Walkin’ Wheels LARGE Dog Wheelchair

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Learn more about Walkin' Wheels LARGE Dog Wheelchair at Walkin' Pets.

Product Details

The Walkin’ Wheels Large Dog Wheelchair is designed to improve mobility for large pets weighing between 70-180 lbs. that are dealing with hind end weakness, mobility loss or rear leg paralysis. The fully adjustable Walkin’ Wheels wheelchair is ideal for both long-term use to keep dogs active and for short-term rehabilitative use.

Features:

  • Ideal for large pets weighing 70 to 180 lbs.
  • Wheelchair frame constructed of durable, lightweight extruded aluminum
  • Push button adjustability, for full adjustability in height, length, and width
  • Frame Color Available in: Blue or Pink
  • All-terrain foam wheels come standard, upgrade to pneumatic air tires available for very active dogs

Clinical Advantages:

  • Improve mobility for pets during surgical or injury recovery
  • Enhance physical therapy and strength training exercises
  • Wheelchair can adapt as mobility needs change: front attachment can be added to convert into full support/4-wheel cart

Fits large breeds such as: Rottweiler, Pitbull, German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever, Boxer, Bloodhound, Doberman, Golden Retriever, Bernese Mountain Dog, Great Pyrenees, Mastiff, Greyhound, Newfoundland, St. Bernard, Great Dane, Irish Wolfhound, and more.

Conditions

Conditions that Benefit:

  • Hind end weakness
  • Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)
  • Arthritis
  • Paralysis
  • Cruciate Injuries
  • Neurological Disorders
  • Slipped Disc
  • Congenital abnormalities
  • Surgical or Injury Recovery
  • Physical therapy & strength training

Professional Use

How to Integrate Cart Time into Your Hospital’s Rehabilitation Protocols

Using a wheelchair with hospitalized, down patients is ideal. Wheelchairs allow a patient to stand upright instead of laying in lateral recumbency can improve recovery times. Additionally, adding five to ten-minute cart walks into a patient’s treatment plan several times daily can improve a dog’s mental health as well save a Technicians back

Here are a few simple Walkin’ Wheels exercises to try:

Wheelchair Assisted Walking Exercises

Place the patient in their wheelchair to encourage walking and to assist patients during Rehab sessions. During early sessions begin with short timed walks and slowly increase the duration over time. Most likely your patient has likely been inactive for an extended period of time, causing them to fatigue quickly. Its recommended to keep your first cart walk between 6-10 minutes. Complete exercise 3-4 times daily based on patient’s condition and need.

Assisted Walking with Proprioception Training During Rehab

For patients with hind limb proprioceptive deficits, place the patient into their Walkin’ Wheels and try placing a No-Knuckling Training Sock on the affected limb or limbs and begin walking. This exercise will encourage proprioception training while the patient is fully supported. Walk for 5-10 minutes, 3-4 times daily based on patient. Session length may be increased at therapist’s discretion.
Assisted Walking with Strength Training

Once the patient has gotten stronger but still may need moderate support for workouts, you can add leg weights to any limb that needs increased strength. It may be best to only apply one leg weight at a time, but it’s up to the therapist’s discretion how much weight and how long is appropriate based on the patient.

Rear Support Wheelchair with Therabands

Resistance Therabands may be used on the hind limbs to target specific muscle groups and attached to the struts of a patient’s Walkin’ Wheels wheelchair to add strength training to your patient’s cart walks. Place for 5-10 minutes at a time during a walk twice daily is recommended, but times may vary based on each patient. Therabands can vary in resistance levels, so starting out with a low level and increasing based on patient needs is advised.

Specs

Whats in the Box Large

What’s In the Box?

  • 1 Frame
  • 1 Set of extenders
  • 1 Connectors
  • 1 Set (2) Foam Wheels or for Pneumatic Air-Filled Tires (add $40)
  • 1 Front Harness with Sleeves
  • 1 Set Leg Rings Rear Support Saddle
  • 1 Belly Belt
  • 2 Stirrups
  • 1 Instruction Manual
Medium Wheelchair Frame

Frame:

The Frame is powder-coated aluminum in blue or pink. It will not bend, break, or rust. The molded plastic knuckles attach the frame to the legs; 360 degrees of ‘teeth’ hold the knuckle in place. On the side of the knuckle, a spring-loaded turning cap allows you to loosen the knuckle and swivel the legs up or down.

Width Connectors

Width Connectors: (one 9″ connector)

The width connector connects the left and right side of the frame together. One size fits the width of 9″-12.5″

large Length Extenders

Length Extenders: (one set of 26″ extenders )

The adjustable length extenders connect the front harness to the wheelchair.

The Front Harness

The dog’s head goes between the blue and black straps. The red strap goes under the dog’s front legs and clips on the side of the harness. The shoulder pads are made of neoprene and keep the straps and buckles from causing discomfort for the dog. Neoprene comfort sleeves wrap around the straps for the dog’s comfort. Comfort sleeves can be cut in half if they are too long.

Leg Rings

Leg Rings:

The dog’s hindquarters are held in place by the leg rings, or our rear harness support system. The leg rings can also be used as a lifting harness when out of the wheelchair; the excess strapping can be touch-fastened together to make handles on each side.

Foam Wheels

Struts & Foam Wheels:

Depending on your pet’s fold of flank measurement, you will receive a set of wheels attached to struts. Struts snap into the leg of the wheelchair frame and adjust to the height needed. Struts are adjustable within a range of 3 inches and come in 4 different sizes: 6”, 9”, 12”, & 15”. The foam wheels are great for all terrains. They feature a dense foam interior with an outer rubber layer. These wheels will not puncture, they wear extremely well, and are easy to clean. Sizes available: 12″ & 16″.

Air Tires

Struts & Air-Filled Pneumatic Tires: (optional upgrade)

Depending on your pet’s fold of flank measurement, you will receive a set of wheels attached to struts. Struts snap into the leg of the wheelchair frame and adjust to the height needed. Struts are adjustable within a range of 3 inches and come in 4 different sizes: 6”, 9”, 12”, & 15”. Air-filled pneumatic tires are an optional item for very active dogs, improved traction, and off-road use. Great for hiking on rough surfaces. These tires are like mountain bike tires and have a deep tread and a replaceable inner tube. Available for an additional $40. Sizes available: 12″ & 16″.

Belly Belt

Belly Belt:

The Belly Belt will help support your dog’s back. It is not always necessary to use the belly belt, but is highly recommended for dogs with a long back, overweight or elderly dogs, dogs with curvature of the spine, and dogs with disc problems.

Stirrups

Stirrups:

Stirrups are used to hold the dog’s legs off the ground so they don’t drag due to paralysis, knuckling under, or foot injuries. The adjustable stirrups are positioned to hold the foot up at the hock. If your dog doesn’t need them, the stirrups may be removed from the wheelchair.

Dog Wheelchair Manual Large

The Manual:

The manual gives instructions and tips on assembling and using the Walkin’ Wheels Wheelchair.

Tool Kit

Tool Kit:

The tool kit comes in a plastic bag and includes and Allen wrench and set screws. The (optional) set screws may be used to tighten up the wheelchair frame and reduce flexibility, depending on your preference.

Sizing

1. Measure the Rear Leg Height to the toe pad, ideally when your pet is laying down, as shown below. Do not pull the leg tight; leave some natural bend.

Rear Leg Height Measurement
Rear Leg Height
14-16″
17-20″
21-22″
23-25″
26-30″

Using our SureFit® Calculator? Enter your pet’s Rear Leg Height, Pet Length, Weight and Breed to get the perfect wheelchair configuration for your pet.

Watch How to Measure Your Pet’s Rear Leg Height Video!

Instructions

Here are a variety of resources to help you assemble the Walkin’ Wheels, how to put a dog into it, how to adjust the wheelchair and finetune the fit, as well as getting a dog used to their new wheelchair:

FAQ

Can pets pee and poop in the Walkin’ Wheels wheelchair?
Yes, the Walkin’ Wheels wheelchair is designed to help pets get the exercise they and do their business mess-free.

Can pets sit in a wheelchair?
No. Our chair is designed NEVER to collapse on the dog’s leg or spine. We’ve gone to great lengths to be sure of it. The chairs are designed with the help of veterinarians and rehabilitation specialists to hold the dog up, keeping the spine and legs in the optimal position for safety and healing.

What’s more, the purpose of the chair is to give the dog exercise and the freedom to go outside and do his business. When the dog is tired, you should never leave him in the chair.

The reviews we have seen of the experimental sit-down spring-loaded style have not been positive. Although we have done a great deal of research, we have not found a safe way for a chair to collapse on a dog.

Can pets use their Walkin’ Wheels inside the house?
Yes. The Walkin’ Wheels is designed to be used both indoors and outside. If a paralyzed pet needs an indoor mobility solution that can be worn for extended periods of time, we recommend the Walkin’ Scooter.

Can dogs lie down in the wheelchair?
No, it is not recommended, due to back or disc issues that could worsen by laying down in the wheelchair.

Can pets use his/her rear legs in the wheelchair?
Absolutely. In fact, we encourage pets to use his/her rear legs. The Walkin’ Wheels can help pets maintain muscle mass, increase strength and exercise. If a pet’s rear legs are paralyzed, use stirrups to prevent their back legs from dragging.

How do I determine the correct size wheelchair for my patient?
It only takes a few simple measurements to determine the correct size wheelchair for you patient. Watch the video below to see how:

Watch How to Measure Your Pet’s Rear Leg Height Video!

Is the wheelchair easy to transport?
Absolutely, the Large Walkin’ Wheels wheelchair is designed to fold flat for easy transport.

Will this wheelchair rehabilitate my dog?
We have seen varying degrees of recovery with pets using the wheelchair. Some dog’s mobility has improved so much that they no longer require a wheelchair. Every case and disability are unique. While a patient is in the wheelchair, they are getting physical therapy improving their physical and mental health.

What is the return policy?
It is our intention that every Walkin’ Wheels user be happy with their wheelchair. If you experience problems, please call us. Often, we can help with a simple adjustment. If you feel the wheelchair is not for you, we can issue a RETURN MATERIALS AUTHORIZATION. Please note that wheelchairs returned without a return materials authorization will not receive credit. Please click here for full return policy.

How do I get my dog used to their new wheelchair?
This is a great question. Over the past 20 years, we’ve determined how to best get a pet acquainted with their wheelchair. Just click here.

How to tell if the Walkin’ Wheels Wheelchair is Adjusted Properly

When the wheelchair is adjusted properly, the animal stands in a ‘natural’ position. Here’s what to check (refer to the figure below):

A: Knuckle at the hips. The knuckle should sit squarely in the center of a dog’s hips. If the knuckle is not aligned correctly, tighten harness and/or adjust length. Allow 1″ on each side between dog and black knuckle.
B: Front Harness D-Ring sits at the shoulder. The D-Ring on the front harness that the extender bar goes through should be at the shoulder. Adjust the straps so that the D-Ring is held firmly against the shoulder, then clip into wheelchair.
C: Proper Alignment. The dog’s back needs to be straight. If dogs back protrudes downwards, then he/she needs the belly belt or belly wrap for support of any spinal or disc issues.
D: Height When at the correct height, the rear toe pads should be just touching the ground to. If legs are paralyzed, use the stirrups to elevate the feet and prevent scraping or dragging.
E: The Side Extender bars need to be level. When adjusted correctly they should run parallel to the ground.  Adjust front harness straps if bar is leaning downward.

Downloadable Resource Guides for Client Education

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