If a human can get a prosthetic limb, why not an animal? Easier said than done however, as while there is a tremendous amount of ongoing research for human prosthetics, there is hardly any for animals.
But this Jaipur-based veterinary surgeon did not want to wait around anymore. Dr Tapesh Mathur is credited with making the ‘Krishna Limb’, India’s first prosthetic limb for animals. Tapesh has been designing prosthetic limbs for animals since 2015 and to date, has helped over 500 animals from various States adapt to using a prosthetic.
Dr. Tapesh Mathur, a veterinarian who serves at the Rural Veterinary Polyclinic in Jaipur, used to see numerous cases of amputation in animals. Most of these animals, especially cows, would lose their limbs in vehicle accidents. Dr. Tapesh performed surgeries and allowed the animals to be taken back by their owners. But he was always wary about the future of these animals. “They could not walk or lead normal lives. Their owners wouldn’t have the means to take care of invalid animals. This thought disturbed me for many years and I wished to do something for the animals. That is how I started researching the subject of prosthetics for animals,” says Dr. Tapesh.
A small room in Dr. Tapesh’s home became his workshop. He researched how prosthetics are made for humans and how they can be made for animals.
From design to production, Tapesh does all the work by himself at his home-workshop in Mansarovar, Jaipur. Each limb costs up to Rs 4,500-Rs 5000, but Tapesh does not charge for them.
The cost is taken care of by Pen Media Foundation, co-founded and funded by Tapesh and his wife, Shipra Mathur. The foundation accepts financial contributions from people for animal welfare.
Tapesh designed his first prosthetic limb for a two-year-old calf named Krishna, who learnt to walk using the limb.
Some years ago, a calf named Krishna, who had met with an accident, was brought to the polyclinic. The little animal’s leg had to be amputated to save its life. Dr. Tapesh, anxious and eager to help the poor creature walk again, decided to attempt fixing the prosthetic limb on Krishna. “It’s not an easy process, like it is for humans. We humans know that artificial limbs will help make our lives better. But the animals do not know that. They instinctively reject the limbs and fiddle to get rid of them,” says Dr. Tapesh. Krishna did the same initially. After 15 days of physiotherapy, Krishna slowly got accustomed to the limb. “After that, Krishna did not just walk; he ran. I cannot explain the joy of that sight,” says Dr. Tapesh to Pashudhan praharee.
After this first successful attempt, Dr. Tapesh and his wife Dr. Shipra, a journalist, decided to pursue fitting animals with prosthetics as their life’s mission. They named their initiative after the little calf – Krishna Limb.
Producing these prosthetic limbs wasn’t an easy task initially, and Tapesh required raw material, which was expensive. Polypropylene, which is used for manufacturing prosthetic limbs, is only supplied in bulk by suppliers, and Dr. Tapesh had to source it from Mumbai using his own savings.
He started making lightweight moulds that could fit heavy animals like cows, something that had never been attempted before. He experimented with the moulds on a couple of amputee cows, only to see them fail. But Dr. Tapesh knew he shouldn’t give up.
Now, Tapesh designs customisable prosthetic limbs for different animals.
There are certain steps involved in designing. First, Tapesh takes the necessary measurements, based on which the artificial limb is moulded. The real challenge comes when Tapesh has to visit animals living in remote areas as his patients often cannot be brought to him.
Once the prosthetic limb is ready, Tapesh visits the animal and attaches it for free.
The procedure doesn’t end there, for the animals need up to 15 days of physiotherapy training to teach them to use the artificial limb.
WHAT KRISHNA LIMB NEED
They are raising funds in order to manufacture prosthetic limbs for cattle.
It costs approx. INR 5000/- to make a single prosthetic. The physiotherapy sessions that the animal is put through to accept the leg is done completely pro bono.
A contribution of INR 5000/- by you enables Dr. Tapesh and his team to help ONE maimed animal, to not only walk but RUN.
The above cost excludes the travelling charges, to and fro that they manage on their own. Usually travel is required to be done twice. So we request to animal lovers around the globe to donate this genuine organization for their philanthropic job.
HONOR GAINED BY Dr. TAPESH
Member: Committee for the Purpose of Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals (CPCSEA), Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Govt of India.
KEY AREA of Work : Treating Animal Disability (amputation) by Installing KRISHNA LIMB (as part of service to Animal World esp Bovines) – Innovated, field tested and recognized/ awarded by Scientific and Academic Professional Forum for Developing. This was first ever success in Animals.
Credentials: Dr Tapesh Mathur is Veterinarian by Profession in Govt of Rajasthan. In 17 years of his service he has served at various stations including the urban and rural veterinary hospitals, cattle commission and goshala. His expertise in animal surgery and planning lent him at Go Sewa Ayog (Cattle Commission of Rajasthan) as Secretary on deputation where he launched several schemes by virtue of which the Commission earned wide repute and became self-sufficient. He was also chief architect of Govt plan for free medicines in animal husbandry. His recent posting at Rural Veterinary Polyclinic has also been exemplary in terms of record number of Rumenotomy (operation to remove plastic and other foreign bodies from rumen ie stomach of critical cows (250 operations in a span of 2 years). He is also part and key mentor of Save Birds campaign run by community-based organizations during Kite festival. Has operated and rescued injured vulture (endangered), owl, kite, pigeons and other birds by stitching wings to help them fly back. Has also treated large animals Lion, Elephant and Horse and now on his mission to implant prosthetic limb on disabled (amputee) animals.
Award: He was awarded Gold Medal for Research and Innovation by Panel of Jury at International Symposium and 38th Annual Congress on Surgery (2014) organized by Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bikaner where 400+ Research Papers were presented. At 39th National Conference of Indian Society of Veterinary Surgery, Srinagar (2015) he was awarded another Gold medal in Best Field Veterinarian Award category for his work on Krishna Limb as he presented a scientific study on his research and innovation. The award shall be conferred next year at TANUVAS, Chennai.
Sectors of Experiences: Amputation Surgery and Prosthetic Limb, Animal Husbandry, Cattle and Small animal Surgery, Bird Rescue and Surgery, Policy Planning.
Qualification: B VSc and AH, RAJUVAS, Bikaner
PEN MEDIA FOUNDATION a registered society is undertaking KRISHNA LIMB and Animal Welfare activities by organizing camps for limb installation.
Contact Details: tapeshmathur@yahoo.co.in +91 9414262637
penmediafoundation@gmail.com +919928015504
Dr. Tapesh Mathur’s ‘Krishna Limb’ is helping disabled animals walk and run. He is a pioneer in India in making prosthetics for animals.
Dr. Tapesh is a pioneer in India in making prosthetics for animals. Practically no research and work has been done in our country for this cause. Outside the country, apart from dogs, nothing has ever been done for heavy animals like cows .
Until now, Dr. Tapesh was making prosthetic limbs for below-knee amputee animals. With his continued research efforts, he is all set to launch prosthetics for above-knee amputations too. This is path-breaking because it will help animals with the bending action of their leg joints and increase their grip.
Dr. Tapesh and Dr. Shipra are travelling to villages, towns and cities across the country to help amputated animals lead normal lives and to support people who genuinely care for their animals. His inventions are giving these animals a chance at a whole new life again while putting their best (prosthetic) foot forward.The pashudhan Praharee salutes to the phinalthropic & innovative work of Legend vet of India( Dr Tapesh) & his team .
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