Nd advice on special needs of cat with twisted front leg

My husband and I are preparing to adopt a kitten (~6-7 months old) from our local Humane Society. He is a sweet little boy who apparently broke one of his front legs when he was 8 weeks old. Apparently the bone didn't reset properly (no one at the shelter is very clear on whether he was brought in with the broken leg or after it improperly reset). He is able to get around but he does have a pronounced limp (the paw is always bent at the joint below the paw so that it is almost splayed sideways). His gait is somewhat similar to cats with radial hypoplasia (also commonly referred to as "twisty cats") except that he does not have the shortened front legs and only one of his legs is disabled. The shelter staff said the vet who examined him said the paw is healthy, it doesn't need to be amputated, and he isn't in pain. Regardless of his situation, we have fallen hard for this little boy and plan on adopting him (awaiting approval--should hear something early next week).

I'm wondering what special care/considerations I might need to provide for the kitten. I've searched the forums and internet but have only found info on cats with amputated limbs or cats with legs that are currently broken. Has anyone had experience with type of situation? My husband and I realize that as he gets older, he might need more vet care due to the unnatural amount of pressure on that joint, but I'm wondering more about everyday care. Any advice appreciated!

I've known of instances where they've had a break in the lower part of the leg that didn't heal properly, and in both cases the leg had to be amputated when they were a few years old.

I've not had your exact problem with any of mine, but have had leg issues with 2 of my critters. I'll share the stories in case they give you some food for thought.

Samantha (cat) had all of the tendons cut in her back legs when she leaped through a window one time. She walked funny and while she could climb up on cat trees, she could never get down from them. She eventually learned that if she climbed a cat tree, she was stuck there so she stopped doing it. But before she learned that lesson, I had to position trees so that she had something to jump on to get off of the tree - basically a handicap ramp system around the house. You will probably have to adapt your household to his handicap.

Tyler (dog) had been seriously malnourished while a puppy which stunted the growth of his front leg bone and caused his paw to flail outwards at nearly a 90 degree angle. When he hit adulthood, we had surgery on his leg to correct the problem. They broke the bones in his wrist, shortened one of the bones that caused the paw to twist outward, then reset his entire leg with pins. His recovery took nearly a year, and he obviously developed arthritis in that leg when he got older. I'm not sure that they could even do this type of surgery on a cat (Tyler was a 75 pound greyhound), but if they do, they would probably wait until he was an adult when the bones are less malable and fully formed.

I don't have personal experience, but I watch a rescue cam online and they've had 2 cats this year that have had very severe leg damage and both have had amputations. It hasn't slowed them down one bit!! In fact, they seem to do much better after the amputations since there's no ongoing pain or discomfort (after the initial pain/discomfort of the surgery wears off). I was quite surprised at how well they've done, but I'm so excited that they're going to have good lives now.

I have a cat Fudge that had a nasty break an dit just would not heal,she eventually had to have it amputated.I am suprised that they have not done this really as I would imagine that the leg would get in his way really.If this does have to happen at a later let me tell you my Fudge is fantastic with 3 legs,you really wouldn't know,she has adapted so well and does everything that my other kitties do.Please keep us updated,I hope you get him.xx

Thanks for all the replies! I am figuring that he will most likely need to eventually have the leg amputated (years of pressure on a joint not meant to support that pressure will probably cause some discomfort down the road). I was a bit surprised that the shelter didn't amputate the leg too (especially since the it has another cat there who had his leg amputated and he is getting along fine).

I appreciate the tip about jumping down from places. We have some stairs in our house (to the basement where our family room is), but we are able to close the door so that he will not have access to the stairs when we are gone. We were considering ripping the carpet off of the stairs (one of our cats decided to create a grand restyling of the carpet with his claws ), but now I'm thinking that it will probably be safer to keep carpeting on the stairs.

Hi there!

That is awesome that you're adopting a kitten with what sounds like a special need!! I have 6 special needs cats, one with Radial Hypoplasia and would suggest kind of the same "watchful eye" on your kitten as I would for a Radial Hypoplasia Kitten insofar as when they jump on things, that your li'l boy can make it, and if landings are hard, put big, fluffy pillows down where he will land.

When he gets older, he'll know on his own how to jump down without hurting himself (the danger in jumping down on a bad leg is neck breaking and back breacking), but they learn very fast and cats, in general, are not suicidal .

As far as the splaying of the paw out to the right, that is a lot of weight on just a paw; I would watch for swelling, #1. If there is swelling, I would get him treated for that, STAT, and if cool thin towel-wrapped ice-pack doesn't work, get him to the vet. Maybe a specialized splint cant be made to fit his particular foot shape which would lessen the pressure.

If it becomes way unbearable for him as he gains weight, there is always the option of amputation (which cats adjust to very easily), but that's waaaaaay down the line and doubtful it will happen. He may even go into Radial Hypoplasia walk and use the whole elbow on the side instead of the paw. (hmmm, that would be hard with a regular length other leg, though).

He'll be okee-dokie no matter what, though, with loving parents like you guys!

Congratulations! I hope you get the "OK" today to bring him home!!!

Warmly,

Julie O'

Originally Posted by Aelurophile

My husband and I are preparing to adopt a kitten (~6-7 months old) from our local Humane Society. He is a sweet little boy who apparently broke one of his front legs when he was 8 weeks old. Apparently the bone didn't reset properly (no one at the shelter is very clear on whether he was brought in with the broken leg or after it improperly reset). He is able to get around but he does have a pronounced limp (the paw is always bent at the joint below the paw so that it is almost splayed sideways). His gait is somewhat similar to cats with radial hypoplasia (also commonly referred to as "twisty cats") except that he does not have the shortened front legs and only one of his legs is disabled. The shelter staff said the vet who examined him said the paw is healthy, it doesn't need to be amputated, and he isn't in pain. Regardless of his situation, we have fallen hard for this little boy and plan on adopting him (awaiting approval--should hear something early next week).

I'm wondering what special care/considerations I might need to provide for the kitten. I've searched the forums and internet but have only found info on cats with amputated limbs or cats with legs that are currently broken. Has anyone had experience with type of situation? My husband and I realize that as he gets older, he might need more vet care due to the unnatural amount of pressure on that joint, but I'm wondering more about everyday care. Any advice appreciated!

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Thank you for the great advice, Julie!

We were approved to adopt the kitten today. We took him to our vet, who said the kitten is using his elbow to walk on. He thinks the kitten might have been hit by a car (based on the description of the kitten when he was first found). He suspects the kitten may have radial nerve paralysis. We will have to wait and see how the elbow holds up with the weight and were told to especially watch for any sores. There is the possibility that he may have to have an amputation if sores develop, only time will tell.

He is quite the little lovebug! Everyone at the vet clinic fell in love with him and he already has his human daddy wrapped around his little paw.

Awwwwwwwwwwww, pictures! Pictures!

Although it's the most awful picture in the world (Because I transfered from phone to computer and it didn't come out right), my Radial Hypoplasia guy, Tiny Dancer) is on the bottom left of my box. He never developed any sores.
I also made these little comfy places (he was already 2 when I had to take him away from a neglectful foster, he almost died), because instead of having to lay down all the time, it's nice to have something to lean UP on. I got a few sterilte plastic stools, quilted (and I'm not a quilter, believe me, just asked the lady and did it), made one to fit over the sterilte thing with quadruple batting inside so it would be soft and comfy and actually used Gorilla Glue to stick it to the sides of the little stool. I have 3 of them and also have pillows around as "lean-ups". He makes use of all of them, so maybe little soft pillows for now for your little guy when he needs to lean-up a little onto something soft might bring him a little extra comfort.

I have one right in front of the t.v. and Tiny and I watch NCIS together... awwwwww.

Tiny Dancer has never had any sores ever - OH! And your guy may have extra nails and the nails on the twisted leg may end up being very loose, and they also must be cut as they can so easily grow back into the skin, but do check for extra nails and hash nails on twisty paws, my guy has a few on each paw. I kiss his front legs and paws all the time, he's so beautiful. For nail cutting, turn them in the position where you can do the twisty nail correctly, and not in the normal position where you have to twist the paw in any way. It's a little more difficult. (MY guy has tuffts, too!)

If you ever have ANY questions, PLEASE feel free to write. Watch for your guy at his young age laying to close to edges of places he can fall off until you know whether or not he can turn himself around and land without hurting himself. (My guy cannot, but over time, he has learned what not to do to fall over any edges and how to jump and land without hurting himself. (Little miracle dudes, I tell ya!)

But do write whenever!

Warmly,

Julie O'

Originally Posted by Aelurophile

Thank you for the great advice, Julie!

We were approved to adopt the kitten today. We took him to our vet, who said the kitten is using his elbow to walk on. He thinks the kitten might have been hit by a car (based on the description of the kitten when he was first found). He suspects the kitten may have radial nerve paralysis. We will have to wait and see how the elbow holds up with the weight and were told to especially watch for any sores. There is the possibility that he may have to have an amputation if sores develop, only time will tell.

He is quite the little lovebug! Everyone at the vet clinic fell in love with him and he already has his human daddy wrapped around his little paw.

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Thanks, Julie!

I'm still trying to get some pictures (and a name!) for our newest fellow. I have three different beds and a cat tent (all with cozy blankets) around the room he is currently in. He has chosen one of the softer/fluffier ones (also the type my other cats like best). We hadn't expected to be approved so fast. If I'd thought more about it, I might have tried to find a stuffed animal for him to cuddle with (I think he's used to always being with other kittens--he was at the shelter for 3 months). He seems very happy, though. It makes me wince a bit to see/hear him hobble around on our wood floor--his little elbow always makes a thumping sound when he connects with the floor. I think it's tougher on him to walk since his other leg is a normal length leg, so he always looks hunched over when he walks. He has all of the spirit of a normal kitten, though, and loves chasing/wrestling with his giant stuffed rat. Thank goodness one of our cats finally likes playing with it! We've had that stuffed rat for over a year an I think this is the most action it's ever seen. Although it's kind of funny, when I was prepping the kitten's room yesterday, I took in several soft toys that our other cats don't play with much anymore. Then when I went back in the room about an hour later, the toys were all missing! Those darn cats had carried them off to other rooms!

So far, the other cats have been fairly calm, but I'm giving them open access to our downstairs (where our family room is), which they normally are not allowed in unless we are there. It's the farthest place away from the kitten's room, so they can hang out there if they're feeling nervous (and it's a bit of a treat for them). I'm going to give it a couple of more days before I very slowly start trying to do introductions. Right now, we're just trying to get him used to us and the room, and I'll probably do some blanket change outs. Then we'll start with our oldest cat who, despite being a complete terror at the vet's office, has always been welcoming to new cats. After they're comfortable with him, I'll move on to the girls.

I'm so looking forward to how this proceeds.

That would be hard with one leg normal length and walking on the elbow (like my guy does with the other. On my guy, the other leg is tucked under when he walks (that's hard, too, but he's adjusted so well).

Your guy MAY start learning to walk on his hineys a bit just for some relief like my guy does.

I'm thinkin' (I know, a miracle), but I'm thinkin' that making some of those "raise-up" things for resting I talked about either here or in pm would be really nice for him to rest when he doesn't want to lay all the way down.

For now, a nice big fluffy pillow, and definitely pillows for places he jumps from (say he's on the bed and wants to jump down - best for now if he jumps on something soft until you gauge how he is landing; like is he landing on the bad leg at all? If so, I'd leave pillows for him to jump on for sure until he gets his bearings on how to land on his hineys, like a plane coming in for a landing.


GUIDED MEDITATION: (lol)
Tiny does that! He's kinda big, too (pretty long medium-haired)... so you're watching Tiny ready to jump (he has extra-extra strong back legs because of the front legs thing, btw), he takes flight and all you see is this big, beautiful orange and white fluff with keen eyes intense on the spot for landing far, far ahead of him. As he comes in lower to the ground, his back legs come down and forward, ready for landing and skid. In slow motion now, you see that Tiny's back legs touch down and skid across carpet (wood floors are no-no's for twisty leg cats because they'll slip; remedy? Lots of rugs) - as Tiny's back legs slow down in his skid, he does tend to trip up a bit when he's down to no speed and sometimes will stop with his front feet... sort of, but it's always so slow that there isn't a problem. Tiny has mastered flight and landing. Your li'l guy will, too! )

Warmly,

Julie O'

Originally Posted by Aelurophile

Thanks, Julie!

I'm still trying to get some pictures (and a name!) for our newest fellow. I have three different beds and a cat tent (all with cozy blankets) around the room he is currently in. He has chosen one of the softer/fluffier ones (also the type my other cats like best). We hadn't expected to be approved so fast. If I'd thought more about it, I might have tried to find a stuffed animal for him to cuddle with (I think he's used to always being with other kittens--he was at the shelter for 3 months). He seems very happy, though. It makes me wince a bit to see/hear him hobble around on our wood floor--his little elbow always makes a thumping sound when he connects with the floor. I think it's tougher on him to walk since his other leg is a normal length leg, so he always looks hunched over when he walks. He has all of the spirit of a normal kitten, though, and loves chasing/wrestling with his giant stuffed rat. Thank goodness one of our cats finally likes playing with it! We've had that stuffed rat for over a year an I think this is the most action it's ever seen. Although it's kind of funny, when I was prepping the kitten's room yesterday, I took in several soft toys that our other cats don't play with much anymore. Then when I went back in the room about an hour later, the toys were all missing! Those darn cats had carried them off to other rooms!

So far, the other cats have been fairly calm, but I'm giving them open access to our downstairs (where our family room is), which they normally are not allowed in unless we are there. It's the farthest place away from the kitten's room, so they can hang out there if they're feeling nervous (and it's a bit of a treat for them). I'm going to give it a couple of more days before I very slowly start trying to do introductions. Right now, we're just trying to get him used to us and the room, and I'll probably do some blanket change outs. Then we'll start with our oldest cat who, despite being a complete terror at the vet's office, has always been welcoming to new cats. After they're comfortable with him, I'll move on to the girls.

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Day 3 and so far, so good with the kitten. He has all of the crazy energy of a normal kitten, and he loves his cuddles! We named him Art Blakey (after a jazz drummer), but we mostly call him Artie. We're trying to get some good photos of him but it's hard, because he's either always in motion or he wants kisses and cuddles when we're in the room. And he is equipped with a very loud purr! My oldest cat is dying to get in the room: he can smell that kitten food and he wants some NOW!

Awesome! Another jazz fan!!

The one I named Chief Red Cloud is a Himmy, and when grooming him every day, he rolls aroundn so much, I've nick-named him "Jelly Roll Morton"! LOL!

SO glad your little Art (Ack, was thinking of Tatum) BLAKELY is going well!!

Keep us apprised!! Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeease!

Warmly,

Julie O'

Originally Posted by Aelurophile

Day 3 and so far, so good with the kitten. He has all of the crazy energy of a normal kitten, and he loves his cuddles! We named him Art Blakey (after a jazz drummer), but we mostly call him Artie. We're trying to get some good photos of him but it's hard, because he's either always in motion or he wants kisses and cuddles when we're in the room. And he is equipped with a very loud purr! My oldest cat is dying to get in the room: he can smell that kitten food and he wants some NOW!

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Artie!

Who couldn't love THAT face???

He's gorgeous!! What a handsome boy!

Originally Posted by Aelurophile

Artie!

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I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE him!!!!!!!! Can I be his Godmother???!!! Pleeeeeeeeeease? I have the experience, I'll give you all my references and experience and I do have a Radial Hypoplasia cat, even though both his arms are shorter, but he does walk on one elbow and I know to look for callouses, sores, etc.

Oh please, please, please?


I'll give you my phone and address for your Will! :-D

He's sooooooooooo cuuuuuuuuuuuuuute!!

Artie would love for you to be his Godmother!

Today I noticed that he makes the cutest little grunts/chirps when he gets excited, nervous, or wants pet! He also grunts/chirps when he is settling down to sleep. I put an old towel at the bottom of a shelf that I was afraid he might try to jump on. Now that darn ratty towel is his favorite spot to nap! Three different cat beds (and one cat tent) to use and he sleeps on the old towel.

Originally Posted by Naps With Cats

I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE him!!!!!!!! Can I be his Godmother???!!! Pleeeeeeeeeease? I have the experience, I'll give you all my references and experience and I do have a Radial Hypoplasia cat, even though both his arms are shorter, but he does walk on one elbow and I know to look for callouses, sores, etc.

Oh please, please, please?


I'll give you my phone and address for your Will! :-D

He's sooooooooooo cuuuuuuuuuuuuuute!!

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Thank you soooooooooo much!!!!!!!!! :-D

Well, he found his spot. That rattie old towel is like gold to him now! Ha! He found his thrill!

Ohhhh and the chirp-grunt! You'll have to listen for a snore while he's sleeping, too!! I have 3 or 4 who snore (one of which is Tiny Dancer, the Radial Hypoplasia cat). Ohhhhhhhhh Ohhhhhhhhh I'm so excited! Shoudl I pm you with my information?! I would be honored to be his godmother and promise my entire world and word I would take exceptional care of him and he will have a place in the "Friends for Life" program so will never, ever be abandoned, ever.

(You'll, of course, have to send along his ratty-tat towel as well, hee!!)

:-D I'm so excited!!

Warmly,

Julie O'

Originally Posted by Aelurophile

Artie would love for you to be his Godmother!

Today I noticed that he makes the cutest little grunts/chirps when he gets excited, nervous, or wants pet! He also grunts/chirps when he is settling down to sleep. I put an old towel at the bottom of a shelf that I was afraid he might try to jump on. Now that darn ratty towel is his favorite spot to nap! Three different cat beds (and one cat tent) to use and he sleeps on the old towel.

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Congratz on your new furbaby, Artie!!!! How wonderful of you to adopt him with his leg issue. Poor little guy, sounds like he was seriously injured, and what a little trooper. Enjoy your new little guy, he sounds like an