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Moving Injured Large Dog

Ben Curtis

Well-Known Member
As I've stated in a previous post my Cane Corso has bone cancer and our time is limited. We have decided against amputation, and are soaking up our time left. Our biggest concern right now is how to move him if gets to a point where he refuses to move. He's around 125 lbs right now.

Any ideas or suggestions would be welcomed. I think if we had a plan it might make the fear of what might happen a little less daunting.

As an updated, the bulge on his ankle is closer to softball size where last week it was more like a baseball size. He is getting around okay, and when distracted almost walks comfortably, but usually after these times it gets quite sore. He sleeps more than usual, but I would say is not in any real pain, or at least none above what is being managed by pain meds.

We plan to keep him with us as long as he is still enjoying life.

Thanks,
Ben
 

scorning

Well-Known Member
I'm sorry you are going through this, cancer sucks. I hope you are able to make many more happy memories with your dog.

I have the Ruffwear Webmaster harness, its very sturdy and has a handle on top. I primarily use it for hiking, but it was also helpful when my Wobblers Dane needed some assistance. I've also heard good reviews on the help em up harness.

If your dog doesn't need a lot of support, you could use a blanket or towel as a sling under their belly. If they are immobile and there is more than one of you, you could train your dog to lie calmly on a blanket and/or stretcher and carry them out on that. I had a dog stretcher at one point since I was worried my Wobbler Dane would go down and was afraid I wouldn't be able to get him out of my house, but I could never convince him to lay on it flat, only sphinx like, and that didn't help. I've spend a lot of time with my current dogs training them to lie flat on their sides for tricks "play dead" and for nail clipping, but I'm not sure that would translate to an laying flat on an object, I'll have to play around with that soon.
 

marke

Well-Known Member
you could make something like this with plywood and casters . or buy this and modify it .

https://www.amazon.com/Goplus-Plast..._rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=N19C4D8QAXJPC4BZ0QAD

51O8-sAia5L._SL1200_.jpg
 

Ben Curtis

Well-Known Member
Some great suggestions thanks. I remember back in puppy obedience classes, we were told to get your dog comfortable with being picked up. I did this, but once he crossed around 80 pounds it really was of no use. I wish I had trained him to be comfortable on a flat panel or something. If I ever do get another one, I will absolutely consider this more.
 

Smokeycat

Well-Known Member
The help-em-up harness works as long as they can walk even if they can't put weight on a limb. I used it when Kryten had his second elbow go. He was unable to put weight on his right front leg so I used the harness to stabilize him since at 200 lbs there was no other way of moving him.
 

Sawsealady

Well-Known Member
As I've stated in a previous post my Cane Corso has bone cancer and our time is limited. We have decided against amputation, and are soaking up our time left. Our biggest concern right now is how to move him if gets to a point where he refuses to move. He's around 125 lbs right now.

Any ideas or suggestions would be welcomed. I think if we had a plan it might make the fear of what might happen a little less daunting.

As an updated, the bulge on his ankle is closer to softball size where last week it was more like a baseball size. He is getting around okay, and when distracted almost walks comfortably, but usually after these times it gets quite sore. He sleeps more than usual, but I would say is not in any real pain, or at least none above what is being managed by pain meds.

We plan to keep him with us as long as he is still enjoying life.

Thanks,
Ben
In nursing we fold a flat sheet in half and then fold it so you wedge it under the patient then you lift up the patient slightly to grab the folded, folded sheet and in fold that section to get the sheet under the patient completely mind u it's still folded in half. That way you can roll patient side to side or move from bed to bed. Good for repositioning to alleviate pressure. maybe utube itp