How to Remove a Splint on a Dog's Leg

Dog leg splints are made from a rigid brace held in place by bandages or hook-and-loop fasteners. Different splints are used for the front and back legs. A splint provides support for an injured limb, allowing the dog to walk normally while the limb heals. Once the healing process is complete, you can remove the splint. The removal process varies depending on how the splint is held in place.

Things You'll Need

  • Blunt-nosed scissors
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Instructions

  1. Removing a Splint

    • 1

      Peel back the fasteners on hook-and-loop fastened splints. The brace will come right off, allowing you to pull off the protective sock.

    • 2

      Unwind the splint by removing the fasteners and unraveling the bandages. Start at the end of the bandage and roll the end into a tube. Pass the tube around the dog's leg, unwinding as you go until the bandage is gone and the brace can be removed.

    • 3

      Cut through the bandage material if you cannot unwind the bandages. Feel the splint carefully to find the brace, then slip a pair of blunt-nosed scissors between the dog's skin and the bandage material in an area the brace does not cover. Cut the bandages, being careful not to cut the skin.