My dog hurt his leg and I need to get him downstairs but he is too heavy to carry. Help!?

Question

My dog weighs 80 pounds and is holding up his left front paw. There is a swelling and it's tender. I need to get him downstairs; however, I can't carry him and I don't think he will let us carry him down in a blanket. How do I get him downstairs?

Answer 1

Use the blanket as a sling. Put it under his belly and lift from the middle while his legs are down. You've seen the slings like cattle and hroses being carried by helicopter. Often the blanket has too much give if the legs are on there also and the movement will hurt more.

Answer 2

Don't think there is any other way than carrying him in a blanket. If he's in a lot of pain, it's always a good idea of muzzle him first because dogs in pain will bite. You can use something like the leg off a pair of panty hose just while you're taking him downstairs.

Answer 3

If you have a plastic sled you can use it as a stretcher, you will still probably need the help of another person to get him down safely. If no one else is home, ask a neighbor, you need to get him to the vet sooner rather than later.

If he will walk and just doesn't want to bear weight on the paw, walk him down the stairs very slowly. If he has a harness, put that on and use the leash to lift up slightly and try to relieve some of the weight he has to bear. If he can do it, walking slowly is probably safest.

Answer 4

If he's only hurt the one paw, he will likely still walk down the stairs.

Try tempting him with his favorite treat and see if he'll follow you downstairs.

Dogs can actually tolerate a LOT of pain, so though he may walk, remember that he still needs to see a vet!

If he refuses to follow you, you have 3 options:

1. Try the blanket. He may struggle and you'll have to very careful about bashing him into the stairs.

2. Hold him in your lap and scoot down the stairs on your bum. He may be more docile this way, but you'll have to be careful about biting in response to his pain.

3. Call you vet and see if they will give you a sedative for him so you can sedate him and then use the blanket to carry him down.

Good luck!

Answer 5

If you can get some help, do that. You can also try holding the dog on your lap, while you sit down and move down the stairs, one step at a time. If you do use the blanket, be very careful. Your dog will probably trash around and make it harder for you to carry them down.

Answer 6

three choices - make a stretcher from a blanket or very large towel, place the towel/blanket under the animal to carry down.
- or place two towels one under the chest and the other under the back legs and pull up at the sides and hold onto them, this will take the pressure off the leg and he may prefer this to being on a stretcher. we use this method of carrying for large dogs at work.
or allow him to walk down he may be able to walk done on three legs.
be careful not to drop or allow him to apply pressure, better to presume the leg is broken so you support and protect the leg.

qualified veterinary nurse UK

Answer 7

Him Downstairs

Answer 8

you can either buy or make a harness, put it on the dog and pull up, that way you are taking some of the weight off of the dogs paw, but he can still walk down himsilf. just take it nice and slow.

Answer 9

If you take a sheet or a bathtowel and sling it under his chest and use it to hold him up, you should be able to help take most of the weight of his front end and help him get down the stairs.

Answer 10

put him on the blanket and if there is an extra person have them sit on it with the dog and GENTLY slide them down the stairs