{"product_id":"balto-life","title":"Balto® Life – Hip Dysplasia Brace","description":"\u003ch3\u003eWhat it does\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Balto® Life is a hip dysplasia brace. It compresses and supports the hips through every step your dog takes — and, when you need it, doubles as a lift harness with handles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat combination is the point. Most dogs with dysplastic or arthritic hips don't need lifting all the time; they need the joints supported all the time, and lifting occasionally. The Life does both, and the handles come off entirely when your dog is resting so it can stay on all day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat it helps with\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHip dysplasia, at every stage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHip inflammation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eArthritis and arthrosis\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHind end instability\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eParalysis and partial paralysis\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePost-surgical mobility support\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow it's built\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTwo removable hip padding discs\u003c\/strong\u003e that sit either side of the hips for added compression and stiffness. Balto strongly recommend using them — the brace works without, but this is where most of the benefit comes from.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeight-adjustable handles\u003c\/strong\u003e, so the lift comes up to your hand instead of you bending to the floor.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHandles that come off completely\u003c\/strong\u003e, which is what makes all-day wear practical. Your dog can lie down and rest without straps in the way.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAdjustable straps\u003c\/strong\u003e throughout for a proper fit around the hind end.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAllows normal toileting\u003c\/strong\u003e without removing the brace.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVentilated non-neoprene fabric — breathable, holds its shape, doesn't harbour bacteria. Which matters on something worn most of the day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eBetter than a towel\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike the Up, this replaces the towel-under-the-belly method. A towel concentrates the whole lifting force on a narrow strip of abdomen with nothing structural underneath, and is known to cause injury. It also puts you in a terrible position for your own back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eLife or Up?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eLife\u003c\/strong\u003e supports the hip joints themselves and adds compression where the dysplasia is — it's working even when you aren't holding on. The \u003cstrong\u003eUp\u003c\/strong\u003e is primarily a rear lift harness for assisted walking, stairs and the car.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf the problem is the hips specifically, get the Life. If the problem is general hind-end weakness and you mainly need help lifting, the Up is less expensive and does that job.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eA note on age\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHip dysplasia often shows up in young, growing dogs. Suitable for all ages unless your vet advises otherwise, but for dogs under two use in balanced intervals rather than continuously.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eA brace manages the pain and supports the joint. It doesn't change the shape of a dysplastic hip. Worth discussing the full picture with your vet, including whether surgery is on the table.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Balto","offers":[{"title":"X-Small","offer_id":58578138333516,"sku":"BTLIFEXS","price":158.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Small","offer_id":58578138366284,"sku":"BTLIFES","price":158.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Medium","offer_id":58578138399052,"sku":"BTLIFEM","price":187.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large","offer_id":58578138431820,"sku":"BTLIFEL","price":187.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"X-Large","offer_id":58578138464588,"sku":"BTLIFEXL","price":187.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1047\/4042\/1964\/files\/70_4764ae8f-02ba-4692-bc62-ff717c4081ed.png?v=1788002178","url":"https:\/\/www.poorly-pet.com\/products\/balto-life","provider":"Poorly Pet","version":"1.0","type":"link"}