Boots are for the Birds! Or at Least for Penguins and Ducks!
We've seen shoes on people, dogs, and horses. But can you believe that there are also special shoes for webbed feet? Yup, companies like Thera-Paw, Inc. make booties for our feathered friends who are in desperate need of special footwear. Meet "Enrique"! Photo courtesy Kimberly Washington Enrique is a Southern Rockhopper Penguin who lives at the St Louis Zoo with 19 other penguins, including his special lady friend, Paris. He's a very unusual penguin because the typical...
Does My Dog Need a Leg Brace - What I Need to Know
There are many reasons why a dog might benefit from a leg brace. Some of the more common include: Wrist or ankle arthritis or pain (lameness, limping) Injury, sprain, or strain Deviation or deformity of the joint Protection against injury Support for the remaining limb after leg amputation varus (outward bowing), hyperextension, valgus (inward bowing) of the wrist Leg injuries or conditions that are mild or moderate can be effectively managed...
Help Painful, Weak Dogs Get Moving Again: Leda's Story
This awesome article was sent to us by Jeff VerHoef of Canine Mobility who worked with "Leda" the Bouvier. He was interviewed by Kate Poss, the founder and writer for This is Whidbey. We've talked about how physical therapy, massage, braces, and anti-knuckling devices can help dogs regain mobility. Now read Leda's story about overcoming severe arthritis and spinal stroke (FCE). It may "take a village" but they're soooo worth it! Reliable resources for treating...
BRACE YOURSELF: The Importance of Custom Bracing for Dogs
In veterinary medicine, custom splints and braces are becoming standard practice. Why is it important to provide custom supports for dogs? First, let's take a look at us - humans. There are hundreds of different types of splints and braces made for humans. They come in various ready-made, off-the-shelf sizes (usually from XS to XXL sizes) and are made for practically every part of the body (see image below). These off-the-shelf splints and braces...
Wraps and Braces for Carpal and Tarsal Injuries
The excerpt below is from an article by Drs. Gayle Jaeger and Sherman Canapp on carpal and tarsal injuries in dogs first seen in Clean Run Magazine in 2008. Though it's an older article, it is well-organized and still relevant. Carpal (front leg wrist) and tarsal (back leg ankle) injuries are common in larger and more active dogs but can occur in any dog and breed. Canine athletes are more prone to these injuries...
Canine Knee Injury? Brace Yourself
Ten years have passed since WDJ explored “conservative management” – the nonsurgical treatment – of knee ligament injuries (see “Saying ‘No’ to Surgery,” February 2010). Since then, although surgery remains by far the most widely used knee injury treatment, consumer demand for complementary therapies, including the use of custom-designed knee braces, has grown. Nearly all veterinarians have experience with canine ligament injuries because they are so common. Depending on the...
Hero Dog with Prosthetic Paws that Survived Gunfire to Save Others Given Highest Animal Honor
Belgian Malinois, Kuno, has proved beyond all doubt that dogs truly are humanity’s best friends. The retired British Army Working Dog suffered life-changing injuries while supporting the British special forces fighting Al Qaeda and has now been awarded the Dickin Medal – the highest award any animal can receive within the British military – from the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA). To put it into human perspective: that’s the...