Meet Vito and Vincent, the Bionic Cats
Vito and Vincent, just two regular kitties, have something unique in common -- they’ve both earned bionic cat status. No, they’ve done nothing superhuman, or rather, ‘superkitty’, but both have overcome a plight that could’ve ended on a sad note.
If these two cats could talk they’d probably tell us that they’re very lucky kitties, thanks to loving owners who refused to give up on them along with veterinarians who believed that euthanasia didn’t have to be their fate.
Each Bionic Cat Faced a Crippling Problem
So what was the threat to Vito and Vincent? Incredibly, both cats were missing the lower halves of their hind legs.
Vito, a 6-year-old cat living in Milan, Italy, lost his hind legs in an accident. His newlywed owners were away on their honeymoon when he was hit by a car and badly injured. One paw required immediate amputation, and not long after, due to infection, his veterinarian determined the other one couldn’t be saved and amputated that one as well.
Vincent, a young kitten, was missing both of his hind legs from the mid tibia down, possibly from birth. Adopted from an animal shelter in Iowa by a shelter worker, it wasn’t clear why he had no hind legs. His doctor, a veterinary orthopedic surgeon at Iowa State University, thought maybe something happened in utero to cause his rare condition.
In many cases, the outlook for a cat facing the challenge of missing limbs would be bleak. But luckily for Vito and Vincent, their owners were willing to do what it took to save them, and the veterinarians caring for these two, special kitties believed they could be helped.
Innovative Technology Keeps Vito and Vincent Mobile
Both cats underwent surgery to have prosthetic implants attached to their legs. Bionic cat Vito has made history as Italy’s first successful double prosthesis implant patient. And to date, worldwide there’s been approximately 25 of these surgeries performed on animals.
Unlike human prosthetics that are strapped on, Vito and Vincent’s titanium alloy prostheses are attached to bone. Because Vincent was young and growing, he required more than one procedure so his prosthetics could be adjusted.
Happily, both cats have adapted to their prosthetic legs and are doing well, thanks to their caring owners, skilled veterinarians, and emerging, innovative technology.