Thermoplastic Splint for Small Animals – Prototype

Individual Splinting for Injured Small Animals – Malleable, Lightweight, Residue-Free

At Coldfinger3D, we develop solutions for problems that large companies ignore. Wildlife rescue organizations and animal rescuers often face the problem that there are hardly any suitable aids for treating small animals – especially for bone fractures and soft tissue injuries that require individual splinting.

Our 3D-printed thermoplastic splint was specially developed for the initial treatment of small animals such as squirrels, birds, or hedgehogs. The flat perforated plate can be softened by brief heating (e.g., in warm water) and bent directly around the injured limb – without tools, without glue.

How it works:

• Briefly heat the splint in warm water (approx. 60–70 °C) until it becomes pliable
• Pad the injured limb with some bandage or foam
• Bend the splint into a C-shape around the limb and press it – it retains its shape as it cools
• After healing: simply reheat the splint and remove it – residue-free, completely without tools

⚠️ Attention: The thermoplastic splint requires significantly more expertise and finesse than the easier-to-assemble clip splint.

Dimensions:

• Large: 40 × 40 mm (flat), bendable into a C-splint
• Small: 20 × 30 mm (flat), bendable into a C-splint

⚠️ Note: This is a prototype. We welcome feedback from practical use to further improve the product.