Spinal trauma dogs and the use of dog carts - any experiences?

Re: Spinal trauma dogs and the use of dog carts - any experiences?

Nicola Smith — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 16:38:32 GMT

Not seen one used at work for many years but there is an ancient corgi uses one round by where I live and seems to do well on it and seems happy. They just use it on walks so it can have a walk as can manage to potter at home

Re: Spinal trauma dogs and the use of dog carts - any experiences?

loobylou — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 22:24:21 GMT

I haven't actually seen a cart used but do know of a patient that did have one but didn't like it. She is a dachshund with long term hind limb paralysis, she only boards with us and uses a practice that we cover ooh for so I dont know her full story. From speaking to the owner they did try a cart but she didnt really take to it, didnt find it comfortable, tipped over, banged into furniture etc. She gets about doing a bottom shufle these days and it doesn't seem to restrict her at all really, quite funny to watch actually

Re: Spinal trauma dogs and the use of dog carts - any experiences?

Claire Cameron — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 22:15:11 GMT

Hiya Lou,

Have you thought about posting this on vetsurgeon? Some of the orthobods on there may have had some experience.

Hope you're ok

Re: Spinal trauma dogs and the use of dog carts - any experiences?

Sandra Taylor RVN, MBVNA — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 22:09:38 GMT

I have experienced a dax in one when i was locuming, she loved it, and thoroughly enjoyed the "freedom" she gained from being in it.

Re: Spinal trauma dogs and the use of dog carts - any experiences?

Louise B — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 21:45:16 GMT

Hi, thanks for the replies guys. It all sounds very encouraging.

Steph - is that the dog you talked about online ages ago? Glad to hear she did so well.

Have you any experience of pet-strollers? Do you think they are useful? Do the dogs feel secure in them? Do you think the suspension in them is good enough not to jar 'spinal' patients?

Re: Spinal trauma dogs and the use of dog carts - any experiences?

Steph Worsley — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 05:49:45 GMT

I have seen a cart used on a very nice 6 mth old lab cross, who had to have spinal surgery (cant remember exactly where the prob was sorry!)

she was always extremely bright and loved her wheels, (the staff all clubbed together to buy them for her as her owners eventually decided they didnt want her through one reason or another and she had spent so long with us, we were taking her for regular hydrotherapy and doing massage/physio on her all the time.

we ended up finding a fab home for her (was just looking for my original post for help for her but was on old site) where she gets daily hydrotherapy, and has loads of doggy friends, she is now out of the wheels mainly except when they go for a long walk and then its only to help her out and make sure she doesnt over do the running!!!

i think hers was a k9 kart if memory serves, personally i think they have their place but QOL always has to be assessed,

Re: Spinal trauma dogs and the use of dog carts - any experiences?

Sal the 1st — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 23:39:28 GMT

In the case of fox terrier I feel its QOL was reasonable knowing it wasnt going to be a permanent arrangement. post wheels i would put QOL as really quite good. Was @2 years old at time of incident and was T/L spine involved. For this dog seeing how it came through it and knowing it for several years afterwards I would say it was worth it. For the dachs where there wasnt really a hope of recovery and maybe the owner wasnt as 'aware' as the other owner re the dogs needs I would maybe have thought twice in hindsight

Re: Spinal trauma dogs and the use of dog carts - any experiences?

Nick Shackleton — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 23:38:32 GMT

Never seen the use of a cart, but have had quite a lot of experience with spinal patients. Used boots too. can't remember where we got them from, but vaguely remember someone from Salford uni ask at NWS they'll point you in the right direction. Only really seen sling supports. plus the usage of hoists. As well as the use of massage, PROM, hydrotherapy, also the the use of TENS machines (althou only on muscle constriction).

Re: Spinal trauma dogs and the use of dog carts - any experiences?

Louise B — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 23:30:48 GMT

Can you remember whereabouts the fox terrier's spinal injury was? How old was he? Do you feel the fox terrier had a good quality of life during and post wheels? Would you have perservered if it had been your dog? What pain relief was needed longterm?

Re: Spinal trauma dogs and the use of dog carts - any experiences?

Sal the 1st — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 23:27:27 GMT

Fox terrier used the cart for approx 3 - 4 months as I remember and regained sufficient use to go on steady walks. Was disc/spinal surgery following a fall from a 1st floor balcony onto concrete pathway. I feel the physio really helped this dog in maintaining the muscle mass in hind limbs, as well as swimming.

Re: Spinal trauma dogs and the use of dog carts - any experiences?

Louise B — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 23:26:33 GMT

Great. Thanks. I am sure I'll be back with more questions. Off to bed for this evening though.

Re: Spinal trauma dogs and the use of dog carts - any experiences?

Sal the 1st — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 23:21:35 GMT

yes we used to use the buster boots - but owner wasnt keen on using them because they thought if the dog could feel the ground it would use its feet more (we really tried so hard to explain this to them) We found a better boot that fastened with velcro and looked a lot more comfortable but I dont think they got used that much by owner either

The terrier used to let its owner know when it had had enough but the dachs we had to remind the owner he needed to spend some time out of the cart otherwise he would have been in it 24/7. Also with the terrier owner was doing physio 2 or 3 times a day and this was always done out of cart.

Re: Spinal trauma dogs and the use of dog carts - any experiences?

Louise B — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 23:11:39 GMT

Sal - what was the history behind the fox terrier? How long did it take to recover sufficient mobility to walk unaided by the cart? How mobile did it eventually become?

Re: Spinal trauma dogs and the use of dog carts - any experiences?

Louise B — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 23:10:25 GMT

Thanks for these replies.

Christinam - I have pm'd you.

Sal - did the owners try any kind of protective foot covering?

How much exercise did the dogs mentioned take? Do they 'live' in the carts 24/7 or just when they go outside for a walk? Do they drag themselves around indoors the rest of the time? It is an area I have never really thought about.

Re: Spinal trauma dogs and the use of dog carts - any experiences?

Sal the 1st — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 23:05:33 GMT

have known 2 dogs who used these - both seemed happy enough, one was used post surgery and dog did later recover use of hindlegs (fox terrier) and the other was a min daxs. Both of these dogs were very very active.

on the cons side - two different types of cart. One was a K9 cart and the other I cant recall the name. Longterm the hindlimb supports on one of them did cause some chafing to the groin area on the dachs which took an age to heal (but may not have been noticed early enough by owner) and also on the dachs it did have a habit of tipping the cart. The fox terrier cart was a little different and had an adjustable fabric support for hind limbs. The problem we had with this one was purely client education issue. The owner thought that if the support was lengthened so that the dog could feel the ground under its feet it would be more inclined to use its hind legs and no matter how many times we explained why we didnt think this was a good idea it came back the same and resulted in nasty sores over both feet where they had been dragged or scuffed.

we found faecal incontinence was a problem with the dachs but had no problem with the terrier.

when looking for a cart we recommended owners to look for the ones that had a wider wheelbase and so were less likely to tip.

Re: Spinal trauma dogs and the use of dog carts - any experiences?

christinam — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 22:54:58 GMT

Hi, I used some for my labrador.

My dog was paralysed from @10 weeks due to tetanus. Larry seemed to like at first, but then did seem to resent.

In a way Larry was not the best patient as spent more time unable to walk, then being mobile in his little life. That said, I do think the wheels helped with getting him to walk again (with other stimlui - like his doggy sister).

I have heard only good reports about use, even when the wheels have not worked.

Wheels should be custom made but I do have a @ cavvie sized set I'm happy to borrow if want a lend (London area)to see how goes, as I know they are expensive. I can also recommend a great company!

Oh the whole I think wheels are hit and miss, but if you have an otherwise happy dog, they are definately worth a go.