How to apply a Velpeau Sling to a dog

[@bachasalima6024]

Merci pour le partage

[@focusandflourish5168]

Avec grand plaisir!

[@CurlyAnji11]

Thank you !

[@wendyriccione]

Would I able to try this on my dog who has osteosarcoma in his humerus? We would like to see if he would be a good candidate for amputation as his rear leg is compromised from a previous surgery.

[@focusandflourish5168]

Hi Wendy, So sorry to hear about your dog having to deal with Osteosarcoma. I am assuming he is a larger dog and may still be using his foreleg despite the osteosarcoma which is why you want to give this a try. I have certainly done that in some of my patients. I would only sling them up for a few days prior to surgery so that they can learn to rebalance themselves on to 3 limbs. Trust me, the dogs don't really like the slings at all. Regarding your question about the Velpeau. I would not recommend that for your boy as the tumor itself tends to be painful (painful to touch) and I would think that having his limb all tucked up like that and the bandage material 'squeezing' his humerus (even if only lightly) could cause him more discomfort that you intend. Maybe speak to you vet about trying him in a carpal flexion sling instead. Good luck to your beautiful boy!

[@taganwilliams3135]

What would you advise for an older dog with a chronic injury? Shoulder subluxation has just been diagnosed four years after the injury was sustained (it was overlooked by a whole series of vets). The specialist physio vet has not recommended any treatment to help support the shoulder (he also failed to diagnose it during months of weekly treatment) but has now confirmed another vet's opinion. It seems implausible that there is nothing I can do to help stabilise the shoulder outside of nutrition, supplements and gentle exercise. Can you make some general recommendations for me to investigate independently?

[@focusandflourish5168]

Hi and thank you for your question. I am assuming you are referring to MSI (medial shoulder instability). My old girl that just past a few months ago had that in both her shoulders :( Through my years as a specialist that was one of my least favorite diagnosis to make. Firstly, the only way we can actually confirm that that is the problem is with MRI/arthroscopy so it was always presumptive. A very difficult diagnosis to make. Yes there is a surgery that can be done to help but the success compared to conservative (non-surgical) management s equivocal. I would send my worse cases to surgery but the post-op was difficult. There are braces, I have not been impressed with them. I would usually start with conservative - rest- and I mean rest, anti-inflammatories and physical therapy. I spent most of my recheck times supporting the owners, encouraging them to continue with the restriction and taking them off the ledge because rest is not in some dogs' vocabulary! I had 2 patients not do well with this. My girl would flare up every so often and I would put her back on anti-inflammatories and restricted activity. She responded well. Good luck with your dog. This is not a bad diagnosis, but it can be difficult to manage.

[@yoancito81]

How long is it recommended to have the bandage?

[@focusandflourish5168]

Hello and thank you for your question. A bandage like the Velpeau should not be longer than 10-14 days.

[@deepaarun4912]

In which type of fracture we can use this

[@focusandflourish5168]

Hello and thank you for your comment. The Velpeau sling is most commonly used for a shoulder or scapula luxation issue. It is not commonly used for a fracture. The spica splint would be better for a fracture. A sling should never be on longer than 7-10(ish) days; that time frame is not long enough for a fracture to heal. I hope this information has answered your question.