3D Printing Technology Being Used To Help Save Animals

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2017-12-31 21:59

3D printing technology today is incredibly versatile and we have seen a variety of items able to be printed already, everything from common household items to cars, houses, and more. It's an industry that is revolutionizing the manufacturing space and many others, and it's already made its way into the medical industry, and many other market spaces.

One interesting way that these printers have proven to be useful is in helping a number of different animals to heal and get better after they were harmed.

Pictured above is Beauty the Bald Eagle and beauty had been previously attacked by a poacher, shot in the beak and left for dead.

Thanks to the help of those who rescued her, by using a 3D printer, they were able to create a new beak for her; some glue and a metal rod helps to hold it in place. And now her story has been made into a children's book. And she isn't the only one who has been helped by this amazing technology.

One lucky parrot received a 3D-printed prosthetic limb that a vet team made for him. The 3D printing technology is enabling these teams to create prosthetic limbs that are more specific and individualized to the animal itself, as opposed to using more traditional prostheses.

Mini horses have been helped, along with a variety of birds, cats, ducks, dogs, and more. Whether it's helping to make a new foot for a penguin or a new beak for an eagle, it's amazing to see what this technology is capable of.

The 3D printers have also been used to help make wheelchairs, like the one that was made for Earl who is a paralyzed cat from Detroit. These pets and rescues are able to live longer and walk again because of what this technology is able to do for them.

One dog who had her jaw crushed from an attack with another dog, was able to find help after vets created a 3D printed mask for her. Thanks to the unique mask, she was able to make a full recovery. The mask was created to perfectly fit her head and this helped to optimize the healing process.

From Australia to the US and elsewhere, a variety of animals are able to find remedy with 3D printing technology, whether that be a leg, paw, or beak etc. Perhaps it won't be long before a growing number of veterinarians turn to consider putting a 3D printer in their place of business so that they can help their clients in new and creative ways.

Pics:
Pixabay
Glen Hush via Bonnercountydailybee
via Tor Star
via TC
via wxyz
UCDavies Veterinary Medicine via Metro

Sources:
https://3dprint.com/198635/3d-printing-animals-2017/
http://www.bonnercountydailybee.com/front_page_slider/20170928/beauty_and_the_beak_book_launch_saturday
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/idaho/articles/2017-10-08/the-story-of-bald-eagle-shot-by-poacher-made-into-a-book
https://www.wxyz.com/news/region/oakland-county/earl-the-paralyzed-metro-detroit-cat-gets-a-3d-printed-wheelchair
https://www.express.co.uk/news/nature/894766/Supervet-Noel-Fitzpatrick-oprhan-penguin-performs-trickiest-operation
https://thewest.com.au/news/australia/greyhound-gets-a-new-leg-from-a-3d-printer-ng-b88632204z
https://techcrunch.com/2015/12/07/vincent-the-cat-gets-3d-printed-legs/
https://www.typeamachines.com/3d-printing/penguin-receives-3d-printed-beak-replacement
https://www.thestar.com/life/2017/10/12/veterinary-team-3d-print-a-prosthetic-leg-for-injured-parrot.html
http://www.dw.com/en/bird-of-prey-gets-3d-printed-prosthetic-leg/a-38364472
https://www.typeamachines.com/3d-printing/penguin-receives-3d-printed-beak-replacement
http://metro.co.uk/2017/12/04/dog-wears-3d-printed-mask-to-recover-from-brutal-attack-that-crushed-her-jaw-7131256/