wheelchair for a large dog - or any help / advice

[PBR]

I know this isn't the usual related stuff but it's more important to me than anything right now -- my girl blew out a disk in her back and doesnt look good for her but I'm not giving up and cannot bring myself to put her down (vet said she isnt having pain - or I would put her down) and cannot afford the surgery needed -- he told me if she wasn't better by sunday she probably wouldnt recover at all then without surgery -- she cannot walk as her back end is pretty much totally paralyzed, she does have very little movement and feeling just no control and cannot stand or anything -- hoping someone might have a wheelchair or know someone that does or can build something -- or know of place where they are somewhat affordable -- she is a large dog, 135lb american bulldog -- while my heart says money is no matter in reality being disabled myself it is -- could do possible firearm trade or whatever I can do

[RPBrown]

We got one for our dog a couple of years ago from here:

http://www.dogwheelchairscenter.com/pro ... -c-22.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[TexasVet]

HI,

Sorry for your pup having the disc issue. There are several good ones, these come to mind:

http://eddieswheels.com/

http://www.k9carts.com/

You do have some other options and I would be happy to go over them with you, sending you a PM.

[philip964]

Go to Google, select images at the top.

Type: wheel chair for dog

Looks like a lot of happy dogs of all sizes.

If only humans were as "see the glass half full" as dogs are.

[SewTexas]

I'm sorry your pup has injured himself, but I am glad he's not in pain. you will be amazed at how quickly he adapts to the wheels.

carts are "common" for corgis, but they are much smaller so none of my sources would be useful.

[jimlongley]

I helped build such a thing at Home Depot a couple of years ago. We fitted out a frame of PVC pipe, with wheels, and large velcro straps. I don't think HD sells that particular velcro any more, but there are a lot of options.

[The Annoyed Man]

Please PLEASE PLEASE do not take this as criticism. You have to do what you have to do, and I get that completely. I only know that I had to deal with this once before, and I had to put down a much-loved dog who developed intermittent paralysis due to a painful disc injury. My dog Rikki, a shepherd/coyote mix, was only 6 years old at the time. My reasoning was that I too could not afford what it would take to fix it, and she was suffering. Also, this was in the early 1980s, and the surgical state of the art was not what it is today.

That said, if I had to face this today, I would sell whatever I had to save my dog's life and to restore him to full health. I sincerely hope that you are able raise the money necessary for the surgery, and I will add you to my daily prayer list.....both for being at peace with your decisions, and for your girl's physical recovery.

[carlson1]

HI,

Sorry for your pup having the disc issue. There are several good ones, these come to mind:

http://eddieswheels.com/

http://www.k9carts.com/

You do have some other options and I would be happy to go over them with you, sending you a PM.

TexasVet is a great guy. I have dealt with him with buying a gun before. I am glad he chimed in and I hope he can help you.

I am also sorry to hear about your dog. I am sure every animal lover knows, but they become part of the family. I hope I am never faced with having to put another one down.

[Selina Kyle]

I am so sorry to hear that you are going through this. My heart and prayers go out to you and your sweet girl. We had to go through a similar ordeal with our Akita that we used to have. Unfortunately, we ended up having to put him to sleep. :( I still miss him every day.

Having said that, I'd say anything you can do to give her a good life would be great. It's nice to see other folks who consider their pets family. It sounds like you are getting some good advice on here. Best wishes, and please keep us posted!

[Songbird]

Sending prayers for your girl. She's beautiful!

[Charles L. Cotton]

If you don't mind disclosing the information, what does the surgery cost?

Chas.

[nyj]

That said, if I had to face this today, I would sell whatever I had to save my dog's life and to restore him to full health. I sincerely hope that you are able raise the money necessary for the surgery, and I will add you to my daily prayer list.....both for being at peace with your decisions, and for your girl's physical recovery.

Agreed. My pup is long gone, but I'd done whatever I needed if I had to.

How much is the surgery?

[PBR]

If you don't mind disclosing the information, what does the surgery cost?

Chas.

I'm gonna contact Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists (http://www.gcvs.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) tomorrow and see if they have some sort of payment set up or if anything can do. Gonna contact the vet again to get the exact name of what he called the procedure again as I don't really remember due to just being broken down. He did say who he was gonna refer me too that it usually cost couple thousand for the surgery. I'm thinking GCVS is the place he was gonna refer me too, he called it narrow space or nuro space, something to that but I just wasn't in right frame of mind to remember the name. I have spoke with TexasVet and he might actually know what I'm talking about or what the correct name is.




Thank you everyone for the responses, help and info. She means a lot to me as did the dog in my avatar. Jughead (dog in avatar) was my dog of 16 yrs. 8 yrs ago I was in a bad wreck and while I was in coma with little chance to live he died and next day I started getting better. Well I feel he took my place once I found out he died (I wasn't told for several months while in the hospital cause family didn't want to upset me). Once I got home I was just so down and out about Jughead along with my whole situation and a friend gave me her (Big Shirley). Wasn't even sure I wanted another dog but after some time she ended up helping me recover and from that time on she has never left my side. Even if I got up to get a drink or use the bathroom she was right there beside me. She even loved going to the gun range or just riding in the car period. To hear her whimper and cry when I get up and leave her is like a stab in my heart. She tries to get up or crawl with me but she just can't. A ray of hope tonight though as when I was holding her up so she could use the bathroom and trying to work her some she did stand for a second or two on her own. I'm using a swing set seat that is like a rubber strap to put under her and hold her up and it was almost like a huge shock to see her stand on her own when I lowered it, hopefully there is hope.

[Selina Kyle]

I know there are some places that offer something like a healthcare spending account for pets. Maybe your vet has something like that? There are also online fundraising tools if you wanted to go that route.

[nyj]

I can't do much but I'd be more than willing to pitch in a little. You sound like you take great care of your dogs, and she definitely deserves to be around for many more years.