Vital Feed

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...

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 ourselves - 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 for practically every part of...

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...

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...

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...