| Meet Robomutt... The World's First Bionic Dog A dog who had all four of his paws amputated when he was just a puppy is going walkies once again, thanks to a brand new set of bionic legs. Naki'o (a Red Heeler cattle dog) is the world's first dog to be fitted with a complete set of four prosthetic paws, according to incrediblefeatures.com. Naki'o was barely 5 weeks old when he and his brothers and sisters were abandoned by a family fleeing their foreclosed home. Having barely survived the Nebraskan winter, all four of the dog's paws were deformed into rounded stumps after being stuck in an icy puddle. Noki'o suffered such severe frostbite that he was left with just stumps to move about on. His future was looking grim until veterinary surgeon Christie Tomlinson, who was looking for a playmate for her Golden Retriever, saw him at a Colorado rescue centre.  Walkies: Jaunty Naki'o can run and chase a ball again thanks to his amazing prosthetic legs
She said: "I've always had a soft spot for animals with problems. I knew I had the skills and knowledge to be able to take care of him properly. I took him to work with me every day and was able to x-ray his legs regularly to see how they were developing." At first Naki'o was small and light enough to hold himself up on his stumps without too much difficulty. But as he grew and gained weight it became painful for him to walk, especially on hard surfaces. "I felt so bad for him as his condition worsened," said Christie. "He is such a hyper and happy dog, but I was having to take him for walks in a stroller and carry him around. He couldn't be a normal dog, he couldn't lead the life he wanted."  Stumped: Naki'o without his bionic legs. As he grew the stumps were not strong enough to hold him and he had to crawl on his tummy
 Paw little thing: Naki'o suffered frostbite after being abandoned in a frozen puddle when he was a puppy
Eventually Naki'o had to crawl along on his tummy at home and at the clinic's daycaRe centre. Then Christie heard about a company called Orthopets in Denver, Colorado. Founded by husband and wife team Martin and Amy Kaufmann, Orthopets began when Martin saw that his experience in creating human orthotic devices could be adapted for animals. 'I felt it was barbaric that in the 20th century we were still amputating dogs' legs,' said Martin. He took to these so enthusiastically, that Orthopets decided to complete the process FREE OF CHARGE. It was the first time they’d fitted an animal with a complete set of new legs. "I thought we should be using the technology used for humans on our pets. An animal is a much better patient than a human. They have drive, determination and they just won't quit. They don't feel sorry for themselves." Since undergoing the pioneering surgery Naki'o can leap and bound with the best of them. Christie is amazed at her pet's motivation and joy for life. 'He was always a happy dog, but now he's much more confident,' she said.  Generous: Pioneering vet Martin Kaufmann attaches Naki'o's prosthetic paws in Denver, Colorado. He fitted the paws for FREE!
"It's great to see him interact with other dogs at the park and play without a care. Naki'o can now not only chase after a ball with other dogs, but he can beat them to the catch!" Orthopets is working to open clinics worldwide. As well as dogs, they have fitted cats, horses, llamas and a stork with state of the art prosthetics.
|
|
Saturday, April 21st, 2012
10:00AM - 4:00PM
Treasure Island Fun Center
BellaDOG Newsletter |
Franklin family’s dogs taken by animal officer, placed with new owners
FRANKLIN, Maine — Last fall, the Warren family had two Golden Retrievers, Bella and Jake, that were considered integral members of a household which includes four young children. Now the dogs have been placed with a new owner somewhere in New England after they took off from the Warrens’ yard in early November and failed to return.
|
