The prosthesis is commonly seen in people, but they are uncommon in pets.
Now, veterinary specialists, engineers and experts in prosthetics are teaming
up to look at new ways of giving our dogs the support they need to recover
from leg amputation.
Sadly, a three legged dog or cat is not an unusual sight around the vet
clinic. Whether the loss of the limb is due to severe trauma, cancer like the
all too common osteosarcoma in dogs, or even a hereditary defect, many pets
live out their lives on three legs. However, on-going research in the field of
pet prosthetics may allow our pet dogs and cats to function like their
four-legged friends.
Dogs and cats usually move well enough with three legs to ensure high quality
of life. Amputation is often performed after severely traumatic injuries or
with certain cancers such as canine osteosarcoma. New insights into how our
pets manage pain and disabilities may soon change pet owner perceptions.
Dr. Kim Danoff, a veterinarian certified in canine rehabilitation says that “a
three legged gait can take a toll on other limbs and the spine due to abnormal
posture.” Young pets could experience even bigger problems. “Living longer
with 3 limbs makes these animals more prone to disc problems and possibly
severe cases of arthritis”, Danoff adds. Additionally, pets with concurrent
problems, such as hip dysplasia and cancer, could do worse after amputation.
Happily, help appears to be on the way. Martin Kaufmann of Orthopets
(orthopets.com) is working with veterinary surgeons to utilize titanium
implants in the pet’s leg bone as an attachment for prostheses.
Most prosthetic devices are known as “socket prosthetics“, that is, the stump
of the limb is placed inside the prosthetic and everything is held up with
straps and other attachments. Owners often find these cumbersome and pets are
likely to chew on the apparatus. For human amputees, small variations in their
body weight can change the balance and fit of the device.
New technology known as integrated prosthetics may open up more possibilities
for how prosthetics are used in humans. By using the implants, Kaufman says
that these devices appear “to allow the patient a greater sensation of the
ground.”
Kaufman also says that one day the use of integrated prosthetics will allow
amputees to change their prosthetic foot as easy as someone can change their
shoes. These functional prosthetics will allow amputees, or dog and cat
owners, to change their device as weather or environment demand.
Many animals have benefited from the work at Orthopets. In his Colorado
workshop Kaufman has developed orthotic braces and prosthetic devices for
llamas, orangutans, and even sheep.
One of his famous cases involves Kandu, a small terrier mix born without front
legs. Occasionally, this rare birth defect shows up in dogs and many have been
euthanized. Although Kandu was very capable of moving himself with just his
back legs, his owners worried about damage to his chest. Kaufman used his
expertise to design a rolling ball to ease Kandu’s movements, a padded vest to
stop rug burn, and a ski to use during the snowy Colorado winters! Perhaps you
know a of a pet that uses dog wheels for back legs?
Although all of this is great news, there are still some obstacles to
overcome. A big concern with the new integrated prosthetics is how the skin of
the pet will mesh with the titanium of the implant. Additionally, providing
the needed education to pet owners and veterinarians will likely take time.
Both integrated and socket prosthetics require that enough limb is left after
amputation to control the device. Finally, many pet owners may be concerned
with how much a prosthetic might cost in relation to simply removing the leg.
Kaufmann says that his prosthetics will generally start at $600 for the device
and can run as high as $1800. The higher priced equipment is known as a
“dynamic foot” and is similar to the devices worn by the Olympic hopeful,
Oscar Pistorius, a double amputee who is known as the “Blade Man”.
These prices are for the prosthetics only and don’t include surgeries,
implants, rehabilitation and therapy, or any follow up visits with the
veterinarian.
The good news, though, is that options are available for pets whenever serious
disease or trauma threatens one or more of their four legs. If you are faced
with an unfortunate circumstance where you and your veterinarian need to
contemplate removing a pet’s leg, ask how the surgery will affect your pet and
whether prosthetics is an option. If you have Veterinary Pet Insurance ask
your provider if they provide coverage for prosthetics.
Story based on an original article produced by and published under license
from VNN
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