A Homemade cart for scooter

I have an 8 yr. old dachshund that is the joy of my life.  I adore her.  Her back legs no longer work...and she was NEVER one for exercise! 

Her kneecaps are on the outsides of her legs and she has a lot of arthritis in her leg joints.  For me to carry her is not really a problem, but I know she has had a lot of difficulty going to the bathroom.  My sister, Cheryl, world's best puppy aunt, or I would hold her up, but I know it was not easy for any of us.  I decided to see about a 'set of wheels' for her.  Well, when I saw the cost I figured I did not have a chance, but then I found your website!  THANK YOU ! 

My best buddy Ozo(10 years old) has degenerative Myelopathy, and hasn't been able to walk unassisted since February of this year. It took him almost a year to get that way from the first time we saw he was having problems walking in smooth surfaces. We have done about everything we can for him medically.

Here is a picture of Mimosa. 

Here she is in her physical therapy cart. It wouldn't be ideal for long term use, becasue the vet wrap isn't secure enough. However, it works great for 15 minute physical therapy sessions to build up her front leg strength. It also allows her to use her one good leg.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR HOMEMADE DOG CART

Frame
I have included 3 designs- small dog, medium-large dog and quad cart.For smaller dogs, the frame is made from flat aluminium bar 20mm wide available from hardware stores. Assembly is with standard nuts and bolts. For larger dogs, the frame is made from 15mm copper water pipe and
joined with pipe fittings to suit. Annealed tube in coils should be strong enough. Hard drawn tube is stronger but more expensive. Aluminium or steel tube can also be used but fittings may be hard to find.  Final version can be assembled using epoxy glue. Hold together with plastic tape till then.

Posted by Dennis D
For large pets and small pets, check this out.

For large pets:
I just got back from a large hardware store (Home Depot) where I examined alot of fittings and connectors (for connecting frame components of carts in various materials from electrical conduit, plastics, 1/2 inch copper water pipe or a mixture of these.

The best I think is the 1/2 inch copper water pipe, BECAUSE, there is such a wide assortment of connectors and fittings, moreso than in plastics or electric conduit, and they are easily and quickly assembled and soldered with a small hand held propane torch. They are also inexpensive First I looked at electrical conduit connectors. These are interesting, but limited in terms of versatility. Plastic fittings are also more limited than copper, as well as being more bulky (Copper is stronger for it's size).

I found some creative quality products. Many of these are very well crafted and great quality. Some are quite expensive. I know there is a need and many people cannot afford the “high-tech” models. In addition, many of the carts are for animals who have good use of their front legs – my design is for those who have poor to no use of 3 or 4 legs.

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• Reviews of all dog wheelchairs at DogWheelchairReviews.com