Back braces are primarily used on dogs diagnosed with Intervertebral disk disease (IVDD) or herniated disc, which results in mobility loss and severe back pain. The back brace supports a dog’s spine as well as the surrounding muscles to relieve pain and ensure stability.
As your dog ages, it is likely to undergo degenerative changes and is highly vulnerable to suffering a herniated disc, which can hinder mobility and cause severe pain. A back brace can be the perfect solution to your ageing dog’s back issues.
Benefits of Using a Back Brace for Your Aging Dog
1. Provides Spinal Support
A dog back brace will not cure herniated discs associated with ageing but will provide comfort and support to your dog’s spine. Back braces are made from elastic cotton or nylon material for flexibility, which will help your dog have a healthy posture and feel comfortable.
A back brace supports three spinal areas: the lumbar, thoracic, and sacral. Therefore, when looking for a perfect back brace for your ageing dog, you should consider how it will conform to the contour of your ageing dog’s back.
2. Eases Dog’s Back Pain
One of the herniated disc symptoms in your ageing dog is back and leg pain and weakness, which increases during movement and activity. The other possible cause of your dog’s back pain is Arthritis, a condition that commonly develops when a dog grows older.
Alleviating your ageing dog’s back pain is one way of making them happy and comfortable. A dog back brace is a perfect tool to alleviate pain by reducing spinal pressure. Nonetheless, you should ensure that the back brace conforms with your dog’s body shape for utmost comfort and pain alleviation.
3. Stabilizes the Dog’s Spine
Back braces might not cure your dog’s degenerative condition, but they will improve its overall health and wellbeing by providing optimal spine stabilizations. In addition to the spine, a back brace supports and stabilizes the surrounding muscles, allowing your dog to move freely.
A back brace’s ability to stabilize a dog’s spine is contributed by the fact that it is made from medical-grade memory foam and breathable materials. In addition, the supports rods are strategically fixed in the back brace to fit your dog’s body contour for additional stabilization.
4. Alleviates Pressure on the Dog’s Spine
Herniated disc resulting from old age causes pressure on the nerves in the spinal canal because of the materials that rupture. Pressure on the spinal area can cause the disc to bulk, crack, or tear. Instead of non-surgical treatment options, such as prolonged rest in a cage, you can consider using a back brace to relieve the spinal pressure.
A perfectly-fitting back brace will ensure adequate pressure on your dog’s back to calm the pain in the nervous system. Therefore, you should learn how to measure your ageing dog for a perfect back brace correctly.
5. Enables Your Dog to Move Freely
A dog’s movement depends on the alignment and the strength of the vertebrae, spinal cord, and discs. Spinal issues resulting from aging can compromise the strength and alignment of the spinal cord, leading to mobility issues.
A back brace is fitted with metal support rods at strategic locations to improve the alignment of the spinal cord. In addition, a back brace prevents and restricts unwanted motion on the back that can hinder healing or cause more pain to your dog.
Considerations When Buying a Back Brace for Your Aging Dog
A dog back brace is designed to help stabilize the spinal column of elderly dogs, overweight dogs, and those diagnosed with IVDD. The effectiveness of a back brace in alleviating pain and pressure, easing pain, and stabilizing and supporting the column depends on the size, shape, and materials.
A perfectly fitting back brace made from a flexible material guarantees utmost comfort and allows movement. In addition, you should ensure that the back brace has support rods and is adjustable for better support and optimal stabilization. To ensure that you get the right size of a back brace for your ageing pet, you should take the chest, base of the neck, and front of thigh measurements.
The use of back braces is not limited to dogs diagnosed with IVDD or herniated disc, as it can help alleviate pain and pressure for aging dogs who experience degenerative diseases. An elderly dog is highly likely to experience spinal issues; thus, you should consider buying a back brace. Nonetheless, you should ensure that you find the right size and design of the back brace for optimal comfort, support, and spinal column stabilization.
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