First animal to receive two bionic leg implants

The first animal to receive two bionic leg implants is Oscar the cat (Jersey, UK), and was performed by Noel Fitzpatrick, in Surrey, UK, on 13 November 2009. Also, for the first time in surgery on animals, the implants went into a moving joint. Also, for the first time in surgery on animals, the implants went into a moving joint.

Oscar lost his legs to a combine harvester whilst lying in the sun and was not expected to survive. Veterinary surgeon Noel Fitzpatrick pioneered this surgery and hopes that it will be a step forward in animal and human rehabilitation. Fitzpatrick and his colleagues drilled holes into what remained of Oscar’s legs and attached special metal implants. Oscar’s skin and bone grew over the implants so the prosthetic attachment has become a part of his body. After a series of round pegs at the end of his hind legs, Oscar now has special blades on which he is able to walk completely normally.