OrthoVet Splints

Daisy and Donald have been outfitted with OrthoVet Splints.  OrthoVet specializes in the design, manufacture and marketing of splinting products that address the rehabilitation of  lower leg, ankle and foot injuries of companion animals. We are very grateful to Kim Knap, a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist and fellow CCHS foster parent, who recognized the need for the splints and contacted OrthoVet to see what could be done for the pups. OrthoVet gave CCHS a very generous discount so we could get a set for both puppies. What a great group of people!

The reason the pups are wearing splints is because both have hyperextended carpal joints (also called “low slung pasterns”). The photo on the left below shows Donald’s foot the first day we had him. You can see that his carpal pad is almost touching the floor. A normal 4-month old puppy is on the right. See how much higher that pad is?

If the problem is not corrected it will be very painful as their weight increases as they grow to adults. If we don’t do something now they will need surgery to fix this problem later. That will be very expensive for the people who adopt them and painful for the pups  in the meantime.

The OrthoVet splints are designed to hold their legs in the correct position so the tendons and ligaments won’t stretch any farther. As the puppies grow over the next few weeks we hope things will even out and their legs will straighten.

Do the splints work? Donald has been in OrthoVet splints for about 10 days. Here’s a picture of his foot now. The difference in the angle of the joint is obvious. It’s not permanent yet, but after a few more weeks it should stay like this. You can see how much the OrthoVet splints are helping.

Donald also has flat feet and that needs to be corrected, too. The foot rest in the OrthoVet splints will hold his foot in the right position, and will help that problem as well.

Thanks to Kim and OrthoVet we can make a good start in treating these orthopedic problems while the puppies are still very young.