Converting a buggy for a dog (Canine Hydrotherapy)

Member Name: lizjkp

Product:	Canine Hydrotherapy
Date:	10/06/08 (79 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Able to go on long walks

Disadvantages: Carrying it about

Hi All

I have just read the article about Hydrotherapy for pets.
Our 9 year old Great Dane X had to have her right front leg amputated (due to an osteosarcoma) a tumour of the bone,
she is currently having three weekly chemotherapy sessions (last one in three weeks time) and getting on very well. The first two weeks were awful for her and my husband and I, as the chemo upsets the appetite and I had to actually push food down her throat until she got the taste of it and then she would slowly eat not even 500grams of food, she was having 6 meals a day and each meal she had to be force fed to start with (Apparently the chemo gives them a bad taste in the mouth and that is why they do not want to eat, because they cannot taste the food until it gets into the stomach and the brain accepts that it does taste like food.
Jess is getting on reasonably well without her front leg (vets do not like to amputate front legs of dogs over 30 kgs in weight as it is very difficult for the dog to balance without a front leg but not as difficult without a back leg), she useses her left front leg as a tripod to balance and now hops along faster than she used to walk.
The vet who performed the op said that within 6 weeks she would be back to doing the same amount of walking as she had done before the leg was amputated (15 miles a week) but we find it difficult to retrain her up to this level at this time of year.
So to cut a VERY long story short we were wondering if Hydrothery would help and if anybody can suggest a means of converting a PRAM/BUGGY so that we can allow her to walk until she is tired, she can hop into the her "Transport" while we continue walking and when she is rested enough she can hop out and carry on walking.
We have seen quite a few Double buggies at our local TIP so this would not be difficult to obtain but need ideas to convert it, the carry basket underneath will carry her water and bowl.
Hope to hear from anyone with any ideas or if you have already done something like this, and of any Hydrotherapy centres near Stratford-upon-Avon.
Regards
lizjkp

Summary: Hydrotherapy seems a good alternative to recuperated