Getting my dog the groomer would be difficult and costly to say the least. So far Sully and I have managed bath time without too much trouble but today I lost my balance and landed pretty much on top of my poor pup. Though neither one of us was injured, I wasn't able to get up despite having safety bars all around the tub. I only use the shower for myself and I have only fallen once using the shower for myself. I have cervical disk disease which was treated successfully with surgery, but I do loose my balance (occasionally) so I walk with a cane, and I do not have much strength getting up from the ground despite weighing less than 120 lbs. Otherwise I am pretty healthy and fit so caring for Sully is easy. I am hoping someone can offer some tips that help with bathing my dog aside from saying "Don't do it." Transportation here is limited and I doubt there are any groomers nearby. I live in disability housing so I can ask for reasonable accommodations for myself, but I don't want to ask them to make any renovations for my pet. I was considering asking for an additional bar on the tub, aside from the ones along the wall, but since the ones there already were not helpful today. Any ideas would be really appreciated!

Views: 118

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

I take it you have to step into the tub to shower.  Can you have a hand held shower head put on...they aren't expensive.  Then you can join Sully in the tub...with bathing suit or nekkid....and just kneel down in the tub to wash him and with the hand held shower head it's easy to wet and rinse them.

I understand the difficulties, I have a fusion in my lower back which makes bending over difficult and getting up from the ground hard to do.  Luckily I do have a groomer close by but there have been times I've needed to rinse off muddy dogs and cats that pee in their pet taxi on trips back from the vet.  I can kneel in the tub and get myself up but baths..forget it, I need a crane to lift my butt up.

Thanks Linda! You sound like you and I have very similar physical issues. I do have a hand held shower. Since Sully has trouble getting into and out of the shower I am thinking about a couple of kiddy stools that little ones use to reach the sink. I just thought of it today. Wonder if that would help. If I started to fall into the tub I think the stool would keep me up just high enough to manage getting back up with the bars. On a side note, my helpless little dog who cannot get into the tub without help somehow managed to reach my backpack on the counter, 3-plus feet, unzip the zippers, and pull out a snack, leaving everything else untouched. Crazy!

Thanks again Linda.

Are there any mobile groomers in your area?  There are several companies here in Las Vegas that come to you in a mobile van.  Also, check online for balance exercises.  They can be as simple as standing on one leg while holding a chair.  A shower chair might also be helpful.  That way you can sit in the tub with Sully,

 Ouch! This is one of my recurring scary nightmares. Glad you're OK!

I also have to lift pooches into the tub and wash them with a handheld shower gadget, with back pain and old-age issues engaged. It's difficult, to say the least.

Rubbermaid makes little plastic stepstools, like small tables. I used to use them as feeding stands for the Gershep and the Greyhound, and I'm pretty sure the things are still made. Here's one at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Rubbermaid-Home-420087BISQU-Step-Stool/dp/B00...

If you can fit on it, this might work as a handy portable dog-washing seat inside a tub or shower stall. Sure would be a lot better than trying to stand or kneel to do the job.

Ouch! Glad you are safe.  My Mowgli fits in a Laundry sink, also known as Utility sink, do you have one? If not, maybe that's something you could request. The plastic ones are deep and fit a Corgi just fine, if Sully is not too heavy for you to lift into it.  You would then be standing, which makes things easy and they make hand shower attachments for sinks.  Non of this is particularly expensive.

http://www.faucet.com/swanstone-pt-1-white-polypropylene-22-gallon-...

For the shower, I have a very small corner unit and when I sprained my knee and was on crutches, I managed to fit a small plastic lawn chair in there.  You may have room to try that.  The plastic Rubbermaid step stool may also help, but would be harder to get up from compared to the chair.  Let us know what works.

Thanks to everyone for all the ideas. A shower chair may work, but I think a small, non-slip stool would be easier since I would be closer to reach Sully, Standing is not an option unless I have hands free to hold onto the bars and I need two hands to manage Sully's bathing. I currently sit/kneel on the floor beside the tub, or sit on the side of the tub. The side of the tub is harder to maintain balance, but sitting on a small stool would be safer and easier no doubt. It would also give us more room if I actually end up in the tub with her. Though neither of us is that big, I think using a stool outside, or a bench seat that can be height adjusted are the key. I would never get her into a laundry sink, but I wish I could. I may also try a thick rubber mat for traction and safety. The tub has a non-slip bottom, but apparently, Sully and I do not. Thanks again all!

RSS

Rescue Store

Stay Connected

 

FDA Recall

Canadian Food Inspection Agency Recall

We support...

Badge

Loading…

© 2024   Created by Sam Tsang.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report a boo boo  |  Terms of Service