A common injury in active dogs, especially certain breeds, is tearing of the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL), analogous to the human ACL. During recovery it’s critical to keep your dog from licking surgical wounds. That can introduce bacteria, and surgical dressing often isn’t enough protection. That’s where the leg sleeve comes in. When comparing leg sleeve vs. cone of shame, it’s clear why this modern alternative is becoming popular.
The leg sleeve wraps around the dog’s lower back and stomach and is stabilized around the front of the opposite leg. It basically covers the entire affected leg from hip to ankle, so the dog can’t lick or bite at the site. A lot of websites refer only to the “cone of shame” and/or e-collar to control the dog’s behavior. While a cone of shame can be effective, it’s also awkward for your dog. It can affect them navigating as they walk, for instance. That’s already hard enough during recovery. On the other hand, the leg sleeve allows your dog to function more normally while shielding the surgical site while it heals.
Our dog recently suffered this injury so she had TPLO surgery to repair it. We ordered this leg sleeve for TPLO surgery recovery off Amazon. (There are many options available.) The sleeve has performed superbly, and she hasn’t worried at her knee. As a result, her wounds have been healing perfectly. Now we’re looking forward to a good two-week checkup with the surgeon.
Of course, the leg sleeve is only one part of recovery. A whole recovery plan includes pain management, PROM exercises, short walks, and more. But it’s been great not having to worry about this added risk with a very active and inquisitive dog! If your vet or surgeon gives you the option of leg sleeve vs. cone of shame, I recommend the sleeve!