Temperatures in Siberian Russia are excruciating when winter arrives, dropping down to severe levels of freezing cold. However, this is nothing new, it happens every year. People have become accustomed to the extreme cold weather and are prepared for it – it’s just a part of their life. The Russian people were born and raised, learning how to deal with the cold.
Animals are not at all as well prepared as people are. Sometimes pets do as they please and wander around outside not understanding the dangers they are putting themselves in. Like the phrase goes, “curiosity killed the cat.” Pets with frostbitten paws are common in Siberia. Unfortunately, most of them die from this. However, a particular cat named Ryzhik was lucky enough to have a kind owner who cared about him.
Ryzhik The Cat
In January, as temperatures dropped to –40°C (-40°F) cold in Tomsk, Ryzhik (meaning Ginger or Redhead in Russian) lost all four paws due to frostbite. Its limbs were so badly frostbitten, with gangrene developing so fast, that the vet had no other choice but to amputate them. Fortunately, Ryzhik’s owner didn’t give up on him and decided to take the kitty to a clinic in Novosibirsk that specializes in implanting artificial limbs.
Artificial Paws
At the clinic the cat was fitted with four artificial paws. The limbs were manufactured using computer tomography and 3D modeling, which is an ideal system for making the most comfortable paws for the feline. Surgeon Sergey Gorshkov said that Ryzhik “is definitely the first cat in the world who experienced such surgeries.” The surgeon explained that the cat’s limbs were made of titanium and completely attached to the bones, while the part that goes inside the body is spongy to allow the tissue to grow around it.
Ryzhik is actually believed to be the only cat in Russia with four functioning artificial paws. The cat is not trying to remove or shake off the limbs, which suggests that he is content with his new modifications and mobility. Ryzhik can walk around and go up and down stairs using his new paws. The cat isn’t fully running and walking with complete confidence just yet, but specialists say that it’s most likely a temporary thing. It’s just a matter of time – Ryzhik will get used to his new limbs.
The Clinic
Gorshkov’s clinic specializes in helping animals in trouble and they are pioneering new methods to save them. Attaching artificial paws to Ryzhik was just one of their many ‘animal patients’ that they’ve had to save. This clinic offers a large range of procedures which include attaching new limbs, rebuilding beaks for parrots and hoofs for cattle.
In the video below, you can watch Ryzhik in action with his new titanium paws!
