Open Sores from Wheelchair Irritation Advice Needed

[d.oconnell2]

My 14 year old cocker spaniel, Chestnut, suddenly lost use of his rear legs a couple of months ago. The vet wanted to do an MRI to determine the cause, but as I couldn't afford the surgery anyway I opted to just get him a wheelchair. Eddie's Wheels came highly recommended from the vet and I got one with the rolling stirrups since when I was taking him out with a towel under his pelvis he didn't move his back limbs at all. When we got the wheelchair, he took to it right away and just loves it. Now, however, he seems to have regained some movement and can even stand up, but can't walk. The problem is, he is moving his legs slightly in an up/down motion and that movement is causing his skin to get very irritated against the stirrups and even bleed at one point. The recommendation from Eddie's Wheels is to get some booties and allow his feet to drag. That would be fine, except he doesn't seem to like that at all and his movements were much smoother with the stirrups. Does anybody know of any leg wraps that we could try that will sufficiently protect his legs and that won't get pushed off? (I am using ace bandages at the moment and those just fall off after awhile.) Or is it better to just go with the booties?

[CarolC]

I don't know, I used a lot of vet wrap with Katie. It is like an ace bandage but thinner, comes in lots of colors, and sticks to itself. It should stay on if you wrap it lightly around the feet and a tiny bit tighter on the ankles. You can get it from PetsMart or your vet. I was usually able to use each piece once and reuse it once.

But if he is trying to walk in the cart, I think it would be better to try to fix the cart so he can use it with his feet down. Maybe you need to raise the saddle height a little so his feet don't drag so much, so it will be smoother?

[d.oconnell2]

Thanks Carol,

I will try both things. Good idea!

-Debra

[foxytango]

I have used Neopaws (http://www.neopaws.com) for my dog who has mobility issues and knuckles. These are great boots that will not fall off. I use the summer shoe which is made with a breathable fabric. You might consider the summer energy model which has additional reinforcement on the top of the boot so that your dog doesn't wear out the top part of the boots.

[augie]

re the vet wrap - don't use it directly on the dog, you have to put at the minimum a layer of gauze underneath and preferably a layer of soft cotton first, then the gauze, then the vet wrap. because it's sticky it will be uncomfortable, if not hurt, when you change it. also, here is a tip if you do use the vet wrap - because it's kind of stretchy, unroll a bit of it as you start wrapping on the area so you aren't pulling because the vet wrap will pull back on itself kind of like shrinking and may become too tight where you wrap it. also, if you can put a bit of soft cotton against the area first, then put soft gauze (it's very thin) on top of the cotton and then put the vet wrap on top of that. to help it stay on let the vet wrap contact just a little above and below the area w/o any padding. after you've finished the wrap and before you make the final wrap on the unpadded areas make sure you can put at least two to three fingers inside the wrap to make sure it's not too tight. then you can secure it at the top and/or bottom with surgical tape to help it to stay on. i'm sure your vet will show you how to do the whole thing for free. just make sure you aren't making it too tight in an effort to keep it from coming off and inadvertently cutting off circulation. good luck.

[CarolC]

augie