trachea damaged dog

[doonie53]

I have a rescue dog that came with trachea damage. It has been a tremendous challenge to find a harness that "works" for him. He cannot use a collar as it cuts off his airway. Every harness, loopie, etc., has pressed on his trachea and he cannot breathe. As well, he is a master escape artist with every harness we've tried with him other than a vest harness. He has an incredible "reverse" that he has mastered. The vest harness though, when he "pulls" which is always, does the same thing.
The other challenge is when we use a haltie or gentle leader, the rubbing on his face creates "postules" which inevitably ends up in us having to discontinue its use.
We are wanting to either find a harness or come up with an adaptation that will not compromise his airway and yet keep him "safe" so he cannot escape.
He is a 70 pound Shepherd/Heeler cross with tenacity!!
Anyone out there with similar challenges?
Diane Kurtz
cyberdi@telus.net

[critters]

Hmm--I don't know. There are several people at VetPet with experience with laryngeal paralysis (LP) who might be able to make suggestions. You can join at http://www.vetpetpartners.org/ .

[GabrielDeafBlindPupFamily]

I was hoping you had joined down below, haven't seen it?
THE gentle leader HARNESS is what you want! The strap goes at shoulder level in the front, under the front legs and a strap on the back.
there is a martingale O ring at sternum level. I cannot sing the praises highly enough. I can walk two deafblind dogs on perfect heels on these harnesses. They had used conventional until now, which they would pull, or get panicky in. The gentle leader HARNESS is the way to go.
The gentle leader head collar, all and every one of my dogs can get out of in a skinny minute, as they too panic in that thing.