If your dog suffers from hip pain, you know how painful and debilitating it can be. Hip dysplasia is a genetic disease that causes the hip joints to develop abnormally and become unstable, leading to degenerative joint disease and reduced mobility. Hip dysplasia can affect dogs of any age, but it is more common in senior dogs who inherit it from their parents. This lead us to this question, is DIY dog hip brace an option for you?
While there are many treatment options for hip dysplasia, such as weight management, pain relief, physical therapy, and surgical procedures, some dog owners may want to provide extra hip support braces and comfort for their furry family members. A dog hip brace is a device that wraps around the dog’s hips and back legs, helping stabilize the joints and reduce pain. A dog hip brace can also improve blood flow, promote healing and prevent further damage.
Many types of dog hip braces are available on the market, but they can be expensive and may not fit your dog perfectly. That’s why some crafty dog owners have decided to make their own DIY dog hip brace using simple materials and tools. In this blog post, we will show you the best solution to create a brace for severe hip dysplasia in a few easy steps.
What Tools and Materials You Will Need
To make a DIY dog hip brace for dysplasia, you will need the following materials and tools:
- A step-in harness that fits your dog well
- A thermal back brace that is small enough to fit your dog’s hips
- Plastic belts or straps that are long enough to go around your dog’s thighs
- Nylon bandage or fabric to cover the plastic belts
- Chicago screws or other fasteners to adjust the plastic belts
- Velcro or other adhesive material to attach the thermal back brace to the harness.
- Scissors
- Sewing machine or needle and thread
Making a Diy Dog Hip Brace for Your Pet
Follow these steps to make a custom brace for dysplasia:
- Cut the thermal back brace in half along the middle seam. You should have two pieces that are roughly equal in size and shape.
- Roll and stitch a seam for each piece along the edge around your dog’s legs. This will create a tunnel for the plastic belt to go through.
- Thread a plastic belt through each tunnel and adjust it to fit your dog’s thigh above the knee joint. You can use Chicago screws or other fasteners to secure the strap.
- Cover the plastic belts with a nylon bandage or fabric to prevent rubbing and irritation on your dog’s skin. You can sew or glue the bandage or fabric onto the straps.
- Attach velcro or other adhesive material to the top of each piece of the thermal back brace. This will allow you to connect them on top of your dog’s hips, pulling them towards the front.
- Attach velcro or other adhesive material to the bottom of each piece of the thermal back brace. This will allow you to connect them to the step-in harness on each side of your dog’s body.
- Put the step-in harness on your dog and adjust it for a snug fit.
- Wrap each piece of the thermal back brace around your dog’s leg and secure it with the plastic belt.
- Connect the two pieces of the thermal back brace on top of your dog’s hips using velcro or other adhesive material.
- Connect the bottom of each piece of the thermal back brace to the step-in harness using velcro or other adhesive material.
You have now made a DIY brace for your dog! You can use it when taking your dog for a walk on a leash or when your dog needs some extra support and comfort. Check your dog’s skin regularly for signs of rubbing, irritation, or infection. If you notice any problems, stop using the brace and consult your vet.
Benefits of Using a DIY Dog Hip Brace
A DIY dog hip brace for dysplasia can have many benefits for your dog, such as:
- Providing stability and additional support for the hip joints
- Reducing inflammation and low back pain
- Improving blood circulation and healing
- Preventing further damage and deterioration
- Enhancing mobility and quality of life
However, a hip dysplasia brace is not a substitute for proper veterinary care and treatment. It is essential to consult your vet before using a DIY dog hip brace for dysplasia and follow their advice on managing your dog’s condition. Depending on the severity of your dog’s hip dysplasia, your vet may recommend other treatment options, such as joint supplements, pain medications, physical therapy, or surgical procedures.
Conclusion
Hip dysplasia is a common and painful condition that affects many dogs, especially large-breed dogs and dogs who inherit it from their parents. It causes the hip joint capsule to develop abnormally and become unstable, leading to degenerative joint disease and reduced mobility. While there are many treatment options for hip dysplasia, some dog owners may want to try a DIY dog hip brace for dysplasia to provide extra support and comfort for their furry family member.
A homemade hip brace for dysplasia is a device that wraps around the dog’s rear legs and hips, helping joint support and reduce inflammation. It can also improve blood flow, help leg injury, injured knee, and joint pain in the affected leg, promote healing and prevent further damage. You can make a dog hip brace using simple materials and tools, such as a step-in harness, a thermal back brace, plastic belts, duct tape, nylon bandage, velcro, and Chicago screws.
We also care about dogs’ health, from smaller size to large breeds 🐶❤️.
We have shown the DIY dog hip brace process in a few easy steps. We hope you found this tutorial helpful and informative. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below. We would love to hear from you!
Remember to consult your vet before making any DIY knee braces and follow their advice on managing your dog’s condition. A DIY dog hip brace for dysplasia is not a substitute for proper veterinary care and treatment. It is only meant to provide extra support and comfort for your dog.