wheelchair successes??

[Dakota's mom]

I am wondering if anyone has had any luck with the use of a wheelchair for a mobility impaired boxer? My rescue boy is getting old and as a result has developed problems with his back that are in turn effecting the use of his hind legs. I have been contemplating giving one of these "scooters" (sounds better than wheelchair don't you think ) a try so I am looking for anybody who might have had experiences good or bad with this.

 

[Jnifer]

I have been keeping track of one such case here on the boards......go to boxer ring then look for Hannah on wheels...its a success....by Debbie Knowles. There story is truly touching...

 

[Dakota's mom]

Thanks!

Thanks for the reply Jennifer. I read Hannah's story and it is almost identical to Dakota's story. I am sending Debbie an email to learn from her experiences. THANKS again!

 

[Cindy and Lacie.]

My Uncle had a poodle that used a "scooter" for almost 2 years before the poodle finally went to the rainbowbrindge. I will keep my fingers crossed for you.

 

[Aimee]

Paws crossed here that Dakota will have as much luck as Hannah on wheels :D

 

[debbie knowles]

Hannah's wheels are a miracle!!!!

Thanks gang for sending Dakota's mom my way....I'll be tickled pink to take it from here!!!!!!!
Hannah is also 9 years old and 18 months ago we noticed she was dragging one of her back feet...our old vet said she was just being lazy...but I'M her MOM and I knew better....to make a long story short, we inquired about surgery..(it's degenerative disc-spine problem that is causing her to lose the feeling in both of her back legs) We were not encouraged by the chances of surgery helping because Hannah has other health problems that make her a poor candidate for surgery. We were told we could lose her during surgery or do more damage than good possibly leaving her completely paralyzed. So we couldn't take that chance and decided to look for other treatments...over the past 18 months, she has had eastern medicine, western medicine, acupuncture, chiropractic treatments and physical and water therapy...all to no avail...so we made the decision that when she could not longer walk we would put her to sleep....But when the time came I couldn't do it....the NEW vet even told us that he did not think she had given up yet and that when she did, she would let us know! Then came the doggie cart suggestion...I had to try...I couldn't let her go without trying everything in my power!
I found several sites for carts but was most impressed with the kindness and encouragement I got from Tom Oliver at petmobiles...www.pnx.com/petmobile/...When the cart arrived it took Miss Hannah all of five minutes to realize what this thing mean't and she hasn't slowed down yet!!! She runs FROM me now when I try to take her out of the cart! She's eating again, playing again, chasing birds again and has made it perfectly clear she's staying right here with us...when I think we almost had her put to sleep I just sit and cry! I was afraid people would think I was just being selfish for not letting her go, but NOW everyone has seen what a difference her "buggy" has made and I KNOW we did the right thing...It was $215 total and is the very BEST investment I have ever made..it gave me back my baby again!!!
The vet's office even presented us with a miniature North Carolina license plate with "HANNAH" on it which is proudly displayed on the back of her buggy!!!! Too cute! I wish you the very very best of luck and please check out the cart becuase hopefully Dakota will be a success story too!!! Please feel free to E-mail me anytime at DKNOWLES18@yahoo.com....djk how about a picture..i"ll try to attach one..but I'm not very good at this..but I'll try

 

[debbie knowles]

Trying the picture again!!!

Let's try the picture again....djk

 

[debbie knowles]

Petmobile Phone #

Here is the toll free phone number for Petmobile 800-683-1268..give Mr. Oliver a call and just talk with him...he'll tell you all about the measurements and what to do and tell him Hannah says "HI"

 

[Dakota's mom]

PHEW!!!

Thank you all so much for your help and good wishes! Debbie our stories couldn't be more alike. Fortunately Dakota has no other health issues besides the drunken walk. What initially alerted me to the start of this problem was he was begining to "leak". Not alot but enough to be noticed. We started treating that and when one hind foot started to knuckle over I began to get worried :( The vet who was treating him at the time didn't think much of it :rolleyes: so just like you I knew something wasn't right and we switched vets. Immediately we did an ultra sound thinking an abdominal tumor might be present (in a boxer? go figure ) The ultra sound revealed nothing so pelvic xrays were done and that is how the spondylosis was diagnosed. Since then his hind limb function has slowly decreased forcing me to think of the possibility of having to make "the decision" :eek: Just like you I felt his quality of life less the silly gait was not diminished and I was having a real problem with letting him go without exhausting all possibilities. I did some research on the internet and found these "wheels" and started thinking...and here I am. I discussed this with Dakota's vet and since there is no pain involved here I have been encouraged to give it a try. So, try we will and with all the support I'm sure we will be able to count on here soon Dakota will be joining Hannah with a new set of wheels! :D


Again thank you all so much!!!

 

[Sil]

DEBBIE , WHAT A WONDERFUL STORY, i AM SO HAPPY YOU FOUND
A WAY FOR HANNAH TO KEEP ON LIVING WITH A GOOD LIFE, iT IS FUNNY SHE doesn't WANT YOU TO TAKE IT OFF, SHE KNOWS HOW IT HELPS HER. My Holly is 8 and slowing down, so you never know how all the things that we learn from boxer world will come in handy, if not for ourselves maybe to share with others,I pray
that this will work for Dakota also.
Sil

Mom to Holly 8 and Greta 4