Oz Press: UK Vet attaches toy wheels to paraplegic tortoise

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Posted by Wes von Papine�u on November 22, 2000 at 06:39:00:

THE AGE (Melbourne, Australia) 21 November 00 Vet attaches toy wheels to paraplegic tortoise

London (AFP): A British veterinary surgeon has glued toy wheels to a disabled tortoise to help it get around, a newspaper in London reported today.
Stuart McArthur was at a loss as to how to improve the mobility of Doris, a 50-year-old tortoise who suffers from weak back legs because of a degenerative disease.
But according to the Daily Telegraph newspaper, he had a moment of inspiration while tidying away his daughter's toys.
'It came to me that I could use these Lego wheels to help paraplegic tortoises,' the newspaper quoted the vet as saying.
McArthur used a strong household glue to attach a plastic base to the underside of Doris's shell. The wheels then fix onto the base.
'This is a very serious issue and we are doing this to help the tortoise achieve a better quality of life,' he said.
But, according to the Daily Telegraph, he also warned: 'This treatment can only be carried out by specialists highly trained in tortoise diseases. I would strongly advise people not to try this at home.'

Vet attaches toy wheels to paraplegic tortoise

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: THE AGE (Melbourne, Australia) 21 November 00 Vet attaches toy wheels to paraplegic tortoise : London (AFP): A British veterinary surgeon has glued toy wheels to a disabled tortoise to help it get around, a newspaper in London reported today. : Stuart McArthur was at a loss as to how to improve the mobility of Doris, a 50-year-old tortoise who suffers from weak back legs because of a degenerative disease. : But according to the Daily Telegraph newspaper, he had a moment of inspiration while tidying away his daughter's toys. : 'It came to me that I could use these Lego wheels to help paraplegic tortoises,' the newspaper quoted the vet as saying. : McArthur used a strong household glue to attach a plastic base to the underside of Doris's shell. The wheels then fix onto the base. : 'This is a very serious issue and we are doing this to help the tortoise achieve a better quality of life,' he said. : But, according to the Daily Telegraph, he also warned: 'This treatment can only be carried out by specialists highly trained in tortoise diseases. I would strongly advise people not to try this at home.'

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