Paw Knuckling Solutions for your Canine Patients

Helping your clients to maintain their pets mobility

One of the most common conditions clients are referred to me for is dragging or paw knuckling.

As we know there can be several causes of paw knuckling or dragging including:

• Arthritis,
• Injury,
• Carpal flexural deformity,
• Intervertebral disc disease,
• Degenerative myelopathy and
• Tumour, to name the most common causes.

In some cases the first indication of paw knuckling is the pet owner complaining they can hear their dogs claws dragging on the ground as they are walking or they might notice the top of the dog’s claws worn down.

I know I can hear my older girl, Ash’s, nails scraping on the ground at the start of a walk but over time the dragging becomes less noticeable as Ash has a terrible spine and also one of her hips is very stiff so it takes her a while to warm up.

My old girl, Ash, in a happy mood trying to convince me the cushion she is standing on was not removed by her!

In this post I'll be discussing several options to assist you to help your patients with this condition.

No Knuckle Socks:

Proprioception can be vastly assisted by the No Knuckle Socks invented by Renee Mills, CCRP, in the USA, for both the front and rear paws. This training sock is ideal for in-clinic use by canine rehabilitation professionals. It can also be used by pet owners for at-home exercise in between therapy sessions. The training sock is intended for short-term, multiple use. It is an excellent tool to help correct gait and improve hind or front paw placement. Pricing from $71 inc GST (RRP)

1. Rear No Knuckling Sock                                       2. Front No Knuckling Sock

Paw protection for dragging feet

Bootie Splint:

A bootie splint is ideal for dogs that are knuckling in either their front or rear paws. It provides support underneath the foot and extends to just below the hock or carpal joint. For dogs that are knuckling and also in need of stabilization of the hock or carpal joints, the standard front or rear splints will provide full support while also extending underneath the paw. Pricing from $87 inc GST (RRP)

1. Bootie Splint for front & Rear   2. Front Splint with full support   3. Rear Splint with full support

Pet Boots:

Another option to protect dragging paws and prevent scraping injuries for one or more paws is the use of our Walkin’ Pet Boots. While the boots do not provide stabilizing support, they will protect the feet. They can also provide traction for dogs on slippery surfaces, such as tile or hardwood floors. Pricing from $85 inc GST for set 4 (RRP)

Walkin' Pet Boots

Traction Socks:

Similar to the Boots, these Traction Socks do not provide stabilizing support, but they will however protect the feet. They have a waterproof silicone gel sole to keep your dog from slipping or splaying out on slippery or smooth flooring. The upper sock is warm and cosy with a detachable strap to keep socks in place. These Traction Socks are great for senior and tri-pawed dogs who need more traction on slick surfaces, with the added bonus of protecting hardwood floors at the same time! (Pricing from $47 inc GST for set of 4 (RRP))

Traction Socks

At HandicappedPets Australia we have the ideal product to help you help your patients, no matter what their injury or mobility issue and we are more than happy to work with either you or your client directly.

We are still in the process of adding everything to our website, so if you have seen any product of interest, or if you have any questions please contact me on 0419 824 937 or via email gillian@petsneedalifetoo.com

About Gillian

Gillian Shippen is the Director and owner of 'Pets Need A LIfe Too, a website that advises on and sells a wide range of environmental enrichment toys for animals including dogs, cats, birds, rabbits and horses as well as wheelchairs for dogs. She has spoken at conferences on the importance on environmental enrichment for all animals and has also written a book: 'Pets Need a Life Too - A Guide to Enriching the Life of Your Pet - Series One: Dogs'.

Click here to follow Pets Need A Life Too on Facebook

Email Gillian to discuss enrichment needs for your pet: gillian@petsneedalifetoo.com

Click here to visit: Pet's Need A Life Too! Page in the Vetanswers Business Directory

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