U-shaped kitten

chrissyr

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I would put this in the Feral section but figured I'd get more responces here. Today I went to feed my colony and heard a kitten screaming loudly. I followed the noise and found her under a junk tire. I pulled her out and saw something was wrong. I layed her on the ground and her head is twisted and her back is in a "u" shape. She doesn't walk but rolls.

When I put her where the females could get to her, they were nursing her but a few minutes later, she had rolled from them. I moved her back, 10 minutes later, she rolled away. I ended up putting her in a low sided box for the females to get to her. Last I seen, she's still there and was nursing.

I did check her over when I had her in my hands and she looks born this way. Her head folds back towards her tail. Her neck isn't broke, I saw/found no wounds/bites. My question is should I have her put to sleep or just wait to see if she manages on her own? My gut says to wait but my head says it's cruel to wait and see. She doesn't seem to be in pain. I even had her purring while I was snuggleing her. Shes about 3 weeks or so old.

Thanks!
 

strange_wings

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That's terrible. It sounds like it could be a pretty serious deformity. Honestly, talk to your vet. If you don't want to bring the baby in due to how tiny it is, at least send your vet a picture and ask their advice.
 

farleyv

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Oh dear...it doesn't sound too good. Definately, get vets opinion. Why do these things have to happen?

Prayers for your little one and you.
 

cutekittenkat

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The poor little thing- it sounds like a pretty bad birth deformity.
I definatly agree that it needs to see a vet- if he can do anything for it, now might be the best time. Since it's a feral, he may at least do a check-up for free
Or, like strange_wings said, a picture may help.
 

pami

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The Momma cats having this kittens most definitely need to be spayed ASAP. The Fathers, too. Any of the kittens that are that young are at the age to be socialized or they will be taught to be feral by their Mom. It is most definitely to their advantage to be socialized.

That little kitty with a deformity needs to be brought inside and cared for, as well as looked at by a vet.
 

ldg

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I'm sorry to ask a bunch of questions first, but there's information in the question that raises more questions. First of all, I'm really sorry about what appears to be a deformed kitty - but she definitely needs to see a vet to make a determination about what is best for her.


But I'm overall confused about the situation. Why are their other nursing moms to help take care of her? You refer to a colony - are you TNRing them? I know it takes time, but it seems (sounds) like there are more than the one feral intact female - and obviously some intact feral males?

I also know you recently had a pankleukemia epdiemic at your home... and have two CH kitties now as a result? I know no one knew the female was pregnant - but I'm left wondering - why not?

Are they all getting their regular distemper vaccinations? And the three week follow ups? I know you're fostering too, right? Are you networking with any groups? Have you found a low cost place to help with TNR sterilization costs?

You were also talking about a cattery - I think for persians?

I don't know where things stand, and a little confused about what progress was made - or not - and what steps you did or didn't take on the catter front... and whether all the kitties have been vaccinated for temper as soon as their old enough? And if the "colony" is being TNR'd?

I'm so sorry about the little baby girl... but your comment, "When I put her where the females could get to her, they were nursing her but a few minutes later, she had rolled from them. I moved her back, 10 minutes later, she rolled away. I ended up putting her in a low sided box for the females to get to her," was very confusing - and a little disconcerting??????????? Especially if you moved ahead with the cattery.

Thanks for the info - it will help us help you further. And please get the baby to an emergency vet ASAP.
 

hissy

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Sounds like your colony is inbreeding and yes, the kitten needs to be euthanized. Sorry, but it does. It will have no quality of life, how will it deficate and urinate? How will it eat normally? How will it defend itself against other cats? If this is an outside colony, I echo LDG concerns about TNR very important to do.

Don't let the purring fool you. Cats purr when they are hurt, when they are dying, when they are content. It is a comfort button for them and it does not mean that his kitten is not in pain- far from it. I would seek a vet immediately and not even wait another minute.
 
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chrissyr

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LDG - Let me see if I can answer all of your questions.

But I'm overall confused about the situation. Why are their other nursing moms to help take care of her? You refer to a colony - are you TNRing them? I know it takes time, but it seems (sounds) like there are more than the one feral intact female - and obviously some intact feral males?

We moved and TNR'ed one colony a few years ago and have them on our land. These are, I guess you'd call them, the stranglers? The trap shy ones that only show up every few days or so. I haven't seen any males but there are 3 females.

I also know you recently had a pankleukemia epdiemic at your home... and have two CH kitties now as a result? I know no one knew the female was pregnant - but I'm left wondering - why not?

We have 1 CH kitty, not 2. I didn't know she was pregnant as she never got fat or showed any signs of pregnancy.

Are they all getting their regular distemper vaccinations? And the three week follow ups? I know you're fostering too, right? Are you networking with any groups? Have you found a low cost place to help with TNR sterilization costs?

Yes, as soon as we were out of the woods for the panaleuk, we started distemper vaccines for every feline we have and the ferals we have on our land that we have been able to catch. I am not fostering. When we got the panleuk, I stopped fostering and have no future plans of starting again. No low cost TNR place around. All of it has come out of pocket as it would if they were house cats.

You were also talking about a cattery - I think for persians?

That was something on the table awhile back but nothing ever came from it.

If you need me to explain anything else, let me know.



As for the kitten, I was able to get her to the vet and they euthenized her. Vet didn't mention inbreeding as a factor, he said it looked as if she was twisted while in the womb.
 

goldenkitty45

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IMO the kitten would be better off put to sleep now. It will never be normal and could very easily be killed when trying to walk, etc.

The kindest thing is to put it to sleep. I would not "wait and see".
 

fisheater

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Bless you for doing that. No one wants to make the decision to put down a kitty. I believe you did the right thing.
 

phillygal

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Originally Posted by ChrissyR

LDG

As for the kitten, I was able to get her to the vet and they euthenized her. Vet didn't mention inbreeding as a factor, he said it looked as if she was twisted while in the womb.
Poor sweet baby. God bless you for your kindness in taking care of her!
 
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