You know you love your dog. You know you want what is best for him. You know he needs a brace to help after an accident or once a chronic, genetic condition has begun to cause him pain. What you don't know, however, is which type of dog knee brace is right for him. Choosing a brace is not an easy process. There are different brands advertising different uses, so deciding on a brace can quickly become overwhelming. This is too important to get wrong! Choosing the right brace is important, as any brace won’t necessarily work for your dog and his specific condition. That's okay! You don't need to get too stressed out about it. At Bionic Pets, we are here to help!
#1 Familiarize yourself with dog anatomy
Your dog doesn't need a leg brace, but rather a brace for a specific part of his leg. Is it his knee? In fact, dogs don't even have knees; they have a stifle. A stifle brace typically treats a partial CCL tear. Stifle braces are used to stabilize your dog for walking. There are also dog carpal braces for his "wrist" and either tarsal or hock braces for his "ankle."
#2 Consider your dog's injury
After learning his unique anatomy and which part of his leg needs the additional support, you will need to figure out what injury or condition he has. This will be important in order to see what brace will offer the best solution. If it’s a chronic or severe injury, a rigid or semi rigid brace is best. If it’s a simple strain and he should heal soon, then a soft brace may work.
#3 Keep the budget in mind
When looking at braces, it’s easy to want to lean towards the cheaper option. After all, you don't have an unlimited budget for this! While some options may be more affordable, they may not provide the best care for your dog. Ordering a custom dog knee brace online is often the best option.
If you know you need a brace, but aren't sure where to go from there, we are here to help. Our braces are designed to assist dogs with injuries, joint deterioration, and other similar ailments. If you are unsure if this is the right choice, we recommend speaking with your vet about this option. If your family vet is not familiar with these devices, you can also reach out to VOSM (Veterinary and Orthopedic Sports Medicine Group). They are experts when it comes to animal injuries. For additional questions and concerns, you can always contact our team by emailing info@bionicpets.org. When you do so, please make sure to clearly describe your questions and include good photographs of your pet. What breed is he? How much does he weigh? This will help us give you the most correct and specific answer possible. Let's work together to give your dog the mobility and pain-free life he deserves!