If your dog collapsed when you were out walking

S

Snuffles

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 June 2014
Messages
1,678
Visit site
Dog with back/neck problems was in a lot of pain when we were out a few weeks ago and I did manage to get him home we were about 500 yards away. However, I was worrying today what I would do if it happened when I was out in the countryside. Hes too big to carry. I don't carry a mobile but if I did there is no one I could ring, Ive no family and friends are not local. What is the answer ?
 
get yourself a cheap mobile for £10 and put your neighbour or vet number in for emergency.
also have your mobile number on your dogs collar.
this really is a must
 
Would a small animal vet come out to the middle of nowhere , I suppose they would at a push. also neighbour not an option as they are out at work all day ! Most of the places I walk you wouldn't get a car out. Methinks taking a wheelbarrow with me is the answer !
 
I have thought about this as I walk mostly in the middle of nowhere. I would try and put the dog on my coat, and use the lead to try and drag the lot back to my car. Not good for the coat but that would be irrelevant.
 
Cahill said:
get yourself a cheap mobile for £10 and put your neighbour or vet number in for emergency.
also have your mobile number on your dogs collar.
this really is a must
Click to expand...

This. Also make sure you update the microchip details; you have no idea how many lost dogs can't be reunited because details weren't updated.

Also carry a couple of strong refuse sacks in your pocket always as they could be used as a sledge; you can get a roll of them for about £2 at most Poundland type shops.

Yes, vets should come out wherever you are so make sure you have all their details stored in the phone, plus any neighbours or family even if they live miles away; put them in as ICE (in case of emergency)
Depending where you are signal wise, Tesco do a simple sim card deal only, £7.50 a month usable with any phone so you could use an older one from a friend or same price with a phone on an 18 month contract. Even if it's only used for emergencies it's a small price to pay for peace of mind.

However, all said and done; if you know an animal can be in a lot of pain it begs the question of why take him on walks away from home, somewhere remote or inaccessible in the first place.
 
If your vet runs an ambulatory service then depending on what else they had going on in the surgery they may come and rescue you - depending how far away you are. Why not talk to them and ask?

Your other options are only to walk this dog in remote areas when you have the company of someone else - preferably, young male, strong & fit! :D You can buy portable stretchers or you can always improvise with coats.

Alternatively, you walk the dog on your own but you remain in built up areas where, if necessary, you can go and bang on a door and beg a favour.

Finally, you could purchase one of those collapsible garden carts and keep it in your car - having first got your dog used to being recumbent in it and being pushed around.

The Americans sell these: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product...6_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=2T3XJ1G28RNGYC6WWHWM
However, when I looked into it a couple of years back no-one would ship to UK and upon reflection I decided I didn't like the stresses it would put on a dogs body and that the collapsible garden cart was a better solution.
 
I have sometimes worried about one of my dog's having an accident or injuring themselves when we are out. I live in a remote area with no mobile signal and mostly walk my dogs in this area, so I guess my options would be to either drag back to the truck/home (but they are large dogs) or leave them in situ and get back to my cottage and find my hubby.
 
Hadnt thought about using coat to drag, that's a good idea, would need to be a pretty big coat ! Maesfen, didn't know about dogs issues when he had problems the first time. They have been managed since. A gap in the market here for a dog ambulance service ! Just looked on like for UK suppliers of pet carrying devices, most of them seem to be eye wateringly expensive or currently unavailable. Mind you they wouldn't be practical for taking out on walks anyway
 
Last edited:
When we were on holiday our dog had trouble keeping up . Luckily there was a car boot next day so we purchased a second hand child's buggy for £10. When he had had enough we popped him in the buggy and he loved it
 
Maesfen said:
However, all said and done; if you know an animal can be in a lot of pain it begs the question of why take him on walks away from home, somewhere remote or inaccessible in the first place.
Click to expand...

This 100% - I accept you didn't previously know about the problem, now you do, so why take the risk? Quality of life for the dog in question is the 100% priority for me, so I would never be creating the situation where this might occur
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top