Enzyme therapy is a holistic approach that involves the use of specific enzymes to support the healing process in injured dogs. While some anecdotal evidence and studies suggest potential benefits, it’s important to note that this approach should be used under the guidance of a holistic veterinarian, and more research is needed to fully understand its efficacy. Here are some aspects of enzyme therapy that may be considered for quick dog injury recovery:
It’s essential to approach therapy with caution and only after consultation with a veterinarian. Enzyme supplements may interact with medications or have contraindications for certain medical conditions. Additionally, the quality and source of supplements can vary, so it’s important to choose products from reputable manufacturers.
While some pet owners report positive experiences with this therapy, it should not replace traditional veterinary care. Veterinary guidance is crucial to ensure that the chosen therapy is appropriate for the specific injury and overall health of the dog. Always discuss any complementary or alternative therapies with your veterinarian before incorporating them into your dog’s treatment plan.
If you are interested in a Posh Dog Knee Brace contact us via our contact form or visit our Facebook Page for more information.
Reiki is a form of alternative therapy that originated in Japan and is based on the concept of channeling healing energy through the practitioner’s hands. While scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of Reiki is limited, some dog owners and practitioners believe that it can provide various benefits for dogs. It’s essential to note that Reiki should not replace conventional veterinary care but can be used as a complementary approach.
While some dog owners report positive experiences with Reiki, it’s important to approach it with an open mind and consult with a veterinarian before incorporating it into your dog’s care plan. Always prioritize conventional veterinary care for diagnosing and treating medical conditions.
For more information on how to help your dog recover with their injuries or if you are interested in a Posh Dog Knee Brace you can contact us via our contact page or visit us on Facebook.
The main difference between a cold pack and a hot pack for arthritic dogs lies in their application and the therapeutic effects they provide. Both cold and hot packs are used to manage arthritic pain and inflammation, but they serve different purposes and are applied at different stages of the condition. Here’s a breakdown of the differences:
It’s essential to consult with your veterinarian before using either cold or hot packs on your arthritic dog to ensure that it is appropriate for their specific condition and to determine the proper application and duration of therapy. Additionally, other complementary therapies and medications may be recommended to provide comprehensive pain management and improve your dog’s overall comfort and mobility.
To learn more you can contact us via our contact form or visit our Facebook page.
Hey guys! Nikki, Lead Veterinary Technician with Posh Dog Knee Braces here. Let’s talk about the importance of pet insurance. I know I have touched on this before, but let’s explain the benefits, especially where orthopedics are concerned. If you asked me 2 years ago, I did not have my dog’s insured, and thought they were healthy, so it’s a waste of money right? Boy was I wrong. My very healthy 8 year old athletic dog went down suddenly, not wanting to get up or eat. I immediately took her to the emergency vet, where it was diagnosed she had a ruptured splenic tumor.
Let’s just say the bills from this visit were astronomical, and still I couldn’t save my dog. Now I am still paying off a bill for a dog that has been gone for over 2 years now. I can’t blame the vet, they did everything they could to save my girl. I can only blame myself, because I knew about insurance for her and still held off.
Now with my new girl Coco, we immediately got pet insurance. She has had cheat grass in her ears, tummy infections, and everything was covered. I would be another few thousand in debt if I did not have insurance on my girl.
Let me tell you about a family member’s dog. He developed a cough, which turned out to be the start of heart failure. To treat him for just 2 days, in order to get him stable to go home, was over $5,000. They were not ready to say goodbye to their fur baby, and of course put this on their credit card. They are now into their dog about $10,000. He is doing much better, but they will also be paying for his care many years after he has passed.
My insurance will cover up to 90%, leaving only $97 if I ever need a custom posh brace for Coco. Now that $35/month is sounding better and better I bet. Or, if your dog has any other orthopedic issues, such as luxating patella, shoulder issues, spinal issues, those are all covered.
I have another scenario that happened to a client’s dog. He was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease, common in daschunds and other small breeds, and one day could not walk on his hind legs. He needed emergency surgery, which was over $10,000, in order to walk again. Thankfully the owner had insurance, and was able to do the surgery with under $1k out of pocket. He went on to live another 5 years, running and playing like nothing happened.
So, I urge you, if you are on the fence about insurance, please take some time to call a few companies. There are many to choose from now, and most are very affordable. Much more affordable than a monthly credit card bill for treatments. Don’t let money ever be the reason to say goodbye to your best friend. Feel free to reach out to us if you would like some suggestions on companies that we know work with braces. Thanks!
You can contact us via our contact page or you can visit our Facebook page to talk to others who have used our brace.
Hey guys, this is Nikki Lead Veterinary Technician with Posh Dog Knee Braces. Today let’s talk about exercise in our cute little furry babies that we all love! Puppies are so cute, running around with those giant feet that don’t seem to match their bodies. Have you noticed how puppies tend to be very clumsy? Always falling over, tripping, slipping on hard surfaces? We think it is cute, but did you know there is a reason? Let’s talk about that today.
Did you know that a puppies bones do not even touch when you bring home that cute little 8 week old puppy? Their little joints are made of muscle, tendons, and ligaments with skin covering. Nothing is fitting tightly like a true socket. It can take 4-6 months for the joints to start developing, and 8 months and up for those growth plates to start to fuse. Some large breeds take 15+ months for their growth plates to finish. What does this mean?
This means that we have to be very careful as to not run a young dog excessively. This means restricting and supervising your puppy’s exercise, to stop them from being over-active. Each time they have a big jump, or an excessive run, this causes impacts between the bones. In a reasonable amount this is not a big deal, and is completely normal play. However, if you are letting your puppy jump up and down off furniture, taking them on long walks and hikes, you can potentially be damaging those forming joints, and this could cost you in the near future.
You see that puppy scrambling on the tile with no traction, and think it is a funny tik tok video, right? This is actually damaging their joints. Puppies need traction. Sliding into things, and scrambling, is not normal for a dog. Think about their wild ancestors, do you think their pups are walking on tile and sliding all the time? Nope! Neither should our pups. Every time that pup does the splits, you risk tearing the tendons in the hip. These can not be fixed.
There are far too many puppies having an FHO (where they have to remove the femoral head) due to slipping on surfaces. Either get your puppy toe grips, or have runners all over for them not to slip and slide.
You only have one chance to let your puppy grow in a healthy way. Once grown, you will have a lifetime to spend playing and engaging them, showing them, doing activities. So, keep it calm while they are still growing, engage them in fun safe activities. Taking them to puppy school is a great way to bond and get the wiggles out. Teach them commands and how to walk on a leash.
Puppies who are much to active have much higher chance of developing osteoarthritis, ligament tears like the CCL, patella issues, hip injuries and issues, and much more. I am not saying you can’t play with your puppy, but taking a 4 month old on a mountain hike is too much. Learn about what they should be developmentally doing at this age. Ask your Veterinarian or staff for help. Feel free to email us with any questions, we give free consults you can contact us via contact form on our website or visit our Facebook Page for more information.
Improve his life and yours with our custom crafted dog knee brace. It’s much more effective than a ready to wear or a soft dog ccl brace.Order yours today at Posh Dog Knee Brace or call us at 509-412-3065.
Rehabilitation therapy, also known as physical therapy or physiotherapy for dogs, offers a wide range of benefits that can significantly improve their overall health, mobility, and quality of life. It is especially beneficial for dogs recovering from injuries, surgeries, or managing chronic conditions.
Rehabilitation therapy for dogs is typically provided by licensed veterinary professionals, such as certified canine rehabilitation therapists (CCRT) or veterinarians with specialized training in physical therapy. If you believe your dog could benefit from rehabilitation therapy, consult with your veterinarian to discuss the best options for your dog’s specific condition and needs.
If you are interested in a Posh Dog Knee Brace visit our store page to purchase and if you need more information or would like to keep up to date on new things with Posh Dog Knee Brace visit our Facebook page.
Stretching your dog can indeed help reduce the chance of muscle tears and improve their overall flexibility and mobility. Just like humans, dogs can benefit from regular stretching exercises to keep their muscles and joints supple and healthy. Here are some important points to consider when stretching your dog:
Stretching is just one component of overall canine fitness and injury prevention. Regular exercise, appropriate nutrition, and routine veterinary check-ups are essential for maintaining your dog’s overall health and well-being.
If you need any more information about what exercises you can be se to help your dog with their muscle tears you can contact us via our contact form, or visit our Facebook Page. If you would like to purchase a Posh Dog Knee Brace you can place your order on our store page.
Finding relief for arthritis in dogs involves a combination of veterinary care, lifestyle adjustments, and supportive therapies. Arthritis is a degenerative joint disease that causes pain and inflammation in the joints, and it is common in senior dogs and large breeds. Here are some ways to help relieve arthritis in dogs:
Remember that arthritis is a chronic condition, and while these measures can provide relief and improve your dog’s comfort, there is no cure for arthritis. Regular veterinary check-ups and ongoing management are essential to support your dog’s well-being and manage the progression of the disease. If you would like more information about our Posh Dog Knee Brace contact us via are contact page or visit our Facebook page.
Today we will go over some common asked questions about custom braces for dogs.
Why does our brace cost more than the over the counter options for $400-$500?
This is a good question! First off, most custom orthotics will be in the $900-$1200 range, as there is much more involved in the production than the over the counter options. For instance, with our brace each client gets 4+ hours of customer service with our veterinary technicians, both guiding them in measurements, fitting calls, rehab assistance, and supplement/diet help. There is also a lot more production time needed for custom products, and we do not start until we have the measurements from the patient. Over the counter braces are a “one brace fits all” product, so they have sized like small, medium, and large.
They do not take into account patients that are more bow legged like our staffies, or patients that need the top shell brought down a bit more to accommodate shorter legs. Plus, we do have a warranty on the parts of our brace, where a non-custom product is not only non refundable, but there is no warranty. The buyer essentially takes on all of the risk. I have many patients that have purchased a non-custom brace first, only to find it did not fit well, and were stuck. Then, they went with our Posh Dog knee Brace, and loved the custom fit, non sliding option.
Does a custom product have straps that go over the back?
No, custom braces will not have straps or stirrups that hold them in place. This is because we are a direct fit to the patient. Non-custom products are not made for your dog’s leg, so they must be held up by straps and stirrups. Our brace utilizes a hock wrap, that goes around the ankle, to help keep things from slipping down. This, and our unique strapping system, make it so our brace is much more simple to use.
Do custom dog braces need to be casted? My vet told me only to use casted braces
No, at Posh Dog Knee Braces we use a proprietary online program, that allows us to make a digital model of your dog’s leg, using specific measurements. This is why we have a veterinary technician watching and helping each patient take the measurements that we need. Our process is much faster and easier than casting, and production typically only 3-4 business days, with express shipping.
What is the materials of a custom vs. non custom brace? Are they made of the same stuff?
Again, great question. A non custom, over the counter brace is made of cheaper materials, such as neoprene and sometimes a cheaper metal hinge. This means they are not going to last you long, and will not be waterproof. Our Posh Brace is made of only the best orthotic materials, similar to pediatric orthotics, so that they are both durable, comfortable, and easily cleaned. Our dog knee brace can also be used in hydrotherapy.
For more information you can reach us via our contact form or visit our Facebook Page.
Hey guys, Nikki with posh dog knee braces here. So, first of all I can’t stress enough the need to do some form of physical therapy. We send every patient home with a 12 week recovery calendar and exercises, however, we need you to keep those up for the full 9 months. Whether you find a holistic or physical therapy clinic to help you with water treadmill or PT, you need to keep you dog active in some way.
Lack of activity will cause a joint to “lock up” after the scar tissue has formed, meaning there is not going to be the same amount of range of motion there. There also can be loss of muscle. The brace alone is not enough to build muscle, you will need to keep walking your dog, and doing some form of exercise program. This is needed whether you do surgery, Conservative management, or bracing. Doing nothing will result in loss of muscle, loss of range of motion, and most likely arthritis and pain down the road.
We have a lovely list of holistic veterinarians and rehab clinics around the US and in Canada, so reach out if you are struggling to find a clinic. The clinics on our list are partners with posh, and know how to treat our patients, as well as measure and fit the brace if needed. We do have some things we can have you do from home as well, if PT is just not in the budget. I am happy with walks, simple exercises, and passive range of motion.
What is PROM? This is you gently bending and flexing the knee, as well as the hip. I have videos we send to you on how to do this stretching, but this is key to keep flexibility in the joint, and not end up with lack of movement there.
Please let us know if you have any questions, poshdogkneebrace.com or visit our Facebook Page. Thanks!
Today I want to discuss a popular topic, and that is early spay and neutering, and the correlation with ligament tears. Now, we are not saying that you should not fix your dog, only the reasons that you should wait until the appropriate age (depending on breed) to do so.
For most breeds, especially our giant breeds, we need to wait 12-18 months, to give the hormones a chance to work, and for our bones to finish growing. The Femur and tibia can take up to 14 months to finish growing, and if we take away the hormones too early, then it can cause these bones to grow longer than they should, thus altering the knee angle, and putting too much pressure on the knee, hips, and spine.
In recent studies, it is shown that dogs being fixed too early are 2 times more likely to have a CCL tear, and 3 times more likely to develop Luxating patella issues. Also, in a closed study it was shown that 97% of patients getting hydrotherapy for hip dysplasia had been spayed or neutered before 1 year of age.
Looking for more information? You can reach out to us through our contact form or Facebook page.
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Hi guys, this is Nikki, lead veterinary technician with Posh Dog Knee Braces. Today, let’s discus osteoarthritis (OA) in dogs. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in dogs, affecting about 25% of our dog populations. This is a chronic, not acute, disease that is due to loss of joint cartilage (our buffers), thickening of the joint, and bone formation around the joint leading to pain and limping. A lot of our OA patients have other developmental issues or disease, which predisposes them to having OA. This includes Cruciate disease, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, OCD, patella luxation.
Sometimes, there may not be a reason that this occurs, and a patient just develops for no known reason. Some factors that can make this worse include obesity, gender, breed, exercise, and diet.
Signs of OA are sometimes reluctance to walk or exercise, acting stiff, limping, bunny hoping while running. Pain on palpation, possible aggression or discomfort is also usually present. They hurt and ache.
This is why it is always good to have an xray with limping patients over 6 years old, to rule out other things that can cause limping such as OA.
Treatment of OA includes weight and diet control, such as feeding Raw diet or diets with better protein, less carbs. Limiting the higher impact activities, such as running or jumping, replace with leash walks and range of motion activities. Physical therapy can really help build back those lost muscles, such as swimming. Laser therapy can also really help.
Supplements with fatty acids, such as fish oils, or green lipped muscle have shown to really improve quality. Adequan injections are one of the only leading products right now specifically formulated to fight OA, and prevent things from getting worse, I strongly recommend. Bracing may also be needed, to help alleviate the pressure on the joint, and act as a support and shock absorber, especially if it was due to CCL disease. Bracing may also help build back lost muscle, and alleviate the pain with walks.
Lastly, some form of anti-inflammatory may be recommended, but there are several natural anti-inflammatories that may be tummy safe, such as CBD oil or white willow bark.
Dogs that have undergone surgery, such as TPLO, have been shown in many studies to have more 77% more OA just 8 weeks post op than before on radiographs. So, if a patient has had TPLO, there is a much higher chance that dog will develop arthritis later on.
Thanks, and please visit poshdogkneebrace.com with any questions, or visit our Facebook page we are happy to help!
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Hey guys, this is Nikki, lead veterinary technician with Posh Dog Knee Braces. Today, lets discuss weight management in our spayed and neutered pups. It is well known that spaying and neutering, after a certain safe age, is recommended by almost every veterinarian. It is very important in the prevention of overpopulation, and other health concerns, however, it also predisposes our pups to obesity. Unfortunately, many vets are so quick to schedule your dog for surgery, and there is simply no information given to the owners as far as where to go now.
So, now we have this relatively healthy dog, young and probably more active, and we just took away the hormones that helped keep their weight in check. Post spay and neuter, their metabolic energy decreases significantly. This means that we need to also be cutting back the calories, by at least 25%. The other issue, especially with females, is that the hormone estrogen helps to keep their appetite at bay. Taking this hormone away can give your dog an increase in appetite, which is bad in a patient that needs to decrease the calories taken in per day.
So, now you go back in for your annual checkup, to find your baby has gained weight. The veterinarian possibly tells you that your dog needs to go on a weight loss diet, or be given less food per day. So, now you have a dog that just went through major hormonal changes, and has increased food cravings, yet you are feeding them barely any food.
Sound familiar? This equals out to an unhappy dog, and in return and unhappy owner. So, what is the solution, because it is also essential that we spay and neuter to be good pet parents, and do our part to prevent overpopulation.
This is where it is time to get proactive. Feel free to include your veterinarian in your plan, as you will need a way to weigh your dog every 2-4 weeks to check their weight. The good news is this is free😊 Now, it is time to implement the proper spay and neuter diet. For those that feed a raw diet already, you should not need to make any real changes.
The key is to increase protein and fiber, but keep in mind it needs to be healthy fiber. There are a few expensive brand foods marketed to spayed and neutered pets that the first ingredient is chicken by product. Double yuck! Just keep in mind that carbs will not help with weight loss. Foods with lots of rice for example are not meant for weight loss. It may be bland, but it will cause weight gain.
Try discussing with your veterinarian before you plan to spay or neuter, ask them to help you develop a proper diet to keep your dog healthy for years to come! This also will help prevent issues with joints potentially in the future.
Please let me know if you have any questions, you can contact us through our contact form or visit us on our Facebook page.
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Hey guys, this is Nikki, Lead Veterinary technician with Posh Dog Knee Braces. So, today I would like to talk about feeding raw diets, pros cons and why it has been clinically proven. First off, studies show that puppies that are raw fed starting at 8 weeks old have a significant decrease in their chances of Atopic dermatitis, and much less chance of developing obesity and cholesterol/glucose issues later on, such as diabetes. They also have an increased resistance to roundworms, which is great news. There is also shinier coats, healthy skin, cleaner teeth, more energy, smaller stools, and most important is healthy weight.
It has been shown to be a great support for joint health, so dogs with CCL tears! Crushed bone provides calcium, phosphorus, glucosamine, chondroitin, collagen, and marrow. This also helps immune systems!
The biggest questions we hearis, Is it safe to feed or dog a raw diet feed? Well, this is a great question. It depends on how you are raw feeding. Some meat may have chemical contaminants, microbial pathogens such as salmonella or e. colli, or there is the issue of feeding whole bones, or unbalanced diet. Bones if not ground properly, or supervised, can cause impactions, or gastric tears, fractures on teeth, etc. So, it is very important if you choose to Raw feed, please do your homework.
What is raw diet food? Typically, this includes muscle meat (not by products), bones whole or ground (I prefer ground), organ meat, raw egg, vegetables, fruit, some probiotics. This can be either via homemade diet, or via pre-made packages. The nice thing about purchasing packaged raw food is that they must provide cleansing methods to prevent contaminations, and grind down any bone material, so it is a bit safer.
There are many companies that can provide frozen raw diets for your pup, just make sure to look at ingredients to ensure they include things that your dog should be eating. One good thing about feeding frozen raw already prepared, is most will have supplements your dog needs already as a part of the diet.
So, whether you feed kibble currently or raw, your dog’s diet is a big decision. We all know that dogs were not meant to eat things like wheat, corn, and soy. Some carbohydrates are required for energy, so there needs to be a good balance. Raw feeding is a huge life change, and can sometimes not be as budget friendly as commercial diets, so that is another thing to consider before making the change. I am not trying to sway you either way, just giving you all the facts on both sides. Let us know if you have any questions, send us a message through our contact form or visit our Facebook page.
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Hey guys, this is Nikki, Lead Veterinary technician with Posh Dog Knee Braces. So, today I would like to talk about probiotics for your dog. Let’s face it, we have all had a dog with diarrhea or gastritis at one point, and it is not fun. Weather you have a new puppy, and are switching to a better quality puppy food, or a dog that maybe likes to dumpster dive, or one that licks out of that gross water puddle on your walk, probiotics may be a good option for you.
They help with diarrhea, intestinal upset, and can also help with dog allergies. If you have a female dog, they may also help in countering UTI’s, or even anxiety. Some dog food manufacturers are getting on the probiotic train, and may already be adding this to their diet, especially some of the Raw food diets out there.
I like to give my dog probiotics proactively, such as before I leave on a trip, if there will be a petsitter coming. That is a stressful event, and I don’t need my dog to get a stressful tummy, or anxiety. They can also be given as a daily part of long-term health.
Did you know that 70% of your dog’s immune system is their GI tract? It goes the same for people in that sense. So, by taking care of your dog’s tummy, it makes for an easier transition if they need to take pain medications, supplements, stressful events coming up, or if they have acute diarrhea. I typically will give at least 7-10 day course for a dog with loose stool/diarrhea, or a new puppy. They can really help in prevention of stress colitis, and that very expensive veterinary visit that follows. You can also add a tablespoon of canned pumpkin along with the probiotics if treating diarrhea, such as a new puppy.
The good news is that there are lots of great probiotics available both by your veterinarian and online. I really like Fortiflora personally, by purina, however, Zesty Paws also has a really nice product. Just do your research, and make sure they have good reviews before purchasing. Let me know if you have any questions, poshdogkneebrace.com or you can visit our Facebook page.
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