Twisted Limbs in Kittens

Many vets will never see a twisted limb kitten and are unfamiliar with the condition, thus when confronted with a twisted limb kitten, many vets immediately advise euthanasia. Most vets have believed the deformities to be permanent and not correctable. Some twisted-limb kittens, like Sophia, would have had had gross deformities combined with internal abnormalities so that euthanasia is the only humane option.

Although the success in rehabilitating some kittens might suggest that others were needlessly euthanized, the actuality is that not all twisted limb kittens will grow out of the trait or be cured by splinting and physiotherapy. In Sophia's case, the entire hind end was affected, including her lower bowel. Just because some kittens are treatable, does not mean that all kittens can have the condition corrected. The converse is also true - just because Sophia was not treatable does not mean that all twisted limb kittens are untreatable. The earlier the condition is discovered, ideally at only a few days old, the better the chance of treatment being successful.

Forelimb Twisting Due to Radial Hypoplasia (Twisty Cat)

Prognosis

Some cat lovers have suggested that the legs of all afflicted kittens eventually straighten out and become perfectly normal. Caught early enough, the condition is treatable in many kittens. If only the legs are affected, there is a better chance of correcting the deformity. However, even with intensive treatment, not all kittens will recover and a cat owner must be prepared for that possibility. Cat rescuers and shelter workers are faced with an additional problem of time, resources and funding.

Both the front legs/paws and the hind legs/paws can be affected. Sometimes a single limb is affected (unilateral), sometimes (as with Sophia) the pair of limbs is affected (bilateral). Where pairs of limbs are affected, they may be equally affected or one may be more severely affected than the other. The severity varies e.g. paws curled under or sideways, limbs stiff and extended, hind limbs in the "Lotus" (yoga) position, hind limbs appearing to be put on backwards. Sophia had one "backwards" leg and one curled underneath her.

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