Animal Orthotics and Prosthetics

About Veterinary Orthotic & Prosthetic Devices

The use of orthoses (braces) and prostheses for injured animals is becoming increasingly common. Orthoses are any medical device attached to the body to support, align, position, immobilize, prevent or correct deformity, assist weak muscles, or improve function. Prostheses are medical devices as well and are used to compensate for a missing or amputated leg segment. It is no longer necessary to amputate an entire leg when only the lower part is injured; instead a partial amputation called an elective level sub-total amputation is possible in many cases.

A veterinarian must prescribe an orthosis or prosthesis after a thorough evaluation including muscle, skeleton, and nerve assessment as well as gait analysis. Once a prescription has been made the device is manufactured by a fabrication lab specializing in veterinary orthotics and prosthetics (V-OP). Fit and function are critical to meet the goal of getting an animal back on all fours! Guidance by a V-OP specialist can ensure that the veterinary patient can take the next step safely and comfortably.

*Please note that Tamarack does not fabricate any orthoses (braces) and prostheses for injured animals. Please see our directory below for animal orthotists and prosthetists.

What is the Tamarack Flexure Joint

The Tamarack Flexure Joint is a durable and waterproof thermoformable ankle joint (“hinge”) used in human orthotic braces since 1995. With the emergence of animal bracing options, Tamarack Flexure Joints are preferred in many animal applications due to their ease of fabrication and lasting durability. Additionally, since Fido is a free spirit who loves jumping in the water, Tamarack Flexure Joints are preferred for their ability to withstand the user’s affinity for rain, lakes/rivers, and snowbanks without harming the effectiveness of the joints.

In addition to the standard line of Tamarack Flexure Joints used in human bracing applications, Tamarack also offers a lower durometer, veterinary-specific joint for animal bracing; both commonly used in veterinary braces and prosthetic limbs around the world.

Veterinary Orthotics and Prosthetics Directory

To help connect pet owners and veterinarians with qualified animal orthotists and prosthetists around the world, we’ve developed a comprehensive searchable service provider database.

Click Here to Search the Directory

Veterinary Orthotics & Prosthetics News

• An Artificial Leg Gave this Golden Retriever Mobility
  Shaw, Fran Pennock. Your Dog: The Newsletter for Caring Dog Owners. Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. September 2005. P.15.
• Benkelman Company Gearing Up to Make Animal Orthotics.
  Discoe, Connie Jo. McCook Daily Gazette. 3 November 2011.
• Canine Niche.
  Ferrendelli, Betta. The O&P Edge. June 2012.
• Equine O&P.
  Graves, N. Ronnie. The O&P Edge. August 2012.
• Canine Orthotics Devices Helping to Make New Dogs out of Dogs with Disabilities.
  Jolicoeur, Gerard Thepeterboroughexaminer.com. 23 July 2012.
• Gone to the Dogs.
  Dangelico, K Lia. O&P Almanac. September 2012. Pg. 34-38.
• O&P Innovation Links Humans with Animals.
  Pavlou, Z Stephanie. O&P Business News. March 2009.
• Orthotics and Prosthetics in Veterinary Rehabilitation.
  Mich, Patrice. DVM News. July 2011.
• Prosthetic Legs for Dogs and Cats go High-Tech
  Miller, Stuart. Newsweek. November 25, 2015

Disclaimer

We recommend working with a board certified veterinarian and orthotist/prosthetist who specializes in veterinary bracing to determine whether custom bracing is right for your pet. Tamarack Habilitation Technologies, Inc. does not specialize in or provide advice related to veterinary care.

Photos provided courtesy of OrthoPets and My Pet’s Brace