Quad cart for GSD - Page 3

Shelley...great to hear you both are doing better..and lighter weight bill always helps. ;)

Hope and pray things keep improving and you both get back to normal.

Thanks Jackie. T's doing better every day. Last night in the back yard he took quite a few steps on his own, as many as 10-12 in a (fairly straight) line at once. He was half on his hocks, but not crawling and the front was working pretty well. He wasn't falling down every other step like he was the night before.

He has regained control of his bowels and bladder, which is a blessing, as I was worried about him being damp at night. No more leakage now. He holds it till I can get him outside.  :-) 

I had to take yesterday "off", stayed in bed most of the day except for helping T go outside morning and evening. I have really been over-doing it and it was really telling, with pain and lack of energy. Better this morning. I'm really looking forward to the sling-thingie coming this week. The protection harness + towel thing is too hard on both of us. Can't afford a cart at this point, but once the harness thingie gets here I'll see what I can do about making something.

The local feed store had Young at Heart on clearance for 75% off last week, so I bought all they had.  :-))) ...which wasnt a lot, but enough for awhile. :-)

Thanks all,
Shell

I've been looking for this for you, sorry it took me a while to find it: http://www.hartmanharness.com/
I haven't had one, but it does look quite good to me and the dog can wear it all the time if need be. Having read through the site they are individually made to the dog's own measurements. I see you have something organised now, and I hope all goes well, and that T recovers.

If anyone has a dog struggling with DM I think this could be very useful.

Good luck

I ordered this one. It should be here tomorrow. I can hardly wait.


I'm still hoping to get him a cart to steady him as he relearns to walk again. This one is a front extension version, which is very adjustable, to the point where the front wheels can be removed and more weight distributed onto each the legs as the dog regains strength, balance and coordination. I'm hoping I can rent one for a few weeks. I'm thinking that's all he'll need, with the "river therapy" and maybe some accupuncture.



My boy is fighting his way back. :-)

Update-
The harness-sling-thingie arrived last week. Its a huge help for me and a lot eaier on him, especially when I have to move him across the slick floor. A lovely used cart is arriving on Friday, which will be excellent for helping my boy regain his strength, balance and coordination, without killing my back or ripping anymore more stitches inside me. ;-)

More good news:
T can get around a little now. He can go short distances on non-slick surfaces, like in and out of the porch to relieve himself when needed, across the yard although pretty clumsily, and not very far at a time. He is very pleased with himself for getting over to the fence to bark at the dog on the other side with the two little bark-machines on this side... sighhh... and getting himself back to the house. He can roll over again, has complete control of his bowels and bladder, and barks if he needs help getting across the slick areas. Smart dog. LOL He can catch a ball on the fly sitting up, which is great, as he couldn't even sit up a couple of weeks ago, and toss it back in my direction when it suits him.

I'm hoping, with the progress he's making and the PT I am giving him, and swimming when the water warms up some around here, he might be back to near-normal this summer. I doubt he'll ever run and play or jump up on my bed again, but who knows? Thank you all for the positive thoughts and prayers. They're WORKING!

Shell

Waiting for the cart to arrive at the local municipal airport.
I'm so excited I can hardly wait!
My boy and I, and Xena too of course, are going to be a nightly feature down the street at the cemetery again, for our evening walks.

It came! But it arrived disassembled... I have the two wheel base cart together, enough to adjust it to fit my dog, but waiting for direction from the manufacturer for the rest. There are a few pieces I cant for the life imagine where to fit, but we had fun speculating last night. I'm guesing none are for outboard pontoons, as it doesn't mention anything about water landings on the original invoice. LOL