs and walks normally. The surgery is expensive, it cost $6500 all up and was worth every cent. Can you apply for CareCredit? The surgery needs to be done quickly if there is to be a successful outcome. I think you have a window of about 35 hours. After that time there is very little chance of recovery. It's more than likely if your dog has no sensation past the area of compression of the spine that you will need to express her bladder and bowels if you're considering putting her in a wheel chair. She won't know when she needs to urinate or defecate because there is no sensation. Once the spinal cord is compressed by the disk material no messages from the brain will get past the area of compression so there should not be pain, also there will be no movement. Hopefully your dog has just a protruding disk (my dog's disk was ruptured). If so there may be a chance the steroids and complete confinement may work. Discuss your options with the vet. I wish you all the best.

Answer 3

If the condition is arthritis get your vet to prescribe Rimadyl and Tramadol for pain.



A home made or inexpensive wheelchair for a large dog is more difficult than for a small dog. The chairs are mostly for outside or when the dog can be watched because the wheels get caught on the furniture. Walkin' Wheels is one of the most inexpensive ready made chairs. Eddie's Wheels is the best ready made chair. In chairs you get what you pay for. Walkin' Wheels is known to be flimsy and difficult to get a good fit. For short term use it is probably ok. With some PVC pipe, glue, wheels and a hack saw you or a friend can make one. It may not be the most durable but it will allow your dog to stand to drink. Look for chairs on ebay. You may find something that can be modified for your dog. Be aware that the seats for males and females may be different.

For information from people with handicapped pets go to the paralysis forum at:

http://handicappedpet.net/helppets/

There is also a Walkin' Wheels forum on the same site.



Best wishes for your girl.

Answer 4

Clearly you love your dog very much but you must now think of her quality of life. The time will come to all of us when we have to let our pets go and as we all know it will be like losing a member of our human family. If you do manage to get her some wheels and she still seems unhappy to you then you will know the time is right. She has probably had a fantastic life with you and you should be proud you gave her a forever home. Well done and goo luck with the wheels. Give her a pat from me.

Answer 5

Sometimes it is a torture watching the person or pet getting old and having problems related to old age. It is a torture for the person or pet to go through everyday activities of living a dignified life.

It is sometimes better to let go and have pleasant memories instead of prolonging their lives since sometimes they are not in a position to decide for themselves.

You are the best judge. As a my personal opinion every human should have a living will that at any stage in life if due to some life threatening situation, I am not able to decide for myself to continue living, then I absolve every one responsible for my well being to let me go in peace, instead of extending my life through tubes, surgery, etc.

But pets are a different matter altogether. They are dependent on us as we are on them. A regular small sized wheelchair or a pram could be tried if it is comfortable.

Answer 6

You could try to find a used set of wheels for your dog. Cart owners who no longer have a need for theirs occasionally post on sites like Ebay or Craigslist. Another place to look is directly at the source. K-9 Carts http://www.k-9cart.com/index.php has a forum section dedicated to used carts.

http://forum.k-9cart.com/viewforum.php?f=11&sid=3fc4089826b9bf24e79f1b222c0b570c