What to do about kitten with twisted leg syndrome

by **GabrielDeafBlindPupFamily** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 4:18 am

I am so very sorry... Festus was the luckiest little kitty on the planet, knowing more love, care and concern in such a short time than many of us go through our entire lives knowing.

You are exactly right. Festus has changed the way you look at the world, and every emotion you have down the road will be tempered by your short journey with Festus. They do make us into better human beings. I am so very sorry.

by **cmmelton** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 3:26 pm

Hello everyone,

Remember when I said that I truly believed that Festus had come into my life to teach me about handicapped pets? Well, I didn't think it would happen so soon, but another baby has come into my life. She is small and a fluffy Russian Blue and has twisted back legs. She can potty on her own! She was found abandoned near a dumpster a few days ago. I have named her Flora...for St. Flora, the Patron Saint of the abandoned. I am going into this situation with my eyes wide open and with much more knowledge and much more support, all thanks to my experience with little Festus and through him, meeting all of you.
I will be posting more about little Flora here as soon as I know more! Please keep Flora in your thoughts and prayers!
I have attached a picture..I hope it comes through.
Thank you all again, for you support and knowledge! thank you for being there for all handicapped pets!
Cheryl

by **critters** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 4:03 pm

Awww, what a cutie!!! Concatulations!! :mrgreen:

by **TenHouseCats** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 5:12 pm

they come to us because we need them as much, if not more, than they need us. painful lessons, often, but nothing more awe-some.

welcome, little flora!

MC

by **mumpkees** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 6:53 pm

Karen's (above) quote: Festus has changed the way you look at the world, and every emotion you have down the road will be tempered by your short journey with Festus - could not be more true.

I am so sorry that Festus was called home, but we are all put upon this earth with a job to do. Festus's job was done but I think you know what that job was. With his brief stay here he made many people aware of how special these little ones truly are and now because he touched so many hearts, another little girl is going to get a chance for a family and to be loved. How truly special you were Festus............ Run with the wind little angel Festus.

Looking forward to hearing about Flora. Bless you Cheryl.......

by **cmmelton** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 12:46 pm

Okay all....little Flora is a chubby little thing and she eats very well..she plays and seems very happy...BUT she has not defecated. She got in the litter pan and just wanted to eat the litter! She did urinate on her towel last night. I tried to stimulate her this morning and got a drop or two...but nothing else.
How normal is this and what do I do now? I don't want anything bad to happen to Flora!
Thanks!
Cheryl

by **critters** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 1:29 pm

Try some of the poop on demand ideas in the sticky on the incontinence bb.

by **CarolC** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 6:15 pm

I'm hoping someone with more kitten experience will answer the "what to do". They say not to use clumping litter because it causes blockage if the kitten eats it--hope you've got plain clay or something like that?

by **Diana R.** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 8:56 pm

Cheryl:

Flora may be constipated which I was told by my vet a couple years ago when I brought little Oscar in (He was one of three two-week old kittens that kids were giving away at a grocery store) is common with kittens. You may want to try some lactolose but I would probably take her to the vet. I don't know what your resources are. I would also not use the clumping litter right now especially if she is eating it. Diana

by **cmmelton** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 9:50 pm

thanks all! I am changing the litter...didn't know that! so thanks on that...for now I put in torn up paper. I am getting her to the vet for a full check up...in the meantime, I found poop in the kennel! so yay on that! She is the sweetest thing ever! I will try to post more pics to show her legs, but need to downsize the pics first.

by **cmmelton** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 10:11 pm

Here are pics of Flora....what do you think about her legs?

by **CarolC** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 10:57 pm

I think she's the most perfect kitten I have ever seen. Can you tell if her joints in her legs are frozen, or do they bend? Her little nursery crate is so thoughtful of you, she must love it. :wub:

by **Diana R.** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 12:17 am

Flora's legs look like my cat Rupert's whose are twisted inward at the taursus. He kinda walks like a crab but is able to climb pretty much anywhere. Rupert was in the feral cat room of the shelter I use to volunteer at in 2004. One of the other volunteers pointed him out to me. I had asked what was going to happen to him and was told by the kennel manager that after his holding period he would be "humanely" euthanized. I told her about my cat Simon who has paralyzed back legs and offered to take him and even pay the adoption fee. She thought about it for 2 seconds and said no. One of the other volunteers was so upset that she called her supervisor. Long story short she relented and four years later he is doing just fine and is a very loving cat. Diana

by **cbsmemds** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 8:54 am

Great for you and Flora. I am glad you found each other. Maddie, my cat, who has twisted legs, along with posterior paralysis, has taught me so much, more than I ever thought she would, about love. She is the best gift God ever gave me. I have had her for over a year now and she is doing really well. She can pee/poo on her own, but doesn't realize that she has gone, due to her paralysis. I try to express her poo everyday before placing her in a diaper. The diaper allows her to be able to be a cat, she can scoot around faster than most of my "normal" cats can run and she routinely chases them down.

The expressing method I use to stimulate her rectum is I place two fingers around her rectum and gently squeeze it. It seems to work most of the time.

You are in for such a great journey with her, full of surprises (good ones) and lots of love.

God Bless you both

by **TenHouseCats** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 9:08 am

second photo needs a caption like, "different is PURRFECT!" what a sweetheart, and i echo the comment about what a great nursery you have for her. such a lucky little girl; i'm so glad you've found each other.

MC