A vest-based sling provides greater hip flexion and abduction than a traditional Ehmer sling, with limited tolerability in healthy dogs.

Abstract

Objective: To measure hip flexion, abduction, and internal rotation in a static standing position with the limb maintained with a traditional Ehmer sling (TES), compare these with a commercially available vest-based sling (VBS), and describe short-term tolerability of the VBS in healthy dogs.

Methods: 12 healthy client-owned dogs were prospectively enrolled between June 2024 and August 2025. A TES and a VBS were sequentially applied to the same hindlimb. Hip flexion, abduction, and internal rotation were measured. Dogs were monitored for VBS tolerability and complications for up to 14 days at home, based on predefined study end points.

Results: Compared with the TES, the VBS resulted in greater hip flexion, reflected by a lower mean angle (53° ± 13° vs 66° ± 11°), and greater hip abduction (15° ± 5° vs 8° ± 6°). Internal rotation did not significantly differ between devices (TES: median, 1°; IQR, -5° to 5°; VBS: median, 6°; IQR, 4° to 10°). Only 1 dog completed the intended 14-day wear period. Four dogs reached a study end point due to device-related issues, 2 due to owner noncompliance and 5 due to poor tolerability.

Conclusions: This study provides reference goniometric values for hip positioning achieved with a TES and demonstrates that a VBS results in greater hip flexion and abduction, with limited short-term tolerability in healthy dogs.

Clinical relevance: Establishing expected hip joint positioning may help guide clinical application and evaluation of Ehmer slings following reduction of hip luxation. Limited tolerability of the VBS may affect clinical applicability.