In a pretty amazing feat of veterinary science, a 3-year-old cat named Vincent is now the recipient of two titanium legs, replacing the ones that he’s been lacking since birth.
Cindy Jones first laid eyes on Vincent the cat when he was just a month old. The tiny kitten was brought into the Story County Animal Shelter with injured hind legs, but Jones immediately fell in love. That love led her to the Iowa State veterinary hospital, where Dr. Mary Sarah Bergh, and veterinary orthopedics company BioMedtrix, had the idea to design implants that could be inserted into the femur bones of Vincent’s legs and come out through the skin. The procedure is so rare, Bergh estimates fewer than 25 animals in the world have ever had a similar surgery. Vincent’s recovery has been long, but his future looks bright. He already walks around very well, and his hind legs will continue to be lengthened until they are as long as his front legs. Dr. Bergh says he will even be jumping and doing other normal cat activities soon.