A family dog left paralysed after collapsing is "chasing flies like a puppy" again following pioneering surgery to fit him with a new 3D-printed spine. Arthur, a six-month-old Cockapoo, was unable to walk after making a sudden yelp then falling to the ground. Owner Natalie Jones, who lives in Llanfairpwllgwyngyll immediately took him to her local vet where she was told they thought the pup had a spinal injury but his outlook was grave.
They recommended that Arthur be taken to Chestergates Veterinary Hospital, a specialist vet's practice in Chester. There, veterinary neurologists carried out MRI scans and X-rays of his spine and found a section was not properly connected together. This was severely compressing his spinal cord leaving him unable to use all four of his limbs.
A team of specialist veterinary surgeons at Chestergates joined forces with Fusion Implants in Liverpool to create bespoke 3D-printed spinal screws and special surgical cement to help stabilise his spine. While waiting for the surgery Arthur was hospitalised and his body was put into a brace. One week later, Arthur underwent a delicate four-hour operation to carefully place the new 3D-printed section into his spine.
Incredible, just three weeks later, the pup was able to start walking again unassisted. Three months on, following physiotherapy, Arthur now has limb function and is walking slowly. Leading veterinary surgeon Rocio Orlandi, who led the team, said: “Arthur’s condition was very serious, as the.
