performance Animal Ortho Care Instruction Manual

performance Animal Ortho Care

PREVENTING SLIPPAGE

HOCK STRAP

1. If you encounter brace slippage, follow the instructions below to apply the hock strap.
2. Wrap the strap around your dog’s hock as shown and secure the Velcro® straps.
3. Apply your dog’s brace over the hock strap following the instructions on the reverse.

FOAM INSERT

1.  If the hock strap does not prevent slippage, follow the instructions below to apply the foam insert (included in the box) to the lower brace.
2. Locate the bottom part of the lower shell on the inside of your dog’s brace.
3. Peel the backing off of the foam insert.
4. Place the foam insert piece on the bottom part of the brace as shown right. To prevent foam from sticking to your dog’s hair, ensure placement is high enough up so foam piece is not sticking out.
5.  Trim any excess foam from the sides of the shell.

WEAR & USAGE

1. For initial product break-in and to prevent irritation, start treatment durations by utilizing brace for 30 minutes the first day. Gradually increase daily.
2. We do NOT recommend your dog wear the brace 24/7. At minimum, remove the brace during the dog’s longest rest time and at night.
3. Your dog may “knuckle over,” walking on top of the paw, while wearing the brace. This is normal but should not continue after the first week. If you notice your dog starting to “knuckle over”, avoid asphalt or concrete surfaces as this may scrape your dog’s ankle. Stick to softer surfaces or grass.
4. Complete wear and care instructions can be found on our website at www.aocpet.com, including a video on how to fit the brace.

TIPS FOR A SECURE FIT

1. ALWAYS start from the bottom strap of the brace, then secure the middle strap followed by the top strap.
2. The Pen Test: If you can fit a pen between your dog’s leg and the brace (without putting ample force) you have not tightened enough. A good fit consists of the hinge with the bend of the knee, bottom part of the brace tight above the hock, and no slippage.
3. If after tightening, there is still a gap between the knee and brace, remove the brace from the dog and heat this area for 5 to 7 minutes by using a blow dryer or wrapping it in a heating pad. Reapply and compress the warmed area against the leg, readjust the straps, and wait for it to harden while continuing to compress the area.
4. If you find the brace is slipping no matter much how you tighten, please contact Animal Ortho Care for assistance.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE

BEFORE USING THIS BRACE, PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE. CORRECT APPLICATION IS VITAL TO THE PROPER USE OF THIS BRACE.

INTENDED USE

This brace provides a customizable solution for stabilization following injuries and surgery to the knee (stifle); specifically the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL.)

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Advice for wearing is best provided from a veterinary care provider. Complete wear and care instructions are found on our website at: www.aocpet.com.

WARRANTY

Our warranty covers all manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship for a period of six months. This warranty does not cover device failure due to normal wear and tear or improper use.

PROPER BRACE ALIGNMENT

1. Ensure the bottom of brace is above hock
2. Align center of brace hinge with bend of knee

ADJUSTING THE BRACE LENGTH

Since every dog’s leg length is different, the brace hinge length arrives unadjusted. The hinges on either side of the lower shell of the brace MUST be adjusted to fit your dog’s tibia length. The screws may need to be moved. Screws may need to be placed in the top slot, bottom slot or both slots, depending on the desired length.

SHORTEN BRACE

Loosen screw in ttop slotop slot on each side. Remove screw in bottom slot on each side. Slide hinge down vertically, so both screw holes on each side are in the top slot. Re-tighten the loose screw and re-insert/tighten the other screw. Repeat on the other side.

LENGTHEN BRACE

Loosen screw in bottbottom slotom slot on each side. Remove screw in top slot on each side. Slide hinge vertically so both screw holes on each side are in the lower slot. Re-tighten the loose screw and re-insert/tighten the other screw. Repeat on the other side.

RANGE OF MOTION HINGE

The hinge has a range of motion that is preset. Please DO NOT adjust the range of motion unless instructed by your veterinarian.

HEAT ADJUSTMENTS

If there is gapping between the leg and the brace, the brace can be heat formed using a hair dryer on high heat. Keep the hair dryer several inches away from the brace and heat until the brace is pliable, approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Then apply to the dog’s leg and hold in the desired shape until the brace cools. DO NOT heat the brace while it is being worn on the dog.

OPTIMAL BRACE FITMENT

NOTE: INTE: INJURJURY CANY CAN OCCUR IF N OCCUR IF NOOT FITT FITTED PRTED PROPERLOPERLYY.. ENENSURE ADSURE ADJUSJUSTMENTMENTTS ARE MADE TS ARE MADE TO THE BRAO THE BRACECE BEFBEFORE PRORE PROCEEDINOCEEDING TG TO THE NO THE NEXT SEXT STEPS.TEPS.

• BRACE IS CENTERED WITH KNEE
• BOTTOM OF BRACE IS ABOVE HOCK
• BRACE LENGTH IS ADJUSTED
• BRACE IS NOT SLIPPING

FITTING ON YOUR DOG

• The foam padding straps beneath the Velcro® serve as a barrier to protect your dog’s leg from the Velcro® rubbing and irritation. Pull each of the Velcro® straps off the foam padding so that both pieces can be moved independently.
• While fitting the brace to your dog, incrementally trim the foam padding straps as you go ensuring you don’t trim too much early in the fitting process. The straps should be trimmed so the end of the strap meets the edge of the brace when tightened. The padding and straps should not overlap.
• Once you have trimmed padding down, cover raw ends of the strap with edge tape (included) to prevent fraying. Start from the bottom and conform the padding by compressing down the sides of the brace to your dog’s leg. Tighten the Velcro® strap and wrap the strap around the brace. Repeat process for the top part of the brace.
• SNUG FIT If you can get a pen in between your dog’s skin and the brace, then you need to tighten more. It is most important that it is snug at the hock area. The brace MUST fit snug to prevent slippage and to ensure proper fit. For some dogs you may need to wrap the bottom Velcro® strap around your dog’s leg twice.

References

• Instructions - Animal Ortho Care
• Dog Knee Braces, Dog Back Braces & Pet Pain Relief | Animal Ortho Care

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