Bionic Feet for Amputee Cat

A 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.

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, England. 

The cat, named Oscar, was referred to Mr Fitzpatrick by his local vet, following an accident last October. Oscar was struck by the combine harvester whilst dozing in the sun.

The prosthetic pegs, called intraosseous transcutaneous amputation prosthetics (Itaps) were developed by a team from University College London led by Professor Gordon Blunn, who is head of UCL’s Center for Biomedical Engineering.

Professor Blunn and his team have worked in partnership with Mr Fitzpatrick to develop these weight-bearing implants, combining engineering mechanics with biology.

Mr Fitzpatrick explained: “The real revolution with Oscar is [that] we have put a piece of metal and a flange into which skin grows into an extremely tight bone.”

“We have managed to get the bone and skin to grow into the implant and we have developed an ‘exoprosthesis’ that allows this implant to work as a see-saw on the bottom of an animal’s limbs to give him effectively normal gait.”

Professor Blunn told BBC News the idea was initially developed for patients with amputations who have a “stump socket”.

“This means they fix their artifical limb with a sock, which fits over the stump. In a lot of cases this is sucessful, but you [often] get rubbing and pressure sores.”

The Itap technology is being tested in humans and has already been used to create a prosthetic for a woman who lost her arm in the July 2005 London bombings.

“The intriguing thing with Oscar was that he had two implants - one in each back leg, and in quite an unusual site,” Professor Blunn told BBC News.

He said that the success of this operation showed the potential of the technology.

Winter Barn Preparation Starts Before the Freeze

by: Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine

Horse owners need to make plans to protect the animals from a possible deadly combination of extreme cold and rain, said Louisiana State University AgCenter equine agent Howard J. Cormier, MS

“Weak adults and newborn colts can’t survive that,” Cormier said. “A normal winter haircoat is much more insulating than most horse blankets—but not if it gets wet.”

If horses are accustomed to being outdoors, their haircoat will provide good protection as long as it is dry. Brush mud off to allow the hair to provide more of an insulating effect. Horses that are normally kept in stalls might benefit from an additional blanket layer.

Food and water

Feeding is especially important during cold periods. If pastures are frozen, there will be no forage to eat, but horses will have increased demands for energy to provide body heat. Owners should provide an adequate diet to maintain body heat during the cold spell.

“Feed and decent hay are critical,” Cormier said. “Buy feed and hay now, in case stores close during periods of no electricity.”

Water is a major consideration during freezing weather. Horses still need to drink, even in cold weather. Owners should make plans to save water in horse troughs, barrels, ponds, or any other large containers in case the well goes out or the water is shut off for several days.

“Don’t forget that someone will have to crack the ice, if it freezes hard,” Cormier said.

Pipes can freeze solid and split, so insulate exposed pipes, Cormier said.

“You can also put buckets over low faucets after they have been insulated. Drain the water, if that is practical. There must be a way to let the water out from a low valve and air in from a high valve. Just opening the valve after you turn the water off might not be enough,” Cormier said.

Cormier said to run a water hose to a place lower than the faucet to siphon water out of the lines.

“Keeping water trickling won’t work if the power goes out, and most times it is frowned upon by water districts,” Cormier said. “Drain water hoses so they don’t break when they are frozen.”

In ryegrass pastures, low temperatures will usually cause the top of the grass to freeze. Cold weather before a hard freeze can harden off the ryegrass to give it some resistance to the cold, but it is doubtful that ryegrass will survive without damage at temperatures in the teens.

Take care of trailer campers

Horse trailer campers with water tanks should be serviced. Drain the hot water tank and lines, or keep the power on with propane or a generator to keep the water lines from freezing. A light bulb can help, too, as long as the power doesn’t go out, Cormier said.

Most drain plugs on RV hot water heaters are easily accessible from the outside panel.

“Many are plastic, so don’t over-tighten when you replace it,” Cormier said. “Don’t forget to open the shower faucet and sink to drain water out of the lines, too.”

The article was found at www.thehorse.com