bionic cat gets new legs

[Amby 490]

A cat has received two bionic legs in a world-first operation which could transform treatment for human amputees.

Oscar lost both of his back paws when they were cut off by a combine harvester, but can now run and leap again thanks to the mechanical implants.

They were drilled into his ankle then treated with a substance that allows bone and skin to grow around them, reports the BBC.

Fake paws were then fitted on "see-saw" joints at the end of the prosthetics, giving full movement.

A day after the £4,000 operation by pioneering Surrey vet Noel Fitzpatrick, Oscar tried to stand.

Four months later he bore weight equally. Now he runs. Dr Fitzpatrick said the techniques are "set to transform the future" of orthopaedics.

Owner Mike Nolan, of the Channel Isles, said: "It can be carried over to humans, so that's good for everyone."

The prosthetic legs were developed by a team from University College London led by Professor Gordon Blunn.

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

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

http://web.orange.co.uk/article/quirkies/Bionic_cat_gets_new_legs

[Marilyn. 340]

I saw part of this story on the news the other day...

I guess they did a documentary on this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSMxWAdBtUE

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

awwww how nice

[Nagishkaw 510]

Cool.