Back braces

Back Braces for the IVDD dog

Orthotics such as a back brace should require an Rx from a board certified neurologist (ACVIM) who is well educated in disc disease. An ill fitting product that is not custom made can do more harm and the Rx would be for a specific reason.

Dodgerslist has consulted with several neuro and rehab specialists. The overriding concern is that owners may buy a brace on their own thinking it will be instead of strict crate rest or think it would prevent a future disc problem.

During a disc episode these are the concerns:
- Getting them on without causing any more pain or damage to the spine is on top of the list. Too much movement to get the brace on is not good for a dog that you are trying to limit movement of the back.
- Additional muscle atrophy in the spine is another big concern as muscle strength is very important to maintaining spinal health.
- Unnecessary discomfort, pain and anxiety caused by having to wear this device tight enough to limit movement… adequate limited movement is supplied with owner commitment to safe and effective 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7.
- Braces would require monitoring for pressure (rub) sores. Also, if not properly fitted (not covering from thoracic down to tail) there is the potential to create a fulcrum. It is hard to immobilize the entire back and not end up creating a fulcrum that stresses out adjacent disks.
- A brace would not be a preventative measure. Disc disease is the cause of prematurely aging discs…a disc problem happens at the point the disc has hardened too much. Any activity such as turning to lick a paw or putting on and off a brace could be the last straw for a disc that is no longer flexible.

At this time there isn’t enough research on them for Dodgerslist to support their use with an IVDD dog. What we do know is that strict crate rest is what works to heal a disc – it’s proven and crate rest is safe.

Linda, what we would like to see is more research done with these. They may have their place. We recommend that if anyone does purchase a brace that they be working with a qualified IVDD vet.

Cindy we really do not recommend back braces unless you are working with a board certified neuro. It doesn't matter how well made a product is if it is doing harm to an IVDD dog.

I just got the Lil Back Bracer for Lehla when she goes under anesthesia (her IVDD incident occurred during a dental this last time). I also made a sign to put on her kennel at the vet saying fragile spine and to be careful and how to hold her at all times. I think the brace was great for peace of mind for myself and the vet (My regular one, NOT the one who did her dental when she was hurt), but also wonderful for supporting her back properly during anesthesia and as she was waking up to prevent twists and falling over and injuring her back. I made sure to emphasize they still needed to be careful and act is if she wasn't wearing a brace and particularly careful with her neck which isn't supported by it. I was still nervous on Tues when she went under to repair an oronasal fistula from her extraction, but felt much better about her back being protected as the anesthesia was wearing off and she was unstable with not a lot of muscle tone. I highly recommend it if there are concerns about your doxie under anesthesia. It was well worth the money for me!

I would not use this daily in my doxie's circumstances and I would never use it in place of kennel rest after an incident. That said, for our purposes having a doxie with horrible teeth that gets dentals 2-3 times a year under anesthesia, it is great. Unfortunately I've learned no matter how careful a vet is and aware of the issue after 8 years of caring for my dogs, it can still happen. Could have been one tiny wrong movement or maybe as she was waking up and wobbly and fell over and twisted just the wrong way in the kennel or maybe a tech carried her wrong when they brought her to me at pickup. Who knows, but it gave me peace of mind for $100.  I consulted with the neuro surgeon who performs the back surgeries on doxies and they said they don't use them after surgery in their practice or recommend for daily wear but said it was a great idea for my purposes. Just make sure the vet and all who handle her during anesthesia don't think she's fine and not be careful still just because she has the brace on.