DoveLewis Veterinarians Repaired Cat's Broken Paw
A Portland animal hospital successfully used a specialized fixator to mend three fractured bones in an elderly cat.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Pet Health
Veterinarians at the DoveLewis animal hospital in Portland treated an 11-year-old cat named Benny for three broken bones in a single paw. The complex procedure involved a specialized device to stabilize the injury during the healing process.
Why it matters
The successful stabilization of multiple paw fractures in an older animal highlights advancements in veterinary orthopedic surgery. This type of intervention allows for effective healing in cases that might otherwise require more invasive options.
The treatment utilized a SPIDER fixator, which features pins inserted through the skin into an epoxy resin frame. The 11-year-old patient required a one-night hospital stay and 8 weeks of immobilization.
The players
DoveLewis
This Portland-based nonprofit animal hospital provides 24-hour emergency and specialty veterinary services to the local community.
Benny
Benny is an 11-year-old cat who recently underwent a successful orthopedic procedure to repair three broken bones in his paw.
The details
Surgeons at DoveLewis placed the pins through the skin, securing them into a hardened epoxy resin frame that sat atop the paw. This cage-like structure, known as a SPIDER fixator, provided the necessary rigidity to keep the bones in place while they knit back together.
Timeline
8 weeks was the duration the protective equipment remained on the paw.
Culture Shift
Veterinary medicine is increasingly adopting sophisticated human-grade orthopedic hardware to improve outcomes for geriatric pets. This shift reflects a broader societal trend toward prioritizing advanced medical care for domestic animals as their lifespans and owners expectations increase.
Pet owners in Portland can access specialized emergency orthopedic care at local facilities when traditional splinting is not enough. This case demonstrates that even senior cats can successfully recover from complex injuries with professional veterinary intervention.
The takeaway
Advanced orthopedic tools can significantly improve quality of life for elderly pets suffering from complex fractures. Owners should discuss all surgical options with their veterinarian when faced with severe, multi-bone injuries.
Further reading
For more information on animal care and specialized treatments, see Pet Health.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KOIN 6 Portland.
