Need help from all the Kitty people

[RoadGumby]

Hello all,

I am hoping to hear from all the cat lovers here on Freep.

I am the new owner of a kitten that has some deformities from birth.

Her front paws are not fully formed and lack any claws at all. This is the best of her deformities.

On the other end, she is lacking her back feet. She has her upper thigh (Femur?) and then the next bone(s) that would be the same as our Tibia and Fibia. And that is all.

She is about 4 weeks old and was brought into the animal clinic my wife works at. They were going to put her down, but we decided (even though we already have 7 cats) to take her in and give her a chance.

What I need is information and or resources to use to figure out how to help her. She does try to walk and get around, but has obvious traction problems. The BIGGEST hurdle I see is getting her litter box trained.

We have named her Grace.

Any help information wise would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

[patriot08]

As a cat person, I just want to say God bless you for trying to help this little creature.

[GQuagmire]

Kitty ping

[keats5]

I once had a cat a missing front leg and a missing eye. He was caught in a trap.

He was able to use the litter box, but unable to cover up his poop afterward. It wasn’t a big deal. As far as the mobility, she’ll either learn to walk on what she has, which is certainly possible, or live a sedentary life. It is what it is.

My immediate concern would be whether any internal organs are similarly unformed, especially the heart. What you see on the outside may be a reflection of what is going on on the inside.

[mnehring]

It seems she may have an issue climbing over the lip of the litter box. Maybe get one like the igloo litter boxes that has a little ramp they go up, then use a dremel to carve out the little lip so she doesn't have to climb over it. It is deep enough, losing that shouldn't case any spill over.

[spokeshave]

My immediate concern would be whether any internal organs are similarly unformed, especially the heart. What you see on the outside may be a reflection of what is going on on the inside.

Cat scan Stat.

[SeaHawkFan]

We have a cat that we love. However, given your situation, I would put the cat to sleep.

I shall now duck my head and incur the wrath of cat lovers who think cats are no different than humans.

[Smokeyblue]

I just googled this site. Maybe it will help.

HandicapPets.Com

Products, services and support for special needs pets

http://www.handicappedpets.com/

If You Care for an Older, Injured, or Disabled Pet, You Have Come to the Right Place! A Dog Wheelchair & the 250+ Pet Health products will make them mobile again ready to Play & get the Exercise for a more Happy & Healthy Life.

Help & Support Community

[Darnright]

It can be done. Meet Gracie:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKPp4j-YQ00

Amelio’s humans got him a little cart:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCyCvwGdAQU&feature=related

Remember, cats are amazing athletes and this little kitty will have the ability to motivate, some way, some how. As for litter training, perhaps a modified, shorter-walled box would help her learn.

[Lazamataz]

I think we have our new Viking Kitty.

[Slings and Arrows]

Contact Best Friends in Utah. They have lots of experience with special-needs animals.

[mardi59]

This site might help.

http://www.messybeast.com/disabled.htm

[Twinkie]

Animals have a way of quickly, and Gracefully, adapting to any inadequacy they have.

[peteyd]

Give the kitten a chance and see how it progresses.
I agree with you about the possibility of the kitten being put to sleep.No shame in that.
I’ve had to do the same with my cats.
Heartbreaking no matter what.

[miss marmelstein]

Lots of good ideas here already. As a volunteer with the ASPCA, I recommend a phone call to them or even bring the little one into the shelter to get immediate advice. We have lots of deformed and disabled cats at the ASPCA. They are not euthanized, they are given away to people to care for them. People like you! Good luck.

[Mercat]

Actually, I’m a cat lover too and that was my thought.

[Migraine]

We had an orange tabby named Grace. She lived about 10 years. Her sister, Griffey, lived 16 years (until just last year). We always name our cats, always fixed-females, after baseball players.
I’m not making a particular point — just that I like cats, plus a tidbit FWIW.

[MEG33]

Bless you for trying to save the kitten.

[pabianice]

We have a kitty with front flippers -- no long bones in front legs. He's 20 and still going strong. Low mileage, you know. Yes, traction problems, but so sweet. Will take patience on your part. Bless your kindness.

[Cowgirl of Justice]

There is a man on ebay who makes and sells the pet carts at a deeply discounted rate. He is doing it because he needed one for his pet and couldn’t afford what was being offered so he started a foundation and began making affordable pet carts for handicapped pets. Should be easy to find.

Much luck and many blessings to you and yours.