@drizzellla wrote:
@Kachina624:
Yes, the steps do fold. And they are built for dogs up to 100 pounds. But last night he collapsed coming in our back door. He had to climb 3 steps. So that scared me. My son had to pick up his hind end. Not sure if the cold affected him. Because he seems just fine today. He is walking around with no trouble.
Thank you, ladies for recommending that we use treats to train him to use the ramp. He is one picky eater. We finally got him to eat both breakfast and dinner yesterday. We had to use chicken breast, roast beef, hamburger, hot dog and chicken livers. We were so happy that he ate the 2 meals, my husband gave him extra treats. Last night he picked out every treat in his bowl and dropped them on the floor. He didn't eat any.
I am so glad for everyone's unput. I was thinking that he would need a bit of force to climb the ramp. But I was not thinking of him trying to go down the steps. Now I know why there are so many ramps. I will look into the Weather Tech.
My boy had been paralyzed from a severed spine before I got him. He'll be 7yrs old this June. While he can do a few steps (three at backdoor) okay, in the cold weather his hind legs often tend to collapse usually on the second step and I keep my hand near his butt and the other by his side for balance so we get back in the house.
Before my girl passed - she had metatastic bone cancer which eventually affected her right hock while her front left arm circulation was blocked off from a tumor - I got a super large and heavy ramp from a company in FL. The ramp didn't work out so I donated it to the ACO.
So I say this from my personal experience: both steps and ramps are impossible or near impossible to line up depending on your vehicle unless you want your furbaby to ride in the cargo area. I have a Jeep Grand Cherokee and my backseat doors open at an angle (pita) so you can't line up the ramp! My car doesn't have this feature - never knew they had these - if your pet rides in the front seat you have to have an airbag disabler switch: the airbag can kill! Thought about disabling the airbag, but would have to have it enabled annually to get a sticker.
And, please remember, the angle of the ramp is of utmost importance since more effort/pressure on rear legs must be used for a higher angle: if the furbaby walks up the ramp, pressure is exerted on the hind legs; down the ramp, front legs. So a ramp isn't really effective, depending how bad the problem is.
Not trying to be a Debbie-Downer; just wanting to relay what I've learned over the years.
OT - I do recommend acupuncture to possibly alleviate some pain.