A pushchair or trolly for our arthritic lab, aged 10?

[nellyitsme]

Hi it's me again looking for help. Our lab is 10 and a half and he's struggling with his back legs. He has neuropathy in one leg and got arthritis in both back legs He's on joint meds and painkillers too.
His leg with neuropathy in can give way easily and he can't always get up off smooth floors without a struggle or us helping him. We try to keep the walks short 15 -30 mins and keep him off pavements as far we can as his paw knuckles and it can rub on the hard surface. Ive noticed that he pants when he's walking sometimes which I think it means he's in pain, and I'm thinking about getting him a pushchair or a trolly type thing like a plastic box on wheels, and I'm wondering if anyone has any recommendations.

He's a happy boy who everyone loves, and he has quite a character.
He seems happier in his comfort zone - on his bed with us nearby. We are trying to do what we can to help him live out his days happy and comfortable.

Trolley - spelling!!

Sorry no recommendations but just have to say I've had a glass (or 4) of wine and honestly thought that said lamb 🐑😂

Not a clue about your actual question, but it sounds like a great idea, particularly if it allows you to carry him to the park and then let him potter around the best bit (the park) at his own pace for a sniff.

Could you put down some cheap rugs on the hard surfaces to help him stand up?

My sil has a very elderly spaniel who loves to be out, but can only walk very short distances. They have one of these and it makes such a difference as they can cycle with him, or walk as much as they like and he gets to smell everything (hes almost blind and deaf) and get out as he wants. Their lab fits in it, and they intend to use it for him too quite soon as his elbows are bad

You’d need to specially make/adapt a trolley - nothing commercial exists for this as far as o’m Aware

Something like this:
www.express.co.uk/news/nature/847825/Golden-retriever-dog-wishaw-Lanarkshire-cart-walks-pet

They sell pet strollers but don't think they will fit a lab but a children's trolley (the kind people have at festivals) would work maybe. Radio flyer is a brand in the us, not sure in the U.K.

We use a doggyhut trailer for our lab.

It can also go on the back of bikes if you have a speed loving dog!

DO make sure you condition the dog to it before you start.

We pushed ours all around the south west cost path in his. We now use it to get to remote places so that he can then get out for a sniff in a new area he loves it.

The Doggyride can take a dog just under 50kg. It’s flipping expensive though.
Toe slings? Might help with the knuckling over?

Our physio was very cautious about the use of toe slings and supports to prevent knuckling. They suggested they could be ok to be used under supervision for specific rehabilitation exercises but not to be used for general walking. I think they put too much pressure on other parts of the leg that will not be strong enough due to the knuckling and arthritis.

I don’t use them. I know someone who has but in conjunction with hydro and other treatments. And very sparingly.

@mamamilkmachine thanks 🍷
Here he is doing what he loves to do: soaking up the sun
Thanks for your suggestions. I think we need to try a garden trolley or borrow one to see how he takes to it as we had the type that attaches to a bike and he didn't like it - he howled and tried to climb out, anyone would have thought he was being murdered.
I might look in garden centres and diy stores

I've been looking at pushchairs/trolleys for dogs on Amazon. I always look at the "bad" reviews to help me make up my mind. Surprisingly, that has ruled out rather a lot of them for me (seems as though, for medium/large dogs, you really need robust wheels, i.e. not plastic, so look carefully). I have a medium-sized dog which equates with a more expensive size of dog trolley. I imagine one for a lab would be v pricey and heavy.

I have recently bought a festival trolley and it has crossed my mind that I could put my golden retriever in it when she is older! Would have to be able to lift her in and out though. Which I can do....only just.

As a wheelchair user who probably doesn't weigh that much more than your lab(!), I'd say think about tyres.

With solid tyres he'll feel every tiny bump, so it's possible he would be in pain in the trolley.

Pneumatic tyres are a much softer ride – but might limit your choice of garden trolleys.

Of course a cushion in the trolley might do the trick too.

He's gorgeous!

I looked for one for my elderly lab but they cost hundreds for larger dogs. 🙁

This is what I had for my GSD after he had hip replacements. I know it's pricey but was worth every penny. Proper piece of kit, would recommend.

www.cotonluv.com/en/stroller/petstro-skyline/256/petstro-stroller-skyline-701gx-cl-purple-black?c=3

Has he seen an animal Osteopath too? Our ddog who had hip dysplasia and then arthritis benefited greatly from these sessions in the last few years of his life and he lived until he was 15 and a half.