A Dalmatian stricken with hip Dysplasia...an injured German Shepherd that can barely walk...a dachshund with an amputated leg. These sad situations used to mean euthanasia or a severely impaired life for a beloved pet.

But Mark Robinson of Amherst, NH is changing all of that. Mark created a web site for the caretakers of Handicapped Pets : (http://www.handicappedpets.com), a pet products company that specializes in equipment for injured, disabled and otherwise physically challenged pets. Mark founded the company and its web site in 2001, as a hobby. Since then, handicappedpets.com's popularity has surpassed his most optimistic expectations.

Handicappedpets.com sells everything a disabled pet could possibly need - from couch ramps to disposable doggie diapers. But perhaps one of the most intriguing products Mark sells a line of products called pet carts (sometimes called pet wheelchairs).These amazing products allow pets to live pleasantly active lives, where they might have otherwise been completely immobile.

Mark's wheelchairs can help dogs with canine hip dysplasia, a crippling, yet all too common problem among certain breeds. Like a human hip, a dog's hip is a ball-and-socket joint. A healthy ball joint fits well into the socket, which is supported by cartilage to keep the ball in place. When a dog has dysplasia, the ball doesn't fit well into the socket. As the dog ages, this causes painful inflammation, which can lead to crippling arthritis. Eventually, the dog becomes unable to walk or use its back legs at all.

Uncommon Mobility

A dog wheelchair can be just what the doctor ordered to get a dog moving again. Mark says "A canine wheelchair is perfect for a dog with dysplasia. When he realizes he doesn't have to drag his back legs around anymore, he's fine. He's already used to propelling himself with his front legs Most crippled dogs take to it right away."

All dog wheelchairs must be custom made, but sizing is relatively simple. There is a strap that snaps around the dog's chest and a bar that runs parallel to his back for spinal support. Mark says there are roughly a half-dozen measurements the pet owner needs to take before ordering. Sizing instructions can be found on Mark's site, www.handicappedpets.com.

Products like Mark's can greatly improve the quality of life for disabled pets. To help defray the cost of these devices, American pet owners are turning to a product that British pet owners have been buying for years: pet health insurance.

Technological advancements in medicine have given veterinarians the ability to vastly improve quality of life or even save a pet's life. Advances in medical treatment for pets come with increased costs.

While today's veterinarians make use of the latest techniques and equipment, they tend to be expensive. For example, back surgery for a dog can run into the thousands of dollars. Most pet owners simply aren't prepared for this type of cost on their own.

Insurance for Veterinary Costs

Pet insurance could be a win-win situation for them. It allows pet owners to afford the cost of a catastrophic injury, while veterinarians are able to use the equipment and techniques made available by modern veterinary science. If you have a policy that covers events like these, it could be the difference between euthanasia and saving the life of a beloved pet.

There are a lot of factors that pet owners need to know before buying pet health insurance. Some of these factors include the age of the pet, type of animal, and the breed (some breeds are more prone to have medical issues than others). You can get more information on health insurance for your pet online at http://www.pet-insurance.info.com.

If your dog is not able to lead an active lifestyle due to injury or disability, then a dog wheelchair might be the perfect answer for giving him the freedom he longs to have. Be sure to check out HandicappedPets.com and Pet-Insurance-info.com to find out more.