Cat Walks Again with Prosthetic Paws

posted on Jun 25 by Amelia in the Disability News, Technology category

Owners Kate and Mike Nolan were heartbroken last October when their cat Oscar was struck by a combine harvester while napping in the sun.   The event nearly took his life.  After visiting their veterinarian and Oscar was stabilized, they were suggested to try out a new innovation with bionic legs.

They did a lot of soul searching and wondered what would be best for 2 year old Oscar.  “Through our background reading, we were aware that this sort of procedure is cutting edge and also has an impact on human medicine. So knowledge about the way that Oscar’s been treated can be carried over to human treatment going forward.” said Mr. Nolan.

They were referred to neuro-orthopaedic surgeon Noel Fitzpatrick in London.  Fitzpatrick has been working in a partnership with Professor Blunn and his team from the University College of London.  The weight-bearing implants, called intraosseous transcutaneous amputation prosthetics (Itaps),  have been designed similar to deer antlers where the skin attached to the metal and bone safely without infection.  This is where the real challenge lies, having never been done before.

In a three hour operation, doctors fitted Oscar with the limbs.  Within a day, Oscar was trying to stand on his own.  Within 4 months he was able to stand and put weight on all four limbs.

Now, 8 months later, Oscar can run and jump about as other cats do.

See Oscar walking around after his full recovery

This is Oscar trying his new legs for the first time 4 months after the accident