There are many reasons why a dog may lose the use of their limbs. It could be because of an injury or disease. Sometimes, it’s just normal wear and tear. Some dog breeds tend to be more likely to develop mobility issues. These include Irish setters and German Shepherds but it can happen to any dog. Diseases like degenerative myelopathy have unknown causes so they are hard to prevent. Most of these dogs are otherwise healthy, so your goal is to give them more mobility. The solution is to get a dog wheelchair.
When to Get a Dog Wheelchair
A dog wheelchair can solve many problems for dogs suffering from arthritis, degenerative myelopathy, idiopathic weakness in the limbs, and amputations. However, wheelchairs are not always advisable.
Some mobility issues may subject your dog to constant pain, so harnessing them to a wheelchair will cause them discomfort. Some dogs are also uable to adjust to a wheelchair because they are too anxious or nervous. Finally, dogs with weakness on all limbs may not be able to gain any mobility advantage with regular wheelchairs, although the BFM Quad Wheelchair is especially designed for such dogs.
Your vet is the best person to ask about when to get a dog wheelchair and whether it will benefit your best bud. They will discuss the pros and cons and the type of wheelchair that would be most appropriate. If the vet says a wheelchair can improve te physical and emotional well-bring of your furry friend, then you should get one.
Takeaway
A pet wheelchair can help a disabled dog regain some measure of freedom. However, You don’t want to make matters worse by choosing thr wrong one or forcing your pet to use one without deriving any benefit. You should consult a vet before getting one.