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You might be surprised by how quickly your dog will take to a wheelchair. Most of K9 Carts’ thousands of patients were up and rolling very soon after they got their new chair. The process will take some work. But don’t worry: none of the clients we spoke to reported tears (on their part) or howling (on the dog’s part.) That’s even true for very sick dogs. Brick was a one year old German Shepherd who suffered from a malignant tumor. His owner, Doug Faber, who’s from the Seattle area, got Brick a wheelchair about a week before Brick died. Even at a late stage in his life, when Brick was having a very hard time doing much of anything, he took to the cart quickly. “It took him a little while to get used to it,” says Faber. He says that Brick’s reluctance to use the wheelchair wasn’t his comfort or understanding of the cart—it was Brick’s depleted energy. “If I tugged him on leash a little he’d get going. But early on he would sit down. I’d pet him and have him come to me, about six inches to a foot at a time.” It wasn’t long before Brick was rolling around his favorite dog park. The biggest challenge for him early on was acclimating to the cart, and the amount of effort he’d have to use to get around. “At first, did better on pavement than he did on grass,” Faber says. “But he loved Marymoor Park—” a large park in the Seattle suburbs with an off leash area ”—finally, I took him over there. The first time I had to have him on leash, but the second time he did go off leash. By the third time, he was going through tall grass and hanging out with other dogs.” Brick, who was a a very sick and very worn out dog, only took about a week to get acclimated to his wheelchair. The guardians of dogs in wheelchairs all said that their dogs took to the cart without much effort, and mostly on their own. They have a few tips to make the process easier. First, consider putting the dog in a kiddie pool or your bathtub early on in the training process. The water will make their movements easier. Humans do it all the time for physical therapy—dogs can benefit from hydrotherapy also. The other helpful hint we heard from dog owners is one you probably thought of already: treats. “Treats are really helpful,” says Claire Carver. She’s also got a German Shepherd, a fourteen year old named Reja. “It’s just kind of encourages to try ” With some snacks on hand, Carver says, her dog and a friend’s disabled German Shepherd were rolling around in no time. “It only took five minutes.” Photos by Claire Carver

If your dog has to start using a wheelchair, you might worry about their social life. Dogs are pack animals. That’s why they’re members of the families that look after them. And it’s why they go crazy when they chase frisbees with your friend’s dog at the dog park. Don’t worry: your dog can still play with its friends if it has a wheelchair. K9 Carts clients send us regular updates on their patients. We have plenty of photographic and video evidence that wheelchair-bound dogs can have a blast on playdates. How Do Other Dogs React to a Dog in a Wheelchair? You will have to be careful if your dog is in a wheelchair. Some dogs don’t like it when they see dogs in wheelchairs—it freaks them out. “Some dogs do not like the cart—some dogs can be aggressive,” Claire Carver says. Her German Shepherd, Reja, sometimes gets a hostile response from fellow dogs when she’s using her wheelchair. It’s similar to the response that Reja would get when she was still working as a rescue dog and wearing her reflective vest. Expect a hostile response to be the same as if your dog was wearing a vest or sweater on a cold day. Carver says a pet owner taking their wheelchair-bound dog in public should be watchful. Just use the same common-sense caution you would whenever your dog makes a new acquaintance: make sure that the other dog isn’t growling, has its hackles up, or making other hostile moves towards your dog. Dogs in Wheelchairs Get Around They might have less mobility than other dogs, but dogs in wheelchairs don’t have any trouble getting exercise and playing games. K9 Carts clients have told us that their dogs can play fetch and socialize with other dogs. They just have to watch a little closer, and make sure that the dogs don’t rough house as aggressively as they did before their disability. Dogs Help Their Packmates in Wheelchairs Most of the time, your dog will get along fine with the other dogs that they meet in the world. In fact, your dog’s friends might make special accommodation for them. That’s something that Patricia Denys sees with her dog, Andy. Andy’s a six year old Bichon mix. She has other dogs, and the rest of the pack makes sure that Andy’s needs are met. “They all get it—it’s really interesting,” Denys says. “If we’re going outside or somewhere, the cart comes out first for Andy. The rest of the dogs know that, and they see the day starting. While we him in the cart, they have to wait and get hooked up, but they’re patient.” Of course, that might have something to do with the fact that Andy is the alpha of his pack—that didn’t change when he started using his wheelchair. “He’s the leader,” Denys says with a laugh. “He’s a big ham. He’s never been intimidated by other dogs.” Photo provided by Claire Carver.

Dogs love making friends and roughhousing at the dog park. If you're putting your dog in a wheelchair, you're probably worried whether they'll still be able to go. We have good news: dogs in wheelchairs can still enjoy trips to the park. The Mobility Of Dogs In Wheelchairs Doug Faber’s German Shepherd, Brick, had an aggressive spinal tumor that cost him the use of his back legs. But Brick was still able to go to his favorite dog park in Redmond, Washington with the help of his cart. “ Once got the hang of the cart, the biggest obstacle was that the cart made him wider,” Faber says. “He might get caught on a fence pole or a tree, or something like that. But for the most part, he was fully functional, in the sense he was able to everything he wanted to do, but slower.” Brick was even able to play fetch. At first, you’ll have to make accommodations for your dog’s disability. But after they get the hang of it, your furry friend will be moving around just fine. Can Dogs In Wheelchairs Play With Other Dogs? Dogs love going to dog parks because they can socialize with other dogs. That’s what sets dog park trips apart from other exercise. Dogs in wheelchairs can play with other dogs, but they—and you—will have to make adjustments. For example, Brick was able to play with other dogs, but he couldn’t run as fast as he used to. “He couldn’t run with the dogs, obviously, but he’d run after the dogs, and interact with dogs,” says Faber. So dogs in wheelchairs can still play with other dogs. However, you’ll have to make sure that other dogs get along with your dog if it’s in a wheelchair. After all, fully healthy, able dogs will sometimes fight with each other. Claire Carver looks after another German Shepherd, Reja. Reja is fourteen. She’s a retired search and rescue dog. Reja lost some motor function in her back legs, and got a wheelchair in August 2017. “Some dogs do not like the cart—some dogs can be aggressive,” Carver says. Some dogs don’t react well when a fellow canine is wearing something. “Even when Reja had her search vest on, some dogs could become aggressive.” For that reason, Carver is careful when she takes Reja out. She considers common-sense signs when deciding whether Reja should play with a strange dog. “You have to be protective,” Carver says. “You have to read the dogs coming: are they happy and wagging their tail? Do they have their hackles up?” Doug Faber, Brick’s guardian, says that he kept an eye on new dogs, but Brick was mostly OK. “One or two dogs seemed as if they might have been wondering, ‘Hey, what is that thing that he’s running around with?’ But most of the dogs didn’t pay it any mind at all.” Faber says that the wheelchair helped Brick out at the end of his life. Going to the dog park was one of Brick’s favorite activities. Faber is glad that Brick was still able to enjoy it, despite his disability. “ was excited to be ,” Faber says. “He was running up to other dogs and sniffing, saying howdy. He seemed to be having as good a time as he ever had.” Photos of Brick provided by Doug Faber & Reja by Claire Carver.

Meet Andy. He’s an active, six-year-old Bichon mix with a herniated disc, and he loves his wheelchair. “It took him five minutes to adjust to it,” says Mary Denys. She and her sister Patricia, who live in Long Beach, California, have cared for several dogs in wheelchairs. Andy was the youngest to get in his cart, and he didn’t miss a beat. Andy can get around any obstacle, Mary says. “He takes this cart everywhere he wants to take it. We live in a house that’s four steps up from the sidewalk, and I lift up the cart so he can go up the steps. But he barrels down the steps like nobody’s business.” If your dog is disabled, and you’ve just heard the diagnosis, you’re probably worried about their exercise. One of the best parts of caring for a dog is going on walks with them. Their enthusiasm, energy, and simple joy can brighten a hard day. You might be worried that getting a wheelchair for your dog will limit their mobility. You’ll have to make some changes, to be sure. But don’t worry—wheelchair dogs can still get plenty of exercise. Andy has been in his wheelchair for more than three years, but has just as much fun at the park as he did before his injury. Mary and Patricia take him there with their other dogs, and Andy has a blast. He’s not limited to built surfaces, either. He can chase a smell (or a squirrel) across a lawn or through brush. “I say he goes off-roading, because he goes off the beaten path. He rolls over the bottom of tree trunks,” says Mary. Andy goes off-roading so much, in fact, that the Denys sisters had to put new treads on the tires of his cart. He’d roamed around so much that the wheels were bald. There is one downside to Andy’s freewheeling style. His mobility caused one wince-inducing incident. “He rolls over my feet all the time. He broke one of my toes one time,” Mary says, with a rueful laugh. “I was barefoot, and he ran toward me and ran over my foot right between my ring toe and little toe.” Mary’s toe has healed, but Andy’s off-roading now comes with a warning—Mary and Patricia have to tell people he meets at the park to watch their feet. These days, Andy is so used to the chair that he forgets he’s using it. Photos provided by Patricia Denys

Our dog wheelchair is fully convertible. Therefore, if your pet needs more or less support, parts can be added or subtracted to make sure it is the correct support system that your pet needs at its particular stage of mobility loss. The basic standard two wheel cart is for the pet that has lost, or is losing, its ability to walk with the rear legs, but is still strong in the front legs. This orthopedically designed cart gives total support to the rear, keeping the spine and body in alignment, while taking stress off the front legs. This K9 cart may be used either with the legs up and protected in padded slings, or with the legs down on the ground enabling the pet to walk on its paw or paws. If your pet is able to walk with one hind leg only, then we suggest covering the paw that is not functional with a protective boot. Strength in the front legs is important for the standard 2 wheeled cart. A pet dragging itself around is not an indication of forelimb strength as a pet will drag itself from A to B just to get there. Unfortunately, dragging itself around is weakening causes the front legs to weaken, and places strain on its body. The longer it goes without mobility help, the weaker your pet will become in the front legs, at which point they may not be able physically to handle the standard two wheeled dog wheelchair. We suggest making up a handheld sling to test the front leg strength. Take an old towel or piece of material, cut two holes in it for the rear legs to go down through, and then holding the ends of the towel and keeping the back level make sure that your pet is able to walk well on the front legs. If you have any doubt at all, or need questions answered, please call us and we will advise as to whether this design cart is suitable for your pet.

The most common question we're asked is, "Will my pet be able to go to the bathroom in the cart?" The answer is... Yes! Dogs are able to eliminate when in their K9 Cart dog wheel chair. They do not squat, but tend to spread their legs and urine and feces will fall onto the ground missing the supportive frame of the wheelchair. Indoor cats of course will be unable to get into their litter boxes, so we suggest laying some plastic on the floor and covering it with kitty litter, so the cat can roll over to it and void on the litter.       For those pets that need to have their bladder expressed, it is easier to do that when they are upright in their wheelchair. For small pets that use their K9 Cart in the house and are able to be in their cart for a long period of time, we do have an attachment designed by K9 Carts that can be put on the back of the cart called a Catch-It-All. The Catch-It-All will catch feces and urine in the case of a cat or female dog, and feces only for male dogs.  For urine absorption, sanitary pads will have to be placed in the Catch-It-All. The Catch-It-All is especially helpful for cats and rabbits.

Seeing your dog lose partial or complete mobility is not easy for any owner. Whether the condition is due to an injury or permanent paralysis, it’s never fun watching a pet struggle. Luckily, despite the unfortunate turn of events, your dog still appears to be generally happy. Sure, your dog may have a hard time running or using the stairs. But in general, he or she appears responsive, alert, and, most importantly, motivated to be active. If you find yourself relating to this situation but are unsure if your dog’s condition is severe enough for a wheelchair, then you have come to the right place! General Guidance: Consult your vet: If you notice your dog is experiencing any signs of mobility issues, don’t wait to talk to the vet. Although some conditions are easily managed, others may lead to chronic problems if they are not addressed in a timely manner. At-home evaluations: If you believe that a wheelchair is the best next step, try the “towel test” to see if the dog has enough strength to support itself by its forelimbs. Mobility issues can be caused by: Soreness General weakness of the limbs Accidental injuries Surgery recovery Spinal problems Paralysis Arthritis Amputations Neurological issues Aside from the mobility issues listed above, here are five specific conditions that could mean your pet will benefit from a dog wheelchair: Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) If your dog has IVDD, a wheelchair could be the best recovery option. IVDD is a common condition, caused by displacement or deterioration of the cushion between spinal discs. Although some dogs are more prone to developing IVDD than others, this uncomfortable and often painful disease can affect all dogs. Depending on the degree of damage, weakness or paralysis of the legs may occur. Depending on the severity and the stage in which IVDD is discovered, your dog may still maintain full usage of all four legs. In the early stages, a wheelchair would be useful for rehabilitation. If, however, the damage is too severe and your dog becomes paralyzed, the wheelchair would become a tool of your pet's daily needs. Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) The onset of DM usually appears in older dogs, ages 8-14. In the simplest terms, DM is caused by loss of connectivity between your dog's brain and its spinal cord. Dogs affected by DM will display symptoms like excessive wobbling and dragging of their feet. Although there are no known treatments for DM, the wheelchair is perhaps the most appropriate option for this condition because your dog is not experiencing physical pain. Regardless of the extent of your dog’s disability, the wheelchair is guaranteed to improve mobility and the overall well-being of your pet. Arthritis and Dysplasia Dogs with arthritis or dysplasia suffer from joint stiffness. Although arthritis occurs primarily due to old age, dysplasia tends to cause similar symptoms in your dog's health. Overall, both conditions make it difficult for your dog to be supported by its own legs, making basic tasks like running or walking painful and nearly impossible. Your vet may advise supplements (e.g. Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate, Omega Fatty Acids, Vitamin E, Selenium, and MSM), that work to reduce inflammation and create more comfort for your dog. However, the important thing to note about this condition is you still need to find the motivation to keep your dog active. Movement and exercise cause the production of joint fluid, which ultimately aids in lubrication of sore joints. A wheelchair for dogs can helps get your pet moving while strengthening muscles and taking stress off other limbs in the body. Sudden Paralysis As seen in the cases of IVDD and DM, paralysis in dogs typically occurs based on genetic predispositions or old age. There are, however, other completely unexpected instances in which your dog may become paralyzed without warning (e.g. complications of the spinal column, tick bite, and bacterial infection). Although such instances can be incredibly frightening, the good news is that most of these cases are treatable if they are identified early on. In any case, even if your pet’s paralysis is temporary, using a wheelchair will help your dog return to its happy mobile self. Knee and ACL Problems Whether your dog tore its knee ligaments or an ACL, the road to a full recovery can be both long and costly. Regardless of your dog’s prior health history, knee/ACL damage can occur at any time. While in some instances surgery may be necessary, in others, all your pet may need is rest. In this situation, “rest” does not mean a couple of weeks off from strenuous runs and hikes. A dog with a torn knee/ACL may be limited to very basic physical activity (e.g. taking a short walk in the park), for up to several months! Not to mention that if your dog does not receive adequate support during the rest period, he/she can also tear the adjacent knee. In any case, if approved by your vet, a wheelchair can support your dog’s recovery by ensuring that he/she is not overcompensating for the injured leg. No matter the size, age, or the needs of your dog, if he or she has any of the discussed symptoms or conditions, you should always start with contacting your vet. Remember, that above all else, your dog’s health is in your hands. Be sure to take full precautions by medical advice from a licensed professional and continuing with the prescribed treatment even if you see a drastic improvement in your dog’s mobility. After all, we all want your dog to receive proper care needed and be on his/her way to an improved well-being! Key takeaways: Exercise is a huge contributor to your pet's well-being. Getting your dog mobile again will ultimately prolong his/her life. Wheelchairs are handy for both long and short-term conditions. *If you’ve discussed the benefits of a wheelchair with your vet, but you are still hesitant about the full-time commitment, renting a wheelchair is a great option.

K9 Carts is proud to announce the winner of our 2016 Annual Veterinary Medicine Scholarship is Lia McCoy of Colorado State University. "I am honored to have the 2016 K9 Carts Scholarship Award," Lia said. "As a pre-veterinary student with a love for animals, this award will allow me to further my education in bettering animals and the research that follows." She considers the K9 Carts wheelchair a breakthrough for disabled dogs and hopes that, with the aid of the scholarship, that she can find a breakthrough just as beneficial. Lia's essay discussed the legal and regulatory obstacles that telemedicine faces in the veterinary industry. While having incredible benefits, particularly in rural areas where the number of vets and specialist vets may be limited, telemedicine runs into problems of licensing and state boundries along with the fact that in-person observation of animals is crucial for proper diagnoses. Lia sees telemedicine as important to the future of veterinary medicine and suspects it will be incorporated into curriculum studies on a regular basis. A third-year pre-veterniary biological sciences major, Lia plans to focus her studies on horses. "Along with general veterinary care, I hope to find amore efficient cure for equine arthritis as it is one of the most comon joint-debilitating diseases in horses." One avenue of study that could possibly yield a cure is stem-cell therapy research, which Lia expressed interest in pursuing. K9 Carts is dedicated to serving mobility-impaired dogs, cats, and other animals worldwide. With this scholarship, we aim to give future veterinarians the resources they need to realize their dreams and fulfill their potential. By supporting veterinarians-in-training now, such as Lia, we ensure that our animals can be well taken care of in the future. Once again, congratulations, Lia! Students enrolled in veterinary medicine or a related field for the 2016-2017 academic year at accredited universities or colleges in the US were eligible to apply.

According to a 2014 survey by Tripit, 56% of Americans travel with their pets for major holidays. Whether those surveyed traveled with their pets to save the expense of a kennel or because they love taking their pets on trips, it’s clear that taking a pet on the road is a fact of life for over half of all pet owners.  Traveling with an animal is never easy, but there are more complications when a disabled dog is involved. Kennels are difficult enough for fully-abled dogs, and it can be daunting to ask friends or family to watch a dog with special needs. Plus, no one knows how to take better care of a disabled dog than its owner. From driving to flying to choosing a place to stay and sights to see, here are a few things to keep in mind when planning a trip with a disabled dog. General Tips for Traveling with a Disabled Dog In both cars and planes, there are two major things to keep in mind: Keep medication handy: Many disabled dogs have needs beyond a wheelchair. Make sure medications are easily accessible in case of emergencies. Bring a small blanket or shirt that smells like home or a favorite toy or pillow. Something that reminds them of home can keep a dog calm both on car trips and flights. Also, keep in mind that not all travel destinations are wheelchair-friendly. Anywhere that isn’t easy for a person in a wheelchair to get around in isn’t going to be easy for a disabled dog. Fortunately, dozens of websites rate the accessibility of different vacation destinations, including this list of wheelchair-accessible beaches. Hotels for Disabled Pets Finding lodging can be a challenge when traveling with a special-needs dog, as some hotels don’t allow any pets. Websites like BringFido.com list pet-friendly hotels. However, some hotels only allow certain breeds and sizes, so double check. Also, some hotels charge fees for dogs, and many will not let you leave your dog inside the room unattended. In the case of choosing a vacation rental over a hotel, it’s important to make sure the rental is accessible. While most hotels are wheelchair-friendly, not all private homes and vacation rentals are. Sites like HomeAway.com allow users to filter vacation rentals by wheelchair accessibility. When it comes to hotels or vacation rentals, disabled dogs need more floor space than other animals so they can turn around in their wheelchairs. This may require booking a larger room or rearranging furniture. Disabled dogs, especially those with spinal injuries, are often more prone to accidents, so their owners may consider bringing an extra dog bed and possibly washable pee pads. Car Travel with Disabled Pets According to the Humane Society, traveling by car is often easier for pets than flying, but can still present its own challenges. When driving with a disabled dog, secure them rather than let them roam freely. Also, since pressure sores can be a big problem with wheelchair-bound dogs, let them move around and go to the bathroom at least every three hours. Keep an emergency travel kit when traveling with a disabled dog. It can include, but shouldn’t be limited to: Water Bowl Towels for any accidents Treats A blanket that smells like home First-aid kit Pillow or bed Toolkit in case cart needs to be adjusted Air Travel with Disabled Pets If your disabled dog is small, air travel can still be a good option. You probably won’t want to leave a disabled dog in the cargo hold, though, like you might with a fully healthy one. This is the hardest part about air travel with a disabled dog: If you do bring it on the plane, your dog must require no attention during the flight and cannot be removed from its carrier until you’re off the plane. If your dog can only stay in a carrier for two hours, that’s the longest flight you should book. A pet is considered a carry-on item, and it has to fit under a seat, not overhead. Each airline has their own restrictions, but typically if the dog still can fit in a carrier, it’s fine to bring on a domestic flight. Some airlines may charge a fee for dogs, and some only allow a certain number on board an aircraft on a first-come, first-served basis. Additionally, the dog has to be able to reasonably stand up and move around within the carrier. In other words, the carrier can’t be too small for the animal. If the dog would not typically stand or move around much anyway, it just has to have room in the carrier to be able to do that if it wanted or needed to. Some airlines will provide dog carriers, though some charge for them. Personal carriers that meet the airline’s size restrictions are allowed, but typically need to be ventilated and leak-proof. Finally, airlines require a recent veterinary certificate of health before allowing passengers to fly with their dogs. Passengers also must have food and water readily available for their dogs. Every trip, hotel, airline, destination, and dogs is different, so always do specific research for each leg of your trip. Traveling with a disabled dogs presents complications, but is worth considering for folks who enjoy life more when their entire family is along for the ride.