Hi there. Sorry about your dog.
I don't have actual experience with one of these, but I researched doggie wheelchairs recently because my dog has issues which may eventually lead to rear leg paralysis. I will attach I link I found at the bottom, but there are a bunch of different wheelchairs to choose from. This website gives a lot of info about each wheelchair, so I don't think you should have a problem choosing. Once you go to the product page, you'll want to click on "rear support chairs", or maybe you can just start out with a support sling and see if that works well enough before spending the money on a wheelchair.

Good luck with everything.

Here is a link that might be useful: Doggon' Wheels

I don't personally have any experience with them, but while walking my dog near my last house, I used to see a man walking his dog to the coffee shop 'round the corner to get a coffee and newspaper. The dog was a lab, I think, and had one of those rear support chairs for her/his hind legs. This was in Anchorage, AK, and I'd see them both in the summer AND winter (well, after the sidewalks had been plowed.... can't say I saw them in deep snow, but then, I wasn't out in the deep snow either. ^_^ ).

The dog still had its hind legs, so it must have been paralysis. The dog obviously was enjoying its walk with "Dad", and did fine on the incline slope of the roads & parking lot to get to the coffee shop. Seemed to do fine going on the downhill slope too.

If you look on youtube.com and search for dog wheelchair, there are a couple hundred videos of dogs in wheelchairs. While some videos are posted by businesses that make the wheelchairs, it seems most are by the dog parents. Some people say they built their own wheelchair. The link below goes to handicappedpets.com, where they have links to instructions on how to make your own. (I haven't looked at the instructions myself.) I'm not a DIY person, but if you are, it might be worth looking into.

Here is a link that might be useful: Handicappedpets.com

A friend of mine has a corgi that uses a cart. She does well with it and has enjoyed having her mobility back. I'll see if I can find some links for you. You might want to check on Yahoo groups or just search with Google for specific support groups. It can be very helpful to speak with those who have been there.

Scooter is one lucky dog to have you. :)

This is a timely post for me. My Maggie will be 14 in April, and her back legs have been getting weak over the past 6 - 8 months. I can envision her needing a cart in the future.

You've got some good leads, (gotta love this board!), and I'll be interested to know how it goes for your little boy.

Thanks everyone for your help. I did go to youtube and found a clip of a black pomeranian using a wheelchair, looks just like Scooter! I'll check out the various websites, and hope to place an order maybe yet today. I just hope that Scooter will adapt to the chair the way other dogs seem to have. Again, thanks much for your help and support.
Chris

Thanks everyone for your help. I did go to youtube and found a clip of a black pomeranian using a wheelchair, looks just like Scooter! I'll check out the various websites, and hope to place an order maybe yet today. I just hope that Scooter will adapt to the chair the way other dogs seem to have. Again, thanks much for your help and support.
Chris

Visit dodgerslist.com. They have a wealth of knowledge on the subject. There's also a forum, which I am not allowed to link to. But you'll find it from their website.
Becky

Hi, I've had two dogs in wheelchairs. One boxer and one american staff. I used a doggon chair for both of them. They are awesome...I recently sold an extra chair I had and the reponse was overwhelming...I felt so bad I had to turn so many people away that I offered to build them a chair. They have been going like hotcakes ever since. If anyone is in need of a chair, big or small , write me at Tshelbie3@aol.com and I'll send you photos of my chairs. They are inexpensive and work great. I'll work with anyone that needs one. rescue groups welcome Anything for the dogs.....tracie

Tracie, that's great to hear. I have a close friend that has a 9-year-old boxer who is starting to get weaker and weaker in his back legs. The vet says it might be a brain tumor or degenerative myelopathy - either way, nothing medically can be done. He can barely walk - he constantly falls and trips all over the place.

I am having a LOT of trouble convincing her to get a wheelchair, because she thinks he will lose quality of life. The vet she goes to (who is a "boxer specialist") tells her that when he loses all function in his rear legs, which is inevitable, that she needs to euthanize him. I completely disagree. He might be older, but he could have a year or more of life ahead of him. I think she should at least try a wheelchair, and then see if he's happy or not. Why give up without even trying? And it's not a money issue, by the way. Anything I can say to convince her?

Thanks.

I just wanted to thank everyone for their help and suggestions. I ordered a wheelchair from Doggon Carts on Monday. Unfortunately, Scooter's nerve damage started to worsen and started to affect his bladder, as a result he could no longer pass his urine. Yesterday we took him to the Vet, and he had to use a catheter to empty his bladder. It was amazing how much better Scooter felt once that pressure was relieved. The vet instructed us on how to manually express his bladder. So we headed home and by last evening I tried the manual approach. It didn't work. Today we took him back to the Vet who also couldn't manually express his bladder. We had no choice but to put Scooter down. I haven't stopped crying, but I know that eventually it will get better. I just miss my little buddy so much right now. He was such a great little dog.
Chris

I'm so sorry Chris.

I am sorry for your loss.

Chris,
I'm so sorry. He had a great life with you, and you did all you could for him.

I am so sorry for your loss. You did everything in your power to make him happy, healthy & comfortable. It is so hard when their time with us is up. Bet he doesn't need a wheelchair now & is running & playing pain free. Sending hugs, Terri

Thanks everyone for your really kind words. Scooter has been gone for a couple of weeks and I still miss him a great deal, but I do like to think of him as being able to run and play pain free in his new home. I do believe that we will be reunited with our pets someday, not that I'm in a hurry to join him, but I take comfort in the possibility that some day it will happen. Again thanks everyone, it helps knowing that there are such great caring people on this site. Your the best!