Could you lift your dog in an emergency? - Page 5

angierose · 08-31-2010, 08:15 AM

I practice picking up Kaylee now and then. She tolerates it well, and since she hovers around sixty pounds, she's not extremely heavy for me. We do a lot of hiking alone so I've always figured it was a good idea for both of us to be used to it. Not sure if I could lug her miles through the hills, but I could certainly get her out of immediate danger and/or closer to an area where more people would be.

StryderPup · 09-11-2010, 09:37 AM

there is no way in this world I would be able to lift Stryder in an emergency, he is 95 lbs and I am 129 lbs... and we are about the same height :P

**JKlatsky** · 09-11-2010, 10:11 AM

I think you'd be surprised what adrenaline can do. I remember when DH's last Mastiff had a neurological event and couldn't walk. His Mom (not a big lady by any standard) managed to get 165lbs of dog into the car to get to the vet.

I can lift all of my dogs, including the 95lber, although not always easily.

RunShepherdRun · 09-11-2010, 10:34 AM

After Feli got herniated discs, I had to carry her up and down stairs and lift her in and out of the car. Her rehab vet showed me how to, so to not strain her back. I put my arms underneath her belly, one arm just behind her front legs and one far back underneath her belly (like a forklift), wrapped her gently tight (unlike a forklift!), and lifted her (this obviously wouldn't be the right way after a spay surgery!). Myself in the 'duck ass' position, to not hurt my back. We did that for three years.

Years ago one of my dogs got a very nasty pad cut out on a hike and could not put any weight on the paw. We took turns, she limped 100 yards, I carried her 100 yards. Took a long time to get back. Since then, like BowWowMeow/Ruth, I make sure my new dogs are of a weight that I can carry if I have to. Plus I carry bandaging material to be able to make a compression bandage.

Feli weighed 55 lbs, it's within breed standard. Dogs of this size also have a favorable body surface to volume ratio so as to not overheat as quickly as larger dogs do, important if you work with your dog or go on long hikes. Acc. to Coppinger, it's the traditional herding and sled dog size for this reason. Large enough to be able to protect us, too.

My limit is currently 70 lbs, but I ain't getting stronger!

A colleague lost one of her Bernese Mountain dogs to bloat when she could not lift her 125 lbs dog into the car to bring him to the ER. It happened at 1 am and she called a friend but it took the friend a while to get there. The dog died on the way in the car. The vet might not have been able to save him anyhow, but at least there might have been a chance.

Good topic, thanks for raising the question.

Baersmama · 09-11-2010, 11:09 AM

JKlatsky.... I agree with you. Who knows what we are capable of if an emergency presented itself. I've heard stories of people lifting cars for a loved one.

APBTLove · 09-11-2010, 11:16 AM

I could certainly lift Sparkles... 12lbs lol

Jaeger, I can. Not easy because it's awkward, but I can.. I'm about 5'3, Jaeger's a bit taller when I stand him up about between 85-90 pounds.

Chicagocanine · 09-11-2010, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baersmama

JKlatsky.... I agree with you. Who knows what we are capable of if an emergency presented itself. I've heard stories of people lifting cars for a loved one.

True but personally I would not want to rely on that in an emergency because as you said "who knows."
I also think the tales of people lifting cars are exaggerated. Pushing/rolling a car maybe, full-on lifting it? Doubtful for many people to be able to do, even with an adrenaline rush.
The other issue is if you lift more than you can safely carry due to an adrenaline rush, you will likely injure yourself, and probably won't be able to keep it up for very long.
Since "who knows" is not a good emergency plan, this is why I asked whether people have a plan for what they would do in an emergency, or whether anyone has a device like a dog stretcher (they do make those.)

Good_Karma · 09-11-2010, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chicagocanine

True but personally I would not want to rely on that in an emergency because as you said "who knows."
I also think the tales of people lifting cars are exaggerated. Pushing/rolling a car maybe, full-on lifting it? Doubtful for many people to be able to do, even with an adrenaline rush.
The other issue is if you lift more than you can safely carry due to an adrenaline rush, you will likely injure yourself, and probably won't be able to keep it up for very long.
Since "who knows" is not a good emergency plan, this is why I asked whether people have a plan for what they would do in an emergency, or whether anyone has a device like a dog stretcher (they do make those.)

Off topic, but in college a couple guys picked up my roomie's car and moved it to a no-parking zone. It was a small car.

rob31 · 09-11-2010, 04:38 PM

I could lift my dog in an emergency, but I don't know if I could go a long distance carrying him. Lets hope there never is an emergency.

gsdmi · 09-11-2010, 08:00 PM

Just last weekend I was looking at a site that had medical items to help animals with handicaps. I marked the site, as they had a dog stretcher, and I planned to get it. I could probably lift mine into the car, like someone else mentioned, I do not want to leave it to chance.

There is also a stretcher with wheels, a little pricier, but I could get a dog on it and pull it into the truck, or take it up the ramp.

I just need to decide which, or both to have. Good topic for thought.

View Poll Results: Can you lift/carry your dog? If not, do you have a device or plan for emergencies?
Yes, I can carry my dog on my own.	93	82.30%
No, I can't lift my dog.	16	14.16%
I have a device ready to move my dog in an emergency (pet stretcher or similar)	2	1.77%
I have a plan to move my dog in an emergency without using a special device (you carry a blanket, or have another plan)	10	8.85%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 113. You may not vote on this poll

09-11-2010, 10:11 AM	#43 (permalink)
JKlatsky Moderator Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Riverview, FL Posts: 2,985	I think you'd be surprised what adrenaline can do. I remember when DH's last Mastiff had a neurological event and couldn't walk. His Mom (not a big lady by any standard) managed to get 165lbs of dog into the car to get to the vet. I can lift all of my dogs, including the 95lber, although not always easily. __________________ Argos vom Eisernen Loewen VPG1, CGC, TC 3-3-07 Bianka vom Eisernen Loewen BH, CGC, TC 1-3-08 Cade vom Eisernen Loewen CGC 3-25-09 D'Artagnan (Tag) vom Eisernen Loewen 2-2-10 G Aiko von Burkndeiros SchH 3, IPO3, FH, TC, KKL2 9-17-02

09-11-2010, 10:34 AM	#44 (permalink)
RunShepherdRun Master Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: MA Posts: 596	After Feli got herniated discs, I had to carry her up and down stairs and lift her in and out of the car. Her rehab vet showed me how to, so to not strain her back. I put my arms underneath her belly, one arm just behind her front legs and one far back underneath her belly (like a forklift), wrapped her gently tight (unlike a forklift!), and lifted her (this obviously wouldn't be the right way after a spay surgery!). Myself in the 'duck ass' position, to not hurt my back. We did that for three years. Years ago one of my dogs got a very nasty pad cut out on a hike and could not put any weight on the paw. We took turns, she limped 100 yards, I carried her 100 yards. Took a long time to get back. Since then, like BowWowMeow/Ruth, I make sure my new dogs are of a weight that I can carry if I have to. Plus I carry bandaging material to be able to make a compression bandage. Feli weighed 55 lbs, it's within breed standard. Dogs of this size also have a favorable body surface to volume ratio so as to not overheat as quickly as larger dogs do, important if you work with your dog or go on long hikes. Acc. to Coppinger, it's the traditional herding and sled dog size for this reason. Large enough to be able to protect us, too. My limit is currently 70 lbs, but I ain't getting stronger! A colleague lost one of her Bernese Mountain dogs to bloat when she could not lift her 125 lbs dog into the car to bring him to the ER. It happened at 1 am and she called a friend but it took the friend a while to get there. The dog died on the way in the car. The vet might not have been able to save him anyhow, but at least there might have been a chance. Good topic, thanks for raising the question. __________________ FKA RunSarahRun Chip v. Dog Pound (border terrier x) & kitties, foster GSD Elly RIP: Feli von der Kette (GSD), Tanja v. Herrenlos, Robin v. Tierheim, Bubi v. d. Strasse, Iris v. Michelstaedter Rathaus (GSD), Dago v. d. Gamseiche (GSD), & kitties

09-11-2010, 11:09 AM	#45 (permalink)
Baersmama Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Illinois Posts: 288	JKlatsky.... I agree with you. Who knows what we are capable of if an emergency presented itself. I've heard stories of people lifting cars for a loved one. __________________ Currently sharing my life with Max and Sadie. My angels, always in my heart.... Kelsey Maggie Baer Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole. ~Roger Caras

09-11-2010, 11:16 AM	#46 (permalink)
APBTLove Knighted Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 3,081	I could certainly lift Sparkles... 12lbs lol Jaeger, I can. Not easy because it's awkward, but I can.. I'm about 5'3, Jaeger's a bit taller when I stand him up about between 85-90 pounds. __________________ What IS a Pit Bull? Rescuing GSDs.

08-31-2010, 08:15 AM	#41 (permalink)
angierose Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 267	I practice picking up Kaylee now and then. She tolerates it well, and since she hovers around sixty pounds, she's not extremely heavy for me. We do a lot of hiking alone so I've always figured it was a good idea for both of us to be used to it. Not sure if I could lug her miles through the hills, but I could certainly get her out of immediate danger and/or closer to an area where more people would be.

09-11-2010, 09:37 AM	#42 (permalink)
StryderPup Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Carlisle, Ohio Posts: 467	there is no way in this world I would be able to lift Stryder in an emergency, he is 95 lbs and I am 129 lbs... and we are about the same height :P

09-11-2010, 04:38 PM	#49 (permalink)
rob31 New Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Illinois Posts: 6	I could lift my dog in an emergency, but I don't know if I could go a long distance carrying him. Lets hope there never is an emergency. __________________ bully sticks

09-11-2010, 08:00 PM	#50 (permalink)
gsdmi Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 89	Just last weekend I was looking at a site that had medical items to help animals with handicaps. I marked the site, as they had a dog stretcher, and I planned to get it. I could probably lift mine into the car, like someone else mentioned, I do not want to leave it to chance. There is also a stretcher with wheels, a little pricier, but I could get a dog on it and pull it into the truck, or take it up the ramp. I just need to decide which, or both to have. Good topic for thought.

Remove Advertisements Sponsored Links
German Shepherd Advertisement