Artificial limb technology has been revolutionizing veterinary medicine in recent years. Earlier, veterinarians had resorted to full-limb amputations for dogs, cats and other pets that were critically injured. Such animals can get along alright using three out of their four appendages, but for those that have suffered trauma to multiple limbs, euthanasia had often been deemed the only humane option. (Courtesy: Livescience.com)
Bionic AnimalsLindsey MladinichBionic Animals: Hope the giraffe was born on July 2010 at the Topeka Zoo with a life-threatening hoof abnormality that left her lower joints bent at 90 degrees and dislocated. topekazoo.orgBionic Animals: Allison, an Atlantic green turtle, was spotted by tourists adrift, bloodied and missing three of her flippers.Adrienne McCracken | Tom WilsoBionic Animals: The first elephant in the world to be fitted with an artificial leg, Mosha was rescued after she stepped on a landmine when she was just seven months old.Friends of the Asian ElephantBionic Animals: Quad-pod the llama's owners believe that he badly fracturing his left rear leg when he stepped into a hole while protecting their livestock from animal predators.Orthopets
