cats all my life,and this has me baffled !

[tlpiper]

My female cat just had 4 kittens on 1-20, after finding out that she had inadequate nipples(only 3 pronounced ,and at least producing some milk), i've been supplementing the 2 runts with bottle feedings daily. The bigger guys are doing fine. Just last nite I noticed 1 of the runts isn't standing as well as the others, in fact he kind of leaves his hind legs straight out behind him and pushes himself with them. He appears to have feeling in his feet coz I tickled them and he moved them, but 1 leg seems to be a little swollen. If no better soon will go to vet. Just curious if anyone has a clue ?

[igraine32511]

PLEASE bring this baby kitten to the vet immediately!! He may not be getting enough nutrition and/or formula; the vet might suggest something beneficial and/or prescribe medication to help him.

It could risk his life to wait on this!

[Cat&Dog mom]

Your best bet would be to take him to a vet. Best of wishes!

[tlpiper]

Took baby with bad hind legs to vet Thursday, he says they are deformed and really not much use. Good news is hes not in any pain. Vet recommended putting him to sleep.I haven't yet and don't know if I can. He's 3 weeks old and so darned cute. He meows like a sheep,only not with a Baaa, but with an Maaa,and a t on the end so I'm calling him Matt. I'm hoping he can compensate for disability like a lot of animals , and humans do.My family and I are willing to work with him, even though we have 5 cats and 2 dogs. I just can't bring myself to put him down if hes not in pain. Anybody out there with cat that can't use his back legs ? I need a pep talk !

[jojoalexis]

Is the mom stimulating him to use the bathroom? is he going to be able to control this? are there any other damages they can see at this point?

this is going to be a committment - if you do it, I wish you strength. You just don't know. Did they say what was causing the lameness?

[jojoalexis]

I'm sorry, I see you say they are deformed. Maybe you can get another opinion?

[tlpiper]

All vet said was that the bones did not form properly, the legs move, just not the way they are supposed to. He leaves them crossed most of the time. I believe mama is still stimulating him to go to the bathroom. He pee'd on the nurse at the vets.I'm hoping the older he gets, the stronger the legs may get.It just doesn't seem right to totally give up on him this early.

[Abymummy]

I'm new here but I had to post this reply. I am in the same position as you. My 'handicapped' kit is now 42 days old and thriving. However, my vet never suggested putting her down - he asked me to try keeping her going and I'm glad I did. Her left rear leg is now splayed out behind her but her right rear leg is getting stronger daily. She half the size of her sibs but she keeps on going. Unfortunately, mommy cat is no longer entertaining her and I am now handfeeding and stimulating her to go to the loo. Unfortunately, my stimulating her isn't enough and she tends to get her foot wet and dirty. My main problem is I can't figure out a way to 'diaper' (sp) her. Once I figure that out, I'll let you know! One thing I notice that does help is a gentle massage starting from the top of the head to the tip of the tail. Gently push and pull the legs back and forth - I noticed that this hurts, please cover yourself 1st before trying cos he will pee on you!

My thoughts are with you - keep going. My family believes that if Lil Bit survives, she will bring me all the luck and joy in the world!

BTW I'm an Abyssinian breeder hence the nickname...

[kyukidojen]

Poor kitty! I had a similar kitten when i was in 2nd grade. My dad was raising me alone, and we had VERY little money. I didn't ever ask for much, but I had been asking for a siamese kitten since kindergarten, when i one of my friends got one. He felt so bad, because he couldn't afford one (around here, they run $500 +. He contacted a breeder about 45 miles away, and asked if there was ANY way he could get a kitten for his daughter for Christmas and her birthday (born on the 26th). The breeder said that they did have one kitten that they'd give him for free :eek: . He went and got my baby cat, Phineaous, the day before christmas. The poor little guy was born "cold, hard, and stiff, but had a heartbeat." He was literally shaped like a 1-inch think cutout of a kitten, but he had the most beautiful little face... my dad and I loved him so much! He died a few years later, after a seizure (he had lots of those in his short little life)... but he was happy. Your kitty may not ever be a "normal" cat but I guarantee she's just as full (if not more full!) of love as any kitty you'll meet!

[ANIMALS#1]

After doing my Animal Health Care Course I was placed in a vet office for my training. There, they had a clinic kitten that had the exact same problem as your kitten. She was very healthy and full of energy. As much as it hurt me to see her walk around and drag her hind legs behind her ... It was very clear that it was no bother to her. She would chase the other clinic cats and stopped at nothing to be just like them. I am sure your kitten will live a happy life. I would not have the kitten put down until he shows sign of pain. If he is not in any pain he can live a happy, healthy life ... He is just different from the others. He will learn to use his front paws more to make up for what his hind legs can't do.

[tlpiper]

Thanks for the replies about my little challanged kitty(I named him Matt,coz thats what his meow sounded like)Unfortunately even after some really promising days with matt,he all of a sudden had a hard time breathing,but was still acting fine and eating better than the other kittens.Later the afternoon of feb.18,my husband found matt partially under mama.I don't know if she had anything to do with death.It did not seem like he struggled,just went to sleep.We were,and still are heartbroken.He had a lot of problems but touched our hearts like no other.We will miss him always.

[catlady2006]

I haven't been a cat lover my whole life. In fact I used to be a dogs only person. Its just the way I was raised. I've been a cat lover for almost 2 yrs. now. I have two cats Morris is an orange male tiger who is 3 yrs. old. I rescued him from our local Humane Society. I also have Shadow who is all black except for two white spots one on her neck & her abdomen. She will be two years old on May 5th. I do know what its like to lose a beloved pet. I've lost two pets. One when I was in high school. A female golden retriever named Shamrock. The other was a male chocolate labradore named Chocolate Chip. Chip for short. I may not have been a cat lover my whole life. But I love them now. Besides my daughter, they're a part of my family. When they do eventually pass away. They will be missed. To this day, I still miss Shamrock & Chip. But I know they're in a better place. Your kitten is in a better place too.

[ANIMALS#1]

I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your "unique" kitty.
Just know that he is in a better place where he will no longer drag his hind legs ... He can run free and play like all the rest!!