Yikes! I didn't recognize Nutmeg as a dachsund in this dogs-to-go cart that hiked her rump up high to protect her toes from scraping the sidewalk.
Let’s just start this discussion by talking about the different levels of paralysis and loss of sensation that dogs with neurological disease can experience. For many dogs with IVDD (disc disease) paralysis is complete – there is no deep pain sensation, no reflexes and the legs and feet drag lifelessly behind the dog. This was the case with Nutmeg, the dachshund pictured here, who showed up a year after her spinal surgery in this pvc cart that is sold online for about a hundred dollars. This cart dangled her legs behind, supporting her on a bar in front of her rear legs. All the weight of her rear was being thrown on to her front legs, and needless to say, she was not able to walk very far or very long in this contraption. The rationale for hiking up her rear so high was to protect her feet from scraping on the sidewalk.
Nutmeg's back stretched out flat in the Eddie's Wheels cart, and her feet rest on the rolling stirrups.
We believe that it’s critical to a disc dog’s rehabilitation that the dog be supported in a healthy normal stance, so that IF they regain feeling in their feet, their feet will actually touch the ground. A long flat back also means that the spine can relax, inflammation and stress at the discs is lessened; and we can sleep at night knowing that the dog wheelchair is NOT aggravating a tender spine. For toy dogs and short legged breeds like dachshunds, corgis, and basset hounds, Eddie’s Wheels provides rolling stirrups. These can be adjusted to a position that holds the leg at the hock and keeps the paws from dragging on the floor. The roller encourages any reflexive motions a disc dog may have – the toes will usually press against the rear crossbar, providing the paws with feedback. We’ve seen dogs who have no movement in their legs at all when their feet are down, begin to move their legs when they are bent up over the stirrups. Many of these dog eventually become “spinal walkers” – taking their feet off the stirrups on their own volition as they regain feeling and control over their legs.
The next category of paralysis is usually dogs with degenerative myelopathy – the canine version of ALS that starts by numbing the dog’s toes so that dogs walk on their knuckles. Because these dogs cannot feel their feet, and the cart takes a little bit of weight-bearing off their feet, these dogs will tend to “knuckle over” even more when they are put in a dog wheelchair. However, at this early to middle stage of this disease, they still have feeling, sensation and movement in their legs from the hips down. This make stirruping the feet problematic. Many dogs resist having their feet taken off the ground. They will back up in the cart, refuse to walk forward, or flail their legs in the stirrups. We recommend that caregivers allow these dogs to use their legs as long as long possible. If they are walking on abrasive surfaces, use booties to protect their pet’s toes. Dogs should not feel hobbled by their carts.
Navaho, a paralyzed husky raced in his Eddie's Wheels and used booties to protect his feet.
Navaho, pictured here, had spinal stroke (FCE) that partially paralyzed his rear legs at the age of 7. Being able to use his legs to help propel himself made life in his wheels fun for him.
There is no one bootie we recommend as there are so many different levels of neurologic impairment, and the individual dog’s anatomy will be a deciding factor in what bootie works best for a particular dog. We like Tammy and Teddys and Watson’s All terrain booties (worn upside down so that the tread is on top of the foot). We find that most of the dogs with degenerative myelopathy that we put in carts here want to continue to use their legs for as long as they have motion from the hip. We advise our clients to allow their dogs to use their carts as walkers for as long as possible to build and preserve muscle mass. When the disease has progressed to a point where the dog no longer knows where its legs are, it’s time to use the stirrups.
Here’s Boomer, a GSD with DM, walking in his cart wearing booties.
Here’s Savanna, a Ridgeback with DM whose lost all movement in her rear legs.
The important thing to remember is to honor whatever abilities your disabled pet still has, and let them use whatever power they have for as long as they have it.
Hi Leslie, my recommendation for booties when DM dogs are in the knuckling phase is Pawz “balloon boots” reinforced with duct tape and/or Shoe Goo. I know it’s a bit of a pain but the only thing some of us (especially boxer owners) have found that our DM dogs will tolerate.
Now that Clancy’s feet are stirruped, I’ve used booties on the front feet for general protection since if anything happens to one of them he’s really screwed! For this purpose I love Ruff Wear Grip Trex booties…mesh upper and vibram sole. Clancy took to them right away.
Hi Marybeth I live in South Africa so will try to get the Pawz rubber boots for my Toby as he knuckles (daschund) since an IVDD and bleeds on the top of his little paw if do not bind his foot as I have tried every home made boot imaginable. You said your dog has now been stirruped what is that and would it help Toby’s knuckling? Regards Pam
Leslie, I’m totally convinced of the truth in your final sentence. Once Cassie figured out what the cart was for (ie, going for a ‘run’), the movement in her rear legs noticeably improved. She swings them through and sets them down on the pads most of the time (albeit in a completely different rhythm than the front legs!). Although she does’t get much push from them, I think she does get some. Moreover, I really think she perceives that she is getting more power from them than she is. I foolishly tried attaching the stirrups last week, and she was thoroughly insulted – silly me!
Hi my yorkshire terrier keeps knuckling his front paws. Any suggestions?
Knuckling in the front legs is a sign of neurological deficits – see your vet and get an evaluation from a professional. I would recommend getting an X-ray of the cervical spine. We once built a front wheel cart for a dog named Babybear – a yorkie with cervical subluxation, and he completely rehabilitated with surgery, acupuncture and using the wheels.
My dog has a severed spine and has been in a cart for three years. Recently he has been experiencing a lot more nerve movement in hind legs which results in his twitching and them falling off his stirrups on walks. His feet then drag on the pavement. Would the booties be something to protect his feet on walks? Can I order them from your websit or should I go through Canine Wellness for Cdn orders?