Handicapped Pets - For Elderly, Disabled, Special Needs, and Injured Pets

Help you care for an elderly, disabled, or special needs pets

When an animal family member becomes injured or grows older, they may need a little extra help. Fortunately, advances in medicine and assistive devices help us care for them and make them more comfortable. The loving bond created when we choose to care for them evokes lasting warmth.

For some, the process begins with an accident or injury. For others it’s just a slow awareness that stairs are more difficult and leaping into the backseat of a car is nearly impossible. Sometimes it’s a rescue mission and sometimes it happens with no apparent reason at all. But however your best friend becomes handicapped, you’ll need help.

Your Veterinarian is always the first place to look, but they are by no means the only. A vet has the background, experience, and access to the resources needed to understand what has happened and can give you perspective. But only you can gauge your own personal level of commitment. As the animal’s guardian, it is up to you to look into your heart and their eyes and make choices based on what you see and feel.

The first thing you need to know is that you are not alone!

 You’re not alone. Tens of Thousands of people are caring for Handicapped Pets in innovative and highly successful ways. You'll need products, services, and support from other special needs pet caretakers. Hundreds of helpful products have been developed especially for Handicapped Pets.

• Dog Wheelchairs and carts will help them walk.
• Back and Front Harnesses let you help them with handles on the rear of the dog to offer  extra support.
• Dog Boots and Pet Booties to keep their tender paws and keep them clean.
• Pets Beds especially designed for leaky and incontinent dogs to keep them dry ehrn they are asleep.
• Dog Diapers - Disposable and washable doggie diapers and male wraps for places where accidents can't be allowed to happen (like in bed).
• Back and hip Brace for dogs for pain management  to help them say active.
• Seat belts for a dog in a vcar to protect not only the dog, but also passengers. Accidents can be avoided with a pet restraint. (Remember when Stephen King was hit by car in which a jumping dog distracted the driver!)

Research, Research, and more Research.

If your pet is diagnosed with a disability, learn everything you can about the disease or condition, the drugs prescribed, and the solutions that are available. Rimadyl, for example is a drug used for arthritis in dogs. Some believe it is a miracle cure, others consider it poison and point to hundreds of homeopathic alternatives. Making an informed decision is critical. The web provides hundreds of websites with information, discussion groups, support groups, and research groups to assist you.

The Help and Advice board at HandicappedPets.com has over 40,000 posted messages that people have left for one another asking questions, offering advices, a just cheering one another along. It's an easy discussion board -- anyone can register post messages.

"I thought my dog was near the end of her life. She would tremble as she walked or refuse to stand up at all. Based on a suggestion on the HandicappedPets.com website, I scattered small rugs across the hardwood floors. Suddenly the dog was free of what was then understood to be a fear of slipping on the slick floors and was able to walk effortlessly."

Sometimes, the stories are so sweet and encouraging that we post them in our Gallery. Our pet photo Gallery is the place to go for inspiration -- to get a look into how rewarding it can be to care for an animal that needs you.

HandicappedPets.com was designed as a complete resource to provide the products and information that a pet caretaker needs. Fortunately, as human medical innovations are modified for animals, more and more products are being designed. The tens of thousands of people who are currently caring for their Handicapped Pets are finding a wealth of products, services, and support. Here are some of the products available on the web. Many are available on HandicappedPets.com.

Products

	Dog Front and Rear Support Harness A harness allows you to support the back or front of an animal manually. It consists of an article worn by the dog and straps so that dog can be lifted without straining the caretaker ’s back. This is ideal when an animal’s legs are weak, but may regain strength if they are exercised. The harness allows you to give the right amount of help and support. Harnesses are comfortable when sized correctly and do not interfere with an animal’s ability to go to the bathroom. They are available for the front and the back. Special amputee harnesses can be custom made. Harnesses cost between $40 to $80 depending on size. Some harnesses can be worn all day if made with a breathable fabric. Others offer more support (such as the Neoprene Dog Slings) but can get hot on a dog. The Bottoms Up Rear End Support leash is simply a leash that is attached around his back end rather than his neck.

Dog Boots and Pet Booties Sometimes pets will drag their feet causing cuts and sores. This becomes even more pronounced if an animal loses feeling in their legs or feet. Dog Booties can help. Not all animals will accept the idea of wearing pet boots. It’s important that they be sturdy and fit snugly without cutting off circulation. A quality boot can cost between $10 and $20 each. Boots have a number of other uses and benefits including general protection from sharp stones, hot asphalt, lawn chemicals, and more. It’s a good idea to get your animal used to the idea of wearing boots. Besides, if you take them off when he comes back into the house it will keep the carpets clean.

It is estimated that over 10% of dogs will become incontinent - leaky. It happens due to age, injury, and countless other reasons. There are places that you do not want to bring an incontinent dog; in the car, to a store, in bed... Diapers, both disposable and washable, are a great solution.

Stay Aware

Mark Robinson is the creator of HandicappedPets.com, a website for the guardians of elderly, injured, and Special Needs Pets. He started the several years ago in memory of his friend, Mercedes, who was out down before her time.

Several other websites make up the HandicappedPets.com family:

• DogKarts.com - Dog Carts and wheelchairs, wheels for dogs and other animals to help them walk if they are injured, elderly, or handicapped.
• K9Brace.com - Dog Prosthetics and Orthotics
• PetSafetyBelts.com - Pet Seat Belts keep you and your pet safe.
• PetBoots.com - Pet Boots keep your dog's tender paws protected and clean.
• BlindPets.com - Blind dog - The products and services needed to care for a blind or deaf pet.
• PetDiapers.com - Dog Diapers, disposable and washable, and other products for incontinent pets.
• RememberAPet.com - Pet Memorials
• PetBargainBasement.com  - Used and discounted pet supplies, Factory Seconds.