A World First: Revolutionary Prosthesis Saves a Deer in Loiret

A unique intervention in the world for a deer in the Loiret

Nini, a castrated deer around ten years old weighing 180 kg, lives in an enclosure with Muriel Bec, an animal trainer specializing in cinema and advertising in Sury-aux-Bois. For several weeks, he has been wearing a prosthesis specially designed to replace his amputated left front leg. This intervention is a world first for a deer, the latter was carried out by veterinarian Norin Chai, announces the local media La République du Center which exclusively reports the news.

Lisa, Louise and Élodie are the caregivers who take care of Nini on a daily basis. Their aim is to ensure that the animal accepts and adapts to this new “extension of its body” without difficulty.

Louise's mission is to adjust the prosthesis while the others take care of and feed the deer. Although this is a new physical but above all psychological challenge for the animal, the entire team remains hopeful that this solution will offer it better living conditions.

A prosthesis placed on the leg of a deer: a world first produced in the Loiret https://t.co/xlzSl20LNu pic.twitter.com/BUvCRSlZCT

— La République du Center (@larep_fr) September 26, 2024

A bold alternative to euthanasia

Before making this decision, the veterinarians considered other alternatives. Originally, Nini limped due to osteoarthritis pain. But after several treatments which proved ineffective, such as laser therapy sessions, an X-ray revealed a malignant tumor, he then had to perform exploratory surgery and scrape tissue.

The famous veterinarian, Norin Chai, then had to make a decision. He had three options, the most radical was to euthanize the animal, or to carry out a high amputation, or finally to attempt a low amputation, with the installation of a prosthesis. The latter is a technique already used on other domestic animals such as dogs or horses, but never on a deer. Indeed on the animal site 30 million friends, Olympe, a goat who “ lost the end of a limb after being injured in a fence” would have received a prosthesis, since then she has been nicknamed the bionic goat of the Les 3 turkeys shelter.

Although other veterinarians were against this option Nini, the deer, the famous veterinarian Chai opted for the low amputation with prosthesis. The operation was then carried out on June 19, 2024.

An innovative collaboration

Manufacturing the prosthesis required an innovative collaboration between Norin Chai and Benjamin, a dental prosthetist from Chartres.

To do this, they used a portable scanner. They then created a 3D structure of Nini's amputated leg, before making a precise cast. While a first prototype turned out to be too tight because the tab had swollen during the test on July 18, 2024, and a second model showed defects on August 16, the team did not stop there.

It was finally a third version tested on August 26, more adjusted, which was installed.

But a new problem quickly emerged: it was necessary to sedate the deer for each attempt to put the prosthesis in place. So to avoid systematically anesthetizing him, we had to get Nini used to handling his paw and to the fact that he wears this prosthesis every day.

Slow but safe rehabilitation

From now on, the goal is to get Nini used to this new life. A routine was therefore established, where the prosthesis must be put on every morning and removed every evening, a process which requires patience and training. To achieve this, the team remains confident and optimistic.

Norin Chai and the veterinarians know that success will come with time.

This veterinary feat gives hope for the prospects of animal medicine.

Sources : LaRep, 30 million friends, The 3 turkeys