Dog Wheelchair Singapore
Not that long ago, when our pets face are faced with a debilitating injury or illness that severely alters their bodies, the common solution was Euthanasia. . While it was the most logical and pain-free solution back them, as we question the quality of life our disabled pets would be able to lead, it was one that we ultimately had to make given the lack of better alternatives.
Things have made a drastic turn for the better these days. In recent years, with the increased focus in veterinarian care and advent in technology, we are now able to keep our pets comfortable, active and engaged in the face of previously devastating condition.
About Us
We understand that our pets are more than just pets. They are life-long companions, a part of our family. We want to make sure that an unexpected disability that afflicts them doesn’t change this special relationship in any way.
At PetsRunAgain, we promise that with your help, we will do exactly that: Help them run again! We are heavily invested to help adapt your pets’ lifestyle around their mobility deficiencies, and the ways in which we accomplish this is only limited by our imagination. Modified slings can be used to carry cats and small dogs, while modified wagons can be use to transport larger dogs. A self-assisted wheelchair is our most popular creation, which allows our pets to move on their own as they learn how to use the wheelchair they pull behind them.
We want to make sure that every second we share with them counts, because they won’t be there forever. While they are only part of our lives for a short time, we are their entire life.
How we help!
New Lease of Life
Old age and lack of mobility are one of the main reasons aged pets get euthanized. However, we don’t agree with this. If our pet is still pain-free and possesses good health, mobility limitations should not be their death sentences. Instead, the use of a wheelchair will help these dogs get up and move around with greater ease than they would have previously.
Customisability
We offer custom-made and adjustable wheelchairs that are catered especially for the challenges your pet faces. We require your inputs for the measurements of your pet’s length and size, so as to help us select the appropriate wheelchair, and allow your pet maximum comfort when they move around in it.
Experience
Our team here is has more than 20 years of experience in wheelchair design. You can go in with the confidence that our products have been tested and affirmed by thousands of pets previously. Our designs are at the forefront of the industry, with comfort and range of mobility the two aspects we prioritize in the designation of all our wheelchair models.
Devoted
Every single member of our team here has had experiences in owning a pet with mobility limitations, and so we know exactly how it feels. We have been through the emotional roller coaster, from the fear that our pets may never move properly again, to the elation when we realize that they can. We understand what your pets mean to you, and we are fully invested in helping your pets run again!
Our Wheelchairs
Most of the wheelchairs we offer are adjustable or customizable, thus allowing a better fit for your pets. They are foldable, allowing for easy storage and are padded for extra comfort. The wheeling mechanism that we use allow the pets to turn and move around easily across a variety of terrains, from the hard concrete and round pebbles to the soft grass and cracked soil. Medical grade materials are used in all our wheelchairs’ construction, which goes a long way in eliminating any irritation or friction caused by the harness. They are robust and sturdy as well, allowing your pets to do active running and playing around in the wheelchair without suffering wear and tear.
We provide all 3 types of wheelchair, offering support for pets suffering from different weaknesses.
Rear-support Wheelchair
This wheelchair has:
- A pair of wheels are the back – Provide support for any weaknesses or paralysis in the rear leg(s)
- Saddle in the middle – Provide comfort for the pet as it is moving
- Harness in front – Provide greater stability for the pet when moving around in the wheelchair.
This wheelchair is most appropriate for pets which have lost their original strength in the hind legs and now have very weak hind leg bearings. Most weaknesses are suffered in the hind limbs, making this wheelchair type the most popular choice among pet owners.
Front-support Wheelchair
This wheelchair has:
- A pair of wheels are the front – Provide support for any weaknesses or paralysis in the front leg(s)
- Saddle in the middle – Provide comfort for the pet as it is moving
- Harness in front – Provide greater stability for the pet when moving around in the wheelchair
This wheelchair is best suited for pets which have forelimbs weaknesses, perhaps due to an injury, an illness or from surgery.
35% of a dog’s weight is carried by the hind limbs, with the remaining 65% carried by the forelimbs. By overcompensating for forelimb weaknesses, these dogs normally place greater weight on the hind limbs, which eventually take their toll and are likely to cause further injury to the hind limbs and even the spine. Front-support wheelchair helps to distribute the weight naturally, and prevent any stress from building up from overusing the hind limbs.
Full-support Wheelchair / Quad cut
This wheelchair has:
- Pair of wheels at the front and another pair of wheels at the back – Provide support for pets suffering from weaknesses in both front and hind limbs
- Saddle in the middle – Provide comfort for the pet as it is moving
- Harness in the middle – Provide greater stability for the pet when moving around in the wheelchair.
This wheelchair is most often catered to pets which suffer from neurological birth defects, degenerative myelopathy or an onset of stroke, causing permanent weakness in both front and hind limbs. It also serve as a solution to pets who are recovering from spinal surgery and do not have the full range of mobility in them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if the wheelchair is the appropriate size for my dog?
Do 3 checks.
- Ensure that the cart is a good fit. Adjust the straps and belts on the harness and saddle such that they are just tight enough to hold the dog, but no tighter that it becomes difficult for them to move at ease of even breathe.
- Ensure that the pet is comfortable. The pet’s genitalia should be in a natural position and not be at an awkward or uncomfortable angles. Loose straps and belts should not be digging into your pet’s skin nor squeezing them too tightly.
- Be Patient. Your pet might not move smoothly initially, as it has been a while since they last regain normal mobility. It will take a bit of coaching, perhaps using some treats, to make them realize that they can now move around comfortably with the assisted device. Train them to realize which part of the body and limbs control the wheels movement, so that their movements in any direction will be stable and controlled.
How much training would my pet need to get accustomed to the wheelchair use?
Most pets would be accustomed to the wheelchair in just 1 session. No specific training is needed. Just leash-walk your pet in the initial stages, until it becomes accustomed to the feel of the wheelchair and the additional range of movement it offers.
For pets that have suffered from limb weaknesses for a period of time, it may take 2-3 sessions for them to be comfortable with the use of the wheelchair. They are used to dragging their limbs around and so will be surprised that they can now run again and have the full range of mobility back. Give them time and they will adapt just fine!
Can my pet urinate and defecate while using the cart?
Yes! Once again it comes down to adaptability. As soon as your pet becomes comfortable urinating and defecating in a standing position, there will be no problems! If your pet has problems urinating on its own, you might even find it easier to express their bladders when they are in a standing position.
Will using a wheelchair slow down my pet's rehabilitative process?
Throughout the years of experience we have with pets and wheelchairs, we have never once found this to be true! In fact, the use of wheelchairs do actually help expedite the process by aiding in the pet’s recovery both physically and emotionally.
As your pet moves around, the functional limbs will be toughened. The aerobic exercises they now undergo will stimulate circulation and help fight off signs of deterioration and improve their overall wellness.
Furthermore, for highly active pets, being unable to move around and feeling helpless is surely a great disappointment. By providing them with a chance to run, play and socialize with other pets, it will do wonders for your pet’s attitude and outlook.
Do pet wheelchairs work well on different type of terrains?
Most definitely! The wheels we use in our wheelchairs are built to enable smooth travelling in different terrains, be it hard concrete or long grasses. This naturally expands the horizons in which we can exercise and play with our pets.
Should we get wheelchairs for our young puppies if they are mobility-impaired
We highly recommend getting your young pets wheelchairs once they show signs of mobility impairments. Very often, deformities that happen at a young age can be corrected through the use of wheelchair, since it helps keep their spine and limbs in alignment. This prevents the deformities from staying permanent and allow your pets to grow up in a normal and healthy way.
How long should we let our pet stay on the wheelchair?
During the initial stages when you first receive the wheelchair, it is recommended to start with 15-20 minute sessions with rest periods in between, for at least the first two weeks, . While your pet may not seem to be tired, they will be since a lot of aerobic work is involved. This is even more important for the older pets, for they need time to build up the cardiac and respirator endurance, having not moved around all that much in recent times.
After 2 weeks or when your pet is used to the additional exercise, you can leave them for longer periods of time in the wheelchair. If you do see them attempting to lay down, it means they are tired and they should be taken off the wheelchair for a rest.
Pets who have spent years on the wheelchairs can go for hours without a problem. However, you should always supervise your pet when they are in a wheelchair, and they should never be left alone unattended.
Testimonial
Max is a Rottweiler and we had him since he was just a puppy. However, recently in Mar 2016, he was diagnosed with Degenerative Myelopathy. The range of movement he had with this hind legs were reduced day-to-day, till one day, he was totally paralyzed in his hind legs. It was really difficult to find any dog wheelchairs for him in Singapore, but I was very fortunate to have discovered PetsRunAgain. After contacting with the staff who were so friendly and helpful, we finally chose a wheelchair for him. It was a true life-changer. While it took Max several sessions to get use to it, once he did, he was able to take his daily walks and play around with the other dogs in the neighborhood again.
RandyBuddy was a golden retriever and we found him injured on the road side one day. It was believed that he was hit by a car and was not taken in for medical treatment, resulting in permanent paralysis in his hind legs. We took him in and explored options for him to be able to regain his full range of mobility, and finally found PetsRunAgain. The wheelchair we bought were a perfect fit for him, and after just 1 session, he was comfortable with it and has no problem getting around. Many thanks to the stuff who showed genuine concern for Buddy, and went above their means to ensure that Buddy would get the appriopriate wheelchair to ensure a return to normal lifestyle!
Gary