Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

OrthoPets release anatomically shaped casts
"Its stress free for both the vet and the pet, and brings veterinary casting to the modern day" - OrthoPets founder Martin Kaufmann.
The casts are also biodegradable and breathable.  

Veterinary orthotics and prosthetics company OrthoPets has launched a range of anatomically shaped casts for pets, in order to reduce pressure sores.

The casts cover a range of casting treatments, from full leg casts to paw or toe injuries, and are made from biodegradable, breathable, and heat mouldable woodcast material. 

In a press release, OrthoPets referenced a study which discovered that over 60 per cent of cast-treated pets gain additional injuries from the cast, affirming the need its anatomically shaped bi-valve splints, which were created using 30,000 3D scans of animal limbs. 

The casts are made from the woodcast material used in human casts and instead of splints, and bandages, padding and tape, they use a soft unitex fabric, which passes moisture and dries fast. 

Engineered for easy destabilisation by removing parts of the splint, the cast can be used across the entire treatment period, while the anatomical fit prevents sores and restore the normal limb position and movement. 

Dassiet Chief Veterinary Surgeon Jouni Niemi said of the new casts: "Sores, pain and stiffness are always on the horizon with casting. But if we take the cast off too early, the leg can be injured again because of lack of proper support. 

“UPETS tackles these problems all at once. I find it easy to apply the pre-shaped casts even for very small or large dogs and make adjustments if needed. 

“I can watch my patients walk off the clinic normally with their cast, knowing they can wear it safely until fully healed. We see significant and immediate improvement in patients compared to the common cast”

OrthoPets founder Martin Kaufmann commented on the necessity of the product: “The common cast is very problematic, but we've lacked better alternatives. 

“Now, with the Dassiet supermaterials and OrthoPets’ vast experience in veterinary biomechanics we have re-engineered the common cast. UPETS TLC is anatomical and safe. It’s stress-free for both the vet and the pet. 

“It brings veterinary casting to the modern day and offers a better standard care option for all vets and orthopaedic surgeons out there.”

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Annual submission deadline small pet animal exemptions

News Story 1
 Companies marketing medicines for small pets exempt from authorisation must submit their annual return to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) by 30 November 2026.

Submitting this annual return ensures continued compliance with regulatory requirements for products marketed without a full Marketing Authorisation. The exemption specifically applies to products intended for animals, cage birds, terrarium animals, small rodents, ferrets and rabbits.

For further details and submission guidelines, visit the gov.uk website.  

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue RZ extended across Scotland

The Scottish Government has announced an extension to a Bluetongue Restricted Zone that is in place in south-west Scotland.

From 3 October, the Restricted Zone will be extended to cover the whole of Scotland. The Animal, Plant and Health Agency (APHA) says this is in response to further disease spread, as well as simplify trading conditions ahead of the autumn.

Since the whole country will share a disease status, it will no longer be necessary to have a movement license to move susceptible livestock around the country. Restrictions on germinal products remain.

As of 1 October 2026, there were 1,979 cases of BTV-3 in England, 389 cases in Wales and 40 cases in Scotland.