The FerretMobile DIY Ferret Wheelchair

After a recent illness limited the use of one of our ferret's hind legs, I decided it wasn't fair for him to have to lay around while the other ferrets got out to play. He wasn't able to get around and enjoy himself.

I decided to buy him a mobility aid, but after the sticker shock wore off (least I found was over US$300) I decided to make one. There wasn't much available online as far as DIY, but plenty of pictures of commercial models. I decided to make one myself, and this is the result, for around $30 in materials

Dedicated to Merlin, He went back home and got his wings back, 8/10/2009
He was one of those DMK ferrets rescued from a horrid breeder, and we gave him the best life we could for his entire stay with us.  We miss you bud. 

Step 1 Materials

Here is my bill of materials, approximate cost, and where I bought them. Store choices were based on convenience, and there are very likely better choices to be had. Just be sure you get the lightest weight stuff you can find that will serve the purpose.

$3 - 2 Clothes Line Wheels (Lowe's, Hardware, near nuts and bolts)
$5 - 3 foot perforated angle metal bar (Lowe's, Hardware, near nuts and bolts)
$6 - 500 Piece Plastic Wire Ties, aka Zip-Ties (WalMart, Automotive) - Won't use them all)
$3 - 6 piece wooden craft boards (WalMart, Craft Section)
$1 - Bandanna (WalMart, near purses and such)
$2 - Hook & Loop Tape, aka Velcro (WalMart, hardware)
$7 - Pair of Shin guards, soccer player type (WalMart, Sporting Goods)

(Lots of other stuff in the picture that I ended up not using. Your design may vary). If you look online, you may see why some of the extra stuff was bought but not used.

When shopping, keep in mind how long your animal's body is. You want a "cradle" that will support their body in a way fitting the injury. Sometimes you may want to support them by the legs or hips by means of a harness setup.

In our case, we needed to support Merlin's torso, because of an irritation with his legs that made us want to minimize contact there. If you need to support them by the legs or hips, you may want to use a different cradling method.

We chose the smallest shin guards we could find. You may want different materials depending on your particular needs. Be creative.

Comments

[Hork68]

I just wanted to say thank you for posting this!!! I was able to build one with a few modifications to fit our ferret Butch =) He is wheeling himself all over the place. I was so happy to find the wheels at Lowes, right where you said they would be. My previous attempts...three...different assistive devices worked but not this well. I know he won't be with us much longer but at least he has his mobility back =) Thank you again!!!!!!

[wolfysluv]

My name is Rebecca Stout (Wolfy). I am desperately trying to contact this author/inventor. If anyone here knows how I could contact them outside of sending a PM or posting a comment, could you contact me? This is in regards an attempt to get this information out to the ferret community at large (in addtion to links to this site) and to people who are in great need of this.
Wolfy
[e-mail]

[odiekokee]

I'm still here and active :) sent email to you.

[sferret rescue]

I can't thank you enough, not only for this ingenious and affordable invention but for publishing it here. One of my kids lost the strength in his hind legs last week but from the waist up he's full of so much life. Someone on my facebook page offered to make him the wheelchair and we should be getting it in a couple days. Mr. Darcy came in bald and boney from adrenal disease and I'm working to get his bladder problems under control, he developed an infection over the weekend. I know he will perk up when he finally gets his wheels. My attempts with a flat bed toy truck failed miserably.. Thank you again so much!!! Kim and Mr. Darcy from Somethin Up My Sleeve Ferret Rescue.

[mostly water]

Clothesline reels, shin guards, and a bandana? Brilliant use of materials. Nicely done.

[agis68]

this is amazing. Since I remember my self I had animals next to me: Horse, cats (many of them) dogs, ducks etc. Two years ago I lost one of my cats, my favorite one and so called son since me and my wife we don't have kids. I did everything to keep in life this 10 years old cat. He suffered by strokes and lately his heart became weak... One day 12 day before his loss his small heart stopped. I was always next to him and I give some respiratory help mouth by mouth to help him and he recovered. But just for 12 days!. I will never forget his eyes. Sometimes even now Iam crying for him and always I praying for him and for all my pet friends.
This kind of instructables shown us from what material we been made of: HUMAN big word. This is the right position of human been to help the weak life forms.

thanks dude for all beautiful and kind that remind us this instructable...far more than 5/5...

[odiekokee]

10Aug2009 Update - Pray for Merlin, he took a pretty hard turn for the worse this morning, and we're beginning to prepare for the worst. Will see the vet at opening time tomorrow morning, if he hasn't left us to get his wings back before then.

[odiekokee]

He made a full and miraculous recovery, just not in the way most folks want it. Who needs a wheelchair when you get your wings back? Merlin went home 6:30 this afternoon. He's not sick at all anymore. Thank God. Amen.

[sspence]

sniffle, wipe, dang it, I got something in my eye ......

[erikals]

RIP Merlin and btw, great Instructable

[hersman]

Sorry to hear that Merlin passed. This instructable is very touching. I'm glad to know that you made it a little better for him before his passing. Like you said though he's not sick anymore. Keep up the good ideas.

[artist without a medium]

 Awesome Ferret parent! 
Got four myself. 

[odiekokee]

 Thank you. We're at 11 at the moment, 3 are actually foster-kids from Raisins Haven rescue shelter, but we'll probably be their forever home soon.  They are so very much overloaded up there. 

[artist without a medium]

 My first Sara was a rescue. I knew her owner and kept telling him he wasn't taking care of her and to just give her to us; eventually he agreed. Our second my husband bought for my birthday Nibble . Rastus' owner was looking for a new home cause his daughter wasn't taking care of him. Sara passed away I still miss her. Now we've taken in two more ( Spaz and Mitzy) that belonged to my sister. She says we're the foster parents but They aren't going back either. I don't know how you keep up with 11. Crazy little things.
 

[dhuddleston]

i think your idea for the ferret wheelchair is fabulous. i have a paralized iguana and will try to use your idea for him. any other ideas my email is [e-mail].

[adrenalynn]

The Instructable:
This is one of those times when I wish there was a super-secret "Six Star Rating" button...

This so exemplifies the DIY spirit - and it's so nice to see smart people doing smart things once in awhile.

The Content:
My sincerest condolences for your loss.  A very tearful instructable intro - well written.

[WhiteTigerTails]

Congradulations on using such little money in making something that is invaluable to your pet. It is rather rediculous that such a simple device costs so much. It is actually unfair. You have liberated our minds from the mindset that it is expensive to take care of a disabled pet. It all depends on who has resources to materials, and an imagination to match.

This is a great accomplishment. 5 Stars.

[nehmah]

Your determination to help Merlin get moving illustrates the value of this entire site. Keep well and stay safe for Autumn. Cordially, Nehmah

[odiekokee]

Thank you :) We've actually got 4, Autumn, Summer, Peenut, and Sugar. We're considering adopting a couple others from a friend who works a lot and doesn't get enough time with them.

[Starrlily]

I cant believe I found your DIY. I have a 9 yr old little girl named Miss Podo who has adrenal gland disease and insulinoma, and she has terrible issues with her hind legs. I searched high and low for a wheelchair for her, and like you, found nothing, and what I did find was so expensive. Thanks so much for this DIY.

[yogipaolo]

This invention made me a bit misty about the eyeball section of my head. My condolences on Merlin. I'm glad you made him happy while he was here.

[chaitanyak]

this is a beautiful instructable!

[tmr]

I love it! That's such a cool invention. You should get a patent.

[odiekokee]

Nahh, there's nothing there patentable. I'm not doing it to make a business or a profit. I am doing it to help animals and their people have happier lives.

[tmr]

Thats great. I still love it!!

[domiflichi]

Incredible Instructable. I don't generally comment on Instructables, but your Instructable was very moving. Merlin was very lucky to have you. Great work.

[monaloka]

omg! great instructable, but it made me cry! Merlin, i'm glad you're ok now...

[jmacfarlane823]

Nice Instructable. RIP Merlin.

[jkcdvm]

Great instructable! I'm a practicing veterinarian and can attest to the need for a DIY project like this for animals of all sizes. The carts available for dogs and cats are also very costly---Maybe when that animal-loving heart of yours has mended, you could produce a similar instructable for an affordable dog/cat "Merlin-Mobile". A lot of folks would appreciate it more than you can imagine. God Bless---Dr JKC

[odiekokee]

This is here for the purpose of making it easy for animals to get help from their people without having to spend a lot of money. The only way I'd do it is to be in a 'break even" situation. Cost of materials, shipping, and like, $5 in labour. That I could consider, as long as I don't get flooded. The trouble with that is the individual situations and fittings. The one I made for merlin wouldn't fit him if he was his healthy weight, it's too small, and wouldn't fit any of our girls, it'd be too big. It's such a fine tuning situation that would be difficult either to pre-fabricate or to leave in a flexible ready and easy to finish state when shipping to an owner. But, you do have a good idea. Thank you.

[CameronSS]

A Dachsund wheelchair was actually posted three and a half years ago.

[odiekokee]

yeah, for dogs and cats, since they're more solid bodied, the kind like Cameron mentions are better, if the animal can handle it based on their particular condition. It supports the back end weight by the legs/hips, as the animal was designed for, and cantilevers the rest of the load to the front shoulders via the harness and frame. The kinda I have here is really only suitable for animals that are so limber, like ferrets, or that can't handle the weight on their hips. It supports them somewhat unnaturally across their torso. Less desireable but sometimes necessary. Like I said, it's a creative process, where you fit the basic concept to the details of your situation. Like someone else said, for an animal with no use of their hind feet, supporting them is very important, and the method depends on the situation also.

[n0ukf]

the video was awfully short, only 1/4 of it had him moving.

[odiekokee]

Sorry, that's all the decent video I got. He didn't really feel like cooperating with the camera, as usual. I can't exactly take more, since he has wings now, and doesn't need wheels. Sorry.

[Airoh]

only a person with a really great heart could do something like that for your pet I wish you both the best

[karencv]

I never expected an instructable to make me cry... Here's to Merlin, his great friend and all of the laughter.... cause wherever there are ferrets, there is mischief and laughter.

[pyromonkey]

Very cool Idea. Merlin was a very lucky ferret, glad hes in a better place now.

[Juggz]

This is DIY at it's best! ( : You are an awesome person with a kind heart & great DIY skills. Merlin was a very lucky ferret to have you.

[scarfyrre]

That is awesome! Merlin had a great human. :) Sorry about Merlin's passing. He left a great legacy, though, by helping you design a needed bit of equipment for other ferrets.

[gunterhausfrau]

I was all set to see not so kind comments, and was ready to be up in arms. I have to say that the kindness here makes me feel a bit smaller for expecting the worse. Nice project and nice comments, thanks for the reset today.