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Daily bandage changes or temporary leg braces created by your vet are hard to manage as your dog’s leg heals. But what other options are there? How do you ensure your pet has the leg support they need to heal correctly?
A ready-made pet splint designed by pet experts is often the right solution, but many different splint styles exist. Here are five things your need to know to choose the right pet splint for your dog.
Understanding your dog’s leg injury is pivotal to choosing the right splint for your pet. The location and severity of your dog’s injury will determine the type of dog splint they need.
Your dog’s leg anatomy also determines which style of splint your pet needs. The shape of a dog’s rear leg and front leg differ significantly, and to provide the proper support, the splint needs to conform to the natural bend of a dog’s leg.
Most pet splints are designed to brace and support a dog’s lower leg. If your dog has injured their hip or knee, it will likely need a neoprene support like the Hip-EEZ or a custom-made brace. Custom orthotics are designed to fit your dog perfectly. However, they are not always your best option. A custom brace takes time; the process usually involves casting a dog’s leg and shipping the casting back to the orthotics specialist for them to form. Lengthy delays combined with the expense of a custom orthotic make this option challenging for some. A ready-made splint is more affordable, easy to use, and typically ships the same day.
Dog splints are designed to fit and support the natural angles of your dog’s leg. Additionally, splints are comfortable to wear and easy to use. With a few simple measurements, you can easily find a splint that would fit your pet.
A dog leg brace is modeled after a human splint, with the splint’s hard exterior molded to conform to your dog’s leg to provide stability and support to the lower leg. A proper leg brace keeps your dog’s legs in a natural position as the joint or ligament heals. Dog splints also make it easier for your dog to put weight on a weak, sprained, or broken limb.
Sold exclusively to vets, the Walkin’ Fit Adjustable Splint features a non-skid rubber pad to prevent slipping and give added traction.
Typical veterinary bandaging and spoon splints need to be removed and rewrapped regularly for daily wound therapy, cleaning a wound, or changing dirty bandages. A splint is easy to remove and eliminates the hassle of rewrapping your dog’s leg or visiting the vet for frequent bandage changes.
Pet splints are designed to fit either a dog’s front leg their back leg, and some fit both! Choose the pet splint based on your dog’s injury:
A splint can be used for dogs with osteoarthritis of the carpal joint, degenerative joint disease, front leg ligament injuries, carpal joint instabilities.
A front splint supports above and below the carpal joint to support the lower front leg and wrist and continues under the paw. This splint is perfect for dogs with carpal or metacarpal joint injuries, sprains, and strains.
Splints for a dog’s front legs feature a curve designed to hug the carpal joint, located above a dog’s wrist. The front splint fits both dogs and cats.
Front leg conditions that benefit from a front splint include:
A carpal splint supports the carpal joint and stops above the paw. A carpal splint is ideal for dogs who need joint support but are more comfortable walking with their paw free.
Why would a dog prefer a carpal-style splint? Some dogs like to feel their foot touching the ground at all times, and wearing a splint that runs under their paw may make them uncomfortable.
Front leg conditions that benefit from a carpal splint include:
Rear dog splints support hock injuries, tarsal or metatarsal arthritis, degenerative joint disease, hind tendon, ligament, or Achilles tendon injuries.
A rear splint supports above and below the hock joint, supporting the lower rear leg, ankle, and underneath the back paw. Stabilizing the lower back leg to help the limb heal and protect it from further injury.
The hock joint juts out the back of the rear leg. This steep angle needs to be supported, and the rear splint is designed to hug the whole joint. Either dogs or cats can wear the rear splint. Most cats will fit into an XXSmall. However, larger cats may wear the XSmall splint.
Rear leg conditions that benefit from a rear splint include:
A hock style splint supports only a dog’s hock or tarsal joint and above and below the joint while leaving the paw free.
If a dog’s paw and toes remain uninjured, a hock splint allows them to walk and move their back paw normally. This helps a dog with its proprioception and paw placement.
Rear leg conditions that benefit from a hock splint include:
Versatile splints like booties or adjustable splints can be worn on either a dog’s front or back leg.
A bootie splint is a much shorter dog splint, allowing it to sit below the hock or carpal joint. With its low profile, the bootie splint is perfect for dogs with wrist, ankle, paw, or toe injuries. In addition, many pets will wear a spoon splint, like the bootie, to protect their paw from dragging or knuckling.
Reasons why a pet needs a bootie splint include:
The Walkin’ Fit Adjustable Splint is the most versatile of all off-the-shelf dog splints. Featuring an angle adjustment, the Walkin’ Fit can fit either a front or back leg. Dogs with a deeply angled hock joint, like a German Shepherd, are usually difficult to fit for a splint, but the adjustable splint makes it a breeze! The width of the splint adjusts as well, allowing you to widen the splint for the perfect fit.
The adjustable splint benefits pets with the following conditions:
Dogs with bandaged legs or incredibly swollen joints struggle to find the proper leg support. Dog splints need to fit the widest part of your dog, and when their leg is swollen, this becomes even more challenging. The adjustable splint allows you to widen the splint to go over your dog’s bandages and joints. As the swelling goes down and bandages are removed, the splint width can be narrowed, allowing for the same splint to fit your dog as they heal and their needs change.
Simple solutions to help your dog feel more comfortable in their new splint:
You want your dog’s splint to be tight enough that it stays on, but it should still be comfortable for them to wear. When the splint is on, you should be able to fit your finger under the strap. If you can’t – the splint is too tight.
After five minutes of splint wear, check your dog for any signs of discomfort. A too-tight splint can cause swelling in the toes or leg.
If you’re not sure how to use the splint, have your veterinarian put it on for the first time. Most vets are happy to show you how to use your dog’s new splint.
When putting the splint on your pet, never start from the top strap and go down or vice versa. Without knowing it, each strap gets tighter and tighter as you go. Instead, you can start with the top strap followed by the bottom strap before fixing the other splint straps. This helps prevent accidentally overtightening your splint.
Dogs with joint malformation or swollen joints may have areas that gap. These spaces can be filled with adhesive-backed foam. Foam can be cut and shaped to eliminate gapping and rub points to prevent possible sores from forming. Always use medical-grade foam to prevent moisture and bacteria from building. For even better protection and a more customized fit, talk to your veterinarian about using an adjustable splint that can be sized to fit your dog’s leg.
A dog should only wear a splint during the day and not at night. Your dog’s leg needs to breathe. So when resting, remove the splint and swap it for a lightweight neoprene wrap. These style wraps offer light joint support that’s comfortable for your dog to wear.
It’s important to note that dog splints should only be used under the guidance of a veterinarian. A proper diagnosis and treatment plan are necessary to ensure the best outcome for your dog.