fourleg.com

This is an e-mail question that came in, but I figured I'd post it here as well! -

My frenchie had a hemi laminectomy 3 weeks ago she is walking fairly good now and seems pain free. Her right leg as much weaker then the left should I think about putting some type of support on that leg until it is stronger?
Ty
DM

Hello D,

The only think I would contemplate putting on that leg would be some form of support for placing the foot.
These are the commercial options:
Therapaw - Dorsiflex Assist - here’s a picture: https://www.jorvet.com/product/dorsi-flex-assist-large/
Orthopets - Toe Ups - https://orthopets.com/adaptive-devices/toe-up/
A California Physio made this video - you can use Vetwrap or Coban to do this: https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v= ... _permalink

Besides that, I have made a version of the dorsiflex assist with an old tube sock (put the foot in the sock, but only about half way, and then pull up the toes of the sock and tape it onto the leg above the ‘ankle’ (only so it won’t slip down, not too tight of course). If you’re crafty, you can recreate the Toe Up one as well using hair elastics (fabric ones would be best).

But other than that, I’d not want to brace the leg. When they are weak, adding anything too bulky can backfire!

I hope this helps!

Cheers,

Laurie