Bionic cat gets first prosthtic paws
28 Jun 10
A cat from Jersey has become the first to gain a pair of prosthetic paws in a ground-breaking surgical operation.
The first “bionic cat” had his rear paws cut off by a combine harvester when he was lying in the sunlight.
The two-and-a-half-year-old cat's prosthetic paws are designed by Surrey-based neuro-orthopaedic surgeon Noel Fitzpatrick.
Custom-made implants are used to "peg" the ankle to the foot. The new design imitates the way in which deer antler bone grows through skin.
Considering Oscar's life-threatening injuries in the accident that took place in October last year, the cat's local vet suggested its owners - Kate and Mike Nolan - to approach Fitzpatrick Referrals in Eashing, near Godalming.
Before the surgery was conducted, the cat was treated with antibiotics.
Mrs Nolan said: "We had to do a lot of soul-searching and our main concern has always been whether this operation would be in Oscar's best interests and would give him a better quality of life."
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