New design offered by OrthoVet

OrthoVet Hinged Dog Leg Splint or brace

 

  OrthoVet is now offering a hinged or articulated  splint or brace option to our product line.  This option is ideal when the dogs leg needs support but also will allow motion at a specific joint space.  We can fabricate the hinged splints for both front and rear legs. 

 

 

Hinged splint for front limb.
Hinged splint for front limb.

            Some examples of injuries where a hinged splint is advantageous are, Arthritic conditions at the carpal joint or hock joint,  Tendon and Ligament strains, and nerve damage cases.   We always recommend Veterinary consultation in determining what style of splint or brace is best.

For more information regarding the hinged splint,  please contact us toll free at 866-207-9205 or contactus@orthovet.com.

What is Degenerative Myelopathy?

Affected brain

 

What is Degenerative Myelopathy?

Degenerative myelopathy is a progressive disease of the spinal cord in older dogs. The disease typically is seen between 8 and 14 years of age. It begins with a loss of coordination  in the hind legs . The dog will wobble when walking, knuckle over or drag the feet. This can first occur in one hind leg and then affect the other. As the disease progresses, the limbs become weak and the dog begins to buckle and has difficulty standing. The weakness gets progressively worse until the dog is unable to walk.   Another key feature of DM is that it is not a painful disease.

What causes Degenerative Myelopathy?

Degenerative myelopathy begins with the spinal cord in the (chest) region. The spinal cord begins to have weak or damaged fibers that transmit information to and from the brain.  The disease will strip away the insulation around the fibers and cause complete loss of actual fibers. This interferes with the communication between the brain and limbs and cause paralysis.

How do we treat degenerative myelopathy?

There are no treatments that have been clearly shown to stop or slow progression of DM. Although there are a number of approaches that have been tried or recommended on the internet, no scientific evidence exists that they work.  The quality of life of an affected dog can be improved by measures such as good nursing care, physical rehabilitation, pressure sore prevention, monitoring for urinary infections, and ways to increase mobility through use of splints, harnesses and carts.

OrthoVet offers a complete line of lower limb splints.  The OrthoVet Bootie Splint for the rear limb has been used to help assist in Degenerative Myelopathy cases.

Pets At Risk For Joint Disease.

“Porky Pets”

 At risk for joint disease.

Fat-Cat

If you find the photo above adorable, you’re not alone. We all love to see our pets fat and sassy. However, we may not be seeing the risks that are associated with being so cute.

The nation’s obesity epidemic reaches far beyond adults and children to our pets, who share our homes, eating habits, and lack of exercise. 

Röntgenbild Hundepfote

Recent studies from Tufts University suggest that up to 50% of dogs and cats are obese or overweight.

While most cats and dogs don’t develop the life-threatening conditions, like cardiovascular disease that are associated with obesity in humans, being overweight can affect animals in other ways. The extra weight can wreak havoc on their joints and complicate other health problems.

Degenerative Joint disease (DJD) in our overweight pet population is common. DJD is the long term decrease in cartilage around the joint spaces.  Over time this will cause the animal to have a decrease in activity, sudden lameness, and stiff gaits that worsen with exercise.

Golden retriever dog

The use of splints or braces is widely utilized to support the joints affected by DJD.

OrthoVet carries a full line of splints to get your pet back up and running to shed those unwanted pounds.

Call us today at 866.207.9205 or send an email to contactus@orthvet.com to learn about our full line of dog and cat splints.