Help! Carrying Senior Greyhound In And Out Of House

[Sorcha]

Several months ago, Tuna could no longer go up and down the stairs to the finished basement (which used to be her favorite area of the house) and she had some troubles on the steps going in and out of the house. By the way, she has DM. As the months have marched on, the weakness in her hind legs has progressed to a point now where she is very wobbly and can no longer manage the steps in and out of the house. She has had numerous accidents (falls) leading to bad cuts and scrapes on her paws and legs (sometimes tail, too), and one particularly bad fall under the petsitter's watch led to a visit to the vet for stitches. Tuna is a proud greyhound and does not accept assistance. She will not be supported and has to do it all on her own. If you try to help her, she bucks and jumps and screams and it only makes things worse. The steps going outside are concrete, there are 3 of them and a turn is involved. The other day it reached an alarming point when Tuna quit even trying to use the steps and now flings herself off the top step, which of course is leading to worse cuts (cleaning wounds and bandaging her up is a regular occurrence) and I am scared she is going to break a foot or leg. I cannot have her continue to do this, so today I put an end to it and am carrying her in and out of the house. Oh, how she hates it. She writhes and wriggles, screaming and grunting the whole time (such a distressing sound that one of my other dogs who is normally passive acts like a predator hunting down an animal in distress at the sound of her cries). Not to mention looks from any neighbors who happen to be outside looking over to me as though I am hurting her on purpose. I am afraid we are both going to go falling down the steps because she does not want to be carried and is doing all she can to get free of my grasp. Also, once I make it down the steps with her putting her down is another matter, because she is so freaked out and flailing around I can't just set her down because she is not stable so it's a battle to get her to calm down enough to get back in control of herself. A ramp is out, she will have nothing to do with that. Supporting her underside to keep her upright is out, she will have none of that either. Also, the petsitter is not going to carry her in and out of the house so I have not been able to go anywhere but I am supposed to go visit family the weekend after next.

 

This is one of the things that is leading to me to think it might be time to let her go. She also has LP and eating has been a battle as well, although mostly because she cannot stand up long enough to eat and won't eat laying down.

 

Help.

Edited November 23, 2009 by Sorcha

[CaliforniaGreys]

You said a ramp is out and she'll have nothing to do with one. What type of ramp have you tried? I'm asking what type because maybe the ramp you tried had too much of an incline for her. Maybe?

[GreyPoopon]

I don't suppose she'd like it, but what about a harness? For Cora, I used the Ruffwear Webmaster. I could either help her, or carry her down like a suitcase. Ruffwear has other models. In another thread, DofSweetPotatos mentioned the Help 'Em Up Harness.

[Guest 4dogscrazy]

Any chance you could cover the entire steps with a ramp so she doesn't have a choice?

[Sorcha]

You said a ramp is out and she'll have nothing to do with one. What type of ramp have you tried? I'm asking what type because maybe the ramp you tried had too much of an incline for her. Maybe?

 

 

I bought this ramp and had to return it due to her refusal:

PetGear Ultralight 71-inch Pet Ramp

 

o Pet stairs allow your dog easy convenient access to minivans, pick-up trucks and other high areas

o Pet ramp's tread is skid resistant in wet or dry weather

o Pet gift features rubber grippers on the bottom to keep it positioned

o Tri-fold design reduces storage space and has a carry handle for easy transportation

 

 

Today I had a handyman come to measure the area and give me a price for a custom ramp (a temporary one), but I don't know if this is the sign that it's time to let her go, and also I lost my job a few weeks ago and the expense of having a ramp built that she is likely going to refuse to use does not seem practical ...

 

I don't suppose she'd like it, but what about a harness? For Cora, I used the Ruffwear Webmaster. I could either help her, or carry her down like a suitcase. Ruffwear has other models. In another thread, DofSweetPotatos mentioned the Help 'Em Up Harness.

 

Thanks for the idea but no, a harness will not help (I have a regular harness and tried to use it to help keep her steady and upright but she refused the assistance). Even supported she does not trust the steps.

 

I should add: She hates to have anything touching her belly, it's a totally freak-out issue with her.

Edited November 23, 2009 by Sorcha

[Rickiesmom]

If you really need to carry her, you can get a weighing harness from England. It's not fancy or lined to be soft, but it does the job and is cheap.

 

It's similar to a firewood carrier in a way - good bottom coverage, and there is a velcro closure across the front to prevent the dog from pitching forward. It has fairly long straps that you can put over your shoulder so you can hold the dog against you.

 

I sent one to a friend whose dog had a stroke and he said it worked to get her around.

 

Contact Dave at the following e-mail address for current price etc.: MostSirius at aol dot com (remove spaces and substitute punctuation)

 

Delivery is quick and reasonable in price.

[Batmom]

I'd put her muzzle on (if she still has teeth) and use a harness. Lots easier for everybody. You can see where you're going and if she screams, well, she was screaming before. The advantage is, you can give her as little or as much help as she needs.

[CaliforniaGreys]

I'm glad you were able to return the ramp, they are not cheap. I have a telescoping one as I've had many seniors who needed it to get into the car.

 

A lot of times the ramps are too narrow and the dogs don't feel confident using them, especially if they're not steady on their feet.

 

Depending on the steps you're dealing with, I wonder if you could use some type of pallet if you're handy with wood vs hiring a handyman to custom make one.

[brandimom]

I have no advice but my heart goes out to you and Tuna. We also need to pick up our Brandi going up and down stairs too. We have all of you in our prayers!

[Sorcha]

I'd put her muzzle on (if she still has teeth) and use a harness. Lots easier for everybody. You can see where you're going and if she screams, well, she was screaming before. The advantage is, you can give her as little or as much help as she needs.

 

She will not walk on the steps, even with a harness on and me holding it in a way to keep her upright.

 

When I carry her in and out of the house she has a harness on which is helpful to try and keep control of her while flailing around.

[Trihounds]

We have the Ruffwear Webmaster also and while it may be less comfortable than wearing nothing around the house, if she got used to it, you could walk beside her down the steps holding the handle. If she'll tolerate it, she won't even know you are helping :-)

 

The other sad element is one that we have all faced and will continue to. It is so hard to let them go but helping them to the bridge is, as many have said before, the greatest gift you could ever give - you are shouldering their pain for them long after they are gone.

 

We lost a dog to DM - had him for 11.5 years. The last months were difficult for him with changing blood values, curves, and insulin levels. It was then we knew he couldn't have been having a great time in life if we couldn't control his blood sugar. He had DM for 1.5 years up to that point.

 

I feel sorry for you and Tuna. If you try and think of things from her perspective, that may help. If you think her conditions are well managed, then a little secret helping with a Webmaster might do the trick.

 

Good luck, I hope things improve for you guys.

 

ETA - sorry, there were 6 posts in the 4 minutes it took me to write this...I see she doesn't like the harness... :-(

Edited November 23, 2009 by BrucieDad

[Batmom]

The thing is, with the types of harness mentioned, she doesn't HAVE to walk. You can pick her up like a suitcase.

 

If you or a neighbor is at all handy and your steps are reasonably few, a full sheet of 3/4" plywood, a couple chunks of 6x6 (for supports), and some bolts should build you a ramp for < $30 in materials and < 3 hours.

[Sorcha]

I'm glad you were able to return the ramp, they are not cheap. I have a telescoping one as I've had many seniors who needed it to get into the car.

 

A lot of times the ramps are too narrow and the dogs don't feel confident using them, especially if they're not steady on their feet.

 

Depending on the steps you're dealing with, I wonder if you could use some type of pallet if you're handy with wood vs hiring a handyman to custom make one.

 

Regarding the ramp being narrow, yes that is what I was thinking. That's why I had a handyman come out to give me a price for a ramp that would cover the entire stairs. I should hear back from him tomorrow. My fear is that I will spend the money on having it made, and she will refuse to use it and it's not like I would be able to return it.

 

I thought about a sheet of plywood, but I don't have a vehicle that could haul a piece of plywood home (and no one to help me) and I don't know what could be applied to it to make it non-slip. So, we'll see what the handyman proposes.

 

[ElizabethGPAPS]

It seems like you're looking for permission to let her go. That is your decision alone, and coming here with a cry for help and then rejecting all the advice isn't fair to everyone who's just trying to help. Obviously you're thinking along the lines of it being "time", and no one is going to criticize you if that's what happens. But YOU have to decide and you have to live with that decision, just like everyone else that's been there with an old dog who's losing function and falling apart day by day. It's a terrible place to be and you have my sympathy.

[Batmom]

Non-slip is easy. They make paint for that, or you can just buy some outdoor paint and mix sand in.

 

You can also rent a truck for an hour at most Home Depot / Lowe's type stores.

[Sorcha]

If you really need to carry her, you can get a weighing harness from England. It's not fancy or lined to be soft, but it does the job and is cheap.

 

It's similar to a firewood carrier in a way - good bottom coverage, and there is a velcro closure across the front to prevent the dog from pitching forward. It has fairly long straps that you can put over your shoulder so you can hold the dog against you.

 

I sent one to a friend whose dog had a stroke and he said it worked to get her around.

 

Contact Dave at the following e-mail address for current price etc.: MostSirius at aol dot com (remove spaces and substitute punctuation)

 

Delivery is quick and reasonable in price.

 

I appreciate the suggestion, however something that would go under her belly I am afraid might not work. However, I will send an email to get an idea of the cost. Do you have a picture of one?

[Guest MorganKonaAlex]

When my tripod Morgan started launching himself off the top of our 3 step concrete stoop I had to take action. I built a simple ramp off another door. I would let Morgan out the door with the ramp only. A ramp is not hard to build.

[Sorcha]

I have no advice but my heart goes out to you and Tuna. We also need to pick up our Brandi going up and down stairs too. We have all of you in our prayers!

 

Thank you. When you are carrying Brandi, what method do you use; one arm under the belly and one around the front or one arm around the front and one around the back?

 

[Sorcha]

The thing is, with the types of harness mentioned, she doesn't HAVE to walk. You can pick her up like a suitcase.

 

If you or a neighbor is at all handy and your steps are reasonably few, a full sheet of 3/4" plywood, a couple chunks of 6x6 (for supports), and some bolts should build you a ramp for < $30 in materials and < 3 hours.

 

Wouldn't there be pressure on her neck? She will not tolerate that, her throat is a sensitive area, maybe because of the LP I do not know. Also, I do not think I would be able to pick up her weight suitcase-style, I injured both of my hands a few years ago and they have poor grip.

 

As for the neighbors, they are not neighborly and I would not ask them to help. I wish I could make the ramp myself, but it's not possible so thus the handyman idea.

[CaliforniaGreys]

I don't know what type of climate you live in but another idea for non slip would be to staple outdoor carpet to it.

I made one once for outdoor steps and used actual house carpet which helped my boy feel more comfortable but I didn't have to worry about rain or snow.

 

And if you get a price that you can afford from a handyman, don't assume that he'll know to make sure that the ramp not move at all or that will just spook her

[Sorcha]

It seems like you're looking for permission to let her go. That is your decision alone, and coming here with a cry for help and then rejecting all the advice isn't fair to everyone who's just trying to help. Obviously you're thinking along the lines of it being "time", and no one is going to criticize you if that's what happens. But YOU have to decide and you have to live with that decision, just like everyone else that's been there with an old dog who's losing function and falling apart day by day. It's a terrible place to be and you have my sympathy.

 

No, I am not "looking for permission to let her go". I only wonder if this is the sign that she is ready to go, but I don't know. I am not rejecting advice, I am explaining what I know does and does not work for her. I want to help her, and what I have tried has not worked so I am searching for other ideas.

 

Okay then, I am done with this. If anyone wishes to provide any suggestions for what has worked for them please feel free to send me a message. To those that have offered their suggestions here, please know I truly appreciate the input and am frustrated because I cannot find "the" solution.

[Batmom]

Harness doesn't put pressure on the neck.

[CaliforniaGreys]

Listen, I've been in your shoes, maybe not financially but being by myself with no help in sight. I live like that now, so I understand. Don't let one post blow you off.

 

People are here to help, take what you can use and it doesn't mean you don't appreciate what you can't use!

[Tracey]

Maybe this sounds weird, but...

 

I know some people do this with small dogs, but in Tuna's case maybe this would be appropriate. Can you set up an area inside where she can go? I've seen things with patches of astroturf, sandboxes, things like that. Of course, you'd have to be willing to clean it regularly, but I'm just thinking since it's such a struggle to get her outside, why not bring the outside in, so to speak?

 

Good luck. My thoughts are with you both.

[Guest bigorangedog]

We used a thick piece of plywood with outdoor carpet stapled to it to cover our stairs from kitchen to kennel (which leads to outside) for our Tanner who had bone cancer in his hip (we thought it was degenerative myelopathy or lumbosacral stenosis for months before correct diagnosis). My husband nailed some strips of wood under it to make it sort of "hook" over the top step so it would not slip. This worked for my guys who would have NOTHING to do with the telescoping car ramp we bought. We've been using it ever since, most recently for our new tripod Whitey.

 

Or, maybe you could do something like this: Foam Steps but make it into a ramp instead of steps (or make it into longer, shallower steps that would be easier to do).