Two No-Knuckling Training Socks?

Orthopedic/Arthritis: Problems associated with joints, bone, and connective tissue, and CH (cerebellar hypoplasia), or brain damage.
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snguyenx96
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Two No-Knuckling Training Socks?

Post by snguyenx96 »

My dog currently has Degenerative Myelopathy and both of his two back legs are currently knuckling. Seeing as the training socks come in packs of one and I don't see any photos or other resources of dogs online anywhere with two on at the same time, I'm not sure whether I should have one sock on at a time on my dog or two since both of his legs are affected?
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CarolC
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Re: Two No-Knuckling Training Socks?

Post by CarolC »

Hi snguyenx96,

:group:

I'm not a rehab therapist but I'd think you would want one for each foot for convenience. There is a "Got questions" link in light grey on the web page (kind of hard to see) where you could send in a question. I don't know who fields the questions, but it may be the therapist who invented it, Renee. She'll know what's best. The thing is, it is a rehab product and they say this (highlighting added):
https://www.handicappedpets.com/no-knuckling-training-sock/ wrote: The Rear No-Knuckling Training Sock is designed to assist pet parents and Vets/Rehabs alike comfortably and safely continue exercising and retraining a pet’s nerve endings to assist in picking up the foot properly. [snip] When initially placed on your pet you will see an immediate improvement. But this is only to be worn a few times a day and up to 2 to 5 minutes at a time each use.
Since your dog has DM, that is a little different situation from a dog that is being rehabbed following spinal surgery or a stroke or something like that. In a case like recovering from surgery or a stroke, you are working with a dog that is hopefully slowly regaining some feeling in the feet, and the no knuckling training sock is to help during that process. In your case, you'd be wanting to preserve feeling as much as possible. You might ask them/Renee if it would be useful for that. I know physical therapy is recommended for DM dogs, but I don't know if this is one of the types of therapy they do. I think 2 would be more convenient, but if you are only having them on for 2 minutes or 5 minutes, and you don't mind putting one on, then moving it to the other foot 5 minutes later, you could do that and save money.

Here is a nice thread about a champion Corgi with DM who did rehab, including a picture of his "gym" and a video showing some of his rehab.

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=12964

You may be looking for something that will help your dog avoid knuckling in daily life, something that can be worn for longer periods, more like a boot, and you just want something to help him walk better in spite of the knuckling. There are several products on the market in a boot style. The one that's been around the longest, as far as I know, is the dorsi-flex assist.
https://www.therapaw.com/standard-hindl ... lex-assist

Here is a good company that's been around a long time, and it looks like you don't need a prescription.
https://www.walkaboutharnesses.com/prod ... -walkaboot

Here is one that looks similar. I don't know if it's as good but it doesn't look like you need prescription. The ankle cuff and boot are sold separately.
https://maximusskates.com/shop/pawsup

Here is the same product made for more advanced knuckling. See how it has 2 cords on each toe instead of one?
https://maximusskates.com/shop/pawsup-superflex

There are probably other products out there. I'd examine how easy they look to put on and take off, like how wide does the top of the bootie open. (You may have to remove them if they get wet and put them back on.)

Here is an interesting post showing how to test such things to see if they might help your dog.
viewtopic.php?p=111676#p111676

You may also want to take a good look at the Biko brace if you haven't yet, and watch some videos. It can even be used in combo with a wheelchair if needed. (Here's a pic.)
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=19005&p=97942#p97942
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critters
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Re: Two No-Knuckling Training Socks?

Post by critters »

:whale: Yes, I was wondering if splints might be a better, or at least useful for a longer period of time for such an instance.
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