Two Legs, Two Wheels

by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger

31 Mar 2009 05:34 PM

I saw an ad recently (but can't remember where) about custom wheelchairs for pets. The image was of a small, white dog smiling/panting in a grassy backyard. Instead of front legs, the dog was resting on a wheeled frame. The caption was something like "I know my person loves me because they got me new legs" -- that's not the exact quote, but that's the feeling I got.

In general, pets are very adaptable. They bounce back from accidents and injuries that might be life-altering for a human. Lost a leg? Animals seem to accept it with a sort of "this is how it is now" attitude. And when fitted with a wheelchair, many animals figure out the workings very quickly. I wonder if this is because pets live in the present. They don't think about what might have been, or how it was before -- they put their energy and attention into the moment.

Custom built wheelchairs are a less expensive alternative to surgery, joint replacements, and physical therapy for pets. Carts to compensate for lame or missing back legs are predominant, though more and more pets are being fitted for front-leg carts. Most carts support the midsection and are secured around the chest and shoulders.

One drawback: wheelchairs for pets are very rarely "one size fits all". Your cart maker may require a list of careful measurements before a custom wheelchair can be built. Expect to pay a couple hundred dollars for the cart -- again, this can vary based on the size of your pet. Carts aren't just for dogs, either. One busy maker has made wheelchairs for cats, ferrets, goats and sheep, and rabbits.

The bottom line is that pets who once would have been crippled by disease or injury are now able to enjoy a healthy, active life. This is definitely an option I'll keep in mind as Moose's hip dysplasia progresses.

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Aimee is a fiction writer... dog lover... music lover...

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HandicappedPets (5) 01 Apr 2009 08:13 AM

Dear Aimee,

Thank you for such wonderful insights about the options available for handicapped pets. The picture that you are referring to is actually from our website - www.handicappedpets.com

We offer everything - products, services and support - for caretakers of handicapped pets. We also have the Walkin' Wheels dog wheelchair that is both fully adjustable and easily transportable. It folds flat for travel and storage. And it can be ordered online using our cart wizard. There is no need for dog owners to travel for an in-person fitting or to spend time taking complicated measurements.

I hope that your readers who are caring for or are considering adopting a handicapped pet will visit our website to see the various options available to them. Again, thank you for bringing much needed attention to handicapped pets.

Lisa-Marie

Aimee Amodio (11995) 01 Apr 2009 08:27 AM

Thanks for solving my mystery, Lisa-Marie, and thanks for the detailed info about your site. I think it's really wonderful and amazing that pets are so very adaptable, and can take to a whole new way of moving so easily.