My shih-tzu has a slight heart murmur and when we go for a walk she will often refuse to walk even though she has wanted to come out with my other dog. I end up carrying her and she is quite heavy. I have seen on american websites that they have special strollers (pushchairs) for their dogs. This seems an excellent idea. Does anyone know if these are available in the uk. Many thanks.

my border collie has a grade 5 murmur, she is kept fit and is a good weight, she competes in agility!!!!

i think ur dog may be having you on a little bit!

She has been like this since she was a pup, but there is no way you can make her walk. Normally if you gently pull on the lead a dog will get up and walk. She would have no skin on her belly because I have tried it on grass and she just comes along like a floor cloth. I feel guilty leaving her at home everytime I take the other one out.

Yes there is a firm in Clacton that sells them ' pet mobil' ,my friend has bought that one. There are others from USA but they charge so much with shipping and then we pay tax on top.

The ones from the USA call "Kittywalkers" are gorgeous!  Very different from the Pet Mobiles, but also much pricier (and as previously said, the  shipping etc certianly adds to the cost)  I noticed on ebay last week that there were several for sale similar to the Kittywalker, but for about $100.
Pet London also have some, which look a bit like a wheeled suitase - I have seen a few dogs transported in these and they seem very happy, but not suire if they woudl be a suitable to a longish stroll!
bye
Gwen

If you don't pick her up and carry her everytime she won't walk, she certainly won't stay put for ever!

Healthy exercise will do much to improve her condition and keep her fit and healthy.  Pushing her around with do nothing!

I've seen one on ebay

What about a childs pushchair I took my Shih Tzu pup out in my daughters old pushchair before he had his injections if you get one that the seat lies back flat there should be enough room.

My friend uses one of those upright shopping trolley things with the bag part taken out to wheel her Cav into shows with - much cheaper than posh trolleys I imagine!

Don't your dogs have functioning legs?  ;-)

>My shih-tzu has a slight heart murmur and when we go for a walk she will often refuse to walk even though she has wanted to come out with my other dog.<
>Don't your dogs have functioning legs?<

A bit tactless

>A bit tactless

Not really. My bitch who'll be 13 next month was diagnosed with a heart murmur 6 months ago. The vet recommended no treatment, and she still does 5 miles exercise with the others every day.

I agree JG and jackyjat :)

Lucy
xx

Bearing in mind the OP's dog is a shih tzu & not a dalmatian & they can be very stubborn & get stressed very easily not quite the same really

I cannot see the OP to taking the dog on a 5 mile walk which would be like a 20 mile hike for a small dog

MM, the point is that 'a slight heart murmur' is no automatic reason to restrict exercise.

Depends on how"slight"the slight is hardly an accurate description is slight a grade one or two ?

The OP and I give the same description ... ;)

And to add to the above comments from Moonmaiden & Jeangenie, we also have ot bear in mind that it is a short faced breed, I can fully understand the OP not wanting to stress out a small, stroppy Shih Tzu with a heart Murmur.  I have a "disadvantaged" very small POug, who adors to come out on walks, but due to severe joint problems can only do very short distances (and only on grass, not hard going)  So that she does not feel left out (so causing stress) she comes on the walks to the park, does the few yards she can manage, then when she knows she has had enough either gets carried for a while, or on longer walkers sits in her "pooch pouch".  When ready to walk again she lets me know, and down she goies for another few years. 
Perhaps the OP has something like this regime in mind - still giving some excercise, but allowing for periods of rest too.

bye
Gwen

Thats what I was trying to explain Gwen you sum it up perfectly

having re-read my last post noticed it has even more than my usual number ot typing errors!  Last line should have read she cna go back on the ground for a few more YARDS (not years :) )
bye
Gwen

just a thought what does the OP stand for If its old person. That I am not Well I may be but I can still walk miles even if my dog can't. Just.

OP = Original Poster.
:)

ók thanks. thats made me feel a lot better.

lol :D

yes my dogs have four functioning legs each as other dogs but this one also has a stubborn streak which is a characteristic of the shi-tzu. The stroller was not intented so that she doesn't walk at all, it was simply so we could get along when one of her stubborn moods come on. As for the comment that she would walk eventually. Believe me you are wrong. I have tried letting go of her lead and walking away (making sure we are in a safe place) even hiding where she can't see me and she quite happily curls up and stays where she is. I dread to think how long she would stay there for.

Well, may be in danger of repeating myself, but I think your idea of using a stroller is an excellent one.  Have you looked at any yet?  I will eventually get one for puglet, as her mobility will definetly decrease with age, but she adores being out and about, and being "queen bee" on the walks.
bye
Gwen

The one I was interested in can only be bought in the us. They are selling them on uk e-bay now but the shipping is so expensive. I have found one in the uk but she wouldn't be able to lay down as its like a backpack with wheels. The only other one I have found is like a shopping trolley but it is still too closed in and it is one hundred and fifteen pounds. The US one was excellent as it was longer and more like a crate with one half covered. This means she would still get the fresh air and also I could go for longer walks as there would be room for my little shi-tzu as well. In America there are so many places you can buy them. Perhaps we will catch up one day. I'm sure there would be a market for them. Many a time I see neighbours taking their dogs to the vet in a taxi because maybe there other half are at work so they do not have a car and this would be excellent for that. I'll keep looking because you never know. I'm sure someone could make a small fortune here.

Hi MAggie,  these are the Kittywalkers, and others in the same style.  I know Sulllysmum's friend had one for sale a while ago, you coudl try contacting her and see if it is still available
bye
Gwen

i just got one of the petmobil strollers for taking my dogs to shows. it just arrived this week so ive only tired it out in the garden as ive not had a show to go to, but it looks great and was excellent value for money considering how expensive some dog trolleycrates can be.

i got the larger sized one which can fit my 3 little poms in easy. my 17lb rescue yorkiecross can also fit in it too( although not with the poms,hes so big he would squash them!).

My friend is giving me her as new older style pet mobile in a couple weeks.At the moment we use the upright red shopping trolley with the bag still in and a cushion on the bottom, it helps my elderly husband walk and after we catch the bus into town and the long walk through the town we let the girls out for a long 'leaded' walk along the promenade and all the way back ( they are very little at 3 1/2 lb each for two of them and 7 1/2lbs for the other) two walk very well but the youngest one gets tired (shes lucky to be alive but thats another story), none are over weight and are still youngish at nearly 5 and 6,and the other 7..and enjoy being able to have a ride before and after their walk.

She's obviously got you well trained Maggie!

Ive had this problem with a lasa i used to dogsit.

I dont know about the OP's dog, but this one was VERY pampered and tbh they encouraged her little foibles (like crapping on the carpet, feeding peeled grapes, yadda yadda).

Amazingly, after i walked off and left her in the park (i hide upa  hill behind a tree for an hour) she stopped doing it with me!

Ive also ahd the same problem wtih an OES and that i couldnt solve as he would do it in the middle of a busy road (well, solved wtih a boot up the jacksie, as it was something of an emergency).....

Good luck to the OP, i think more determination might be the answer rather than a stroller, and perhaps bribery involving a very hungry dog and some cheese or liver cake.....

Em

I have a Pet Mobil for sale.  Only used once.  It is the small size.  £90.  It is a Sholley one.  They are advertised on the Sholley site in your search engine.  pm me if you are interested.