18 Animals Whose Lives Were Changed Thanks To Prosthetics
Marty Mcfly
Published
12/19/2014
In the past, animals who lost limbs were out of luck. Now, thanks to technology and some very awesome humans, creatures both great and small are being given second chances thanks to prosthesis.
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1.
When Molly was attacked by a dog shortly after hurricane Katrina, many vets thought that her life was over her front leg was mangled and infected, and it seemed like the only humane solution was euthanasia. But when surgeon Rustin Moore saw how the pony was so careful with her injury, he decided to give her a second chance. He amputated her leg and gave her a prosthesis. The sweet, stubborn mare became a symbol of hope in New Orleans, and she began traveling to hospitals, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers to show others that with the right attitude, you can overcome just about anything. -
2.
Ohio State veterinarian Dr. David E. Anderson and prothesis orthotist Richard Nitsch teamed up to help a kangaroo named Stumpy who had needed to have her leg amputated. Since 'roos really can't survive with just one of their powerful legs, Stumpy was outfitted with a new leg that will help her carry on the life that a kangaroo should have. She'll live out the rest of her life at a kangaroo sanctuary in Ohio with loving caretakers who will help her adapt to her new life. -
3.
Chris P. was born without hind legs, so his owner and veterinarian, Len Lucero, made the little piggy his own set of wheels from Kinex toys. A YouTube video of Chris using his "wheelchair" quickly made him a star, and now, he visits children's hospitals. Since many of the kids are also in wheelchairs, seeing Mr. Bacon on wheels makes them feel less alone and gives them inspiration to never give up. -
4.
Emma's right hind leg was amputated shortly after her birth due to a deformity that prevented her hoof from extending. A veterinary team developed a prosthetic leg for her when she was a foal, and now, the little donkey can run, buck, and kick just like any of her equine peers. Better yet, Emma's success will help veterinarians learn to develop more artificial limbs for horses and donkeys of all shapes and sizes, meaning that a bad leg injury won't necessarily mean the end of their lives. -
5.
In 1999, tragedy struck Motala when she was wandering the forest she stepped on a landmine from the Burmese-Thai war, and it severed her leg so badly that she needed to have it amputated. In 2009, the technology was finally available for the fifty-year-old beauty to have her first permanent prosthetic leg. She was the first elephant to receive an artificial limb, but looking at how happy she is to be walking around normally again, you can bet she won't be the last. -
6.
Mr. Stubbs was found without a tail, likely the result of a fight with another gator. The lack of the important appendage left him unable to swim properly, but the good souls at the Herpetological Society in Phoenix, Arizona were determined to change that. They got Mr. Stubbs a new tail made of latex and silicon, and then they began re-teaching him how to swim. When he was still learning, he needed a water wing to help him stay afloat, but as he grows and gets used to his many tails he'll likely have about forty throughout his long lifetime, he's sure to be swimming just like any other gator. -
7.
Beauty was rescued close to death after being shot by poachers. The top half of her beak was gone, leaving her unable to eat, drink, or clean herself. His rescuer, Jane Fink Cantwell, enlisted the help of Kinetic Engineering Group to construct a 3-D printed beak for the eagle. After a few retries of getting the prosthetic to fit, Beauty was finally able to behave like a normal eagle. -
8.
Septimus was hibernating so deeply, he had no idea that rats were gnawing off his front legs. When Darren Strand found the little guy under his porch, he took him to the veterinarian. What remained of Septimus' legs were infested with maggots, and Darren and his daughter were faced with two options: amputation or euthanasia. The 23-year-old tortoise's life was saved by an operation which attached model airplane wheels to his front end. Once he got the hang of it, Septimus became the speediest tortoise in town! -
9.
Fuji had a mysterious disease that resulted in the amputation of a good portion of her tail. While she could still swim, her caregivers in Japan knew that she'd have a more fulfilling life if she could have a "normal" tail like the other dolphins. A veterinarian enlisted the help of Bridgestone Corp., and soon, the thirty-four-year-old mammal had a full tail made of the same material you find on Formula One tires. Fuji only uses the fin for about twenty minutes per day for practical and safety reasons, but she's a much happier dolphin now. -
10.
When Bunker's leg was hit by a ball on a golf course, it was completely destroyed. After being taken to Dr. Ken Macquisten to have the leg amputated, Bunker was transferred to Elizabeth's Wildlife Center for rehabilitation. But the temporary prosthetic leg wasn't comfortable for the crane, and so the veterinarian called Orthopets in Denver, Colorado for a more permanent solution. Now, Bunker distributes his weight evenly on both his legs, and there is hope of releasing him back into the wild with a tracker to monitor him. -
11.
Derby was born with severely deformed legs, making it impossible for him to get around like a normal dog. The doggy wheelchair that he was originally given helped him significantly, but still had its limitations. But then, his foster mom, Tara Anderson, thought of a solution. Tara works at 3D Systems, a company which specializes in 3D-printed products. She and her team helped construct an innovative prosthetic for Derby that helps him run around without digging into the ground. Watching him gallop about is sure to bring a smile to your face! -
12.
In 2003, a malnourished, badly injured horse was found on the side of the road in India. While many people would have immediately given up and euthanized the poor animal, veterinarians worked hard to amputate the horse's leg and replace it with an artificial one. Now, "Macho" is safe, sound, and mobile! -
13.
Nakio was just a puppy when he was found abandoned in a basement during a brutal Nebraska winter. His tail and all four legs were frozen in a puddle of ice, and he was suffering from a host of other health problems. Once he was rescued, all four of his legs and part of his tail and nose had to be amputated due to frostbite. His new owner, veterinary assistant Christie Pace, raised enough money to get him prosthetic hind legs from Orthopets, but he still had some trouble getting around. When Orthopets heard his story, they covered the cost of outfitting him with two more legs, and now, Nakio can behave just like any other dog. -
14.
Meadow was found by Nancy Dickenson in a neighbor's pasture with severe frostbite on her hind legs and ears. Nancy bought the calf and spent thousands of dollars to give her prosthetic hind legs. Colorado State veterinarian Dr. Robert Callan had never heard of a cow or calf being outfitted with artificial limbs most of them are raised for food, and the costs of prosthetic legs isn't worth the price they'd fetch. Luckily, Meadow will never end up on a plate her new family considers her their baby. -
15.
Dudley was just a duckling when he was attacked by aggressive chickens and lost his leg. He could still swim, but he had trouble getting around on land. Mechanical engineer Terence Loring decided to help the duck, working with 3-D printing company Proto3000 to help build an artificial leg. Once some adjustments were made, Dudley loved his new limb. And thanks to 3-D printing technology, it's no problem at all to print out new legs for the duck as he grows bigger and bigger. Loring even put the 3-D files online so that anyone who knows of a duck in need of a prosthetic leg can download them for free. -
16.
Sherry Hughes and Marc Field first saw Tripod trying to get around on three legs near their ranch in Denver. His hind leg was terribly injured and had to be amputated. The two took the llama into their care, and they soon raised enough money to outfit the fuzzy guy with a prosthetic leg from Orthopets. Now, Tripod hangs out with all the other llamas and alpacas on the ranch as happy as can be. -
17.
For most animals, getting tangled in fishing nets is a death sentence, but for Yu Chan, it saved her life. She was pulled from the sea and discovered to be missing half of one flipped and a third of another due to what appeared to be a shark attack. The loggerhead turtle went through many pairs of prosthetic flippers before being outfitted with a comfortable vest created by Kawamura Gishi. She now swims happily at the Suma Aqualife Park in Japan. -
18.
Two-year-old Oscar was fitted with some new hind legs after he had his own severed by a combine harvester. Veterinarian Noel Fitzpatrick and the University College London team joined up to give this lucky black kitty another chance at a happy, active life.
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