Hips displasia/arthritis - may be a time for the op....

gettingready

erm... in a block of flats? on an internal staircase? doubt it.....

As I said, waiting for what th evet says on th 28th and will also see what insurance says...

Thanks everyone

krlyr

I would recommend that every time you take her to do her business now, you give a verbal command. For my last GSD, when we were housetraining her we used to repeat the word "Welldone" as she was doing her business. Eventually the word becomes a cue, we'd tell her to "Do a welldone" and if she needed to go, she'd do her business 'on request' as such.
By giving it a command you will have the benefit of no wasted trips, so you may reduce the amount of times you need to get her outside. You might even be able to transition her to going indoors on command, e.g. on puppymats (incontinence sheets designed for humans may work better size-wise) or a bit of turf that could you replace every once in a while.
There are harness/slings designed to support the back weight of a dog
http://www.gingerlead.com/GingerLead-prototype.jpg
http://dogsupportharness.com/wp-content/themes/DogSupportHarness/images/dog-support-harness-SupportRx-Features.jpg
http://www.centraldistrictnews.com/media/2009/9/19/vWV3WQT3zS2MBzlCa5Ok1QYKhs-medium.jpg
Cheapskate version, just use an old towel hooked under the body. The specialist should definately be able to advise on workarounds and how practical it would be.

Wellyboots6

krlyr how long would it take to train a dog to go on command? I have been training Tyson to do a 'busybusy' for 9 months now and he just looks at me like I am daft!

After reading GRs thread I am now panicking for when his legs become too bad he can't get outside due to the steps and so want to get him going on command as soon as I can

gettingready

She already does pee and poo "on command" - always did my girl...

Will ask the vets which harness/sling they recommend as I believe they have them onsite..

It is just only a week and a bit away and really worried about my girl now...

Wellyboots6

Try not to worry GR. She will feel so much better after the op and has plenty more years of running round enjoying herself

I so wish Tyson could have the op, it is going to break my heart to see him deteriorate

gettingready

Looking at cages now.. sigh....

Caroline_a

GR I have a large cage you can borrow if you want... was big enough for Oakley, it's HUGE! It's just a question of getting it to you....

gettingready

Caroine.. thanks....but we too far away I recon.

Looking on Amazon, saw XL size crated for £40 or so before...

But hoping to find out more about those post op boarding kennels and would that work with insurance...



42 plus 6 delivery

48 inches

http://www.amazon.co.uk/XXLarge-Training-48-Easipet-Branded/dp/B002PX3DX6/ref=sr_1_6?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1337250030&sr=1-6

elliesmemory1

I dont think using a sling to get a large dog whos had hip surgery up and down a flight of stairs 5-6 times a day will be on to be honest.
They need around six weeks before they should even be thinking of things like stairs.
unless you can train her to go indoors ( difficult if shes always been a clean dog) you need to be thinkig in terms of boarding her with someone etc which will be expensive.
How about trying to find some one you could house sit for and maybe look after their pets in return for staying in their house?
I know its a difficult situation but i really dont see how you can get a large dog whos had surgery up and down stairs.
Only other thing I can think of it to get a huge tray of some sort and buy turf to put in it and get her used to it well before the op. like a large litter tray with grass if you see what i mean. Hope you get something sorted.

gettingready

I work full time, I can not house sit for anyone or have someone move in with me with their pet as Zara goes into psycho dog mode even if one of the dogs she knows for years tried to visit.

Need to work on her going indoors somehow, wil ask about kennels by the surgery (frm the insurance point) when her op will be (????) done.

Just need to get through the first consultation first...

Thanks a lot everyone