pleasedA cat that had its back feet severed by a combine harvester has been given two prosthetic limbs in a pioneering operation by a UK vet.More here.
The new feet are custom-made implants that "peg" the ankle to the foot. They are bioengineered to mimic the way deer antler bone grows through the skin.
The operation - a world first - was carried out by Noel Fitzpatrick, a veterinary surgeon based in Surrey.
His work is explored in a BBC documentary called The Bionic Vet.
The cat, named Oscar, was referred to Mr Fitzpatrick by his local vet in Jersey, following the accident last October. Oscar was struck by the combine harvester whilst dozing in the sun.
According to some of the discussion I've read about this, the new technology is intended eventually to be used for humans, but they had the sensible idea of trying it out on animals who actually needed it (rather than amputating parts of limbs from otherwise healthy animals).
I particularly like the moment where the vet has a big smile on his face and you can tell he's trying not to start crying.
"He's just the best kitty in the world..."
I'd grant "the best kitty in the world outside of Oakland", maybe... *grin*
