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Post by Alisha & Dolce on Dec 15, 2013 21:23:07 GMT -7
Hi everyone,
First winter with my dog after he had surgery for a herniated disc in July. I'm having a hard time feeling safe about his walks with all the snow, ice and risks for falls or slipping. Does anyone have ideas for boots or harnesses that might help? Also wondering if anyone is aware if the cold and dampness can affect neurological pain? He seems to be favoring his hind leg that was impacted the most by the damage.
Any advice about caring for my wobly guy during these cold snowy Canadian winters would be so helpful!'
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Marjorie
Moderator~ 
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724 
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Post by Marjorie on Dec 16, 2013 7:31:17 GMT -7
After herniation, dogs can develop arthritis and the cold weather can aggravate that. You might want to try some acupuncture or laser light therapy. Also, if your dog is still wobbly walking, I would definitely add a sling to stabilize him when walking on snow or ice. There are also some rear end harnesses that you can find online that you could use to stabilize his hind end. Boots with traction bottoms are good, too, but I found that most were too stiff for my Jeremy, whose foot movement is weak. He just couldn't bend his feet properly in boots so ended up dragging his feet in them. I found PAWZ to work better for him. I reinforce them with duct tape all across the bottoms and that gives more traction, too. Also, keep the fur on the bottoms of your boy's feet trimmed as any fur covering the pads of his feet will make it easier to slip.
Cold icy weather can present some challenges. I hope your boy has a safe winter.
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Post by Jean & Mimi on Dec 16, 2013 8:15:45 GMT -7
Hi, I am not a moderator, but another mom  I am trying UltraPaws dog boots, but not sure how they will work. THe first pair I ordered was huge so I am waiting on the smaller set to come in. My Mimi is wobbly on wood/tile floors (and she will not stay on the runners we laid down) so I use PAWZ for her (back paws only, front she is fine) in the house and she does great. She wears them outside as well, although only to potty so I cannot attest to durability for walks). I can tell you that on really cold days (like this morning) it takes her a bit to get going. On warmer days, she is much better. So I think the cold does affect them a bit. |
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Post by Alisha & Dolce on Dec 16, 2013 14:16:26 GMT -7
Thank you both! We did light therapy and acupuncture during the 10 weeks post op that we did physio. I've made an appointment to go back for another acupuncture treatment which in the past has been VERY successful especially in treating his pain. He went from one session yelping in pain to the next with no pain so I have seen these benefits work for him before He has boots that he will wear I'm just not sure if it's enough traction. With boots they loose that "dig the claws in" for traction. I think I will do boots and his back harness that he needed for the first week post op. I think we might also do quick pee pees and one long walk per day. Thanks for the advice both of you! Any boot recommendations would be great too- we have paws now and they're alright. If anyone has purchased the more expensive brands like muttluks etc I'd love to hear if the traction is better? Alisha |
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,565
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Post by PaulaM on Dec 17, 2013 9:56:47 GMT -7
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Post by Scott & Mona on Jan 6, 2014 10:16:19 GMT -7
Curious to hear about others' experiences with this. Noticed this year that Mona's a bit more sensitive to the cold. Walking is fine and coordinated but her back paws seem to bother her more if it's wet or snowy.
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Post by Jean & Mimi on Jan 6, 2014 14:03:47 GMT -7
My Mimi hates the wet so much. But for some reason she loves to plow right through the snow. We cleared a spot for her in the backyard to use for potty, but no, she insists on walking through the snow to find a place to poop. Go figure. However, she has a coat on at all times this winter. I'm not taking any chances.
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I am trying UltraPaws dog boots, but not sure how they will work. THe first pair I ordered was huge so I am waiting on the smaller set to come in. My Mimi is wobbly on wood/tile floors (and she will not stay on the runners we laid down) so I use PAWZ for her (back paws only, front she is fine) in the house and she does great. She wears them outside as well, although only to potty so I cannot attest to durability for walks).
