Pets are not just companions, they are family. And today, advances in veterinary implants are giving dogs and cats second chances: to move without pain, to live more fully, and to share more moments. At Kirkstall Precision, we stand behind the parts and processes that make those breakthroughs possible.
For decades, implants were almost exclusively associated with human healthcare. Hips, knees, pacemakers, even dental implants, these were technologies we connected with hospitals, not veterinary clinics. That is changing. From titanium hip replacements to limb-sparing prostheses, animals are now benefiting from the same wave of innovation transforming human orthopaedics and surgery.
Adapting the same modular systems used in human medicine.
Take the story of a cat with degenerative joint disease. Already having lost one limb, the animal struggled to walk on its remaining hind leg. Surgeons performed a total hip replacement, adapting the same modular systems used in human medicine. Within months, the cat had regained mobility, pain was reduced, and its quality of life transformed.
Similar procedures are being carried out in dogs, including those who have undergone amputation on the opposite limb. Using modular cementless hip replacements like the Innoplant system, clinicians have restored mobility and stability in animals who otherwise faced a future of decline.
The technology goes further still. In cases where tumours threaten a limb, amputation was once the only choice. Today, custom implants can preserve much more. Two cats with femoral tumours were treated using bespoke endoprostheses, created directly from CT scan data and combined with total knee replacement designs. The result was not just the removal of cancerous tissue but the preservation of movement and strength.
Dogs have also benefitted from pioneering techniques such as the Intraosseous Transcutaneous Amputation Prosthesis, which integrates directly with bone and skin to anchor a prosthetic limb. In these cases, the animals were walking pain-free within weeks, a feat that blends engineering, biology, and veterinary care in remarkable fashion.
Branching into new areas of medicine
While mobility dominates much of the conversation, veterinary implants are branching into new areas of medicine. Pacemakers, once seen as exclusively human, have been implanted successfully in dogs to regulate heart rhythm and extend life expectancy. New devices under development mimic hormones to help regulate appetite, offering a potential solution for obesity in breeds genetically predisposed to weight gain. Researchers are even exploring neurological implants, including those that stimulate neurons to control seizures or modulate behaviour. Though still early-stage, the potential of these technologies points toward a future where veterinary medicine does not just treat, but actively manages and prevents complex conditions.
All of these innovations rest on a single truth: precision matters. An implant that does not integrate correctly, that is even a fraction off in tolerances or finish, risks failure inside a living body. Biocompatibility, stability, and reliability are non-negotiable. That is where the role of engineering partners becomes critical.
Every custom implant needs components machined to exacting standards. Surface finishes must be free from defects and contamination. Cleaning and validation processes must meet the highest bar. In other words, the same commitment to precision that human medical devices demand must be applied in veterinary medicine too.
This is where Kirkstall Precision plays its part.
While we may not design implants directly, we are a trusted partner in their manufacture. Our CNC machining capabilities, across three, four, and five axes, deliver components that meet the tightest tolerances. Our validated ultrasonic cleaning and passivation processes ensure biocompatibility and safety. Our experience in prototyping and production allows us to support innovators from concept through to commercial scale. Most importantly, our values of care, collaboration, and innovation align with the demands of an evolving veterinary sector.
The care comes in understanding that these devices are not abstract products—they change lives. Whether it is a family dog running again after hip surgery or a cat spared from amputation thanks to a custom implant, the stakes are deeply personal. Collaboration is about working closely with OEMs, researchers, and veterinary specialists to ensure the right solution is delivered, first time. Innovation is found not just in new machines or processes, but in how we think about challenges, adapt to requirements, and provide solutions that help animals live healthier, fuller lives.
The implications stretch beyond pets.
Veterinary medicine often acts as a proving ground for new technologies, with insights that ripple back into human healthcare. A custom implant developed for a rare feline case may inform how surgeons approach similar problems in people. A novel material tested in a canine prosthesis may end up standard in human orthopaedics. The two fields are increasingly interconnected, and precision engineering underpins them both.
For many pet owners, the question of advanced implants is not just medical, it is emotional. These are companions who share our homes and lives, and when illness or injury strikes, the possibility of giving them more pain-free years is invaluable. It is why the demand for veterinary implants is growing, despite the challenges of cost, complexity, and aftercare. And it is why companies like Kirkstall are proud to support the sector with the expertise and engineering excellence required to make it possible.
The evolution of medicine
The story of veterinary implants is, ultimately, the story of how far medicine has come, and how much further it can go when care, collaboration, and innovation drive progress. Dogs once condemned to immobility are running again. Cats with tumours are keeping their limbs. Animals with failing hearts are living longer. Each breakthrough reflects not just scientific progress, but human compassion and the determination to improve the lives of those who cannot speak for themselves.
At Kirkstall Precision, we believe these values should guide every project. Whether it is a custom endoprosthesis, a prototype spinal implant, or the smallest component of a pacemaker housing, our focus is the same: uncompromising precision for outcomes that matter. Because in veterinary medicine, as in human healthcare, there is no room for error. Every detail counts. And every success story reminds us why we do what we do.