At Tulsa Animal Rehab & Wellness, we are dedicated to enhancing the lives of your pets through individualized canine rehabilitation. There are situations that need extra support, and sometimes a custom orthosis (brace) or prosthesis (partial limb replacement) is the best way to help.
What Are Veterinary Orthotics and Prosthetics (V-OP)?
Orthosis: Any medical device attached to the body to support, align, position, immobilize, prevent or correct deformity, assist weak muscles, or improve function
(Deshales, 2002)
Veterinary orthotics are specially designed external devices that aid in the stabilization and support of joints and limbs in pets.
Veterinary prosthetics are doing everything that orthotics are but in addition are replacing a missing part of the limb.
These devices are tailored to the specific needs of each animal, providing targeted assistance to alleviate pain, enhance mobility, and promote healing.
Who do we work with?
Dr. Emily has been deeply involved in VOP for canines and felines around the world, as well as in her own life. From the traditional pioneering companies in the VOP space to working with the newest technologies available, we have gained specialized experience over the years to confidently provide veterinary orthotics and prosthetics to our patients in the Tulsa and surrounding areas.
- Tulsa Animal Rehab & Wellness is partnered with ExoPets to offer custom veterinary bracing and prosthetic solutions with expert orthotic and prosthetic support built into the process. While orthotics and prosthetics can be powerful tools, they often get a bad reputation when devices are selected incorrectly, fitted without proper strategy, or implemented without long-term clinical oversight.
- Through our partnership with ExoPets, our rehabilitation team has direct access to a licensed orthotist/prosthetist for on-demand case consultation, device selection guidance, troubleshooting, and ongoing education. This allows us to integrate orthotic and prosthetic tools into a patient’s rehabilitation plan more effectively—ensuring the device supports real function, not just structure.
- This collaborative model improves clinical decision-making, enhances long-term outcomes, and provides pet owners with a higher level of clarity and confidence throughout the bracing or prosthetic process.
In addition, we are the only casting & fitting location for My Pet’s Brace in Oklahoma. Dr. Emily is also happy to consult with your primary care or surgical veterinarian remotely, if you are looking for a My Pet’s Brace.
Email hello.tulsarehabvet@gmail.com to get the conversation started!
What do they help with?
There are numerous medical conditions, diseases, and injuries that can be supported with VOP. When used as a specialized tool in the treatment plan, we can see better recoveries and long term improvement in quality of life.
Carpal Brace
A Carpal Orthosis supports your dog’s wrist to help support them standing upright.
Your canine companion may benefit from this orthotic device if they have:
- Carpal Hyperextension
- Soft tissue injuries to carpal tendons/ligaments
- Osteoarthritis of the wrist
- Wrist joint laxity due to IMPA or chronic steroids
- Congenital malformations
- Managing digit/toe amputation
Tarsal Brace
The Tarsal Orthosis supports your dog’s ankle for the following conditions:
- Ligament and tendon injuries of the tarsal joint (ankle)
- Instability of the tarsal joint
- Osteoarthritis of the ankle
- Tarsal hyperextension and hyperflexion
Stifle Brace
When dog’s tear their cranial cruciate ligament (like the ACL in humans), surgical repair by a boarded veterinary surgeon considered the gold standard treatment option. However, there are certain situations were comprehensive conservative management is needed instead.
Surgical or conservative, canine rehabilitation is always recommended. While not all situations need a stifle brace and not all patient’s are good VOP candidates, custom bracing can be a significant part of short term recovery and long term maintenance!
How does it work?
After an evaluation with a rehabilitation veterinarian, we will discuss options and schedule the casting and measurement acquisition session. The cast, measurements, and paperwork are sent off to the manufacturer. We will set up the fitting appointment once the device has shipped. At the fitting appointment we will check the fit, get the required media for the manufacturer, and start integration exercises. There will be an individualized plan depending on each situation.
Does your canine or feline companion need support with a custom brace or prosthesis?
If your pet is facing mobility challenges due to injury, arthritis, or other orthopedic conditions, please reach out.
Email hello.tulsarehabvet@gmail.com to get the conversation started!
Every animal is an individual. We do not recommend purchasing any medical device before consulting with a veterinarian, and rehabilitation therapy will be needed to achieve the best outcomes possible with any animal brace or prosthesis.