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I’ve been an animal lover all my life and have had countless pets over the decades. Everything from hamsters as a child, cats in my teens to the many dogs I’ve loved over the years. After having a black terrier for almost eighteen years, I was hesitant to adopt another animal. But my current little black dog, a purebred Cairn Terrier (she looks a great deal like Toto from The Wizard of Oz), just tugged on my heartstrings and I couldn’t resist. An elderly couple who felt they couldn’t care for her at the level she deserved, gave up their older dog to for me to love and care for in her golden years. She was eight when I got her and five years later, although she’s slowed down a bit, doesn’t hear so great and I can see some early signs of cataracts approaching, Kady is still just such a little love. Since this is the second dog I’ve had living into their double-digit years, I’ve learned a few things about taking care of a canine that’s advancing in age. Familiarity Breeds Comfort When a dog’s eyesight begins to weaken with age, they start to rely more on their visual memory rather than what they can actually see with their older eyes. For this reason, don’t make major changes in the location of furniture, like rearranging the living, dining or other rooms that they frequent. They’re more likely to injure themselves by running into objects in unfamiliar locations. Multiple Locations When it comes to their sleeping location, consider offering them multiple options for them to relax and lie down, since older animals will actually slumber much longer compared to their younger counterparts. For example, I have three different beds for Kady to relax: In the living room so she can hang out with the rest of the family Inside our bedroom where she sleeps at night In the master bedroom closet when she wants to “den” and feel safe These beds should not only be comfortable, but also easily accessible and located in a corner or other area that doesn’t experience a great deal of traffic or other disturbances. There’s also a water dish located next to each of these “crash-spots” for a quick drink before or after resting. A Single Locale When it comes to their food dish, and this is good advice for any dog owner regardless of their pet’s age, make sure their dining area stays in just one location. Any canine, especially an older dog, shouldn’t have to wonder (literally) where their next meal is coming from or is located. Keep Your Routine Again, excellent advice for any dog owner, keep your dog on a consistent schedule, especially when it comes to exercise, eating and relieving themselves. As animal’s continue to age, they’re more likely to have “accidents” when it comes to urinating and defecating, but far less likely to “mess up” when they’re on a regular schedule. For example, when I’m walking my little black dog in the mornings and evenings, although the distance we travel has decreased, we still travel the exact same route. She does her “business” in the same spot consistently, just like clockwork. Dietary Dilemmas Depending upon their age, breed, size and weight, dietary demands often change as a canine continues to age. Many older animals begin to lose the ability to digest certain substances, especially grains like corn, which can also cause skin allergies and other conditions. Read those labels carefully and make sure the first three ingredients are healthier proteins like chicken, beef, duck, fish and other healthier fillers. When it comes to your dog’s diet and exercise program, along with their continued advancement in age, always check with your veterinarian before making any changes. With a little bit of exercise, monitoring their diet and ensuring their comfort levels, these little methods will help to ensure your pet will live to be a ripe, old age.

We here at K9 Carts are proud to announce that the winner of our 2015 Veterinary Medicine Scholarship is Laura Johnson, a third year student of North Carolina State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. "Winning the K9 Carts Scholarship means a great deal to me, and not just because the scholarship helps fund my education," Laura stated. "I have a strong interest in veterinary education, and the scholarship essay contest afforded me the opportunity to explore some of my thoughts about how colleges of veterinary medicine and the U.S. government can collaborate to serve areas of veterinary need while creating a stronger, more diverse profession." With her enjoyment of specialty medicine and a love for teaching and working up difficult cases, Laura is leaning towards a focus on academic small animal medicine. As for career-long goals, Laura hopes to develop relationships with veterinary medical schools internationally in order to advance veterinary education in developing countries. Locally, she'd like to educate vet students and practitioners about working with cats, her favorite species. "There are so many pet felines out there, and many cats don't get the level of veterinary care they deserve simply because there aren't that many feline-oriented practitioners out there." 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, we ensure that our animals can be well taken care of in the future. Students enrolled in veterinary medicine or a related field for the 2015-2016 academic year at accredited universities or colleges in the US were eligible to apply.

Hip dysplasia (HD) is characterized by abnormal formation of the hip joint, resulting in degradation of the cartilage in the joint and leading to damage, inflammation, and pain. The hip joint is comprised of two main parts, the caput, or head of the femur, which is shaped like a ball, and the acetabulum, a concave socket located in the pelvis. The head fits into the socket and, in unaffected animals, the fit is snug and both parts of the joint are covered in cartilage, allowing for a smooth and wide range of motions. A dog standing with its hind legs together to compensate for hip dysplasia. In animals affected by HD, however, hip joints are loose fitting or misshapen, causing damage to the cartilage through excessive wear and tear, eventually leading to inflammation and pain. While cartilage is continually being replaced by the body, the process is slow and the degradation of the cartilage results in a reduced ability to fix the damage.1 The cause of hip dysplasia is thought to be a combination of genetics and environment. Though the condition can affect dogs (and some cats) of all breeds or sizes, HD typically affects large-breed dogs, due to their weight, and certain breeds. Breeds more commonly affected by HD include Labrador retrievers, Rottweilers, Newfoundlands, Mastiffs, Bernese Mountain dogs, Boxers, St. Bernards, and Welsh Corgis.2 Symptoms of canine hip dysplasia include abnormal gait (how a dog walks, such as straight or normal versus wobbly or erratic), stiffness, lameness, difficulty when rising from a sitting or resting position, or a reluctance to go up stairs or engage in strenuous activity. Due to the wide range of variation between dogs and daily habits, not all symptoms of HD may be present. Some dogs may also have higher pain tolerances than others, allowing them to cope with the condition, masking its presence.3 Diagnosis of hip dysplasia is generally done through x-rays and radiographs, along with physical examinations. X-rays are important in determining the state of the joint and the level of cartilage damage, if any, present. Other conditions that can mimic symptoms of HD include lower back problems, torn ligaments, or elbow dysplasia.3 Methods of treatment for hip dysplasia include both surgical and non-surgical means, depending on how far the disease has progressed. In early or less-severe cases, non-surgical methods can be enough to alleviate or even prevent further progression of HD. Three important factors in non-surgical treatment are weight, exercise, and medication. Weight control is considered the most important factor in preventing HD. Excessive weight contributes unnecessary force on hip joints, leading to increased joint damage. This is generally why large breed dogs are more susceptible to the condition than smaller dogs. Reasonable exercise can be beneficial in promoting cartilage growth and prevent muscle loss in the hind legs, though excessively long running sessions or jumping should be avoided. Pain medication and anti-inflammatories can be used to alleviate pain and discomfort and prevent damage from inflammation. Supplements can also be used to promote cartilage growth and repair. Mobility devices such as harnesses or carts can also help to reduce stress and pressure on joints and can be used in conjunction with other methods. In more severe cases of HD, surgery may be the only option, including hip repair or full hip replacement.4Below are statistics of hip dysplasia in dogs from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals between January 1974 through December 2013. Breed Evaluations Percent Dysplastic Bulldog 564 71.6 Pug 527 68.1 Dogue De Bordeaux 463 56.8 Otterhound 409 50.1 Boerboel 147 47.6 St. Bernard 2145 46.9 Neapolitan Mastiff 158 46.8 Clumber Spaniel 928 44.0 Black Russian Terrier 560 43.2 Sussex Spaniel 273 39.9 Cane Corso 876 39.0 Argentine Dogo 210 38.1 Basset Hound 201 37.3 Perro De Presa Canario 199 34.7 Norfolk Terrier 301 32.9 American Bulldog 1825 32.9 Boykin Spaniel 3283 32.4 Glen Of Imaal Terrier 174 30.5 Fila Brasileiro 599 30.1 French Bulldog 1180 28.6 Spanish Water Dog 126 28.6 Lagotto Romagnolo 151 27.8 American Staffordshire Terrier 3020 26.0 Bloodhound 2875 25.6 Newfoundland 15501 25.0 Maine Coon Cat 1110 24.4 American Pit Bull Terrier 775 24.3 Berger Picard 111 24.3 Bullmastiff 5654 24.2 Louisiana Catahoula Leopard 584 21.6 English Shepherd 378 21.4 Cardigan Welsh Corgi 1997 20.4 Rottweiler 94253 20.2 Chesapeake Bay Retriever 12947 20.2 Golden Retriever 136408 19.5 Mastiff 11016 19.4 Norwegian Elkhound 3884 19.4 Shih Tzu 631 19.3 Chow Chow 5353 19.2 German Shepherd Dog 107698 19.0 Gordon Setter 6154 19.0 Pembroke Welsh Corgi 11298 18.8 Pyrenean Shepherd 135 18.5 Old English Sheepdog 10779 18.4 Icelandic Sheepdog 303 18.2 Hybrid 1522 18.0 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog 2804 18.0 Field Spaniel 1066 17.8 Kuvasz 1774 17.8 Beagle 919 17.8 Giant Schnauzer 4431 17.7 Chinook 688 17.3 Shiloh Shepherd 834 17.0 Staffordshire Bull Terrier 601 17.0 Affenpinscher 315 16.8 Welsh Terrier 115 16.5 Havana Silk Dog 196 16.3 English Setter 10590 15.9 Spinone Italiano 1224 15.9 Epagneul Breton 159 15.7 Bernese Mountain Dog 18180 15.7 Entlebucher 321 15.6 Australian Cattle Dog 3642 15.4 Polish Lowland Sheepdog 513 15.2 Curly-Coated Retriever 1176 15.1 Bouvier Des Flandres 8271 15.0 Harrier 331 14.8 Tibetan Mastiff 984 14.8 Brittany 18524 14.4 Black And Tan Coonhound 710 14.4 Leonberger 1778 14.2 Labradoodle 288 14.2 Briard 2462 14.1 Beauceron 411 13.4 Chinese Shar-Pei 9654 13.2 Norwich Terrier 873 13.1 Akita 16404 12.8 English Springer Spaniel 15165 12.8 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 6575 12.5 Portuguese Water Dog 8187 12.5 Komondor 983 12.3 Great Dane 12927 12.0 Smooth Fox Terrier 353 11.9 Pudelpointer 437 11.9 Poodle 23702 11.9 West Highland White Terrier 336 11.9 Irish Setter 11415 11.8 Irish Water Spaniel 1346 11.7 Labrador Retriever 233012 11.7 Boston Terrier 222 11.7 Alaskan Malamute 14006 11.4 Airedale Terrier 6032 11.3 Welsh Springer Spaniel 2050 11.3 Boxer 5537 11.0 Samoyed 16230 10.9 Pomeranian 101 10.9 Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen 726 10.9 Border Collie 11539 10.6 Finnish Lapphund 185 10.3 Puli 1766 10.2 Anatolian Shepherd 1857 10.2 Havanese 3419 10.0 Tibetan Spaniel 345 9.9 Wirehaired Vizsla 131 9.9 Swedish Vallhund 251 9.6 Akbash Dog 544 9.6 American Eskimo Dog 1036 9.6 Norwegian Buhund 203 9.4 Cairn Terrier 108 9.3 Great Pyrenees 6008 9.1 German Wirehaired Pointer 4178 9.0 Dutch Shepherd 234 9.0 Coton De Tulear 753 8.9 Australian Kelpie 126 8.7 Weimaraner 12184 8.4 Standard Schnauzer 4283 8.4 Small Munsterlander 157 8.3 Mini American/Mini Australian 1563 8.1 Wirehaired Pointing Griffon 2104 8.0 Dachshund 100 8.0 Pointer 1615 7.8 American Water Spaniel 766 7.6 French Spaniel 181 7.2 Bichon Frise 3613 7.1 Vizsla 13985 6.9 Yorkshire Terrier 103 6.8 Schipperke 465 6.7 Bull Terrier 106 6.6 Cocker Spaniel 13264 6.5 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Ret. 1987 6.4 Lhasa Apso 814 6.4 Keeshond 4795 6.4 Doberman Pinscher 15761 6.1 Bearded Collie 4542 5.9 Australian Shepherd 32843 5.8 Afghan Hound 6799 5.7 English Cocker Spaniel 7039 5.7 Finnish Spitz 331 5.7 Shiba Inu 3167 5.6 Tibetan Terrier 4043 5.6 Kerry Blue Terrier 1577 5.5 Hovawart 148 5.4 Belgian Malinois 2767 5.3 North American Shepherd 336 5.1 Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier 6128 5.0 Rhodesian Ridgeback 11416 4.8 Irish Wolfhound 1829 4.7 Shetland Sheepdog 20304 4.6 Irish Red & White Setter 250 4.4 Dalmatian 3506 4.4 Flat-Coated Retriever 5618 4.3 German Shorthaired Pointer 16026 4.1 Eurasier 107 3.7 Border Terrier 2724 3.7 Parson Russell Terrier 110 3.6 Belgian Tervuren 6006 3.5 Basenji 2651 3.5 Toy Australian Shepherd 119 3.4 Rat Terrier 494 3.0 Belgian Sheepdog 4104 2.9 Collie 2973 2.8 Pharaoh Hound 485 2.7 Ibizan Hound 367 2.5 Greyhound 351 2.3 Canaan 450 2.2 Australian Terrier 186 2.2 Siberian Husky 17656 2.0 Borzoi 864 1.9 German Pinscher 396 1.8 Saluki 262 1.5 Whippet 169 1.2 Italian Greyhound 239 0.0 "The Dysplastic Hip Joint". Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. http://www.offa.org/hd_info.html. Retrieved 2014-03-14. "Hip Dysplasia". The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/hip-dysplasia. Retrieved 2013-03-14. "Canine Hip Dysplasia". Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Baker Institute for Animal Health. http://bakerinstitute.vet.cornell.edu/animalhealth/page.php?id=1104. Retrieved 2014-03-14. "Hip Dysplasia Treatment Options". Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. http://www.offa.org/hd_treatment.html. Retrieved 2014-03-14. "Hip Dysplasia Statistics". Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. http://www.offa.org/stats_hip.html. Retrieved 2014-03-14.

Our carts are designed for a pet either to use its hind legs or to have them up and protected in slings if they are paralyzed or just have minimal feeling without sufficient ability to take steps. Very often a pet will have the ability to walk with one paw but not the other. In this case, the rear height of the cart should be set so that both paws touch the ground. In the case of the paw that is knuckling over, a protective boot should be used. If you put one leg up in the sling and leave one down it will throw your pet off balance. I talked with a client today who had been informed that she should leave the legs dangling to encourage leg movement as placing them in the slings would discourage the return of feeling to her pet’s legs. Leaving legs hanging in the air will not only discourage leg movement, but will cause sores in the groin area. Placing them up in the slings will encourage leg movement because as they walk or run with the front legs and as feeling returns to their legs, they will swing their legs and build up muscle tone and feeling. This encourages rehabilitation and ability to walk on their own. Over our 50 years of manufacturing carts, we have had a large number of pets return to walking on their own after a short time in carts. In fact, we encourage you to rent a cart after your pet has back or knee surgery to encourage a quicker return to full mobility. We do not advocate allowing them to run off in the cart but give them controlled exercise during the recovery period. There is absolutely no question that use of our well balanced cart, which keeps your pet’s spine and limbs in alignment, will encourage return to mobility 100% faster. Your pet will be happier and active, doing what it wants to do, and it will make nursing care easier for you. Wheely Willy , a little Chihuahua, was in one of our carts for 20 years. He was totally paralyzed with flaccid hind legs but when he was placed in the cart his little legs would swing vigorously in the slings. He never did regain the ability to walk as his back was fractured, but his legs maintained good muscle tone and he lived a happy, active life, bringing joy to thousands of his fans all over the world. If you think about it, after we have surgery and need help getting around, we are given crutches or a walker to help us get back to mobility and why should the same not apply to pets. Placing your pet in a cart will never discourage it from coming back to walking on its own! Look at the video of the 12 year old Corgi, named Lola. She is suspected of having degenerative myelopathy, which is a progressive loss of mobility starting with the rear legs, and which may eventually travel up the spine to the front legs. Corgis are the second top breed needing carts at the moment, because they suffer from DM. As you can see, without the cart she is still able to move around using her rear legs. However, the added stress being placed on her back and front legs will cause mobility loss at a faster pace without the aid of the K9 Cart. I often hear the remark that “I don’t want to put my dog in a cart while he/she is still able to use the hind legs because placing them in a cart will cause them not to walk and use their legs.” The exact opposite is true and we know this from helping pets with dog wheelchairs for 50 years and having our own veterinary hospital. Pets never become dependent on carts and use of a cart will keep the hind legs stronger until eventually they do weaken with their disease. If you wait too long before getting your pet a K9 Cart and allow a dog to get to the stage that it is only able to take a step or two without falling, then by that time they have placed undue stress on their front legs and you would have to go to a supportive cart for the front legs. The extra supportive carts (and parts can be added onto our 2 wheeled carts) give excellent support, but the front wheels are caster wheels and therefore not as maneuverable as the standard 2 wheeled cart. Therefore, why wait to purchase a cart when it can be running around and going for walks before it gets to the stage that it can barely walk and all the fun has gone out of its life- no more walks or playing with its friends, etc. It is extremely important that you purchase a cart for your pet when they start having mobility problems like Lola. Then when given the support of the K9 cart, she is able to run around using her hind legs while keeping her back level and taking the stress off the front legs. She can now go for walks, chase balls, run around in circles and do whatever she was used to doing while keeping her happy and healthier and delaying the progress of degenerative myelopathy. Without the aid of a K9 Cart, she would gradually deteriorate faster in the rear legs, start dragging herself around, get sores and become weak in the front legs. We know it is hard to look at your pet and see the sadness in their eyes and watch them struggle to get up and not be able to go for walks etc. K9 Carts do bring K9 Happiness. I know as I have been seeing it and hearing about it for the past 38 years. When a pet takes off in a cart and realizes that it can run again, eyes brighten, tails wag and they are off! And depending on their condition, very often helps them return to full mobility!

My definition would be a dog doing what it loves to do, going for walks on the beach or in the woods, splashing in streams, chasing the mailman or sniffing any dogs it meets, guarding the house, following its owner around in the house hoping for a tidbit to drop or a pat on the head or acknowledgement that you know they are there. In other words letting you know that they are very important and are part of the family! What happens when it loses the ability to walk and do all its favorite things? Very often, depression set in, meaning no more bright eyes or tail wags, and no more being able to go on walks with the other members of the family, either canine or human, or chasing balls or keeping the property safe from intruders.. Very often, they become totally paralyzed due to disc problems, strokes, an embolism or accidents. This in turn makes us depressed, and very often not knowing what is best for our pet as we do not want to see them in this condition. Depending on what is causing the lack of mobility, your veterinarian may be able to reverse the condition or in the case of older dogs may be able to help medically or recommend a rehabilitation program or acupuncture. We at K9 Carts have been bringing K9 happiness to thousands of dogs over the last fifty years. I have personally been helping them for 38 years, and I can tell you a I still get a wonderful feeling of happiness every time I fit a dog to a cart and watch its tail wag and eyes brighten as it realizes that it can be a "dog" again. I love receiving emails and videos from owners letting me know how happy their pets are, and how happy they are seeing them enjoying their renewed mobility. With our orthopedically balanced cart, it keeps them mobile longer and keeps stress off the rest of their bodies and especially their front legs. I just wish over all these years, I had kept count of how many pets returned to full mobility on their own with the aid of our dog wheelchairs!

K9 Carts is proud to announce that our 2014 Veterinary Medicine Scholarship has been awarded to Tramaine Creighton of St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. Tramaine is a 3rd year DVM Candidate, Class of 2016, at Purdue University's College of Veterinary Medicine. "I am honored to be the recipient of the 2014 K9 Carts Annual Scholarship," Tramaine stated. "The financial support received though this scholarship will definitely help me to further my studies and achieve my goals. My passions and desires motivate me to dream big dreams, such as traveling the world to help diverse communities. I am truly grateful for K9 Carts' investment in my future of becoming a successful veterinarian and, in return, I too can invest in the future of others." Tramaine is interested in mixed animal practice and seeks to fill a veterinary void on her home island of St. Croix. "There is a need for a large animal veterinarian at home and it is a goal of mine to fill that need by becoming a mixed animal veterinarian." She would also like to work internationally with underprivileged communities by equipping them to become self-sustainable. K9 Carts has been dedicated to helping handicapped dogs and cats worldwide since the 1970s and now looks to inspire a new generation of animal lovers to dedicate their lives to the well-being of animals. By providing this scholarship, we are investing in the future of our pets' health and happiness by supporting future veterinarians and their endeavors. Students studying veterinary medicine or a related field at accredited colleges and universities in the US were eligible to apply. The scholarship winner was chosen from participants across the United States and awarded on September 15th, 2014.

Pets who have lost one rear limb generally manage to do very well for many years. They basically center their remaining leg under their rear and hop or run along well, However as they get older and that remaining limb gets out of alignment with the added stress of only having one leg to balance on, they will need help. Will a K9 cart help them? The answer is yes! A K9 Cart will allow your pet to still use its remaining leg, while taking the added stress off the limb. Usually when a pet has a limb amputated, it is taken off high and there is just a stump remaining. A different support system is therefore needed to keep your pet balanced in its cart. We place padding over the ring where the leg is missing. You will probably have to put in extra padding, such as foam or folded up flannel to help prop up the rear so that your pet is balanced and not leaning to one side. Padding may even have to be placed alongside the good leg, as if it leans too much to that side the leg will be at an angle instead of straight down in the ring. We want your pet to be balanced in the cart and in alignment as this will prolong its active life. There are adjustments that you pet will have to make in the cart, as probably for years they have been going down on their one leg and springing forward. Now with correct support in our dog wheelchair, they have to learn to walk again on all fours with their spine in a level position. When you assemble your K9 Cart, you may have to set the height lower than it will end up being so that your pet can gradually become used to a new way of walking. We at K9 Carts are always here to help you with advice and help with the fitting of your cart once you receive it.

K9 Carts is the original company in the USA that offered mobility wheelchairs for pets. They were first designed by a veterinary orthopedic surgeon as he realized that there was a need for a wheelchair to help mobility impaired pets remain active and healthy without creating further health issues. Many paralyzed pets were not candidates for surgery and since there was nothing available 55 years ago the alternative was for owners to watch their pet drag around and do more damage to itself incurring sores and leg and spinal deformities. There needed to be a means of mobility for a pet to enable it to be active and up on all four legs as of course being a pet they were not content to lie still or confined to a cage. And so the first K9 cart was designed and manufactured. In the 1970’s I realized that there were many pets that could still partially use either one or both of their hind legs or were recovering and coming back to walking on their own while using our carts and therefore we needed to incorporate a walking option into the K9 cart. This would allow the pet to rehabilitate slowly by placing one or both hind paws while giving it total rear support. We have redesigned and improved our K9 Carts several times over the years as needs arose. For the past few years we have been offering a two wheeled cart that formerly only supported the rear legs into an extra supportive cart which will give 70% support to the front legs and from there can be turned into a fully supportive cart giving 100% support. The fully supportive 4 wheeled cart cart can be used two ways as it can be for the dog with progressive mobility loss or for the pet that has for example severe cervical problems and is recovering from surgery, dogs with coon paralysis or temporary front and rear paralysis that may be reversed with rehabilitation and a K9 cart. K9 carts are orthopedically designed to keep the spine and limbs in alignment as this is paramount to helping a pet make a recovery to mobility which happens in many cases and with our extensive orthopedic knowledge we are able to adapt and make up a cart for any type of case while encouraging rehabilitation. Single amputees, double amputees, deformed spines, front limb problems, and species other than cats and dogs. We are now making carts for Chickens, Turkeys, Rabbits, Goats, Skunks and with a 3D printer we made up one for a Guinea Pig. When selecting a mobility support for your pet. it is vital that you choose a wheelchair that gives the correct support and does not cause further damage to your pet. It makes sense to buy a pet wheelchair from a company with years of veterinary experience and knowledge which K9 Carts has. Unfortunately there are many wheelchair companies out there now who have wheelchairs that are heavy and out of balance and will not keep you pet’s spine and limbs in alignment and aid in recovery. Many pets recover their mobility after using our carts and the sooner you place your pet in a cart after loss of mobility, provided that they are not in pain, then the better the chance of them coming back to mobility. If your pet has a condition where the paralysis is not going to be reversed, pets can live long and happy lives in our K9 Carts. The longest living dog to my knowledge that used a cart was a little chihuahua named Wheely Willy who was in a K9 cart for 18 years. Scooter was a wonderful cat who was found paralyzed along the highway and he lived in a cart for 16 years- he used to try and catch mice in his cart! There is actually a copy of our cart being made in China. Of course, it is less expensive but it is poorly made, not well balanced and there is zero customer service. When deciding to order a pet wheelchair you need to take into consideration that you want a company with excellent customer service and who understands and will advise as to what is needed for your pet at this particular time in its life with regard to its current mobility issues. We have the background and knowledge and have been complimented again and again on our customer service. We are here to help and give advice not just to sell you a wheelchair but to ensure that you understand both before the sale and after the sale what is needed to help ensure that your pet will be mobile and happy again. We will not suggest a cart if we feel it is not indicated and if we feel your pet needs a cart and you are doubtful about it we will advise you as to what is best for your pet. There are a large number of companies now making wheelchairs for pets however the majority of them do not keep the pet in alignment and are heavy and not supportive where they need to be. Do not make up a cart out of PVC tubing and sling supports. Yes it is cheap and may help your pet be up and mobile but it is not going to be beneficial for your pet and will inevitably cause other problems to the spine and limbs. Do not put your pet in a collapsible cart. It could severely damage its spine and limbs. If your dog is young and strong and a small breed it will usually lie down on its bed with its legs out in front of it and will be perfectly comfortable doing so and then it will bounce back up and take off. If a large dog lies down in a cart it is indicative of extreme weakness in the front legs We started a rent to own program several years ago so that if owners are doubtful if their pet will take to a wheelchair they can try it out for 2 weeks at a third of the cost of a new cart. The cart may be returned after the initial 2 weeks if they wish or with 2 additional payments they own the cart. Your pet is is an important member of your family. We understand that and are committed to providing the best supportive wheelchair and follow up care for the important member of the family! Barbara Parkes

What a wonderful Story to receive on Christmas Eve. Merry Christmas to all! "Just wanted to write and say thanks for making a great product. The service your company provides brings joy to owner and pet. Jake's cart was given to me by a friend, whose mother had been given it by a friend who's cat used it until its death, and after they were told of Jake they gladly passed it on.   Jake was 3 years old when he left the yard and was missing for 3 days. He drug himself home and was laying in the pine straw under the stairs when I found him. He had apparently been hit by a car and even after surgery was paralyzed in his back end and had little use of his rear limbs. At 6 years of age he received the wheels and it wasn't a moment too soon as he lost all muscle sensation and use of his rear limbs and up until that point had been able to scurry in leg wrap boots. He is now approaching 14 and loves his cart. It is a well designed product and the adjustable aspects of the device allowed me to tailor a perfect fit. He is 12 lbs, the same size of the cat who used it before him. It couldn't have been more perfect and has remained durable for his daily backyard ramblings and exercise. It has allowed him to be a free dog for the greater part of his life now. When his time as a dog comes to an end I will donate it to his Vet so another animal can enjoy mobility again. Attached are photos of Jake the Snake getting his "Roll On". Please feel free to use the pictures on your website and advertising. Thanks again, great products, Josh Barksdale and Jake Kennesaw, GA P.S. That is Jake's six toed feline friend Smokey (17 yrs old) They've been together all their lives. I have some interesting animal friends. They're both passed out on the bed as I'm typing this. Again, Thanks so much."