Twisted Legs

Hi! I have a 5 day old kitten who has been born with a twisted leg and I have decided to go ahead with the physiotherapy. My question is, what should I be doing? I have been massaging her back legs and trying to help her realize (only slightly of course) how they are supposed to be. But I feel like I am in no way benefitting her.. It's only been 2 days and 3 sessions but I feel like I'm doing something wrong, every time I do the physio I feel like I'm just rubbing her leg and that's it. How long should I be doing each session and what exactly am I supposed to be doing? I hope I can get some advice from any and all people!  Thanks!

P.S. I am NOT going to put her down because I am the only person who wanted to give her the chance no one else thought she deserved.

Hi!

Have you consulted with a vet about the physiotherapy? What did he or she say to you about this? He or she would be in the best position to give you advice about the length of the sessions and what exactly to do.

If you have not consulted with a vet about this I would MOST STRONGLY urge you to do so.  It is possible that without clear medical guidance you will do more harm than good.

Thanks! I haven't consulted with any vets as of yet but I have dealt with all of the vets around my area multiple times and I think they will strongly urge me to put her down, which I refuse to do. I will consult with a vet definitely, as long as it costs no money. I have however consulted with rehabilitators that I know and they have guided me thus far. My mother has also gone to school for this type of thing but no one seem to know how long I should be doing each session. I just want to help her. I also want to go away to school for animal rehabilitation so I am considering this a professionally guided practice for lack of a better word. Professionally being the key word, I am trying to get as much of it as I can.

Are these rehabilitators animal rehabilitators? Do they have experience helping kittens in this way? I am not trying to give you a hard time, but I am really concerned for the little one. 

Oh believe me I am glad you are giving me a hard time! It helps me too!  They are animal rehabilitators, I don't believe they have experience with kittens in this way in particular but they work with animals with the same kind of bone structure and have dealt with these kinds of things before. I am concerned for her as well.

Is this what your kitten looks like?

http://cattime.com/stockings-cat-with-twisted-legs-happy-ending.html

If so, or something similar, perhaps you could contact the group and vet that helped this kitten?

Call around the vets in your area asking if anyone in the area does small animal physiotherapy. There are animal physiotherapists out there - even though most work with horses, they may know someone or have taken a small animal course. Even one or two visits might give you some definitive exercises for your kitten.

KittyKatKuvira said:

 
Hi! I have a 5 day old kitten who has been born with a twisted leg and I have decided to go ahead with the physiotherapy. My question is, what should I be doing? I have been massaging her back legs and trying to help her realize (only slightly of course) how they are supposed to be. But I feel like I am in no way benefitting her.. It's only been 2 days and 3 sessions but I feel like I'm doing something wrong, every time I do the physio I feel like I'm just rubbing her leg and that's it. How long should I be doing each session and what exactly am I supposed to be doing? I hope I can get some advice from any and all people!  Thanks!

P.S. I am NOT going to put her down because I am the only person who wanted to give her the chance no one else thought she deserved.

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It's wonderful that you are compassionate about helping this little baby.

Here's what I know about this.

First of all, each day that passes from day 1 (birth) means the muscles are quickly developing and lessons the chance of baby getting fixed.

So now at 5 days old, time is critical.

Massaging is helpful, but should definitely be splinted afterwards.

Splint should be removed daily, massaged, and put back on. There should be no time the muscle be allowed to return to it's "natural" state, and this is natural to him.

So, massage well, rubbing the leg tendons between your thumb and first fingers, slowly, gently twist the leg to it's correct position, don't force it too much.

Apply a splint using something very small, a piece of a straw even, or q-tips, hold the leg as close to the correct position, place the splint behind the leg and wrap snugly enough to hold it in place, but not too tight that it does not allow plenty of blood flow.

Do this daily, and you will quickly find out how well it works, the leg will easily go into the correct position now, making it easier to splint, and as growth progresses, the leg will likely straighten quite nicely by 4 weeks old, at least well enough the kitten can walk, hop and get around as well as the others do.

But start now! It is critical for success.