So it has been a few weeks since I started this post. I finally have an update to give.
After contacting 3 different orthopedic prosthetic companies, I got answer that wasn’t “Your cat’s case is too hard. Best of luck”. That answer was incredibly frustrating. How can just by looking at an x-ray someone say those words? No let me think about it or give me some time to think up something. It is like these companies found a way that works for a majority of cases and then just stopped trying to innovate. Even though most of them show all the different “hard” cases like a goose foot or a donkey leg. But again a cat leg is too hard.
I found the current ortho guy from watching an episode of Animal ER. I know that Tripawds recently had a podcast with Dr. Beale but I kept forgetting to listen. The episode had a rescue dog that lost its paw. Dr. Beale called in Bill Bickley an orthopedic prosthetics person with about 20 years experience.
He said that it might be difficult but he had an idea based on the x-rays I had of Trin’s leg. Bill suggested that surgery to keep Trin’s knee from moving might make it easier to hold the prosthetic He requested more photos and a video of Trin walking in order to come up with a plan.
My question for anyone reading is has your tripawd needed surgery to make it so a prosthetic would fit properly?
Oh wow. That is an interesting proposal. I can’t say I know anything about prosthetics but at least he’s willing to look. I hope Bill can find a solution!!
I’m so glad to hear you found the great people at GCVS because of our Tripawd Talk Podcast! Holy moly that is sooooo cool. I’m curious though, did OrthoPets decline your case too? I’d be surprised, they usually take on very challenging ones.
Please contact me offline at rene-at-tripawds-dot-com. I’d love to find out more and write up a post about your experience.
There have been many people who have done prosthetics here, but not for cats. You and Trin are groundbreakers! I can’t wait to follow along.