“Wheels for Walking”

[FlemishMom]

 I have meant to touch base with everybody–especially with pictures!-but was so embarrassed that I never got the pictures resized, I kept putting it off.

But-here’s an update- Sam (who has increasingly bad arthritis plus seemed to have some weakening/paralysis from an unexplained seizure) got a “cart” several weeks ago.  The amazing thing was it restored his “heart,” his desire to do things because he realized he still could do quite a bit for himself.  And within a short time he was gaining strength again in his backlegs enough that the cart, because it had a bar between its two back wheels, prevented him from putting his hindlegs as far underneath his body as he wanted to.

So I had talked to the manufacturer, who knew exactly what I was talking about and sent me two individual wheels on individual stems to replace the two back wheels with the bar so Sam could get his feet more under him.  Well, initially Sam really liked it except he kept tipping it over because 1) I didn’t have the height right yet, and 2) he was required to have more balance without that stabilizing bar.

I was so encouraged but this morning I realized something that really upset me and did not have time to fix it before leaving for work–I still don’t have the height right and Sam is hyperextending his rear right paw.  The right side is the weaker side and it is so atrophied I am worried he will do permanent damage to the paw if I do not get that height just right ASAP!  So that’s my chore for tonight.

 

In another update, Buddy Rabbit, our friend with the enlarged heart and filling lungs, is still hanging in there and enjoying occasional blueberries and sunshine. . . . 

 

One of these days I actually will get pictures resized so I can post them here and you all can see what I am talking about.

 

I am just so grateful to Sam that he has the wonderful attitude he does and that we grow closer as he continues to age and we face problems together.

 

 

[LittlePuffyTail]

I’m happy to hear that Sam is doing so well. Can’t wait for pictures!

[FlemishMom]

Well, hopefully I’ll get some done this weekend.

I confess I left home with great ambivalence yesterday morning–I left him in the harness with his wheels (he can tip it and crawl out if he wants to) because I knew it would be a long day, that he couldn’t hold his bladder that long and that the last time that happened he was mad at me when he was all wet.

The amazing thing is that by the time I got home in the evening, he was still dry, though no longer in the cart and when he wanted to get on his wheels later, I realized they really were sized right and didn’t need adjustment. Standing in it as long as he had in the daytime, his right leg had stretched itself out somewhat! He is standing better and more often but still can’t really hop effectively./ . . .

[mocha200]

That is great! I would love to see pictures

[FlemishMom]

Update: REALLY GREAT NEWS (even though I STILL don’t have pictures, which I hope to do this weekend):

SAM HAS STARTED HOPPING AGAIN! In fact, he kept me up all last night with his hopping sounds. . . . Actually, it’s a little like a baby starting to crawl. When he stands, his hind feet aren’t entirely under him but he looks like a table with vertical legs. So the hops are very short. He gets about two hops in and then on the third one can’t get his feet under him before Gravity whollops him one . . . but he just keeps on getting up and trying and trying again! This is awesome! Adequan must really be helping him in addition to the wheels and wee bits of massage I give him. . . .

[Sarita]

That’s wonderful! I’m glad he is making some improvements.

[FlemishMom]

Thanks for sharing in my joy. The funny thing is . . . every step along the way he’s acted as if he was incredibly pleased with himself. It’s just too cute!!!! He’s so pleased and proud of every improvement and accomplishment. I wish I were better at being handy with a camera so I could capture those charming grins.

[MoveDiagonally]

I can’t wait for pics either!

I’m glad Sam is making improvements. It’s been really educational to read your posts about your buns and you working with your bun’s arthritis. Thank you for sharing!

[FlemishMom]

We never stop learning from our buns, do we?!?!? The thing is, I’m always wishing I ALREADY knew when the time comes to learn, which is why forums like this are so great.

[MeggoWaffle]

This is GREAT. Would you mind sharing which manufacturer you are using?

[FlemishMom]

dogstogo.net. . . . dogstogo19@aol.com. These are very inexpensive as far as carts go, made from plastic rod rather than metal parts. The woman has worked with animals many, many years and custom makes the cart to the animal. I got the cart first and then saw he could do more with his feet so she sent me a different rear attachment, “wheels” and he’s doing better. However, I will note the cart was initially designed for dogs and as Sam improves I notice that the difference in hip motion between dogs and rabbits makes for some significance differences for complete recovery. I am thinking about contacting her about designing a further modification to this to help him get his feet even further beneath him. . . . .

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