Cat Fitted With Two Artificial Legs

Oscar the cat is being touted as the Bionic Cat, after being fitted with not one, but two artificial (prosthetic) legs. The two-year old black cat from Jersey in the United Kingdom had a mishap with a combine harvester 9 months ago, and lost both hind legs. It is amazing that he survived at all.

Animals generally do quite well on three legs. Car accidents and limb removal due to cancers such as osteosarcoma are common. Four-legged animals using two legs is not unheard of, but rare. Adult animals losing 2 limbs typically have a much harder time.

The interesting thing about this case is that the artificial legs are implants, not something fitted over the leg stumps. Metal rods are implanted in the remaining bone shaft and artificial feet are then attached to the metal rods. The neuro-orthopedic surgeon used an new technology called the Intraosteous Transcutaneous Amputation Prosthesis (ITAP) developed in London in 2006.

How does this technology work? More from the UK Mail Online:

"Based on the way deer's skin and fur moulds around antlers, it is a titanium metal implant which attaches to the bone at the point of amputation so that it sticks out through the skin.

Traditionally attaching metal to skin and bone has left the patient susceptible to infection but the new method enables skin and soft tissue to mesh and grow around the metal rod acting as a protective seal.

This makes the implant more flexible as it acts like part of the bone rather than an attachment."
Read full article with photos

See more of Oscar
Oscar is destined to become a star, thanks to this story and a new BBC television show, The Bionic Vet.

For those of us not in the UK, Oscar is making the rounds on YouTube.

• Meet Oscar's surgeon and learn more about the implant process and technology and Oscar's amazing recovery.
• Here is a video of Oscar walking with his new legs immediately after waking up from sedation to attach the artificial feet.

Bionic limbs not just for cats - dogs are bionic, too

• Pet dog fitted with bionic leg
• Bionic spine gives dog a pain-free future

Learn more about veterinary orthotics and prosthetics from OrthoPets.

What do you think?
Comments on blogs and news stories range from "I love this story!" to "what a waste of money" regarding Oscar's new legs. If the animal is truly in need and can be helped to live a relatively normal, pain-free life, and additional doctors can learn these life and limb-saving technologies (that can also be used on humans), I think it is a win-win.

July 9, 2010 update to this story:
After blogging Oscar's story, I was contacted by Dave Green, Director of Communications for the College of Veterinary Medicine at North Carolina State University, to highlight their work with artificial limbs for animals. Mr. Green emailed to clarify a few points about the technique development and its use for pets.

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