Short-Snout OptiVizor - Additional Fitting Information
How to Adjust the Short-Snout OptiVizor
The Short Snout OptiVizor fits in over 95% of cases. It takes into account that these breeds have particularly broad heads and a relatively short or no nose bridge at all. Please be Patient with the Fitting Process. This is a medical device, not a leash or collar.
PROBLEM - The Headrest slips down, Is Too Close to the Eyes and/or the Vizor is Too Low in the front of the Snout…
- A Short-Snouted dogs’ Forehead can cause the Headrest to come too close to the eyes and the front of the Vizor to drop too low in front of the nose - although the mask is the CORRECT SIZE!
SOLUTION - This is What You Need to do...
- Pad the Headrest with sticky-back trim to fit foam. Apply the Foam from the very back at and over the rivets to approximately 1 finger width BEFORE the front edge of the headrest. (Note: included foam color varies) (see fig 5 below)
- Most Short Snout breeds wear a harness. If the OptiVizor slightly slips down and/or needs additional stability, fasten it to the back of their harness. You can either attach the harness (using string, double-sided Velcro, gauze, shoe lace, etc.) to the Velcro neck strap in the middle (where the colored plastic has a slit) or use the two existing slits in the neck plastic of the OptiVizor (available with sizes Small to X-Large). See below examples:
PROBLEM - My dog’s Chin Strap is too close to his mouth due to his large neck or (lack of) chin structure. If I tighten the strap too much it restricts jaw/mouth movement.
SOLUTION - This is What You Need to do...
- In this instance, you would need to cut the Chin Closure straps off and instead, use (string, ribbon, rolled gauze...) to tie to each D-Ring. Then crisscross them under the chin and secure to the opposite side of the OptiVizor.
- This will aid in providing better stabilization, prevent the strap from being too close to the mouth and keep the OptiVizor from lifting up.
PROBLEM- The Vizor Portion is too long in the Front Covering the Nose area...
Short Snout breed noses vary in length—but for this reason the OptiVizor can be shortened accordingly, when needed. In some cases, the edge rests on the nose; in others it extends far beyond the nose. See below:
This dog has no nose bridge, resulting in the nose being very close to their eyes. Therefore, the Vizor Portion extends too far past the nose.
SOLUTION - This is What You Need to do...
- Use a marker to trace a line up to the nose level and shorten the OptiVizor with scissors just enough to allow the Dog to breathe freely under the vizor
- Do not cut it while it is on your pet!
- The edge of the vizor will still be in front of the nose—this is unavoidable. Use a nail file or fine sandpaper on the edges to smooth, as needed.
PROBLEM - The Vizor Portion is too long in the Front Covering the Nose area...
- Here are 2 Dogs with the OptiVizor resting on top of their nose, which is incorrect.
- It is even possible that the colored Headrest does not lie on the forehead at all, but floats, because of it resting on the nose bridge thereby pushing the Headrest up!
SOLUTION - This is What You Need to do...
- Cut the Vizor so that the edge is at most a finger’s width above the Nose.
- This will allow the Headrest to drop down and Nestle on the Forehead vs. the Nose.
- Use a nail file or fine sandpaper on the edges to smooth, if needed.
