After receiving two new rear feet that are a bioengineering miracle in and of themselves, Oscar the Cat became known as the Bionic Cat.
Pet prosthetics give dogs and cats a second chance
Oscar the Cat became the Bionic Cat when he received two new back feet that are something of a bioengineering miracle. Oscar was minding his own business, basking in the sunshine in a field in England, when he had a most unfortunate encounter with a combine harvester. He lost both back feet, and for any other cat in the world, that would’ve been the end of him… or at least the end of his walking days.
But has already been lucky enough to be found in time and referred to veterinarian Dr. Noel Fitzpatrick, who was willing to attempt something that had never been done before an implant two artificial ft in a single surgical procedure. The custom-made implants “peg” the ankle to the foot and mimic the way in which deer antler bone grows through skin. The artificial feet, in effect, become part of Oscar’s body.
Pets who were born with a missing limb, sustained an injury, or need an amputation as a result of cancer now have hope. While it’s possible for a dog or cat to adjust to life on three legs, doing so isn’t always ideal. It’s difficult on the animal’s back and other legs when it has to limp all the time. In extreme cases, a pet may lose both hind legs, rendering movement extremely difficult at best. A prosthetic limb can enable a dog or cat walk again, almost normally, depending on how much of the leg is left and the health of the bone.
This is great news for pets who were born with a partial leg, or who were injured or need an amputation due to cancer. While a dog or cat may be able to adapt pretty well to walking on three legs, it’s not always the optimum life. The limping can become stressful on the pet’s back and other legs. And, sometimes a pet loses two legs, making mobility almost impossible. Depending upon how much of the leg is remaining, and the condition of the bone, a prosthetic leg can help a dog or cat walk again, just about like normal.
Naturally, much like a human who receives a prosthetic limb, a dog or cat who receives one must undergo rehabilitation and learn to walk with it. Amy Kaufmann, co-founder of OrthoPets, says, “Providing a prosthetic leg to a pet is a commitment among us, the doctor, and the dog owner.” “We need to know it’s good for the animal and will work.”
To assess if a dog or cat is a good candidate for a device, OrthoPets will look at x-rays, talk to the veterinarian, talk to the pet’s owner, and look at videos of the creature. A molded cast of the animal’s limb is sent to the vet in this case so an accurate diagnosis may be made. For the purpose of acclimation, the pet will be fitted with a Stage 1 prosthetic. The pet is trained to use it by the owner and veterinarian. Before delivering the final Stage 2 prosthetic, OrthoPets evaluates the pet’s progress and makes a note of any difficulties that may need to be rectified. It takes about six months to complete.
Pet Prosthetic Videos
Bionic Cat Gets New Feet, Featuring Oscar the Cat
Take Andre for example, who seems oblivious to the fact that he’s missing both his front and back legs. Once Again, Andre Is Using All Four of His Limbs to Get Around!
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