Mobility Aides

In some situations, mobility aides or assistive devices may be recommended. Dogs with weakness may benefit from a sling or support harness. We can make suggestions for the appropriate type of device depending on a patient’s needs. Sling support may range from temporary help during the recovery phase using a towel as a sling to custom front and rear harness that can be used long term. Neurologic deficits can cause a patient to knuckle or drag a limb. Nail caps, protective booties, or an assistive device can help protect the paw and sometimes even lessen knuckling of the paw. Animals with severe neurologic damage or degenerative disease may not regain the ability to walk on their own. In these cases, a cart might be an option to provide mobility and independence. We work with several different cart manufacturers to find the best fit and utility for each patient. Veterinary orthotics and prosthetics is a relatively new field of veterinary medicine and can provide a viable option for patients that previously had no alternatives. Amputation of a limb due to trauma or cancer is a life saving procedure in many instances. A prosthetic can be designed for patients that would not function well on three limbs. Orthotic devices can provide solutions in some cases where surgery is not an option. If your patient is a candidate for an orthotic or prosthetic device, we can help make sure that the correct device is selected, appropriately sized, and functions as it should.