Pet ambulance services

[Cinder & Smoke]

Can anyone recommend pet ambulance services in the Chicago area?

Do a http://www.google.com search for "Pet Transport" + Chicago
and you'll get a few good hits.
Here's one:
http://www.pet-sitters.biz/search_detail.cfm?mem=42081

You could try other terms, too:
* Pet Taxi
* Pet Ambulance

And ask your VET for suggestions.

Steps?
Ask some friends who can swing a hammer and run a saw to build a gently
sloping RAMP to cover part of the steps for Fido.
Nail indoor/outdoor carpet down for increased traction.

[fragrancehound]

Thanks for the suggestions. I have to go back to the vet this week or next to get some more of her medication so I could ask for some ideas.

The whole situation is just so depressing. I'm so worried that while I am at work something could happen and I won't find out or can't due anything until I get home in the evening. I'm going to hire a dog walker to come by once a day in the afternoon but I still worry. I also worry as my baby has a harder time walking will I be able to handle her? Will the dogwalker be able to handle her?

Unfortunately none of my friends are very handy building anything so that idea is on hold. I could try asking my ex but I doubt he would do it.

I worry that when the time comes for her to cross over that she will be in too much pain to walk and that I will have a hard time getting her to the vet.

I know I probably worry too much but I love her so much. She is my big fur daughter.

[Taz_Zoee]

I am so sorry to hear about Booboo.
I don't have any suggestions on the transport side, but I was thinking about getting her to the vet. Do you have a vet around that would come to your house? For routine things once she becomes immobile, and when her time comes to cross the bridge (which will hopefully be SEVERAL months away).
I just noticed Angels3 posted this suggestion too.

I hope everything goes smoothly for you and her. I will keep both of you in my thoughts.

[Angels3]

I googled Mobile Vet Services.
Up came a listing for such services in all the states of the USA.

Scroll down to Illinois.....& you'll see 4 mobile vets that say 'Chicago' in their contact details. They even indicate which sections of Chicago they service.

http://www.housecallvets.org/html/ho..._-_ameri3.html

[Cinder & Smoke]

Unfortunately none of my friends are very handy building anything
so that idea [the ramp] is on hold.

Friends have Friends ... put the Word out - one of your friends has to know
someone who can saw & hammer.
Worst case: visit the local High School or Vocational School "Shop Classes" -
ask if the students could built a ramp for you as a class project.
You pay for the materials, they do the rest.

----------------------

HEY - Angels3 ~
Welcome back - STAY a while!!

[Angels3]

Here's hoping all the ideas helped fragrancehound.
I nearly know what it's like. We owned a bigger than usual, fat senior Sheltie, whose nickname was 'Horse' (as in, 'as big as').
It was like carrying a baby elephant up the stairs.

Hi, Cinder & Smoke, I saw your name in this thread...& that's why I started reading it. Always led somewhere good.
The Australians are baaaaaaaaaaaack.

[fragrancehound]

What do you think of this support harness? BooBoo's front leg is the bad leg.


http://www.petco.com/product/104030/...d.aspx#details

Edited to say Thank You. I know I don't come here often but when I do I so appreciate the support I receive. It's wonderful to know that people here understand what I am going through and also understand that these are just not dogs and cats but rather are part of our families. On another forum to which I belong I was amazed at the lack of compassion and heart I had received when describing Boo's problem. One poster had the nerve to tell me just to put her to sleep and she is just a dog. WTF?? I don't understand people. Anyway, thanks again for support!!

[Cinder & Smoke]

What do you think of this support harness?
BooBoo's front leg is the bad leg.

http://www.petco.com/product/104030/...d.aspx#details

Check THIS site (HandicapPets.com) out >>>

http://www.handicappedpets.com/

They have a Lifting Sling that centers the support AT the front legs,
rather than BEHIND the legs like the PetCo sling does.

See page >>> http://handicappedpets.biz/xcart/helping-them-walk/
and "Front Harness" Product Page >>>
http://handicappedpets.biz/xcart/fro...cats-walk.html

Photo:
With this harness, Boo's legs go through the harness,
giving some support forward of her legs and on her chest.
Scan down for the size and measuring info.
Drawback: Her size is more expensive than the PetCo design.

[fragrancehound]

I wonder how hard it would be to get her legs into that harness? That is my only concern. Because of her size (XL) I think I am limited in my choices too.

[Angels3]

I understand your problem & have 3 suggestions.

1. Your worry re vet visits. Is there a mobile vet, in your city, that provides a service to owners & their pets, in their own homes?
We have one in our area (bit far away for you, tho'. I'm in Brisbane, Australia).
It's called Vet Van & it's staffed by a fully qualified vet. Many people, for all sorts of reasons, use this mobile service for their pets.
Check it out under Veterinarians in the phone book. Or maybe your own vet would know.....or even do some home visits.

2. I don't know what your porch steps are like....how high etc. But some folk I know use, for their big dogs, those ramps that are used to roll motor-bikes in & out of trailers.
The ramps are not too expensive from auto supply stores. They're usually folding & fairly light. And the surfaces are made for gripping on.

3. If you want to hold a large dog steady while its going up steps or up a ramp....a huge beach towel (or a couple of them), looped under the dog's stomach (like a sling) will do that. This just takes a little weight off the dog & it can use its legs more confidently.