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Custom Hock (Ankle) Brace | Dog Tarsal - Rear Leg Brace
$995.00
CUSTOM DOG Braces - Order Process
Cast
We send you a Casting Kit for you to make a mold of your pet's limb.
FIT
We ship you the finished custom brace. You fit it to your pet. Your pet is on their way to recovery!
Speak to a vet
HOW TO MEASURE
Hock Circumference
Measure the circumference of the leg just above the hock (the raised part of the ankle below the knee)
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MY CASTING DIDN'T GO WELL
Details
Features
Casting
Care & Use
FAQs
Details
BUILDING YOUR DOG's ANKLE BRACE
AFTER RECEIVING YOUR DOG'S CAST,
FABRICATION TIME WILL TAKE 7-10 BUSINESS DAYS.
A DOG ANKLE BRACE IS COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS AN ACHILLES, OR HOCK BRACE.
Conditions That Benefit From a Custom Dog Ankle Brace
- Achilles tear
- Primarily used post-operatively after Achilles tendon repair, as an alternative to external fixation devices that require drilling into healthy bone
- Knuckling is common with Achilles tendon injuries, so a paw segment attached to a custom hock brace is often recommended
- Uneven distribution of pressure can also be resolved with a hock brace with a paw segment
- Post-operative care following a ligament repair or other surgeries
- Conditions for which surgery is not available or recommended for your dog
- If you prefer a non-invasive option for your dog's recovery
- As a complimentary treatment option for physical therapy methods, including hydrotherapy and acupuncture
Benefits of a Custom Dog Ankle Brace
- Provides support to the affected area
- Stabilizes the joint
- Decreases the time and expense of injury/post-surgical recovery
- Helps improve your dog's activity level by providing a return to near-normal joint function
- Allows for easier wound/surgical site inspection
- Reduces pressure on the contralateral (opposite) limb, preventing further injury
Features
features
- Custom-fitted to your dog's limb
- Non-porous medical grade foam cushions and eases pressure on the affected area
- Durable hook and loop strap system allows easy adjustments for fit and comfort
- Made in the USA
- Removable
- Two-month warranty for brace alterations and modifications
- One-year warranty for manufacturing defects
- Lifetime warranty on Tamarack Hinges
- Free replacement straps during the first 90 days
why an aoc custom brace?
Technology
- Hand-crafted using vacuum forming and thermal technology
- Waterproof
- Tamarack-Tether hinges allow for limited ligament motion in order to prevent hyper-extension and hyper-flexion
Casting
how to cast for a custom hock dog brace
NOTE: If this brace is being casted with casting materials not purchased through Animal Ortho Care, ensure the tape being used is soft casting tape. Casts made from hard casting material CANNOT be used to build a brace and will be rejected by AOC Fabrication.
Care & Use
CARE:
- Use light soapy water or antibacterial wipes to clean the plastic shell and non-porous liner of the brace.
- Hand-wash pads as needed and let them air dry.
- Remove any hair or dirt from the hook and loop straps with a wire brush, gently brushing in one direction on the hook side only.
USE
- It is required that you follow the break-in period protocol for your dog. This helps to prevent irritation and allows your dog to become comfortable when wearing their brace. Failure to follow the break-in period could result in further injury to your dog.
- Your dog may wear their brace whenever they are active, both indoors and outdoors. Custom Dog Ankle braces are waterproof and therefore can be used in the water, such as for hydrotherapy sessions.
- Remove your dog's brace when they are not active for extended periods of time. This allows their leg to relax, prevents irritation, and allows their skin breathe.
- Once your dog has successfully completed the break-in period without irritation occurring, they may wear their ankle brace for up to 14 hours a day. Wearing the brace for longer than 14 hours could result in irritation and/or injury
Break-In Period
Similarly to breaking in a new pair of shoes, the Custom Dog Ankle Brace should initially be worn in short increments as your dog builds up a tolerance to the device. For best results, place the brace on your pet for only half an hour the first day. You can typically increase this time by a further half hour each subsequent day. You can facilitate this process by positively reinforcing and rewarding your dog for wearing the brace. Please keep in mind that the break-in period and time of each increment will depend on your pet's diagnosis and overall acceptance of the brace.
If there is any irritation or skin breakdown, discontinue use of the brace for one full day. If irritation continues, contact us at care@aocpet.com
Skin & Brace Examination
It is crucial that you thoroughly inspect your pet's skin after each use of the Custom Dog Ankle Brace. This is especially important during the initial break-in period. While it is not uncommon to see minor problems for the first few weeks of brace usage, make note of any blisters or other unusual marks on the skin. Skin redness that does not disappear within an hour after the brace is removed and other signs of skin breakdown are indications of excessive pressure from the brace. The brace can easily be modified to relieve these areas of irritation.
You should also carefully examine the brace itself after each use. Identify any cracks, tears, or areas of unusual wear. Padding and the hook and loop straps can be replaced by contacting Animal Ortho Care. Consult our warranty terms for other details on the service process.
Hygiene & Cleaning
Both the Custom Dog Ankle Brace and areas of skin that come into contact with it must be kept clean. This reduces the chance of your dog contracting contact dermatitis or other skin conditions. Regularly clean the brace with a mixture of half water, half isopropyl alcohol. After cleaning, dry with a towel or let the brace dry at room temperature. Do not speed the drying process through use of applied heat, such as from a hair dryer. Never put a wet brace onto your pet, as it will affect the fit. A properly-fitted brace can be worn in water, but should be thoroughly dried after use before re-application.
MATERIALS:
- Outer Shell: polypropylene, polyethylene, co-polymer
- Inner Liner: closed-cell polyethylene foam
FAQs
FAQs
What is included with the purchase of a Custom Dog Ankle Brace?
Purchases of our Custom Dog Ankle Braces include a free casting kit, which you will use before we begin fabricating the brace itself. Once you have cast your dog's leg - or legs if you are ordering a pair of Custom Braces - you will mail us the casts. At that point we craft your brace order based on the cast of your dog's leg, and then send the Custom Braces back to you.
What happens if the brace does not fit correctly?
Please contact us and we will work with you to find the fit! The hook and loop straps give you some freedom to adjust the brace yourself. Depending on the issues with the fit, we may instruct you to ship it back to us for more extensive modification.
Please note it is imperative that you take an accurate cast of your dog's leg in order for the brace to have the best possible fit. Please refer to our casting directions and be sure that you are familiar with them before attempting a casting.
What if my dog's brace needs refurbishment?
Refurbishing your dog's brace is easy. Strap replacements are free within the first 90 days of your purchase if you order and replace them yourself. We offer various methods for refurbishing your brace depending on what needs to be done. You can order new Straps (1 inch or 1.5 inch) and Pads to replace on your own. If you don't want to replace the straps yourself or need a liner replacement, you can use our Custom Brace Refurbish Service and we will refurbish the brace based on what you order.
How often can my dog wear this brace?
There is a two-week break-in period where you will gradually increase the time your dog wears their Custom Dog Ankle Brace by 30 minute increments. Once this period is complete, you may leave the brace on your dog for up to 14 hours a day. However, be sure to remove the brace when your dog is resting, this will prevent irritation and allow their leg to air out. Check for any signs of irritation and/or swelling after removing the brace.
Please remove the brace before your dog goes to bed at night.
Can my dog use stairs while wearing this brace?
Yes! However, give your dog a few days of using the brace before they attempt stairs. If they seem to be adjusting well to the brace and moving comfortably, you should be able to introduce stairs. Be sure to supervise their first few attempts.
How Long is the Fabrication Process?
Once we receive the cast of your dog's leg, it takes 5-7 business days to fabricate the brace. Expedited Fabrication is available for $150.00 per brace which reduces the fabrication time to 3 business days.
How Long Will Shipping Take?
We offer free 7-10 business day ground shipping in the US for both the casting kit and custom brace, as well as 2 Business Day or Overnight shipping options for an additional charge. If you select an expedited shipping option, we will ship the casting kit to you based on that option. Once we receive the cast of your dog's leg and fabricate the Custom Brace, we will ship that using the same option you selected at checkout.
Is the Casting Process Difficult?
The difficulty of casting will depend on your dog; more anxious or badly injured dogs may find the process more distressing. It is recommended that you perform the process with at least 3-4 people depending on your dog's energy level.
Detailed instructions on how to cast are included in the casting kit. We can walk you or your veterinarian through the casting process, so please contact us with questions or concerns before you begin casting your dog's leg.
Customer Reviews
Based on 1019 reviews
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C
They are easy to work with and returned questions quickly
M
My dog was diagnosed with a torn CCL. The only option provided by the vet was surgery which required 8 weeks of recovery with an 85% chance he would get it in the other rear leg if he had the surgery due to the 8 weeks of inactivity. Thank goodness a friend referred Animal Ortho Care. After 2 weeks of wearing the custom brace, my 11 year old dog was off pain medication and looked forward to wearing the brace everyday. An added bonus is that it seems that scar tissue is starting to form and he is walking much better when not wearing the brace. I would definitely recommend investing in a custom brace prior to the surgery route. If the CCL is not fully torn, it could reduce unnecessary stress for your pup ( and you).
Hi there,
We are so happy to see that Mac is loving his brace and has shown improvements! Look at him go! Thank you for sharing a video of Mac's success. We appreciate your kind words about the company and taking the time to leave us a review. Please let us know if you ever have any questions, happy to assist!
Best,
Animal Ortho Care
C
Excellent craftsmanship, quality, and durability! Cyborg doesn’t always put weight on the leg with the torn ACL when wearing the brace, but I love that she has the option when running or varmint hunting. That stability is there to take the pressure off the good leg, and that gives us huge peace of mind!
Hi Consuelo,
Thank you for such kind words and sharing a video! So sweet to see. We are so happy to see that Cyborg is doing well with her brace! We love that she is now able to get back out and enjoy some hunting. Please let us know if you ever have any questions about the brace, happy to help!
Best,
Animal Ortho Care
C
Staff was amazing, brace is awesome. Saved this 12 year old dogs life.
Hi Christina,
We are so happy to hear your custom dog knee brace has been working well for your dog! Thank you for the kind words! We hope for continued improvements every week with the brace. Please let us know if you ever have any questions about the brace, happy to assist!
Best,
Animal Ortho Care
A
I took my boxer to the vet and learned that he had a torn ccl. The specialist we were referred to said that a custom brace was a good surgery alternative. This brand was not actually the one that was given to us, but instead, a much more expensive brand was suggested. I found animal ortho care and was impressed by the reviews. I put in to get a custom brace made and had my vet cast my dogs leg. My vet said that the customer service at animal ortho care was fantastic and they ensured that my dog was fitted correctly. I was advised by my vet that my dog should wear the brace for a few months. Well, my dog wore the brace from April - June, and I am happy to report that he is not limping anymore. He has now been walking without the brace for about 3 weeks. I also had a great experience with animal ortho cares customer service since my dog initially ate one of the brace straps and they sent me a new one immediately. Thank you so much! I am really glad that k chose to get my beloved dogs brace from you! :)
Hi Alycia,
We are so happy to hear you decided to go with our company for a custom brace! We appreciate the kind words about our service and product. Thank you for sharing such a sweet photo of your boxer, so cute!! This is great to hear your dog is now doing better and that the brace has been helping! Please let us know if you ever have any questions or need any replacement straps, happy to help!
Best,
Animal Ortho Care
R
I was very happy with my entire experience with Animal Ortho Care. Victoria from AOC was prompt everytime and made sure all my questions and concerns were clarified with sufficient detail. She kept the communication lines open and was approachable through the month long process of shipping casts back and forth. The braces in itself are great and Astro’s vet and physiotherapist are both, very impressed by how much it has improved Astro’s quality of life after his cruciate tear.
Hi Richelle,
This is great to hear! Thank you for the kind words! We take pride in our service and quality of products. We are happy to hear the braces are helping Astro and fitting well! Please let us know if you ever have any questions, happy to assist!
Best,
Animal Ortho Care
J
You guys are so caring and so special. Your casting kit was easy to use and all of your instructions were very complete and easy to follow. I am 73 years old and my husband is 77 and if we can follow them you can count on the completeness and simplicity you achieved in creating them. Thank you to everyone with your company!!! And as an fyi Brandy is doing great!!!
Hi Judith,
We are so happy to hear our casting process was easy for you to follow! This warms our hearts to hear. Thank you for the kind words! We hope for continued improvements every week for Brandy. Please let us know if you ever have any questions, happy to help!
Best,
Animal Ortho Care
J
The brace itself is good. The putting on and taking off with 4 Velcro straps and a fidgety dog is challenging. There is a learning curve on correct placement. If it’s not secured properly it can slip down, so placement is key
Hi Julia,
We are happy to hear you are liking the brace! Yes, the process of putting the brace on can be challenging if you have a wiggle worm! If you happen to have another set of hands, that always can be helpful. Using treats or something to distract your dog while putting the brace on that can always be an option also. We hope for continued improvements each week for your dog. Please let us know if you ever have any questions about the brace, happy to help!
Best,
Animal Ortho Care
N
I received the braces and immediately started to see the benefit of our dog wearing them. We quickly notice that the braces were a little small and AOC is working with us to make sure we have the right fit and have already shipped me a new pair with no cost to us. Thank you AOC !!
Hi Nic,
We are so happy to hear your dog is doing well with the braces and hope the new pair works much better! We always want to ensure the braces are fitting correctly and to see if any modifications are needed to offer the correct support. Please let us know if you ever have any questions about the braces, happy to assist!
Best,
AOC
H
Alex seems to move better with brace in place however having trouble keeping brace from slipping and then it rubs on top of hock and has to be removed.
Hi Alex,
We are so sorry to hear that your dog is having trouble with the brace slipping and causing irritation! We will have representative from our Customer Care team reach out to discuss this issue. Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review. Please let us know if you have any additional questions, happy to help!
Best,
Animal Ortho Care
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