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 Hip 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 wrist 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 Hip 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 Hip 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 Hip 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