calif_chaz Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 Our boy Sam is turning 11 now and is having difficulty getting down the 4 steps to the back yard. He has never been great at this and now that his hind quarters are weak it is getting to be a tough thing and he has now started to fall on the hind quarters as he gets to the bottom. I am worried he is going to get hurt and need to buy something to assist him in the descent. Anyone have experience or can recommend a sling type product? I would like to assist him down and then let him on his own until he needs to come up so I don't want a regular rear harness that would stay hooked on while he is out. Any suggestions much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OwnedBySummer Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 Sorry to hear that your baby is needing assistance. But I'm not sure what you're looking for. Not sure what a hooked-on regular rear harness is???? This is what many people I know use for helping their unsteady puppers. Ruffwear Webmaster harness. Quote Lisa B. My beautiful Summer - to her forever home May 1, 2010 Summer Certified therapy dog team with St. John Ambulance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KF_in_Georgia Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 People will chime in with advice, I think, but consider a do-it-yourself: Take a canvas tote bag with longish handles. Cut down both sides to open it out. Pad it with a towel or bit of blanket on the part that you'll need to put under your dog. You can help support his weight with your hands in the handles. To protect your hands, pad the handles--or just wear a kitchen oven mitt. You can refine this to get the size you want, can stitch the towel or blanket into position so you don't have to fiddle with it. It might seem to be too wide (from front to back on your dog), but I think I'd leave that for a while: your Sam might be more comfortable being supported by something that covers a wider area. Note that you don't need to put this under Sam's back end. You can put it under his chest and down toward his belly, as long as you'll be able to support his weight there when his back legs miss a step. But your Sam could wear a buckled-on harness: you help him on the steps, but he wears the harness while he's outside. If he ever loses his footing away from where you're waiting, you'll have the harness to help get him back on his feet. (My Sam will be 13 in less than a month, and we may need to go this route ourselves. Sam just mis-steps with his back feet, even on level ground.) Quote Kathy and Q (CRT Qadeer from Fuzzy's Cannon and CRT Bonnie) and Jane (WW's Aunt Jane from Trent Lee and Aunt M); photos to come. Missing Silver (5.19.2005-10.27.2016), Tigger (4.5.2007-3.18.2016), darling Sam (5.10.2000-8.8.2013), Jacey-Kasey (5.19.2003-8.22.2011), and Oreo (1997-3.30.2006) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hikinghounds Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 I've have and have used the Help Em Up Harness http://helpemup.com/ It's nice because it supports and has handles on the chest and hip/back legs. I was able to get my 85 lbs. boy, who couldn't step up at all at the time, up and down 8 stairs by myself with this. I know people have had success with putting a ramp over the stairs too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burpdog Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 Is he getting supplements? Fresh Factors, a chiropractor/acupuncture vet and a ramp will do wonders Quote Diane & The Senior Gang Burpdog Biscuits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houndtime Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 Hi Joy: Paul, 11-1/2 still jumps the stairs, but many times is short. He would bang the back of his legs and bruise or cut them at times. We wrap him every time he goes out the back, or in bad weather when the steps are wet, I walk him around the front to the gate. We call the wraps his shin guards. If you think this would help your Sam, I could make you a pair, too. It is a black foam used to protect casts (I think). I bought it from a company that makes medical supplies. Quote Irene Ullmann w/Flying Odin and Mama Mia in Lower Delaware Angels Brandy, John E, American Idol, Paul, Fuzzy and Shine Handcrafted Greyhound and Custom Clocks http://www.houndtime.com Zoom Doggies-Racing Coats for Racing Greyhounds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedHead Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 If you can, a ramp might be an easier option Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaryJane Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 Get a pile of dirt and use it to create a ramp or buy a 10 or 12 foot ramp on-line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlies_Dad Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 I agree a ramp of some kind will do wonders. Also second the supplements if he is not getting any. Our senior Shelby is almost 14 and very weak in the backend. There is no way she could do stairs and we have a 'Charlie berm' (8'w x 12 l) that our pups use and she has trouble with that in winter. She's okay on it now the snow is gone but still can slip at times. Yeah we did this especially for our Greys, and Charlie in particular due to being a tripod. Quote Kyle with Stewie ('Super C Ledoux, Super C Sampson x Sing It Blondie) and forever missing my three angels, Jack ('Roy Jack', Greys Flambeau x Miss Cobblepot) and Charlie ('CTR Midas Touch', Leo's Midas x Hallo Argentina) and Shelby ('Shari's Hooty', Flying Viper x Shari Carusi) running free across the bridge. Gus an coinnich sinn a'rithist my boys and little girl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remolacha Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 Fletcher's hind end weakness has been helped a great deal by supplements, acupuncture, and Chinese medicine. I have recently had a ramp built into the backyard, but am still working on getting the dogs to use it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greytbookert Posted April 18, 2013 Share Posted April 18, 2013 RAMP...We just built one for our new girlie Aly. She's like a new hound! See Cindy Maxwell on FB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krissn333 Posted April 18, 2013 Share Posted April 18, 2013 I'd recommend the ramp too. Miss Carrie doesn't do stairs after she had a stroke a few years ago but she does fine otherwise. She is on Springtime, Inc's joint health tabs and goes for acupuncture once a month, and chiropractic for her hips every couple of months. She will be 14 in a few weeks and still runs in the yard every day! I got her when she was 11 and she was a mess, could hardly walk. She'd been kept in a small kennel day and night after her stroke, she lost a lot of muscle. She's eaten TOTW Pacific Stream since she's been here, and we walk, and do our "Jane Fonda" (have you seen Steel Magnolias? When Julia Roberts is in the coma and Sally Field is moving her legs and says to the nurse "we're doing our Jane Fonda.")...I do that with Carrie's rear legs while she lays on her side. We concentrate on the right since that's the weaker one, but we do both legs every day Quote Kristin in Moline, IL USA with Ozzie (MRL Crusin Clem), Clarice (Clarice McBones), Latte and Sage the IGs, and the kitties: Violet and Rose Lovingly Remembered: Sutra (Fliowa Sutra) 12/02/97-10/12/10, Pinky (Pick Me) 04/20/03-11/19/12, Fritz (Fritz Fire) 02/05/01 - 05/20/13, Ace (Fantastic Ace) 02/05/01 - 07/05/13, and Carrie (Takin the Crumbs) 05/08/99 - 09/04/13. A cure for cancer can't come soon enough.-- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calif_chaz Posted April 18, 2013 Author Share Posted April 18, 2013 As always, GTers have given me a lot of good advice and I want to thank everyone. I think we will have to go with a rear end harness. Had originally thought of a ramp but the layout of the yard and deck don't allow that to work unfortunately. Sam is such a patient good boy that I know it will work for him. thanks again. Hi Joy: Paul, 11-1/2 still jumps the stairs, but many times is short. He would bang the back of his legs and bruise or cut them at times. We wrap him every time he goes out the back, or in bad weather when the steps are wet, I walk him around the front to the gate. We call the wraps his shin guards. If you think this would help your Sam, I could make you a pair, too. It is a black foam used to protect casts (I think). I bought it from a company that makes medical supplies. Irene, thanks so much for your offer but because of the nature of Sam's problem I think we will have to go with the rear harness. Once he is on flat ground he is fine but doing stairs and especially coming down is hard for him. As I said, not easy getting old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wonder Posted April 18, 2013 Share Posted April 18, 2013 Use a towel until you get the harness. Quote Kari and the pups.Run free sweet Hana 9/21/08-9/12/10. Missing Sparks with every breath.Passion 10/16/02-5/25/17 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LBass Posted April 18, 2013 Share Posted April 18, 2013 I can second the "use a towel until you get a harness" idea. I had the Ruffwear harness for Piper and, while it is very nice and well made, the "handle" was not in the right place to give good hind end support--at least not what my poor boy needed. I love the look of the HelpEmUp harness someone else posted. The double handles with one in the rear would have been perfect for Piper. One other idea--the neurologist Piper saw gave me the handiest sling for Piper. His staff made them by taking a surgical scrub coat, stretching out the sleeves on either side, twisting/rolling the body of the scrub between the sleeves, and then wrapping the whole thing in vet wrap. It looked something like a U with the bottom of the "U" being reasonably wide because it contained the body of the scrub rolled onto itself. The scrub sleeves were easy to get a good grip on (unlike a towel) and Piper could comfortable have this under his tuck as I helped him down the steps. If I took a photo and can find it, I'll post later. This thing was really wonderful! Quote Lucy with Greyhound Nate and OSH Tinker. With loving memories of MoMo (FTH Chyna Moon), Spirit, Miles the slinky kitty (OSH), Piper "The Perfect" (Oneco Chaplin), Winston, Yoda, Hector, and Claire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finnsliz Posted April 19, 2013 Share Posted April 19, 2013 (edited) This is what we do for Wink. We just cut a snood in half length wise and slipped it up over her behind. It is very comfy and stays in place. We can grab it and help her off the couch or help guide her down the stairs to the outside. I don't know if it would work on a male dog, but it is the perfect solution here as she just wears it all the time. She will be 14 in July and thank goodness it is her only issue. Edited April 19, 2013 by Finnsliz Quote <p>Finn, Wink, Birdie, Snap and SmokeyJG Quicknfast 7/25/99-5/16/08, JG Quickwink 7/25/99-9/22/13, Iruska SweetDuv 7/19/03-11/9/16, Delbar 6/11/11 and Catahoula Smokey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreyPoopon Posted April 19, 2013 Share Posted April 19, 2013 When Cora came home after her broken femur was repaired, I bought from the clinic a sling: a wide longish band of tough fabric (plastic coated canvas, probably) with a handle (web, like a web leash or gym bag handle) at each end. Very inexpensive and perfect for rear-end support. As she got stronger, I was able to switch to the Webmaster, but as at least one other poster has said, it's not the greatest for rear-end support and wasn't sufficient for the first few days. Quote Standard Poodle Daisy (12/13) Missing Cora (RL Nevada 5/99-10/09), Piper (Cee Bar Easy 2/99-1/10), Tally (Thunder La La 9/99-3/10), Edie (Daring Reva 9/99-10/12), Dixie (Kiowa Secret Sue 11/01-1/13), Jessie (P's Real Time 11/98-3/13), token boy Graham (Zydeco Dancer 9/00-5/13), Cal (Back Already 12/99-11/13), Betsy (Back Kick Beth 11/98-12/13), Standard Poodles Minnie (1/99-1/14) + Perry (9/98-2/14), Annie (Do Marcia 9/03-10/14), Pink (Miss Pinky Baker 1/02-6/15), Poppy (Cmon Err Not 8/05-1/16), Kat (Jax Candy 5/05-5/17), Ivy (Jax Isis 10/07-7/21), Hildy (Braska Hildy 7/10-12/22), Opal (Jax Opal 7/08-4/23). Toodles (BL Toodles 7/09-4/24) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walliered Posted April 21, 2013 Share Posted April 21, 2013 I ordered a sling for DaVid from www.handicappedpets.com and it is great! I also have a ramp a dear friend and her husband built. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robinw Posted April 21, 2013 Share Posted April 21, 2013 I've have and have used the Help Em Up Harness http://helpemup.com/ It's nice because it supports and has handles on the chest and hip/back legs. I was able to get my 85 lbs. boy, who couldn't step up at all at the time, up and down 8 stairs by myself with this. I know people have had success with putting a ramp over the stairs too. Did you get a size large? Quote Xavi the galgo and Peter the cat. Missing Iker the galgo ?-Feb.9/19, Treasure (USS Treasure) April 12/01-May 6/13, Phoenix (Hallo Top Son) Dec.14/99-June 4/11 and Loca (Reko Swahili) Oct.9/95 - June 1/09, Allen the boss cat, died late November, 2021, age 19. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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