''Pet orthotics'' refers to the use of

orthotics Orthotics ( el, Ορθός, translit=ortho, lit=to straighten, to align) is a medical specialty that focuses on the design and application of orthoses, or braces. An is "an externally applied device used to influence the structural and functio ...

for

pets A pet, or companion animal, is an animal kept primarily for a person's company or entertainment rather than as a working animal, livestock, or a laboratory animal. Popular pets are often considered to have attractive appearances, intelligence ...

. Orthotics is an allied health care field concerned with the design, development, fitting, and manufacture of orthoses. Orthoses, sometimes called braces or splints, are devices that support or correct musculoskeletal deformities and/or abnormalities of the body. Animals that might benefit from the use of an orthosis commonly have an injury to a lower limb or paw, such as a fracture, torn

meniscus Meniscus may refer to: *Meniscus (anatomy), crescent-shaped fibrocartilaginous structure that partly divides a joint cavity *Meniscus (liquid) The meniscus (plural: ''menisci'', from the Greek for "crescent") is the curve in the upper surface ...

, ruptured

Achilles tendon The Achilles tendon or heel cord, also known as the calcaneal tendon, is a tendon at the back of the lower leg, and is the thickest in the human body. It serves to attach the plantaris, gastrocnemius (calf) and soleus muscles to the calcaneus ( ...

, or injured

cruciate ligament Cruciate ligaments (also cruciform ligaments) are pairs of ligaments arranged like a letter X. They occur in several joints of the body, such as the knee joint and the atlanto-axial joint. In a fashion similar to the cords in a toy Jacob's la ...

(ACL or CCL). They may also have an orthopedic condition due to arthritis, spinal cord injury, or a

congenital abnormality A birth defect, also known as a congenital disorder, is an abnormal condition that is present at birth regardless of its cause. Birth defects may result in disabilities that may be physical, intellectual, or developmental. The disabilities can r ...

. Animals that have used orthoses and

prostheses In medicine, a prosthesis (plural: prostheses; from grc, πρόσθεσις, prósthesis, addition, application, attachment), or a prosthetic implant, is an artificial device that replaces a missing body part, which may be lost through trau ...

(artificial limbs) include dogs, cats, horses, llamas, and an orangutan. Each animal's situation is unique and should be evaluated by a

veterinarian A veterinarian (vet), also known as a veterinary surgeon or veterinary physician, is a medical professional who practices veterinary medicine. They manage a wide range of health conditions and injuries in non-human animals. Along with this, vet ...

Orthoses

Orthoses can decrease pain and increase stability in an unstable joint, as well as prevent potential progression or development of a deformity or contracture. An orthosis will prevent, control or even assist the motion of a joint, depending upon how it is made. An orthosis can be made for short-term use during a post-operative healing period, for example, or for long-term chronic use. They can provide a good quality of life for an animal that might otherwise have to be euthanized. With a few exceptions, orthoses for animals are custom-made from a

cast Cast may refer to: Music * Cast (band), an English alternative rock band * Cast (Mexican band), a progressive Mexican rock band * The Cast, a Scottish musical duo: Mairi Campbell and Dave Francis * ''Cast'', a 2012 album by Trespassers William ...

. They are typically formed from lightweight plastic or carbon fiber material with a comfort liner inside and velcro to hold them in place. They may have solid joints or hinged joints. An orthotic differs from a prosthetic in that a prosthetic completely replaces a missing limb or body part, whereas an orthotic is an external device that is meant to help support or protect a limb or body part. The most common orthotic, especially for dogs, are booties. They have a wide range of uses for the dog, including traction while getting up or walking on slippery surfaces such as hardwood or tile flooring. They can especially help dogs with hip issues and dogs with neurological conditions who are less aware of their self-movement (

proprioception Proprioception ( ), also referred to as kinaesthesia (or kinesthesia), is the sense of self-movement, force, and body position. It is sometimes described as the "sixth sense". Proprioception is mediated by proprioceptors, mechanosensory neurons ...

). Another form of orthotic is a leg brace that can improve stabilization for issues caused by age, worn-out bones in the foot, or

ectrodactyly Ectrodactyly, split hand, or cleft hand (derived from Greek ''ektroma'' 'abortion' and ''daktylos'' 'finger') involves the deficiency or absence of one or more central digits of the hand or foot and is also known as split hand/split foot malformat ...

. This is the deficiency of one or more central digits of the foot, causing the animal's foot to become deformed. Proper support is necessary or more serious health issues can arise in the future.

Misaligned teeth

Malpositions should be corrected as early as possible. The sooner the problem is resolved, and the younger the animal, the easier and faster a correction using dog braces or other methods is possible since the bones are still remodeled due to the growth. The misaligned teeth are often congenital, i.e., the causes are genetic. They are already visible in the young dog, e.g., excess teeth, deciduous teeth that have not failed, or jaw malformations. As with humans, there are also braces or other appliances for orthodontic treatment in dogs. With the help of these methods, teeth in the jaw, for example, can be realigned and thus integrated into the healthy row of teeth. There are different systems of dog braces.

Factors

Fit, material, and functionality

When looking at purchasing or constructing an orthotic for a pet, several factors must be taken into consideration to ensure the animal's health and wellness. These include how the orthotic sits on the body, the material being used, and the functionality of the product. The fit is also important for prosthetics for the area of attachment so it is comfortable and does not cause irritation to the skin. Material is also a consideration: if the skin is irritated or damaged, it can have a greater impact on the animal than if it were not wearing the orthotic at all, in some cases. The functionality of the orthotic affects both owner and pet. An orthotic or a prosthetic needs to be monitored regularly. Orthotics need to be removed several times daily to check the condition of the skin. For this reason, it is better if they are easier to take on and off, both in terms of ease and in avoiding irritation to the skin by removing or putting on the orthotic in a cumbersome way. It also helps the pet to stay calm if it is not such a laborious task. For functionality, the product itself and how it will serve the pet are important considerations. An orthotic that interferes with the pet's daily life and range of motion is problematic. Even if the pet wears it while standing, it might not function well enough when trying to get up from lying down. The orthotic must also be kept clean, both from dirt from everyday activities and sweat build-up, and if the pet gets dirty.

Cost and alternatives

Depending on the orthotic, they can be expensive.

3D printing 3D printing or additive manufacturing is the construction of a three-dimensional object from a CAD model or a digital 3D model. It can be done in a variety of processes in which material is deposited, joined or solidified under computer co ...

can be a cost-effective alternative. 3D printing is an additive manufacturing process where filament is layered on top of itself to create a three-dimensional object. This differs from more traditional subtractive manufacturing processes, like drilling, where the material is taken away to form a whole. Free online versions of different orthotics are available to print if a more general model is suitable; they can also be adapted to fit the owner and pet's needs. Libraries may be a source of complimentary or donation-based printing for the public. Custom orthotics can also be designed in 3D modeling software.

References