Paralyzed puppy able to walk again thanks to 3D printed spine

A paralysed puppy has been given a ‘second chance at life’ and is able to walk again – after his spine was fixed with 3D-printed screws. Arthur, a six month old Cockapoo, was unable to move after his limbs suddenly became weak and he collapsed. His owner Natalie Jones rushed him to Chestergates Veterinary Hospital in Chester, Cheshire, where vets conducted MRI scans and X-rays of his spine. They discovered a section of Arthur’s spine was not connected together properly, which was compressing his spinal cord and causing a loss of function in his limbs. The dog then had a four-hour surgery, where surgeons placed bespoke 3D-printed spinal screws and surgical cement into his spine. Now three months after the surgery, Arthur is slowly walking and is able to ‘be a puppy again.’ Natalie said: “It’s been a long road but over the last week, he’s starting to play and become himself.” “It’s the best feeling to watch him being a puppy again.” “We want to thank Chestergates – and Fusion Implants – for everything they have done.” “They have given our beautiful boy a second chance and that means all the world.” Natalie says she first realised something was wrong with Arthur, when he made a sudden yelp and was lying on the floor against the sofa and panting heavily. She said goodbye to Arthur not knowing if he would recover from the surgery and was discharged three days later, wagging his tail. Natalie, of Llanfairpwllgwyngyll, Wales, said: “When Arthur collapsed I panicked.” “Less than six months prior, we’d lost Rupert our beautiful two-year-old cockapoo to a sudden short illness.” “On arrival at Chestergates we were seen in minutes.” “The vets were so calm which was a huge reassurance.” “We had no option but for Arthur to have surgery. “ “I told him how much I loved him and that I needed him to be strong – but in my head I said goodbye as I did not know if he’d come home.” “Five hours later, I received the call he’d made it through.” “He was discharged three days later, tail wagging.” “We were so pleased, but having such a poorly dog was scary. “ “He had a brace from stomach to head, was unable to use his limbs and needed 24-hour care.” Leading veterinary surgeon Rocio Orlandi, who led the team, says that before the surgery, Arthur’s condition ‘was very serious.’ He said: “Arthur’s condition was very serious, as these bony abnormalities could potentially be life-threatening, due to how close they are to the brainstem. “The use of 3D-printed technology enhances the accuracy of this complicated surgery, which was successful, significantly improving Arthur’s prognosis.”