Lift Harness for Oscar
But this year has come with many challenges as well. Our harsh winter took it's toll, as Oscar was losing muscle mass on his back end to begin with, and the icy ground from November until March prevented us from getting him the walking exercise that would have kept him stable. I hoped that this spring and summer would allow us to rebuild a bit, but that has not been the case.  Oscar just isn't interested in walking anymore. He wants to do his business, leave p-mail for a few of his buddies, and head back home. We have seen a marked decline in the last two months. He is having trouble on most surfaces, except for carpeting, and we can only manage to go up and down stairs once a day, to go to bed. He no longer wants to eat in the morning, so it's been really tough to give him all of his meds. (He takes 7 drugs, for a total of 21 pills a day.  ) This from a dog who would perform brain surgery for a piece of kibble.All of our un-carpeted floors are covered with non-skid floor protectors (normally used during heavy construction/remodeling) to help him as much as possible. We have tried massage, aqua therapy, acupuncture, and cosequin/dasequin to no avail. With all of his other health issues, we have to be so careful not to cause an IBD flare-up.Now I am looking into lift harnesses. He is still over 100 lbs., so I need something that comes in "humongous"  We need something more than just a sling, as it is primarily his back end right now, but I can see him limping occasionally in the front as well.Any suggestions? |
|
|
http://www.gingerlead.com/  |
| Awww. Hugs to Oscar. |
| I can only send hugs. Poor oscar. |
Poor Oscar! |
| You probably need something wider for such a big dog: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Big-Dog-Belly-Lift-Orthopedic-Rehabilitation-Sling-Assist-for-your-Dog-/160917009810 Might want to do some searches for Orthopedic dog stuff. Frankly when they are that big and having trouble, I think a 2 x 12 board and fulcrum to lift that big butt up would be helpful....or an automatic lift. He has had his share of problems, glad he has lasted this long. |
| Harnesses came up at the SheepieFest planning lunch and the help em up was recommended http://helpemup.com/store/products/large-harness You can leave it on 24/7 Hugs to Oscar |
| like that one! |
| Hugs to Oscar, and to you Laurie. I'm sorry you are going through this. |
| Thanks, everyone, for your thoughts and well wishes. The slings might be helpful in getting Oscar up, but I am thinking ahead to when he will need assistance walking, too. Unfortunately, based upon how quickly he has declined, I think that might be coming in the next couple of months. I think Oscar would have a hard time going potty in the sling-type harness. I saw the "help'emup" harnesses in my initial searches and thought that might be a possibility for us, though it looks a little complicated. What has ever been simple with this dog?  Thanks for the help, folks! Laurie and Oscar |
| I love Oscar...AND..his mommie!!!! gentle kisses to that sweet, sweet boy! |
I will pass along the hugs and kisses.  I bathed Oscar yesterday, and clipped him down a bit. It's suppose to be in the 90s this week, so I wanted him to be as cool as possible. Since he is unable to stand during clipping, I have to do it while he is lying down. Not my best work, I must say. Clipping also made something else way more evident. Oscar is TUBBY! (He looks like a furry waterbed.) We were just at the vets a few weeks ago, and he weighed in at 109 lbs, but I think he's even heavier now.Oscar is hypothyroid, and we have been keeping him at the low end of normal, so as not to overstimulate his delicate digestive system. I think we have now tipped into abnormal territory. It's certainly not helping his mobility. So off to the vet for a thyroid recheck (just had one in May), and a weigh-in. (sigh) Laurie and Oscar |
| Pirate, who is the same age as Oscar, and Oscar's boyhood buddy, is also going through this. Laurie, Pirate gets angry if we try to help him up. Do you have this problem with Oscar? |
| Hi Deb. Our boys are getting old. This sucks, doesn't it? I am sorry to hear that Pirate is having so many issues.Oscar is pretty tolerant of anything we do for/with him. He always has been, even if he doesn't like it. It may also be because Oscar's issues are not painful, like arthritis. Maybe Pirate is grumbly when you try to help because he is hurting. Is he on any pain meds? Lately, Oscar will find one or two tiny uncovered spots on the floor, and that's where he decides to crash. Once he lays down, there is no way he can get up without something under his front feet. I have him flop over on his side, and I get a rubber-backed rug under him. Then I either back stop his back feet, or get my hands under his butt and give him a lift. (His back legs are all but useless. He now pulls himself up using his front legs.) The roughest times are when we have to go to the vet, as he has to get in and out of the car, and bath time, because it takes such effort for him to stay on his feet in the tub, even on a rubber mat. I bought the helpemup harness, but I am waiting for AG to get home from a trip before I try it. It is made of ballistic nylon - very impressively put together. It may be just a bit too much for my "hot dog" to wear all the time, plus it prevents him from rolling onto his back, which he likes to do. We'll see. Hugs to you! Laurie and Oscar |
| Reading how O uses just his front legs for getting up, Harry did that for years and years. Always amazed me how he could do it, even as he aged, he could throw his weight forward and get a back paw under him just enough to get up. No way it would have been possible if he didn't maintain a trim waistline. Our dogs getting old is the pits!!! Amazing O has made it this far, but be great nursing on your part. |
| We made a lift and help to walk harness guess you could call it for Fred. Basicly was some canvas with handles on it so the canvas went under him-the whole length- then up the sides of his body to hold the sides on top of his back with the handles-a bit like my sister putting her small dog in a carry bag with leg holes |
Didn't find exactly what you're looking for? Search again here:
Custom Search
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|