Vincent injured his legs as a kitten, and was lucky enough to find his way to people who wanted to help him live a normal life.
The three-year-old cat has titanium alloy prosthetic hind legs, according to Iowa State University News Service. In February of 2014 he had the legs implanted
Just days after his surgery, Vincent started walking.
He has since had another surgery and treatments to help him progress toward experiencing life as a cat should.
This cat is one of just dozens of animals in the world who has had prosthetic limbs like this, according to Dr. Mary Sarah Bergh with the ISU Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences. Vincent was brought to Bergh after he was found injured at a campground; his legs were missing below his shinbones. Bergh was unclear of how he got that way.
The prosthetic materials were donated by a veterinary orthopedics company called BioMedtrix. The implants were designed to allow Vincent’s bone to grow onto them to support his weight, Bergh said. Because the titanium is exposed to the environment, they must be sprayed with an antibiotic spray to prevent infections.
“I anticipate that he’ll be jumping and doing really normal cat things very soon,” said Dr. Mary Sarah Bergh. She is the vet orthopedic surgeon who attached Vincent’s legs to his body. She is working with him in the rehabilitation process.
