We live in an old victorian in SF and there is a steep staircase both front and back. We have a tennant in our lower flat. 12 year old German Shepard feeling her age and I suspect arthritus. We've thought of slings and carrying her on our backs, but we're getting up there too. Some kind of pully? Wheel chair folks might have some ideas. . .
2007-01-24 22:00:38 · 13 answers · asked by bluntgurl 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
probably is arthritis at that age. there are some great meds out there now for dogs with this problem - get it from your vet - ask for Deramaxx. it's a once a day, liver flavored chewable tablet. put my 9 yr. old Dane on it (she was having problems just getting up and down from a laying position - creeking as she did) within just a few days she was like a spring chicken again going thru her 2nd childhood! i was totally amazed how fantastic it worked. we called them her "anti-creeky" pills that of course she only got (everyone was is young). she got very excited everyday when she got it! it definitely changed the last year of her life (Danes dont live as long as Shepards). she was really happy on them. there's also Remidyl but that's usually for a shorter term use but we have a client with watch-dog Rotts that uses them for the same purpose. check with you vet on both. they're both meat flavored chewables and great for the problem you're having. i work for a vet and never knew these meds existed before that!
2007-01-24 22:38:17 · answer #1 · answered by Kathy H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I presume that, since you live in a Victorian home, there is no way to install a ramp.
I would first check with the vet and see if arthritis medication will help. I had an 11 year old Great Dane who was able to manage stairs with her daily medication. Without it, she could hardly move. Towards the end, we used to put a large towel under her chest, with each of us holding an end, and walking on either side of her. That way we could support her weight to get her up and down stairs.
But I would check into medication first.
2007-01-25 09:11:02 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yep sounds like arthritis though it may be dysplasia. Have your Vet check the hips. Often it's a matter of pain medication for the dog. Clearly it hurts the old pup to walk up the stairs.So you may be able to treat the dog not the house. Also if the dog is overweight this can really exacerbate the problem. There is always the option of carrying the dog...I would for an old friend.
2007-01-25 06:12:59 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Could you make something like a cart or train and pull her up by rope try seen if you can harness her in like rock climbers
there is a chair lift for people who can't walk stair so see if there one for dogs.
In Qld there is lifetec 1300 885 886
www.lifetec.org.au
they display all kinds of thing for people with a disablity and where you can buy it
Buy a dog harness and attect it to a slegde
If it too steep you might put both you and dog at risk of injury
If she too old and not enjoying life then put her down I know it hard
my old dog winky was put down a few years ago
2007-01-25 06:18:52 · answer #4 · answered by jobees 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
German Shepherds are prone to hip dysplasia you should take the dog to the vet to be diagnosed and if it is dysplasia there are some pretty good meds that may help such as Rimadyl but 12 is pretty old for this breed and you may have to invest in some sort of escalator if you are not ready to have the dog put down.
2007-01-25 11:28:39 · answer #5 · answered by sbj95 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just give her extra time to get up there.The vet can give you some meds.for arthritis,maybe that can help.It's sad that with age everyone and thing gets affected in some way or another.Can you get one of those grocery pull cart and convince her to climb in, it will be a bumpy ride,but worth a try.I just lost a 15 year old, but she was a chihuahua,I know how attached we can get.Hope I helped a little.
2007-01-25 15:54:50 · answer #6 · answered by Maw-Maw 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Can you make some sort of a ramp for your German Shepard
2007-01-25 06:07:08 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
On one side of the staircase build her a ramp.
2007-01-25 06:49:11 · answer #8 · answered by Stick to Pet Rocks 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wheel chair folks?!!! Are they related to elves or pixies?
2007-01-25 06:03:16 · answer #9 · answered by future_man_uk 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This site may have something to help you.
http://www.handicappedpets.com/
If you haven't already, have her examined by your vet to see if there are any pain meds or supplements that will help her.
2007-01-25 09:30:29 · answer #10 · answered by GSDoxie3 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋