Wheelchairs can be incredibly helpful for pets with paralysis or paresis (weakness). At Walking Paws Rehab we can assist you with picking out the best custom wheelchair for your pet.
There are many types of pet wheelchairs for different conditions and delayed function. So many to choose from, we are here to help! Our therapists can help you determine which wheelchair is the most appropriate assistive device for your pet based on your pet’s history, exam, and your goals.
Our team of specialists will measure for the right size and work closely with the manufacturer to design an appropriate fitting wheelchair to match your pet’s needed function. We will also fit your pet to their new wheelchair and make any needed adjustments to ensure proper fit and movement.
Most pets placed in a wheelchair don’t take off running right away. They have to learn all the baby steps to get back to running again. Following a pet wheelchair fitting we will help your dog learn how to control movement in a wheelchair, stand, take steps, turn, back up, walk uphill, walk downhill, and clear narrow openings. Our goal is to ensure a successful outcome and get your pet back to going on walks with the use of a wheelchair.
Wheelchairs can be utilized to help your pet learn to walk again. It can be an assistive device to get your pet in an upright standing position and support them as they learn to take steps again.
Pet wheelchairs can also be utilized as a permanent solution to mobility for pets that are completely paralyzed and will not regain function. Or even have weakness from an orthopedic or soft tissue condition. It can be an important aspect to allow your dog to go on walks again.
Please note, pets can not be in wheelchairs all day. They need to have many opportunities to lie down, sit, or rest. We often only utilize wheelchairs for outdoor walks, activities, adventures, or during active times around the house if there is enough space. Our team of veterinarians, physical therapists, and physiotherapists will also help assist your pet in learning proper movement outside of a wheelchair.
At the first session, we will perform a thorough exam to assess mobility, neurologic and orthopedic function, and any concurrent ailments we need to be aware of. Our history, exam, prognosis to walking again, and your goals will help guide us to which brand and pet wheelchair design to choose. We will collect media and measurements, and coordinate with the wheelchair company on manufacturing. Common companies we work with are Eddie’s Wheels and Walkin Wheels.
Prior to the fitting appointment we will build the wheelchair. At your pet’s fitting appointment we will place your pet in the wheelchair and spend time making adjustments to get to a proper standing position and support. This will take the majority of the fitting appointment to get a proper fit or add on assistive devices such as wraps, toe ups, slings, or resistance bands to assist movement.
We will then teach your pet how to stand, weight shift, and eventually take steps in the wheelchair.
DO allow your pet’s hindlimbs to touch the ground if they have any movement and motor present. If you sling a dogs’ leg up you may be inhibiting the ability for your pet to learn to walk again. If your pet has the movement in the hindlimbs we utilize assistive devices to support them and assist them with taking steps. If your pet is completely paralyzed and will not regain function again, we will then utilize slings to lift their legs up.
DO ensure your pet has a normal standing angle. This is something we will show you at your pet’s fitting appointment.
DO regularly check the fit/alignment of the cart, the fit of the harness, and the fit of the straps. We notice that over time straps may loosen and the pet is no longer maintaining the proper position of a flat spine and normal standing angles in the limbs.
DO regularly check your pet’s skin for any signs of irritation. A common area of irritation is the groin. If irritation occurs you can add a soft sleeve to the strap or anti monkey butt powder to reduce moisture.
DO watch the toes!!! Dogs that are scuffing a lot in their wheelchair can develop serious wounds, bloody nails, or sores. If your dog scuffs please use toe ups and/or boots. And let us know so we can design something custom to help your pet swing their legs through without dragging or scuffing.
DO associate the wheelchair with something positive! When your pet works in the wheelchair they should be getting lots of positive reinforcement such as treats, praise, touch, and toys. We want your pet to love their wheelchair.
DO check the fit every time you place your pet in their wheelchair.
DON’T let your pet make sharp turns. Falling in a wheelchair can lead to further injury.
DON’T let your dog drag their feet to the point of the ankle going in the opposite direction. I have seen dogs who were in wheelchairs for a long time just dragging their paws. It can lead to secondary injuries at the ankle and knees. We may reach for support wraps to protect the ankles or knees.
DON’T force your pet to work through significant anxiety as they are acclimating to the wheelchair.
DON’T keep your pet in the wheelchair all day. Your pet needs lots of breaks. Wheelchairs are really only utilized for walks.
DON’T forget to wash the wheelchair. Often pets will pee in their wheelchairs. The harness often needs washed to prevent skin infections.
DON’T leave your pet unattended in a wheelchair!
The following are a few exercises you can do with your pet a few times a day to help them adapt to being in a wheelchair.
Static standing in the wheelchair. Your pet has to learn how to stand again. Support your pet under their belly, because often a pet will fall backwards and collapse or try to lie down the first time they go in a wheelchair. So you can do basic exercises of just placing your dog or cat in the wheelchair and hold a stand while offering treats.
While standing in the wheelchair you can have your pet do cookie reaches/stretches. Take a treat and have your pet reach forward, reach up, reach down, angle to the left or right to grab the treat.
Head circles. Have your pet learn to shift their weight in the wheelchair by using a treat to promote their head going in a circle. You can do a circle going forward and back or a circle going up and down.
Forward/backward weight shifts/rocking. Use a treat to have your pet reach forward and then reach back in their wheelchair. You will see the wheels roll forward and backward slightly. This exercise teaches your pet to control their motion going forward and backwards and how to shift weight in their wheelchair without falling.
Lateral weight shifts. Place your hand on your pet’s side and shift their weight side to side.
Proprioceptive toe drags while standing supported in the wheelchair. Take your pet’s leg and have them do an alternating walking motion while holding a standing position. When in the stance phase drag their paws on the ground. This can be done in the grass.
Steps to the left, steps to the right. Using treats lure your pet to take one or two steps to the left, then one or two steps to the right.
Forward walking. Using treats lure your pet to take steps forward. Often we have a second person behind the pet assisting with movement in their legs. Or we utilzie a second person to support your pet from falling. Remember, your pet has to regain the strength to hold a stand again and now pull the weight of a wheelchair. Most pet’s are weak at first and need support until they get stronger.
Backwards walking. Using treats, push into your dog’s nose. They will often take steps back.
Turning in a circle. Start with a large circle and then make them tighter.
Turning to the left, turning to the right. Building onto side steps have your dog start turning to the left, then right in tight motions.
Walking through a passageway or two cones. This will help your dog learn the width of their wheelchair. If they get stuck, use a treat to lure them into backward steps to reposition correctly.
Figure 8s around cones/small obstacles. This will teach your dog turning and maneuvering around objects.
Weaving around cones/small obstacles
Walking up gentle inclines/declines. First do a straight motion, then diagonal, and lastly circles.
In our rehab sessions we will teach you how to perform the above exercises. We don’t start off with all these exercises at once. We often progress through the phases based on how your pet is doing.
