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FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Don't see your general question here? Please email us at orthopets@yahoo.com with any of your general questions

question imageFrequently Asked Casting Questions

Don't see your casting question here? Please email OrthoPets with any of your casting questions

 

 


  • Will an orthotic device help my pet?

Yes, the use of an orthotic (device to support the skeletal/muscular structure) will help to provide stability and control to joints that are no longer able to remain in place due to soft tissue damage. 

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  • Is the use of Orthotics and prosthetics new?

The use of orthotics and prosthetics for humans goes back centuries.  The profession has really made some remarkable gains in the last 25 years and subsequently so has the animal profession.  Generally speaking, the use of orthotics and prosthetics in animals has been carried out as favors, or because someone like myself was approached by a pet owner looking for options other than surgery or putting the pet down.  I have decided to focus not only on my human practice, but also to develop standards of care for the animal practice.  This has been going on for the past 3 years by working with actual patients, research, testing, and design engineering.  We have come along way in a short time.

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  • Will the device hurt my pet?

The device will not hurt your pet when used as instructed.  An example would be this: you would not wear a brand new pair of hiking boots and walk for 15 miles the first day.  This would cause major blisters and sores on your feet in no time flat.  You would first break your boots in over a few days, maybe a few weeks.  This example also applies to the length of time you have the device on your pet, starting the first day.  OrthoPets will supply a "WEAR SCHEDULE" to help ease your pet into the new device.  This gives you a chance to evaluate how your pet is doing with the new device.  This also gives you a chance to visually inspect your pet’s limb for any signs of trouble, such as a sore spot, before it becomes a problem.  When worn properly after following the prescribed WEAR SCHEDULE, and any minor adjustments, your pet will be ready to go..... jump.... run..... swim..... hold down the couch.... or what ever your pet does best!!!

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  • How long does it take to make a device?

The length of time to fabricate your pet's custom made device will vary depending on the style, material, and number of anatomical joints the brace will cross.  Generally, from the time I receive either measurements, or the mold taken from one of our casting kits, the process will take 7-10 business days.  Sometimes faster, some times the device will take longer to fabricate.  OrthoPets will evaluate your project promptly and give you an estimated delivery date so you can stay abreast of the fabrication time and prepare to receive your pet’s new device. OrthoPets also offers a RUSH service. For an additional cost plus the cost of the device, OrthoPets will guarantee the device with in 3 business days. You may also need to schedule a visit with your vet or your animal rehab therapist.

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  • How long will the device last?

    The life-expectancy for your pet’s device is entirely dependent on the material it is made of.  Generally speaking:


    Plastic and Carbon Fiber devices will never change shape. The only issue is that over time your pet's body shape may change such that the device no longer fits properly.

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  • Is it water-proof?

Many of the devices OrthoPets fabricates are water-proof.  We believe that a strong therapy routine in water can drastically improve your pets overall health.  There are some Carbon Graphite devices that we highly recommend NOT submersing in water. 

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  • How much does a device cost?

The cost for our devices depends entirely on:

  • The material it is made from (All our devices are between $400.00-$700.00).
  • If the device is made from a mold of your pet's limb or fabricated by measurement.
  • The number of joints the device must control.
  • Turn around times and Rush Services

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  • Using Orthotics and Prosthetic, When Are They Right For Your Pet?

    There’s a general rule of thumb I like to keep in mind when it comes to the physical health of my dogs: If my doctor were to suggest the same solution for my recovery as a vet is suggesting for my pet, would I accept it?  If not, I would explore other health care options. Let me explain.

    Imagine that your dog has ruptured his Achilles tendon, a tendon that attaches to the heal bone. Surgery can repair this, but the standard recovery time is hard to swallow. Your formerly active companion must be confined to a kennel for an average of six to eight weeks after surgery to prevent re-injury. Would you choose bed rest for an ankle injury or use a brace to get back to daily activities? I know I wouldn’t choose bed rest and neither would my pet. If your pet received a brace from OrthoPets after surgery much like a human would receive, he could resume regular activity while healing safely.

    Orthotic devices—those that add support or control to an affected limb or joint—are common in the human world, and have been around for hundreds of years. People are fitted with such braces when they have arthritis in a joint, a torn ligament or tendon, or when healing from an operation.
    Prosthetic devices – those that serve the purpose of replacing a limb – are also common and have been around for a number of years. From my career in the Orthotic and Prosthetic field, I have discovered that similar devices from the human world could be of great benefit in the animal world. In my experience, these devices have proven to make a dramatic difference in a pet’s quality of life.
    The following guidelines and real-life case studies will help you determine if an Orthotic or Prosthetic device is a viable option for your pet. Consider these treatment plans in the event of an accident, surgery, birth defect or other medical condition.

    Consider the time commitment
    When a vet or pet owner contacts OrthoPets to find out if an Orthotic or Prosthetic device could help, often the answer is “Yes!” But there is an important point to consider before moving forward: I want them to be aware of the additional time commitment involved beyond regular care. However, with this time commitment, soon your pet could begin to enjoy his regular daily activities while wearing a device from OrthoPets.

    An alternative to surgery
    Older pets have an increased risk of organ failure during surgery. This is a fact of life, and depending on the condition of an animal, a vet might suggest putting the animal to sleep if surgery seems too risky. In some cases, an Orthotic or Prosthetic device can solve the problem and provide a viable alternative to surgery.  I discovered this three years ago when my cousin’s schnauzer Walt had a stroke, which caused him to drag one front paw when he walked. The vet recommended that Walt’s entire front limb be amputated at the shoulder level just because he couldn’t use his paw. Luckily, my cousin wanted to explore other options. I reasoned that when this happens to a person, a simple brace holds the foot up. So, I fabricated an Orthotic for Walt and he was back to walking normal while wearing his new brace.

    Maybe there is some other reason your pet would not be able to go through surgery. The risk of infection or other complication during surgery could be a huge obstacle to overcome without having other conservative healthcare options such as an Orthotic or Prosthetic device. Perhaps, like in Walt’s case, you’d rather your pet didn’t have to lose his entire limb for an ailment that only affected part of it. While each pet presents individual needs, I find that 25 to 50 percent of the time, an Orthotic brace is a plausible alternative to surgery.

    A healing tool after surgery
    Pets don’t understand the supposed greater good that comes from a long healing process in a kennel—they are more interested in chasing squirrels, as they did before.  When surgery is necessary, Orthotics can be crucial in helping a limb heal successfully, while allowing pets to get back to being pets.

    My own dog, an Italian Greyhound named Bella, was the perfect example of this. When my wife and I found Bella through the Italian Greyhound Rescue, she was listed as a “special needs” dog. She had broken her front leg and the day after the 1st cast came off, she re-broke it. When we adopted Bella post-surgery, we were told she would have to be kenneled for 8 to 12 weeks to avoid damaging her leg again. Instead, I decided to follow a typical human post-op protocol: a fracture brace and physical therapy. She wore the brace for a total of six weeks, and now you’d never guess she was a dog with special needs.

    A permanent mobility solution
    Perhaps your pet is in need of a permanent solution to help him get around, such as the case of Peabody, an Irish Wolf Hound mix. Peabody had cancer. As a result, his shoulder blade had to be removed. The surgery was successful in removing all cancer cells, but without a shoulder blade, there was nothing to hold his forearm in place. When Peabody’s vet contacted me, his expectations of successful recovery were low. He asked if I could create a brace to simply keep the shoulder from dislocating when Peabody walked. I took this as a challenge, and was able to fabricate a mechanism that simulated his shoulder joint. Afterward, Peabody was able to do much more than walk—he could run, swim and play in the snow—all while wearing his shoulder stabilizer.

    Prosthetic legs can offer permanent mobility solutions as well. If some of the joints are still present in a partial limb, a prosthetic can create an opportunity for an animal to get around just as well as his other four -legged friends.  Animals do exceptionally well with a Prosthetic devices, especially if the device is used shortly after the loss of the limb.  

    And while less common, a dog that is missing two legs can also greatly benefit from a prosthetic. Take the case of a Jack Russell Terrier named Kandu.  Both of his front legs were missing at birth due to a congenital birth defect, but he was otherwise in good health. Fitting him with a single wheel beneath his chest allowed him to go on walks with his owner. In the wintertime, the wheel was switched out for a high-density plastic sled so he could romp in the Colorado snow.

    Difficult Situations
    There are a few situations when using Orthotics and Prosthetics proves to be a bigger challenge. If an animal has undergone radiation treatments, his skin is extremely sensitive, thin and susceptible to pressure sores. Using a brace against this type of skin condition isn’t safe. However, after radiation treatments have stopped, the skin will improve and using a brace then becomes a viable option.

    Attaching a prosthetic becomes more challenging when there is little or no residual limb, or stump, to which the prosthetic can attach. Some vets and animal health care providers currently default to a high level amputation because prosthetic devices have not been an option.  If you find your pet facing an amputation, communication between your surgeon and OrthoPets is critical in order to discuss the prosthetic care options. 

    Through our experience, OrthoPets has seen Orthotics and Prosthetics drastically improve the quality of life for a wide variety of pets. We believe they are both viable health care options. Animals can benefit from the same type of technology used in the field of human Orthotics and Prosthetics. Until the day that animals can receive the same level of care as humans in this field, be bold about finding alternatives and asking questions. Your pet will thank you by the spring in his step.

     

  • Do I need to take a mold, or can I just take measurements?

    OrthoPets only fabricates our custom products from a plaster or fiberglass mold taken of your pets limb. We believe that this is the only way to ensure a successful healthcare treatment option. Please contact OrthoPets to order a casting kit today.
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  • What part of the leg do I need to cast for my brace?

    When casting for a custom brace, please refer to our forms and resources table. Click on the word document or the PDF file that relates to the injured area you are treating. These measurement forms will show the limb segment that is needed for the mold.
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  • How long do I need to let the plaster bandage soak before making my mold?

    For best results with the casting material, let it soak in water for approximately 10-15 seconds. Gently squeeze the roll of casting material several times before you remove it from the water.
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  • How do I make sure the layers of my cast fuse together?

    Once you have wrapped your plaster roll 2-4 layers thick, use a rubbing motion with both hands and massage the layers together. Continue this motion until you feel the plaster becoming hard. You will also feel the plaster cast becoming warm to the touch.
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  • How do I position the anatomical joint I am casting?

    Before you begin casting your pets limb, you will need to establish the best possible standing angle of that joint. The best method is to mirror the angle of the unaffected limb. You may also speak with OrthoPets or your vet to obtain this information.
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  • How do I properly align and cast the paw?

    Begin by loosely wrapping the paw with plastic wrap. Ensure that you have not bound the toes. Continue sealing the rest of the limb with plastic wrap. Once you have completed prepping the limb for casting, start the casting process from the top of the limb and work your way down to the paw. This will give you plenty of working time to align the paw. Once you have gently wrapped the paw segment with your casting material, extend (Lift up) the paw to simulate a natural standing angle. While performing this step, make sure that the toes are not being squeezed together. If necessary, place a finger between the main large pad and the 4 toes to help expand the paw. This will simulate when your pet stands and applies weight to the paw. The toes naturally spread out and the main large pad will touch the ground. Simulate this position the best you possibly can!
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  • I don't think I did a good job casting my pets limb. What should I do?

    The quality of your cast will directly affect the quality fit of your custom device. The old saying... Poor quality in-Poor quality out! If you feel that the cast either you or your vet took is questionable please contact OrthoPets. We suggest that you email a picture promptly to orthopets so that we can visually inspect the cast for its quality. We will only know for sure once we have received your cast, however it may save time recasting if OrthoPets can catch a poor quality cast early.
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  • What makes my cast a "Bad" unusable cast?

    A "Bad" unusable cast is evident by many factors such as:

    • CAST PADDING USED AS A BARRIER INSTEAD OF PLASTIC WRAP!!! PLEASE FOLLOW OUR CASTING INSTRUCTIONS! NO EXCEPTIONS!
    • Layers of the casting material not fused together, or falling apart.
    • The paw segment is bound tight and not extended to simulate a normal standing angle of the paw.
    • An anatomical joint not positioned in the appropriate angle, such as too straight or too bent.
    • Not casting enough of the limb for the requested brace.
    • Casting the wrong part of the limb for the requested brace (Sounds unlikely, but it happens).
    • Not letting the casting material soak completely before removing it from the water and attempting the casting process.
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  • How thick should I make my cast?

    Your cast should be made between 1-2 layers thick. Remember that you are only trying to generate an impression of your pets limb. WARNING: If you make your mold too thick it will be increasingly difficult to cut through the casting material with your scissors or knife. The best rule of thumb is to first wrap the entire limb with 1-2 layers of casting material. Visually inspect your work. If you see or feel any thin spots on your cast, use any additional casting material to patch over that area. Always error on a thin sturdy cast rather than simply wrapping the cast too thick!
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