Edith
Edith, an eight-year-old Fainting goat, needed some extra support for her front right leg. She was only bearing partial weight on the leg while she was walking or standing due to hyperextension in her wrist. The family decided to have Edith try wearing a splint. Edith's mobility improved while she wore the splint for five weeks, but she started limping again once the splint was taken off.
For a more permanent solution, we made a custom carpal brace. We took a cast of her leg and fabricated a non-jointed brace with a heavy-duty sole that can be washed off with water for easy cleaning. Edith took to her new brace right away. She happily walked around our parking lot and now has the support and protection to get around comfortably.
Junior
Junior has a brachial plexus injury (nerve injury originating in the spine to the paw) that prevents him from bearing weight on his left front leg. He responded well to a temporary brace we made a few weeks ago so he returned to be casted and fitted for a custom carpal brace to support and protect his leg. Junior is a sweetie and it was a pleasure to work with him.
Juki
Juki is a 17 1/2 hands tall horse that was sadly caught in a barn fire. A beam fell on her causing significant burns, approximately twelve by eighteen inches across her back. Dr. Lori Ferdock of Patt Veterinary Clinic asked Jim Alaimo to consult. Jukis' burns had started to heal, but she would roll on her back to scratch off the scabs that had formed. The owners tried several different types of blankets to protect the burn area and prevent Juki from scratching it. Unfortunately, the blankets did not allow enough air flow or protect the burn area from the scratching. Jim suggested using X-Lite?(R) Foam sewed inside the breathable material Power Belt by Knit-Rite?(R). This new blanket with padding made by Jim enabled air flow around the burn while protecting the area from scratching, allowing the burn to heal. Several straps were added to the blanket to keep it in place and from sliding off Jukis back. Jim visited Juki three months after the initial fitting and Juki was completely healed. Juki and her owners were very happy and enjoy riding once again.
Achilles
We recently fitted this beautiful cat for a mobility cart from Eddie's Wheels. Most of our patients are dogs, and you might think cats would be too persnickity to take to a cart. Not so for Achilles, an Abyssinian, who's a very cool cat with an interesting story. Soon after birth, due to a problem with the umbilical cord, Achilles lost a portion of each hind leg, and at 3 months lost the remainder of the right rear leg to infection. But even with that disability he has thrived--he's certified by the American Red Cross as a therapy cat, visiting patients in places like nursing homes and the Ronald McDonald House.
His family says he'd been doing okay on three legs but they were looking for something to help him get around easier, especially on smooth surfaces. He's doing great in the cart, learning to back up and turn around, and lie down in the cart. They say that overall he's more happy and more outgoing since getting the cart. Improved mobility and balance likely played a part--we're happy to see him doing so well.
Destiny the Holstein Calf
Destiny is a prized black and white female Holstein calf from Martinsburg, PA that was born 12/1/09. She was referred to us from the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center. She fractured her front leg at birth. The fracture became infected and Destiny eventually acquired an amputation 2-3 inches above her hoof.
Jim and Mark saw the calf about four months after birth for a prosthetic evaluation. They noted that the calf's limb was well-healed but the end of her limb was very sensitive based on the calf's response to any contact. Jim took measurements, and applied a fiberglass cast in order to make a model of the leg.
At the My Pet's Brace facility, Jim made a prosthetic socket with a front and back piece that would act as a clamshell. This would allow the device to be put on Density very easily and permit the owners to change the protective socks as they became soiled. Since Destiny was already over 175 pounds and her skin was so fragile we applied a silicone sleeve liner that rolled onto her leg which provided comfort and protection.
Destiny did fantastic in the prosthesis. She quickly became accustomed to wearing the device and in fact became irritated when she didn't have the device on. If you'd like to see Destiny, follow the link "calf with prosthesis". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYtZSXXziUY
