honeybun Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 My husband and I are considering purchasing a cart for our small silky who is becoming weak in his hind legs.His knee is swollen with arthritis, and he has issues from a hip operation,which means he is becoming less active. There is nothing more vet work wise that can be done, apart from pain relief,which he receives. Have any dolers used a cart on a small dog with a good degree of success, and did the dog adapt well to the use of the cart? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mish13 Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 Sorry to hear about your dog it is sad when they get older There are a few places on the net, here are a few to start with I hope you find what you are after http://www.aquapaws.com.au/product/12 http://www.doggon-au.com/home.html http://www.doggiewheelchair.com/2011/10/paralyzed-dog-rescued-from-down-under.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noisymina Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 A vet I met many years ago made up a little cart for a small dog that had lost both back legs. He was a well-known figure around the surgery and surrounds. In those days, the dogs could run the streets and this little one used to hang out on the footpath outside the surgery, which was on a corner. He could he could often be seen doing wheelies at speed on the footpath around the corner. It was amazing. :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
honeybun Posted October 31, 2012 Author Share Posted October 31, 2012 Thanks for this info.I will follow it up. I remember seeing a daschund at Strathfield Specialist Hospital that I thought I remembered as a pet of a vet,with one and a labrador that came in as a patient.But that was years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westiemum Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 (edited) Sorry to hear you're in the market for a doggie wheelchair. Friends of mine bought one for their Westie from Walkin' Wheels in the US. Their product is fantastic and their service was superb - five days from order to arrival in Adelaide. www.walkinwheels.com And here's Hailey day 2 with her new wheels. Here and there are other videos which are worth watching of Hailey and her wheels on you tube under 'Hailey Westie'. She's since gone over the bridge but as you can see they made a huge difference to her quality of life. Hope it helps. :) Edited October 31, 2012 by westiemum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cornell Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 Sorry I can't help with a cart. Have you thought about using a magnetic collar to help with arthritis? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
honeybun Posted November 1, 2012 Author Share Posted November 1, 2012 (edited) Thanks for the info westiemum.....that cart looked like it was a great success,and he took to it really well. My fear is that he wont use it and struggle to get out of it.Good to see the other dogs successfully using their carts though. Hi Cornell...I have never heard of a magnetic collar for dogs,humans used to wear copper bracelets a few years ago...I even had one for a while...... Edited November 1, 2012 by honeybun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CavsRcute Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 I used to see a Staffy with a cart around my area on the North Shore in Sydney. I couldn't catch it, I think it was made by a vet at Epping but don't know the name of the surgery. It was very happy in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westiemum Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 (edited) Thanks for the info westiemum.....that cart looked like it was a great success,and he took to it really well. My fear is that he wont use it and struggle to get out of it.Good to see the other dogs successfully using their carts though. Hi Cornell...I have never heard of a magnetic collar for dogs,humans used to wear copper bracelets a few years ago...I even had one for a while...... Honeybun, I understand your concern. But I think dogs are pretty sensible and I think they realise when someone or something is trying to help them. In Haileys case she had ten months of good quality life with her wheels before she finally succumbed to her progressive disease. And seemed very happy that she could get around. The other advantage is it keeps them 'on all fours' so to speak and moving around. Which is very good for their lung/chest health, not to mention their mental health. Immobile dogs like humans don't seem to do well. Anyway I hope that helps. :) Edited November 1, 2012 by westiemum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pipsqueak Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 Try contacting Animal Referral Hospital (now at Homebush) - they have a daschund with wheels, but I believe they also help "fit" client's dogs, if suitable. http://www.arhvets.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
becks Posted November 2, 2012 Share Posted November 2, 2012 My friend has recently got one for her GSD and it has really improved his quality of life and he no longer has to miss the walks with his sister Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smooch Posted November 2, 2012 Share Posted November 2, 2012 (edited) Smooch learning to walk. The black piece handing down the back is the strap that holds the back legs to the bar of the wheelchair. I had used a wheelchair on Smooch for about 2 months when he had a FCE more so to teach him to walk again, because of my back I wasn't able to hold him up so got a wheelchair but I had it adjusted so his back legs was actually touching the ground and eventually with a lot of phiso he did regain the use of his back legs although not 100%. I bought this cart secondhand from a friend who's dog has passed on, they used it for years, the dog actually loved it, he was able to get around, run etc. The down side was that the dog couldn't lay down with it attached so it a bit of a full time job putting it on and off. To be able to let the dog have a good run around it is fantastic. There are some on Ebay and quite cheap, http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/DOG-WHEELCHAIR-MEDIUM-40-60LB-ALUMINUM-LIGHTWT-CART-/390334765702?pt=AU_Pet_Supplies&hash=item5ae1c3da86 I paid twice that for mine second hand, by the look of the pic mine has more adjustments where mine was bought originally for a dashound and I was able to adjust it for Smooch who is a small kelpie. Edited November 2, 2012 by smooch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
honeybun Posted November 2, 2012 Author Share Posted November 2, 2012 Thanks for all the input DOLERS. :) I purchased one on ebay from a place at Minto ,and it came yesterday,very quick service. A few of the other options were to import one from USA or buy one here that is imported from there, which were very expensive,particularly the shipping. The one I purchased seems to be very sturdy and well made,with good adjustment capability and good padding. We are wanting to try it on my little fellow, but he hurt himself and was sore and stiff,yesterday somehow after overdoing it in a busy day out and about,and after speaking to the vet, he had extra pain meds yesterday arvo and settled after that. We didn't want to hook him into the cart as it would have hurt him and we didn't want him to associate extra pain with the cart. Can't wait to try it.He is still sleeping now,he doesnt usually surface until after 9.30 most days.Hopefully he is feeling better, he seemed better when he woke me during the night for a drink and to go to the toilet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westiemum Posted November 3, 2012 Share Posted November 3, 2012 That's great news honeybun. Don't forget to post pics and progress! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
honeybun Posted November 3, 2012 Author Share Posted November 3, 2012 First trial went well, and after some reversing he managed to walk in the cart for a few minutes,but then lifted his backlegs out of it.We need to get the adjustments right. Second effort this afternoon he was not keen to move, just froze, so we didnt push it. Will try again tomorrow. I have taken photos, but cannot manage to download them here.....will get tech advice from my IT guru. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westiemum Posted November 3, 2012 Share Posted November 3, 2012 First trial went well, and after some reversing he managed to walk in the cart for a few minutes,but then lifted his backlegs out of it.We need to get the adjustments right. Second effort this afternoon he was not keen to move, just froze, so we didnt push it. Will try again tomorrow. I have taken photos, but cannot manage to download them here.....will get tech advice from my IT guru. :) Honeybun don't forget a small piece of ham or cheese placed strategically in front of nose can increase learning exponentially! Worked brilliantly for Hailey! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
honeybun Posted November 10, 2012 Author Share Posted November 10, 2012 (edited) He has not had much of an opportunity to really take it for a spin as he has been sick this week and his sight has been hampered by ulcers.But he has picked up today and if tomorrow is better we will put his wheels on and see how he goes. Edited November 10, 2012 by honeybun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smooch Posted November 10, 2012 Share Posted November 10, 2012 Patrick trying his new cart. He has not had much of an opportunity to really take it for a spin as he has been sick this week and his sight has been hampered by ulcers.But he has picked up today and if tomorrow is better we will put his wheels on and see how he goes. Hope all goes well tomorrow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Ark Posted November 10, 2012 Share Posted November 10, 2012 Sorry I'm a bit slow to reply to this thread. I hope your cart works out! I have a cart for my miniature pinscher, Little Bear. We purchased it from Eddie's Wheels in the US. It was pricey, but custom-made and perfect. Through using the cart on a daily basis, allowing her spine to relax and stretch, she has actually regained some use in her back legs and only needs it around 50% of her active time now. Good luck with your boy :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westiemum Posted November 10, 2012 Share Posted November 10, 2012 Sorry I'm a bit slow to reply to this thread. I hope your cart works out! I have a cart for my miniature pinscher, Little Bear. We purchased it from Eddie's Wheels in the US. It was pricey, but custom-made and perfect. Through using the cart on a daily basis, allowing her spine to relax and stretch, she has actually regained some use in her back legs and only needs it around 50% of her active time now. Good luck with your boy :) Great Story. Hope she continues to improve. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now