OrthoPets Canine Orthotics and Prosthetics … and Casts

When my Rottweiler partially ruptured her CCL, the last thing we wanted to do was put her through surgery.

Our original plan was regenerative cell therapy. However, by the time we’d be able to do that, the tear was full. So as it turned out, surgery was what we did.

However, what if regenerative treatment or surgery isn’t a good option for your dog?

Dog CCL injury conservative management

Conservative management of knee injuries in dogs includes

  • activity restrictions
  • physical therapy
  • pain management
  • adjunct therapies

Braces or wraps can be instrumental in achieving better joint stability while it heals.

Further reading: CCL Tears Conservative Management

OrthoPets Canine Orthotics and Prosthetics
Image Orthopets

CCL braces

We did a lot of research into non-surgical options for Jasmine’s knee injury. One of the things we considered was a stifle brace. When I searched for stifle braces, I had a picture in my mind. Except I wasn’t finding any. Some of the products I came across I wouldn’t even recognize as being a brace!

If a brace requires tying over the back, how could it stabilize anything?

OrthoPets Canine Orthotics and Prosthetics

Then I stumbled upon the OrthoPets’ stifle brace.

Now, that one looked like what I thought it should! I read all I could about it,, but I still had questions. I ended up talking to the founder of OrthoPets and asked a lot of tough questions. All his answers really impressed me. Should we have gone with the brace option, this would be the one we’d use.

The braces are adjustable and custom based on a mold of the leg. In addition, they used diabetic foam to identify areas of pressure to fine-tune the fit. Overall, they’ve put a lot of thought and ingenuity into it.

The cast molding process looks a bit scary,, but I’m sure your veterinarian could handle that just fine.

Cast for a custom dog knee brace

The original design looked like the brace would be pretty heavy. However, when I got to hold one, it was way lighter than it looked.

Even though we eventually opted for surgery instead, I remained impressed. There are more similar products out there now, better than they used to be. Yet, when considering an orthotic device, Orthopets is the first place I look. Their products are held in high regard by the orthopedic department of Colorado State University (yes, I talked to them then also).

Orthopets

Stifle brace isn’t the only product OrthoPets offer. They provide support devices for many common injuries such as:

  • knee injuries
    • CCL tears
    • luxating patella
  • ankle and back legs and paws
    • hock/ankle hyperextension
    • achilles tendon injuries
    • degenerative myelopathy
  • wrist and front legs and paws
    • carpal hyperextension
    • osteosarcoma
  • elbows
    • elbow dysplasia
  • shoulders
    • medial shoulder instability
  • prosthetic devices
    • prosthetics for limb amputations

Further reading: Common injuries and Orthopets orthotic and prosthetic devices

I think that the OrthoPets’ orthotics and prosthetics are well thought out and well designed, and it would be what I’d choose should I need one for our dog. You can view their orthotics and prosthetics options and solutions on their website.

Orthopets teams up with Dassiet

Dassiet

Dassiet is a materials company that was established in 2008. It develops efficient and ecological super materials for various industries, such as health care, sports, and technology. Dassiet’s most recent innovations include support product lines UCAST and UPETS, which will revolutionise trauma treatment for both humans and animals.

Upets

Dassiet and Orthopets joined to combine experience in custom orthoses and material innovation. Their goal is to start by improving veterinary casting, splints, and bandages for safe, carefree orthopedic treatment options.

One thing about bandages and dogs are the inherent risks. Is the bandage too tight? Is the bandaged tissue in trouble and being damaged?

Upets takes advantage of Dassiet’s remoldable, non-toxic and lightweight Woodcast material and patented, breathable, self-cohesive fabric. Say goodbye to old-fashioned bandages and say hello to biomechanical superior option.

Further reading: Dassiet and OrthoPets Collaborate to Provide Safer and Easier Orthopedic Care for Pets

Related articles:
Talk To Me About Dog ACL/CCL Injuries: My Dog Ruptured Their Cruciate Ligament
Canine Rehabilitation Support Devices: Soft Supports and Wraps

Further reading:
Dassiet and OrthoPets Collaborate to Provide Safer and Easier Orthopedic Care for Pets

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Categories: CCL injuries • Joint issues • Knee issues • Orthotics and prosthetics

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Jana Rade

I am a graphic designer, dog health advocate, writer, and author. Jasmine, the Rottweiler of my life, was the largest female from her litter. We thought we were getting a healthy dog. Getting a puppy from a backyard breeder was our first mistake. Countless veterinary visits without a diagnosis or useful treatment later, I realized that I had to take Jasmine's health care in my own hands. I learned the hard way that merely seeing a vet is not always enough. There is more to finding a good vet than finding the closest clinic down the street. And, sadly, there is more to advocating for your dog's health than visiting a veterinarian. It should be enough, but it often is not. With Jasmine, it took five years to get a diagnosis. Unfortunately, other problems had snowballed for that in the meantime. Jasmine's health challenges became a crash course in understanding dog health issues and how to go about getting a proper diagnosis and treatment. I had to learn, and I had to learn fast. Helping others through my challenges and experience has become my mission and Jasmine's legacy. I now try to help people how to recognize and understand signs of illness in their dogs, how to work with their veterinarian, and when to seek a second opinion. My goal is to save others the steep curve of having to learn things the hard way as I did. That is the mission behind my blog and behind my writing. That is why I wrote Symptoms to Watch for in Your Dog, which has turned out being an award-winning guide to dog owners. What I'm trying to share encompasses 20 years of experience.

6 Comments
  1. Beth 21/11 – 8:50 pm

    I’m so grateful that we live in a time when these medical advances are possible for pets! The brace looks like it would be supportive, and I’m glad that weighs less than it looks.

    Reply
  2. Lola The Rescued Cat 21/11 – 12:04 pm

    I just saw something about this on television yesterday, and I thought it was fascinating. So many animals need these things and they should be more available to pet parents.

    Reply
  3. Terri 21/11 – 7:47 pm

    Oh my goodness! This is exactly what I searched high and low for my horse many years ago. It just didn’t exist back then. I’m so thrilled to see that it’s available now. This is amazing! I only wish they were around a bit earlier.

    Reply
  4. robincrittear 21/11 – 7:26 pm

    I would be conservative with my dog’s treatment too (assuming it were possible). These products are amazing! It is great that so many treatment options are available for dogs with leg and ankle issues these days. That brace looks very helpful and so much more comfortable than other options I’ve seen. The bandages look a lot nicer than the usual old-fashioned bandages too.

    Reply
  5. Marjorie Dawson 21/11 – 2:50 pm

    I confess I would be like you. I would expect a brace like the Orthopets one! THAT is what my mind would imagine as a ‘supportive’ but flexible support. These people are genius and I am grateful for your comprehensive post. So many pet owners need this.

    Reply

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