DIY Dog Stifle Brace

A dog stifle braces a dog's leg joint so that the leg cannot be bent out of its resting shape. A stifle is an important aid for a dog that has suffered a broken bone in its leg; it allows the bone to set properly. While a professionally fit stifle should always be used to ensure your dog heals correctly, a homemade stifle helps to immobilize the leg during transport to the veterinary professional, preventing the dog from making the injury worse due to its pain-induced behavior.

Things You'll Need

  • Gauze
  • Cotton wrap
  • Plywood
  • Straight edge
  • Saw
  • Elastic wrap
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place gauze over any open wound that has resulted from the injury. The gauze prevents the injury from becoming infected, which can be caused by contact with other elements of the stifle.

    • 2

      Wrap the cotton wrap around the injured leg multiple times. Wrap both above and below the joint.

    • 3

      Draw a "V"-shape on a piece of plywood that matches the natural bend of your dog's leg and cut it out with a saw. Cut another piece of wood that matches the first.

    • 4

      Position the two wood "V"-shapes on either side of the injured leg.

    • 5

      Wrap the elastic wrap around the leg and the "V"-shaped splints. This secures the leg to the wood pieces and prevents it from bending.

    • 6

      Tape the elastic wrap to the dog's fur to prevent it from slipping.

    • 7

      Bring your dog to a veterinary professional to have the bone properly set and a stifle fitted to match the dog.