Forum Discussion

mamestra's avatar
mamestra
Explorer
Aug 18, 2014

Walking wheels

Our German Shepherd has degenerative myelopathy and has gradually been losing the use of his hindquarters. We have been function with a rear lift, but realize that he really wants to go for walks still. We were looking at what are called "walking wheels" from handicap pets. I would like to know if anyone has used these and if so what do you think of them.
Thanks
Michael

7 Replies

  • Thanks Corgi-traveler, we contacted doggon wheels even though we didn't buy their chair new they sent me the instructions to custom fit it to him. We will make the adjustments and will start working with him. We are so looking forward to taking him for the walks that he loves. I'm really impressed with the service from doggon wheels we will need to order the stirrups for him, but it is great that he might be walking with us again, he's a very social dog and misses seeing other dogs.
  • Scout's House is located in Menlo Park, California, so quite a ways from you, but they have a lot of good resources on their website.
    http://scoutshouse.com/health-resources/

    BTW, the corgi featured prominently in their photos is my Diva's Great-Grandpa Jack. Unfortunately DM took him at age 12, but his last years were full of very high quality life thanks to his cart and the great care he received.
  • Our breeder has loaned us a doggon wheels cart, unfortunately we don't have the instructions to fit it properly to him. He's been very patient as we have played with the settings, decided that we would spend 1 more day playing with, if it doesn't work for him we will order a custom chair.
  • I had a paraplegic dog and had some wheels made for him, It was great to see him get around, worth every penny I spent Until he would run over my toes or get hung up on a table leg...Go for it
  • Thank you brewjaz and raindove for your help and advice, it is definitely something we will do. It certainly sounds like it will improve his quality of life. The rear lift is like a sling but allows a male dog to pee, we purchased it at handicapped pets. Thanks MIchael
  • I've used a cart for several cockers. We have one made by Dewey's. Works well, the dogs loved the freedom it gave them. I'm not familiar with DM so can't add any input there. Just throwing in my 2 cents that the dogs seem to adapt well to the carts and I've never regretted investing in it.
  • I am SO sorry for the diagnosis of your GSD. I lost mine to DM in 2008. As far as I know--Eddie's Wheels http://eddieswheels.com/products/degenerative-myelopathy/ is the best wheelchair for a dog with DM. It's the only one (that I know of) that will shift support when the disease starts moving to the front legs. YOU HAVE TO MEASURE AND REMEASURE YOUR PUP TO GET EXACT MEASUREMENTS--VERY IMPORTANT. My dog adjusted to the wheelchair easily and I was so happy I gave him that extra time of movement/playing--it was worth the money--I'd do it again for the extra time I had with him. Tears are flowing as I write this--it will be a "roller coaster" for you, so be prepared. Know that this disease affects dogs differently--sometimes the progression is slower in some, but the prognosis is always the same---there is no cure. I found a LOT of support and help (check out the "files") in the Yahoo Group: Degenerative Myelopathy https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/degenerativemyelopathylist/info Please join it, if nothing else than to be able to talk to others--don't be afraid to ask questions. There is no cure for DM, but there are things to try that seem to help with some dogs. You may need a sling to help move your GSD around (or maybe that's what you mean by a "rear lift"??)---- some of the items on this site may help: http://www.handicappedpets.com/ Good luck and please give your dog a big hug from my Angel Chance and me.