everyone please take to heart!

[mayfateleadyou]

I have been debating on what section to post this or to even post because I know deep down it was my fault. As everyone knows Andy is my baby. He is number one in our house. He has been 100 percent healthy until yesterday. I came home from work around 4 and took him in stormy straight to the bath cause it was bath day. In the bath I noticed Andy was slipping real bad which was not usual. But dismissed it from my mind. Took them out and dried them off laying in my lap where they fell asleep. About 450 they started waking up so I knew it was time to go potty. I put there harness on and latched them to there DOUBLE HEADER LEASH. Went out the door and and headed down the stairs that is when Andy couldn't seem to keep his back legs in control. And about toppled down tne stairs! I picked them up and put them on the grass. Well they ALWAYS fight on which way one wants to go. We've been using this DOUBLE HEADER LEASH for a little OVer a month. I figured they would eventually learn to work together. Andy was walking to like one side. I totally freaked. I stayed calm enough to undo stormy and hold her while Andy walked on his own. He was definitely not walking right. I scooped him up rushed upstairs and set them both down. I was shaking as I dialed the vets office. It was 5 in the evening and I wasn't sure what time my vet closed whether it was 5 or 530. The line was busy. Pulled down the yellow book and flipped to the vet page. Called another vet that was 20 mins or so away. They closed in 20 mins and started telling me they weren't going to wait and started going on about the new emergi vet we had in town. I hung up on the girl in Mid sentence. Called my vet still busy! Called the emergency number. They didn't open till 530! Called my vet and finally someone answered. Turns out my vet closed at 530. New girl remind you. Told her I wasn't sure if I could get before 530 she said everyone left at that time. I said I understood that and if she would ask the vet to wait for me and I have her my name. He said of course. I grabbed Andy raced down stairs and hoped in my GT which I put to good use going 70 in a 45 with my hazard lights flashing. Got there at 527. Turns out Andy had a slipped disc and will be fine after being confined in the little kennel for 2 weeks and medicine for the pain and swelling. He asked about my kennel size and said it could from jumping up in down in the kennel. Then asked about my leash I was holding. Turns out that DOUBLE HEADER LEASHES can cause serious harm and even paralyzation if not careful due two them fighting and it constantly putting strain there little spines when wearing a harness. Please if you have a DOUBLE HEADER LEASH be CAREFUL! They can be dangerous. Andy is fine because I caught it right away and he is following the docs strict orders! He isn't allowed to even walk except to go potty. But thankfull he will make a full recovery and be back to his 100 percent health in a few weeks. Learn from MY MISTAKE!

[Judy in Waco]

Oh wow! Thanks for this information!

Please do not blame yourself. You took action right away and that's the most important thing. You are a great yorkie mom.

I'm so glad to hear that he's doing better now. Give him a gentle hug for me.

[Nancy1999]

Thanks so much for posting this, I was just thinking about getting one because my son's dog is visiting for a week, and I thought this would come in handy. I had no idea it could cause any problem. Hope everything goes well, and thank goodness they found out what was the problem right away.

[red98vett]

How scary but what a good warning !!

I'm so glad you got him in so fast and sending get well wishes....Who would ever think a double harness would cause such an injury..

poor Andy - I hope he recovers completely and fast - I know how hard it is to keep these little guys quiet. GOOD LUCK !!

[mscat]

That is scary. I am glad he will be fine. OK, this might sound stupid, but what is a double header leash? Thanks

[nvnvgirl]

Wow! Who ever would have thought????? I have been debating on getting one of those for my two, but it kept going thru my head that they're always going in different directions and at different speeds, so I thought it might just be more of a hassle trying to walk them both on one....and now I hear this!

I think I'll just keep using separate leashes; even though it's a little inconvenient, I'd feel terrible if this happened! And I'm sure you do too...I'm so glad you noticed it and got him to the vet right away!
Keeping you both in my thoughts that he'll have a comfortable recovery!

[Onni]

Thanks for the warning. I am so glad your baby is going to be ok!!

[mayfateleadyou]

Originally Posted by mscat

That is scary. I am glad he will be fine. OK, this might sound stupid, but what is a double header leash? Thanks

Its not stupid I didn't know about them till we got stormy and I was having an issue with two leashes. It clips on the end of one leash but has to clips at the end of it one for each dog. So you can walk two on one leash. Little dogs with long bodies and shorter legs are more likely to get this kind of injury from these is what my vet said. If they worked together and weren't constantly fighting for different directions it may have never happened. But if they do out stress on each other it CAN DEFINITELY happen!

[mscat]

Thanks for explaining that. I am very glad your little one is going to be ok.

[melanie daley]

WOW!! thanks for the warning, I just got Rocco trained on a leash and was going to get one of those.. It's like a "Y" leash right?? So I probably would be wise not to even get one now??!!

I'm glad your baby is ok, wishing him a very speedy recovery!!

[chattiesmom]

Thank you VERY VERY much for your post. Please don't feel guilty, we all make mistakes with our furbabies and learn from them. By sharing your nightmare, you will help others from making this one.

I will keep you and little Andy in my thoughts and prayers.


Couplers can be a fantastic way to walk two dogs with one leash, however, each dog must be trained to walk nicely and then the two dogs need to learn to walk nicely and take their lead from you.

[Wigfur]

First, he is lucky to have such a fast thinking Mommy! Second, not a mistake, a lot of the time we put our faith into the product we are purchasing,we think it will be safe for our little ones. We all have to learn from each other, so you have saved countless other yorkies here the same pain.. not a mistake just a lesson learned hon.

[YorkichonBella]

What a loving Mommy you were to get him help so quickly!! I hope he gets plenty of rest and recovers soon!! Thanks for the warning too.

[Thorsmomma]

Thank you for sharing this story. I'm sure others will learn from it. You caught it in time, I'm glad everything will be okay.

[mayfateleadyou]

The one thing I know is my dogs and if something is wrong and I'm right there you won't find me online asking about it you'll be hearing about the vet visit the next time I'm on. At first the sign was so indescreet I thought I might have been paranoid but I would rather safe then sorry.