Doggie Wheelchairs for Spinal Injuries and other Conditions

Ru Ru - a Dachshund in a Walkin' Wheels dog wheelchair

One of the most frequent uses of a dog wheelchair is to assist a dog who can no longer walk as a result of a paralyzing injury to the spine.  Dachshunds are one of the breeds most predisposed to spinal cord injuries.  While many dogs do recover their mobility through either surgery and/or a combination of rehabilitative or drug therapy, many other dogs need to rely on a dog wheelchair to assist with their mobility long term.

Walkin' Wheels dog wheelchairs frequently play a role in a dog's rehabilitative therapy, and we love to hear reports from our customers when their dogs no longer need to use a dog wheelchair because they have begun walking on their own again.

Now, there is hope that a new drug currently in development could prevent many dogs with spinal cord injuries from suffering long term paralysis.  The experimental drug currently being tested at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences is called Illomostat.  If administered within hours after a dog suffers an injury, it can work to prevent long term paralysis. 

Dex, a double amputee, using Walkin' Wheels since age 12 weeks

More information about the Illomostat study is available in the following article by Larua T. Coffey titled, "No More Doggie Wheelchairs?  New Drug Offers Hope".  We look forward to following the progress of these studies in the hopes that many more dogs will recover their mobility.

Dog wheelchairs, such as the Walkin' Wheels, are also available to assist dogs with limited mobility resulting from degenerative conditions, amputations, rehabilitation and other injuries or illnesses.