When Do You Need a Full Support Dog Wheelchair?

Watching your pet grow old can trigger a mixed feeling. The first feeling could be the exciting memories from when it was a puppy down to its old age. The other can be the sad sight of watching it become weak and almost immobile. Even more, young dogs could be victims of accidents or other misfortunes that can cause mobility issues and quality of life. 

Well, there are dog wheelchairs for almost every mobility problem with dogs. Albeit, the dog's attitude goes a long way of determining whether it will be a success or not. 

Precisely, there are health conditions your dog may face that will require the use of a full-support wheelchair. Aging factors mostly cause some of these illnesses. Below is a list of these illnesses

• Arthritis: If your pet has arthritis, it is imperative to control it with proper medication from your vet and a wheelchair. That, to reduce the pressure placed on its hind limbs in carrying the overall dog weight.
• Thoracolumbar Disc Degenerative Disease: This illness is known as one of the most common maladies that put dogs in wheelchairs. Hence, if your canine's diagnosis result states it has this sickness, you will need to get it a full-support wheelchair.
• Knee Problems: ACL or knee problems will require dogs to use a wheelchair. Precisely, these problems are prone to dogs with weight issues. Albeit, surgery might be necessary before using a full-support wheelchair to get the dog fit again. What the wheelchair does explicitly is to take the pressure off the treated limb. Even more, it helps balance the weight distribution. Thus, preventing other legs from breakdown.

How to Make a Full Support Wheelchair at Home (DIY)

The kind of wheelchair your dog will need is a factor of mobility and size. In the market today, many companies produce highly functional and durable wheelchairs for dogs. Albeit, they can be expensive or beyond your reach (in terms of location). Yet, if you find yourself in any of the situations above, you can easily make one yourself. Below is a simple dog wheelchair you could easily contrast in your home with a PVC.

·         PVC full-support DIY wheelchair 

As the name suggests, you design this wheelchair with a PVC pipe. Even more, it is suitable for handicapped dogs requiring full-body support.

Anyway, smoothly running any DIY program will require you to be creative and experimental. However, in making this dog wheelchair, many things must be put in mind. 

First, the wheels are an essential part of the cart. Thus, selecting the most suitable should be an utmost priority. Precisely, the type of tires you should choose is a factor of your terrain and the distance the dog will walk. However, for this DIY wheelchair, you will have to use an all-weather PVC threaded caster.

Also, the height of the wheelchair is an essential factor. Precisely, you should not allow the paws to drag on the floor while pets move. However, if your pet can use paws, it is easy to adjust the height to fit it. '

Even more, the padding should need proper consideration. You must find the right fabric that will support your dog's fur. Tools you need: Scissors, saw, tape, pen, and needle

Materials you need; Thread, PVC pipe, 4 PVC elbows, ½ yard of fabric, PVC glue, and 4 PVC caster wheels. 

Dog Wheelchair Care and Maintenance

• Keep wheelchair clean by wiping (with cotton rag) surfaces with warm, soapy water. Then, rinse and dry.
• Always check bolts, screws, and straps. Make sure you tighten them if loose.
• Frequently wash the straps, sling, and harness with cold, soapy water. Then, rinse, hang, and allow to dry. 
• Wipe down tires frequently to prevent them from tracking dirt.