How to help a senior dog stand/walk?

Question

My doggy is a senior and she has a hard time walking, because her 2 back legs are weakening, so she has trouble standing up, and I cringe everytime I see her trying to walk (think of a worm or snake slithering). I really want to help her, and I was thinking of purchasing a granny stand for dogs, but I'm not sure if that's even invented!
If you have any good ideas or found a website where they sell some "help a senior stand" equipment, please link it to me or tell me some good links.
Thanks!

Answer 1

there are carts that you can buy. the web site is www.k9carts.com. you can also try the vet and see if you can get some rimadyl or deramaxx. in the meantime you can make a sling from a sheet or towel. if she get to the standing position you can just drape it under her belly and use it to help support her while she uses her front legs to walk. if she is laying down you can slide it under her belly and help lift her. then use it to support her while she walks. good luck to you..

Answer 2

I am reminded of a solution as recently saw it used on a animal vets show. Have used this on a post surgery canine patient. We used a cut up length of a soft bed sheet folded over a few times, wide enough to be a supportive band for the lower belly to actually help hold her lower end up as she walks. May have to experiment a bit to get the right width of band and long enough to grip. Not trying to raise her back legs just so not to put all weight on those legs as she walks. Position toward lower belly. Make sure wide enough to provide a good support without chafing her belly area.

Yes, there are meds like Rimadyl but these are human meds, many not approved for use in animals. Recent reports noting a lot of side effects, liver/kidney damage and death associated with all the human drugs being used on dogs and cats--without a lot of testing. vets are making a small fortune off of this. I do find the "osteo/joint" meds that work to rebuild cartilage to do a good job, takes a while but have not heard of as bad side effects, if any. Have seen great improvement with those. Also a calcium supplement for dogs.

Answer 3

My dog has the same problems, it's mainly arthritis related. You can get your dog supplements, human grade glucosomine is ok too, but you need to check with your vet on the dosage. I give my dog Cosequin (join supplement with glucosomine and chondroitin) and Rimadyl (pain killer commonly used for joint pain). Talk to your vet and see what they think.

I also have used a large towel to help my dog get up and walk, put the towel around the belly and use it to help lift your dog up to all 4's. Be patient, and don't force her, remember that she's probably in a lot of pain.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Senior dogs can have many problems, mostly associated with pain. If it hurts to get up, she won't, and her back legs will weaken because she doesn't use them. A vet can prescribe an anti-inflammatory, they work wonders! If you aren't going to go to a vet, no matter what anyone says, A low dose aspirin once/day may help.

Answer 5

Talk to your vet first. They may have some medications to try.

My old guy was on Rimadyl for the last two years of his life. Without it he couldn't walk.

Warning on Rimadyl (if your vet suggests it).....DO YOUR RESEARCH WITH THIS DRUG!!! It worked for my dog as well as many others, but it can and has killed dogs. THAT is a fact.

Answer 6

Why let your dog suffer? If its a senior dog, dont let it face any more pain than what it is now. I say the best thing to do, is put it to sleep.

Answer 7

there are carts for dog who back legs do not work at all. look in the back of Dog World or mag. like that. have you had your vet check her out.

Answer 8

they do make them try asking ur vet if he has any ideas as to where u can get one good luck and bless the little ones heart