Any dog parent wants the best for those little legs walking around the house. So, when your most devoted companion suffers from a knee mobility issue, it is reasonable to want to find a rapid remedy. Learning how to make a dog knee brace is one of them.
As a responsible dog owner, you must be prepared to respond to an emergency with the proper equipment and information, especially if your dog has a knee problem.
Learning how to construct a temporary homemade knee brace while you seek a more long-term treatment might be extremely beneficial for you and your best friend.
Today, we will provide the most crucial DIY knee brace for dogs using simple and easily accessible materials you can find at home. However, note that this is only a stopgap measure and that you should always visit a veterinarian for your pet's health.
What Is a Dog Knee Brace?
Before we get into how to make a homemade knee brace for your dog, you should first understand what a dog knee brace is, what it is used for, and when it can be useful.
A dog knee brace or a stifle brace is a device worn to help support the dog's leg, specifically the stifle joint. Generally, knee braces fabricate with materials like foam, fabric, plastic, and metal.
The stifle joint is the dog equivalent to our knee and is located between the femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin bone). So what the stifle brace does is protect the dog from further damage.
Although it is not recommended to auto-diagnose your pets, we understand that an emergency may occur. For those situations, homemade braces for dogs may be very helpful.
How Can Braces for Dogs Help Them?
Knee pain is one of the most prevalent issues in dogs' health, and a knee brace can be a terrific way to improve their physical and emotional state.
The knee braces pressure the arteries and veins, improving blood flow. Blood flows faster, and edema reduces because of the knee brace's compression on the veins and arteries.
Some of the most common reasons why dogs need a knee brace are:
- Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) tear
- Luxating Patella
- Arthritis
- Knee injuries
- Joint instability
Regarding the difficulties described above, braces assist dogs by
- Stabilizing the joint
- Avoiding additional injuries
- Reducing the tibial drawer
- Relieving discomfort
Let’s see some examples
The lack of a supporting instrument can develop arthritis complications. For a dog with arthritis, the brace takes some weight off the knee joint and reduces inflammation.
A knee brace can also be helpful for a dog that has had surgery. After surgery, it is important to keep the knee joint stable. A knee brace can help to do this by keeping the leg in the correct position.
The emotional state of our pets is also a crucial factor to consider. When a dog goes into surgery or an invasive procedure, they tend to decay and feel out of the blue. That can cause a more traumatizing and delayed recovery.
An immediate response to an emergency related to a dog's knee can really make a difference, and that takes us to the main topic of this article. So grab a pen and paper to write down the following instructions.
Step by Step on How to Make a Knee Brace for Your Dog
Homemade knee braces shouldn't take the place of a medically diagnosed one. But if for some reason, you need to deal with an emergency or are just waiting to get a custom to stifle brace, these steps will help.
Friendly reminder: If you think your dog may need a diagnosis, the best thing to do is visit the vet. The vet can diagnose the problem and recommend the appropriate treatment for your most loyal friend.
What You’ll Need for a DIY Dog Knee Brace
- 2 pieces of soft fabric (cotton or flannel work well)
- 1 piece of velcro
- Scissors
- Sewing machine (optional)
Instructions
- Carefully measure your dog's leg from the top thigh to the bottom of its calf. Cut two pieces of fabric that are each twice this length.
- Fold each piece of fabric lengthwise, then fold it in half again. You should now have a long, thin strip of material, four layers thick.
- Turn the fabric strips inside out by sewing along the raw edge and stopping short of the fold.
- Place one of the velcro strips around your dog's thigh and the other around their calf. Attach the two strips, adjusting for a snug but comfortable fit.
- With extreme caution, take the dog's leg and gently wrap the knee brace around it.
If you want to complement this blog with more detailed information, you can visit our Youtube channel, where we post useful information.
Improve the Life of Your Pet With a Custom Knee Brace
In brief, an effective approach to stabilize your dog's leg is using a dog knee brace. Braces, when used over the long term, are a less expensive and invasive way to rehabilitate an injured pet.
However, you might consider upgrading from a DIY dog brace to a more permanent, cost-effective, and comfy alternative for an active lifestyle.
If you're looking for a custom knee brace for your dog, look no further than Bionic Pets! We specialize in custom braces that adapt to fit styles and medical necessities.
In Bionic Pets, our dedication to restoring mobility and enhancing the health of all animals drives us to create prosthetics of the highest quality and functionality for pets and dogs. We work with transparency and care for your furry. That's why we ensure to inform you that not all pets are always candidates to use some of the options we offer.
Join us a give your pet a life-changing experience with our Bionic Barn: a high-quality educational tour.