Dog ramps for Cars

leed

My beautiful dog (Belgium Sheep dog cross) has just been diagnosed with Cauda equina syndrome and I have been advised to stop her from running (help! she loves running around in the fields!) and jumping. In order to help getting her into the car I am thinking of buying a dog ramp.

There seem to be a variety of ramps on the market with an equally varied price tag. I would appreciate any advice or comments to help me buy one that is reasonably light weight, robust enough to handle a 29kg dog and does not cost the earth!

Thanks

hethmar

Have you tried a disabled dog forum? Other owners may be the best people to ask. Is there one for Belgium Sheep dogs (I dont think Ive heard of that )

http://handicappedpets.com/www/index.php (this is based in the US but has a lot of UK members. It was very helpful when I was sorting out prosthetic limbs for my dog)

http://disabledanimalsclub.wordpress.com/

ali-t

I bought one when my dog had a patella op but she wouldn't use it to get in and out of the car. The secret (I now know!) is to practice a lot on flat ground with it and gradually raise the incline. I bought one off ebay.

undaunted

I'm sorry to read of your news, obviously not the best diagnosis for the two of you to look forward to.

The solvit ramps are durable reasonably light & foldable, they can often be found on Ebay etc at affordable prices. http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_from=R40&_trksid=m570&_nkw=solvit+dog+ramp

Swimming (as a none weight bearing exercise) may be worth discussing with your vet. There are obviously other pools than CHA members but have a look at http://www.canine-hydrotherapy.org/

Accupuncture may also help some dogs.

Good luck

Penny_Watcher

Have you considered dog steps ? I looked at them whilst Idiot Dog's post operative cruciate ligament 'no jumpin' rule was at it's strongest. I ended up using 3 increasingly deep Ikea storage boxes in a row covered in a bath towel.

Hydrotherapy is fantastic. We're in the middle of a course paid for by the insurance.