Thatcher has DM. Anyone use Dwanecart wheelchair?

[Gunther]

It's not recommended for boxers to use raised feeding bowls. There is actually a sticky on a study (I believe it was the second study done on the issue) the sticky:http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/do...risk-factors.html?highlight=raised+food+bowls

However I do not know enough about the health issues at hand and if that makes a difference. I just know I was advised against the use of them.

My advise was for doggies with DM as it is important for them to keep strength in there front half.

I did know about bloat because I started with a Bull/Mastiff mix. I had never seen this info inregards to Boxers. Struddell use a raised bowel for years before DM, without issue.

I will take this new information (for me ) under considerhanksr the future however,

Thanks.

 

[Rbastedo]

Thanks for the links Gunther,
The tracking information says the WC will be delivered Friday!
I'd better get busy with those bicycle wheels!

 

[emcdowall]

My boxer Kira was diagnosed with DM 3 month ago. I am from the SCOTLAND so you don't see many dogs with wheelchairs. Does anyone on here know where I could buy one? Thanks

 

[Rbastedo]

My boxer Kira was diagnosed with DM 3 month ago. I am from the SCOTLAND so you don't see many dogs with wheelchairs. Does anyone on here know where I could buy one? Thanks

I'm very sorry to hear about your Kira.
If you contact these guys they may be able to give you a price for shipping.
If you can get the bicycle wheels locally then the package will be much smaller and should cost less to ship.

Dwanecart Home

Mine should arrive this Friday so if you like I could provide a review of it here with our Thatcher.

 

[Rbastedo]

1st time out

We received the Dwanecart on Saturday so I assembled it yesterday and adjusted it for Thatcher's size.
I wanted it adjusted so he can still use his hind legs, the longer he uses them the longer he will be able to. We will have to use booties to keep him from scraping his toes on the sidewalk.
We got him outside and put him in the cart and he stood there motionless for a while, then cautiously moved forward a bit. My grandson walked up the sidewalk so Thatcher followed then turned around and again was motionless.
It seems that when he isn't thinking about the contraption he moves about naturally but when he notices the wheels he stops.
The recommendation of the Dwanecart people is that you only put the dog in it a few minutes a day to start, just so they get familiar with it so we gave him lots of praise and some snacks and brought everything back inside for the day.
Today when I get home from work we will do it all again.
They say no strap should be needed across the front however he "fell back" a couple times and a strap would have prevented that, I will find something to use to keep that from happening.
I don't know if this will work but here's a short video of his first time out:

Thatchers first time out with Dwanecart

I'll post more when we get out and do more with it.

 

[packblt]

That's so great for his first time.

Hugs to you and Thatcher at this tryingtime and hoping the adjustment to his cartcontinues to go well

 

[Gunther]

OK the backwards thing is because the rear axle needs to be kicked rearward more. I looked on the website and saw a picture of the bracket and it showed the axle in the middle holes.

I think it needs to be back more if he is not using the stirrups. Other than that looks good and just short trips let him get use to it.

 

[Rbastedo]

Thanks I changed the adjustment and it's working as it should now.
I went to a thrift store today, I was talking with their bike guy about what I was doing and he found a couple nice alloy wheels for me and gave them to me for just $5. He said he's a dog guy too and wanted to help out.

The new wheels are way better than the old, no rust is awesome since my old ones had rust inside due to coming off a bike that was sitting outside for years.

After being out with the cart for just a few minutes Thatcher was pepped up, like he was excited that he can still do stuff. After we came in he was not so docile with our other dog, just letting her get away with things, he was more assertive. I'm looking forward to some more good times with this guy!

 

[TysonCheeto]

Alloy wheels!!! Go ahead with your stylish self! Your cruising in style Thatcher!!!! Everybody stand back.....The lady dogs are gonna go crazy! I'm so glad somebody was so nice as do something so kind for him, that's great. So awesome that a few changes set his world on fire!!! Lol we need a pic of his new set of wheels!

 

[Rbastedo]

I'll post some pictures when we get him outside. I don't see an easy way to put pictures in these messages, I know I can link to pictures.

We will be taking it slow at first, make sure everything is tuned up just right - the last thing we need is something to cause a bad association with the cart.
I also need to train family members so they can get him out for walks when I'm not there.