A beloved family dog has been given the ability to walk again after a Chester-based team of vets helped give him a pioneering new 3D-printed spine. Arthur, a six-month-old cockapoo, had been paralysed for two days after all of his limbs suddenly became weak, meaning he collapsed and could not walk. Owner Natalie Jones, who lives in Llanfair PG on Anglesey, immediately took him to her local general practice vets where she was told that Arthur’s prognosis was poor.
It was recommended that Arthur be taken to Veterinary Hospital in Dunkirk, near Chester. Here, a team of veterinary neurologists conducted MRI scans and X-rays of his spine to see if they could identify the problem. To treat Arthur, a team of specialist veterinary surgeons at Chestergates joined Fusion Implants in Liverpool to create bespoke 3D-printed spinal screws and special surgical cement to help stabilise his spine.
They established that a section of Arthur’s spine was not properly connected together which had been caused by instability of his first and second cervical vertebrae. This was compressing his spinal cord severely, causing loss of function in all four of his limbs. To treat Arthur, 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.
Whilst waiting for the surgery Arthur was hospitalised and his body was put into a brace. One week later, Arthur wa.
