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Prosthetics Help Pets Find Balance
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Prosthetics are commonly seen in people, but uncommon in pets. Now, veterinary surgeons, engineers and prosthetic specialists are teaming up to look at new ways of giving our pets the support they need!
Three legged dogs and cats are not an unusual sight in veterinary clinics. Whether the loss of the limb is due to severe trauma, cancer or even a hereditary defect, many pets live out their lives on three legs. But, on-going research in the field of prosthetics may allow these pets to function like their four-legged friends and just might benefit humans as well!
Dogs and cats appear to move almost normally with three legs and amputation is often done in severely traumatic injuries or with certain cancers. But, new insights into how our pets manage pain and disabilities may soon change pet owner perceptions.
Dr. Kim Danoff, a veterinarian certified in canine rehabilitation says that “a three legged gait can take a toll on other limbs and the spine due to abnormal posture.” Young pets could experience even bigger problems. “Living longer with 3 limbs makes these animals more prone to disc problems and possibly severe cases of arthritis”, Danoff adds. Additionally, pets with concurrent problems, such as hip dysplasia and cancer, could do worse after amputation.
But, help appears to be on the way. Martin Kaufmann of Orthopets (www.orthopets.com) is working with veterinary surgeons to utilize titanium implants in the pet’s leg bone as an attachment for prostheses.
Most prosthetic devices are known as “socket prosthetics”, that is, the stump of the limb is placed inside the prosthetic and everything is held up with straps and other attachments. Owners often find these cumbersome and pets are likely to chew on the apparatus. For human amputees, small variations in their body weight can change the balance and fit of the device.
New technology, known as an integrated prosthetics, may open up more possibilities for how prosthetics are used in humans. By using the implants, Kaufman says that these devices appear “to allow the patient a greater sensation of the ground.”
Kaufman also says that one day the use of integrated prosthetics will allow amputees to change their prosthetic foot as easy as someone can change their shoes. These functional prosthetics will allow amputees, or pet owners, to change their device as weather or environment demand.
Many animals benefit from the work at Orthopets. In his workshop in Colorado, Kaufman has developed orthotic braces and prosthetic devices for llamas, orangutans, and even sheep.
One of his famous cases involves Kandu, a small terrier mix born without front legs. Occasionally, this rare birth defect shows up in dogs and many have been euthanized because of this handicap. Although Kandu was very capable of moving himself with just his back legs, his owners worried about damage to his chest. Kaufman used his expertise to design a rolling ball to ease Kandu’s movements, a padded vest to stop rug burn, and a ski to use during the snowy Colorado winters!
Although all of this is great news, there are still some obstacles to overcome. A big concern with the new integrated prosthetics is how the skin of the pet will mesh with the titanium of the implant. Additionally, providing the needed education to pet owners and veterinarians will likely take time. Both integrated and socket prosthetics require that enough limb is left after amputation to control the device. Finally, many pet owners may be concerned with how much a prosthetic might cost in relation to simply removing the leg.
Kaufmann says that his prosthetics will generally start at $600 for the device and can run as high as $1800. The higher priced equipment is known as a “dynamic foot” and is similar to the devices worn by the Olympic hopeful, Oscar Pistorius, a double amputee who is known as the “Blade Man”.
These prices are for the prosthetics only and don’t include surgeries, implants, rehabilitation and therapy, or any follow up visits with the veterinarian.
The good news, though, is that options are available for pets whenever serious disease or trauma threatens one or more of their four legs. If you are faced with an unfortunate circumstance where you and your veterinarian need to contemplate removing a pet’s leg, ask how the surgery will affect your pet and whether prosthetics is an option.
Debra Garrison, DVM
Hip Dysplasia
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Hip Dysplasia is a deformity of the hip. It is a genetic condition that can be affected by diet. There is no cure for Hip Dysplasia; however, there are many treatment options available today for pets diagnosed with the condition. Hip Dysplasia can affect many pets, however, it is predominantly found in large breed dogs such as Great Danes, Mastiffs, St. Bernards, Laboradors, German Shepherds, mixed breeds and more. Understanding the condition and available treatment options is important to ensuring that your pet can live comfortably with the condition.
Hip Dysplasia is a genetic birth defect caused by the deformity of the pelvic and hip joints in large breed dogs. The hip joint is a ball and socket joint. In order to form correctly, the ball and the socket must grow at uniform rates. In some large breed dogs, these joints do not grow correctly or at the same speed. This variability leads to looseness in the joints, the buildup of arthritis and abnormal movement of the hips and legs. Each of these problems can lead to varying amounts of pain and lameness for the animal.
Hip Dysplasia is diagnosed by taking an X-Ray of your pets hips. However, there are several different external signs to look for if you suspect your pet may be suffering from dysplasia. These signs include: stiffness in the hip joints, hesitancy to stand up from a laying position, lameness, reluctance to run or jump and swaying of the hips when walking. Hip dysplasia is best diagnosed between the ages of one and half to two years. A pet that is X-rayed sooner may not be showing the full signs of dysplasia as the hip joints are still changing up until two years of age in large breed dogs.
There are many different treatment options available for animals diagnosed with hip dysplasia. These options vary based on your pets pain level, the affect of the dysplasia on his quality of life and cost effectiveness. Your preferred method of treatment should be discussed in detail with your veterinarian. Treatment methods include:
- Weight- Maintaining proper weight is essential in animals diagnosed with hip dysplasia. Animals that are obese put extra pressure on the hip joints, causing pain and stiffness.
- Diet- Diet plays a key role in animals diagnosed with dysplasia. Large breed puppies that are fed special large breed diets that are fortified with extra nutrients and vitamins may have a reduced risk of dysplasia or may minimize the severity of the problem.
- Natural Supplements- There are many natural supplements on the market today that may help to minimize the joint problems associated with dysplasia. Some of these supplements contain Chrondrotin and other vitamins and minerals to aid with joint movement and cartilage regeneration.
- Medications - The most common medications for the pain and stiffness caused by hip dysplasia are NSAIDs. NSAIDs are non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs that have minimal side effects. Each of these drugs vary in effectiveness based on your pets tolerance and pain level. It may be necessary to try several before finding the one that works best for your dog.
- Artificial Hip Replacement- In animals with severe hip dysplasia, it may be necessary to replace the deformed joint. The decision for this surgery will often be based on your pets activity level and quality of life.
It is important to remember that hip dysplasia is a genetic condition. Before purchasing or adopting a large breed dog, check with the breeder to determine if the animals parents are certified free of dysplasia by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). If the parents are not OFA certified or the breeder will not guarantee the animal to be free of dysplasia, it is best to select another breeder. It is also important to remember that if your pet has been diagnosed with dysplasia, do not allow breeding as the condition could be passed down to the next generation.
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