TheCatSite.com › Forums › Our Feline Companions › Cat Health › Kitten deformity
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Kitten deformity

post #1 of 14
6/16/10 at 4:20pm
Thread Starter 
So as some of you know i found a pregnant stray at walmart and brought her home and she had kittens the next day. One of which was born with a deformity. I think its twisted limb, but the vet is saying is an angular deformity and the cat should be put down or the leg should be amputated. After doing some research on angular deformities, i doubt that that is what it is. She was born with it and has never been injured, unless it was inutero, which i find hard to believe. Does anyone have any advice or knowledge that could help me? (She is 16 days old)
Reply
post #2 of 14
6/16/10 at 4:31pm
I don't have any experience, except to say that I'd amputate when the kitty is big enough. At that age she'll adapt to 3 legs and have a good life.
Reply
post #3 of 14
6/16/10 at 4:38pm
One of my Mom's cats, Orbie, has a deformed front paw/leg. I'll post a picture so you can have an idea. She was adopted from the shelter as an adult, but we were told she was born that way. Never in any way, shape or form has her deformity held her back. She doesn't use that paw much and she usually hops around on the 3 legs, but she is a WONDERFUL cat who loves life. This little one deserves a chance unless you see that her quality of life is being affected, which I doubt it will be.

Reply
post #4 of 14
6/16/10 at 4:39pm
Here is another of her.

Reply
post #5 of 14
6/16/10 at 5:18pm
I would give her a chance.

Reply
post #6 of 14
6/17/10 at 4:50am
Definitely give the little kitten a chance and hold off making any decisions until she's older.

I would most certainly not even consider PTS for an otherwise healthy kitten.

My lovely, late Lucy had a deformed front leg too (a result of cruelty and the injury never being tended to). When I adopted her, I sought the vet's advice and was told that I could either have the leg amputated or leave it as she held it up a lot but still used it to wash her face, dig her litter box etc. and keep her as an indoor cat.

Our lovely Lucy lived to be 22 years old and she kept her leg. It never held her back either.
Reply
post #7 of 14
6/17/10 at 5:16am
I have seen another post here in the forum and cannot remember for the life of me what the condition is called, but the legs of the kitten formed a U shape when placed on his belly. It's called tendon something ... AH here it is http://www.hayaji.com/faqTendon.html

But reading over again I see you say you doubt that is what it is. Can this not be corrected someway? ( I have no experience in deformities ) Perhaps a second opinion is in order?

Sometimes things can happen in utero I believe, like the Tendon Contractures. But those are tendons and you seem to be talking about bones.

I would not PTS. Animals adapt very well, especially when only taking one of their limbs or part of one of their limbs. I would try other options first before PTS. Thoughts and love for this itty bitty kitty!!
Reply
post #8 of 14
6/17/10 at 3:27pm
Thread Starter 
Oh there is no way I am putting little Mango to sleep, sorry I should of said that. I'm very tight on money and don't think I can afford a second oppinion. The only way I was able to take her in is because it was a walk in clinic and a $9 exam fee. I'm betting that it is twisted limbs or some call it twisty kittens. It has to do with tendions and cramped utero space. I can move her leg into a somewhat proper position and am thinkin of bracing it in hopes it corrects. From what I have read about twisted limbs bracing sometimes helps. I've also read that not many vets know about twisted kittens, which doesn't make much sence to me, but oh well. Thanks for all the answers
Reply
post #9 of 14
6/17/10 at 3:56pm
Please keep us posted of little Mango's progress - and pics please if possible.

We all love kittens
Reply
post #10 of 14
6/19/10 at 5:42pm
Tendon contractures in kittens are very treatable, as the site link that I posted above shows. I hope it can be corrected. Update us!! Vibes for the little one
Reply
post #11 of 14
6/25/10 at 2:31pm
Thread Starter 
I have been bracing Mango's leg now for the past 4 days. I keep it braced for a little over an hour each time because im so worried i wont beable to tell if it is swelling. It has not improved at all. I know that isn't long to be working with it, i just expected it would be a tiny bit straighter. Here are some pics of Mangos leg (Sorry I should of shrank them).



Reply
post #12 of 14
6/25/10 at 3:12pm
How are you bracing the leg? Can you post a picture?

You are right, one hour a day is not long enough to make any difference as Mother Nature has 23 hours to undo all the work of the brace. I am an occupational therapist by trade and use splints (braces) from time to time with my patients and results only come by using the device pretty much 24/7.

Is there any way you could get the vet to provide you with supplies/instructions? Or better yet, could you find someone to cast the leg?

If you'll post a photo with the brace, I will be happy to offer
my opinion.

Good luck!
Reply
post #13 of 14
7/1/10 at 10:49pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by CatMom2Wires View Post
How are you bracing the leg? Can you post a picture?

You are right, one hour a day is not long enough to make any difference as Mother Nature has 23 hours to undo all the work of the brace. I am an occupational therapist by trade and use splints (braces) from time to time with my patients and results only come by using the device pretty much 24/7.

Is there any way you could get the vet to provide you with supplies/instructions? Or better yet, could you find someone to cast the leg?

If you'll post a photo with the brace, I will be happy to offer
my opinion.

Good luck!

I will try, I stoped bracing it because it kept swelling up rather fast. She is doing so wonderful though. She is the fastest, most adventurous and curious one of the five. She follows me everywhere and when i go to sweep around the litter box she is right there fixated on the broom. Any advice on a type of brace that wouldn't make her leg swell so fast?
Reply
post #14 of 14
7/1/10 at 11:24pm
My guess is that the swelling is due to the brace being too tight. You can't put a straight brace on and expect to straighten the leg all at once. Can you work out some kind of curved brace or splint that will put just a little pressure on the leg? Use it for several days at least, maybe a week, then make one that is a little straighter. That way you can stretch the tendons a little at a time.
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Cat Health
TheCatSite.com › Forums › Our Feline Companions › Cat Health › Kitten deformity