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Ethos Veterinary Health
  • Our Hospitals
    • NORTHEAST
      • Boston West
      • Bulger
      • Capital District
      • Mass Vet
      • Peak
      • Port City
      • SAVES
    • MID-ATLANTIC
      • The Oncology Service – Leesburg
      • The Oncology Service – Richmond
      • The Oncology Service – Springfield
    • MIDWEST
      • Integrative Pet Care
      • Premier – Chicago
      • Premier – Orland Park
      • Premier – Grayslake
      • WVRC – Grafton
      • WVRC – Racine/Kenosha
      • WVRC – Waukesha
    • MOUNTAIN
      • Wheat Ridge
    • PACIFIC
      • Atlantic Street
      • PESCM
      • VERC
      • Vista
      • VSH – North County
      • VSH – Sorrento Valley
  • Our Services
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Our Blogs

Supportive Slings, Braces, Assistive Devices

September 30, 2016
Supportive Slings and Harnesses

We use a variety of supportive slings and harnesses to provide a dog with support in standing and walking.  Slings can be used to support non ambulatory patients, patients with weakness or paralysis of the hindlimbs or to aid in walking with post orthopedic surgery patients.

Walking with the aid of a sling will protect the patient, allow them some mobility, and in the case of neurologically challenged patients, the psychological boost of being in an upright, standing position for the first time in days.  Standing with the aid of a harness provides important sensory feedback, while walking helps to promote the development of muscle mass if it has been lost due to disuse or neurological wasting.  Standing can also help to decrease or prevent congestion of the lungs for patients who would otherwise be lying down for long periods of time.

For post neurological surgery pets or for pets with neurological symptoms we recommend a harness or sling that will provide support of the pelvic region as apposed to a belly sling.  The pelvic support prevents hyperflexion of the spinal cord which can irritate or damage surgical, or painful sites.

Supportive slings come in a range of sizes and harness types. Please call the Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation department if you have questions about your pet and his or her specific needs.

Veterinary Orthotics and Prosthetics (VOP), braces, assistive devices

  • Veterinary Orthotics and Prosthetics (VOP)
    • Custom-fabricated Braces
    • Custom-fabricated Prosthetics
  • Wraps and other supportive devices
  • Wheelchair measuring and fitting for neurologic pets who have not regained the ability to walk
  • Harness fittings

 

Common Injuries That May Benefit from an Assistive Device, Orthotic Brace or Prosthetic:

The Elbow
Medial compartment arthritis Triceps tendon avulsion
Varus/Valgus instability Hygroma
Medial compartment unloading Degenerative joint disease
Medial & lateral collateral ligaments Post-op arthrodesis

 

Carpus (wrist) and Paw
Hyper-extension instability Failed arthrodesis
Flexor carpi ulnaris Digital flexor(s)
Medial and lateral collateral Neurological positioning control
Osteosarcoma palliative care Brachial plexus
Post-Op pancarpal arthrodesis Radial nerve
Post-Op partial carpal arthrodesis Digit amputation or malformation
Chondrodysplastic triplanar instability

 

Stifle (Knee)
Cranial cruciate ligament Tibial crest fracture
Caudal cruciate ligament Luxating patella
Medial and lateral collateral ligament Pivot shift instability
Patellar tendon

 

Tarsus (Hock) and Paw
Achilles complex Digital flexor(s) injury
Post-op arthodesis Hyper-extension instability
Medial and lateral collateral injury Neurological positioning control
Immobilize tibiotarsal joint

 

Pelvic (Hind Limb) Prosthetics
Elective subtotal amputation Congenital deformity
Amelia Residual limb protection

 

Thoracic (Forelimb) Prosthetics
Elective subtotal amputation Congenital deformity
Amelia Residual limb protection

 

 

 

 

 

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Our Video Instruction Library

  • Post TPLO Rehabilitation
  • Passive Range of Motion
  • How to Sling Walk a Paralyzed Dog
  • The PAWEDcast: Veterinary Rehabilitation

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Ethos Veterinary Health
  • Veterinary Teams
    • Hospital Updates: COVID-19
    • Contact Us
    • Hospital Services
    • Continuing Education
    • Hospital Updates
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