Kitten with leg problems

[chicklett43]

My little sisters has two 2 week old kittens and one of them, her little boy, I think has some serious problems. I wanted to know if anyone has and experience with anything like it. Like I said he's two weeks old, he is pretty overweight which I am worried about too and his legs look like they are going the wrong way... when you hold him up and look at his belly it almost looks like his feet are going backwards. I've had a LOT of experience with kittens from my family dealing with a lot of feral cats and being a colony caregiver and I have never seen anything like this. We are planning on taking him to the vet, but I wanted to see if anyone on here has had anything like this with another kitten or any other animal. He has one sister, but there were four in the litter, two of the kittens were born dead (one wasn't fully developed and the other one was just gone. My sister had to try to revive the little girl that is here now.) His sister, Sapphire, we are thinking has a dwarfism, so obviously their mom has some issues in the first place. I'm just worried about the little guy, his name is Onyx, so I may let him come live with me when he's old enough if he can't walk or if he still has problems. He is very mobile right now but instead of using his feet like his sister does he pulls himself with his front feet and just kind of kicks his back and when he does try to use his back feet they aren't positioned like they should be. I would greatly appreciate any info at all, no matter how small. Thanks

[SammysMom]

All I can say is that the vet is your best option. There are many forms of birth defects due to many things including malnutrition. Just be sure they are eating properly and are hydrated, but I would definitely get them to the vet asap.:grouphug
They are still with their mom, right? Be sure she is eating plenty of good nutrition too.

[chicklett43]

I'll tell my sister to take him (I'm not living with her right now so I can't take him unfortunately.) The babies are still with there mom and he eats a TON, like I said he's overweight but I'm not sure if that is because of eating as much as he does or if it's something we need to be really worried about. My sister says that he potties just fine so I know it's not from a blockage or anything like that (had that happen with a kitten once, one of the saddest days of my life.) He's a happy little guy and he doesn't seem to be in pain because of it, so that's probably a good thing. He'll be going to the vet soon for sure. :thankyou :thankyou :thankyou

[grinn75]

I have never seen anything like that but from what you're describing it could be a hip issue. I also think he is probably bloated not overweight. He could be bloated due to parasites or has some other kind of intestinal issue that is causing him to bloat. Do you know is he peeing and pooping okay?

EDIT: Just saw the pooping question answered. That's good!

[stepnstone]

All I can say is that the vet is your best option. There are many forms of birth defects due to many things including malnutrition. Just be sure they are eating properly and are hydrated, but I would definitely get them to the vet asap.:grouphug They are still with their mom, right? Be sure she is eating plenty of good nutrition too.

This is the best advice I could offer also. It does sound as if it could be a birth defect which I have seen in feral and over bred animals.
Make sure the weight is not bloat. A lot of times the rolly polly on young kittens is due to parasite or they could be impacted if momma is not cleaning them properly. Be sure he is able to move his bowels.
Please give us an update as to what your vet says...

[SammysMom]

There are several things that can cause that bloated look and all need to be addressed by a vet. I had an experience with something called FIP also that definitely gives them that "roly poly" look and it is a tough diagnosis to get. I can't stress enough how important getting to the vet is. FIP is contagious and I had a real scare about my own indoor cats because I brought him into the house without testing.
Just get to the vet.

[chicklett43]

I was just checking his tummy and it's soft (not like he's starving soft, just that he's a chubber soft.) I'll get up some pictures when he's done eating and cuddling his mom. I will definitely tell you what the vet says. We will have to wait for the next pay day to take him unless he is in serious trouble. (I sound like the people I hate, but you gotta do what you gotta do... :shakehead )

[Jackie in Tampa]

:grouphug thank you for loving him...
he sounds purrrrfect to me...:Love_Icon
good luck

[chicklett43]

here are some pictures and I hope the video works too. the video is to compare the way he and his sister walk and get around. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2211692690276&set=a.1865840364184.110099.1186268606&type=1&ref=nf

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2211692970283&set=a.1865840364184.110099.1186268606&type=1&pid=2679209&id=1186268606

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=2211696250365&comments

[chicklett43]

k I forgot how to do pictures lol one second I'll figure it out

[chicklett43]

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/284546_2211692970283_1186268606_2679209_3285040_n. jpg

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/284546_2211692690276_1186268606_2679208_6378775_n. jpg


K these ones worked =) I don't know if you can really tell his legs look strange because he was wiggling non-stop so it was hard to get a decent picture.

[stepnstone]

There are several things that can cause that bloated look and all need to be addressed by a vet. I had an experience with something called FIP also that definitely gives them that "roly poly" look and it is a tough diagnosis to get. I can't stress enough how important getting to the vet is. FIP is contagious and I had a real scare about my own indoor cats because I brought him into the house without testing. Just get to the vet.

Agree!! And thanks for the "roly poly" correction, knew what I was trying to say just couldn't quite get the spelling down. :D

[chicklett43]

I didn't notice what you had posted about FIP Sammysmom. I'll go look up a few things about it and other possibilities really quickly. He'll be going to the vet as soon as we possibly can. My parents just spent a bunch of money to bring me back from UT to NV to visit them so they aren't really able to take him right this second unless he is in huge trouble (and from what I've seen of him he seems to be acting like a normal baby he just can't walk very well.) I haven't got a job right now either so I don't have any money to take him right now, I just barely moved out and I'm living with my aunt so... If I could take him right now I would though cuz I don't want anything to happen to the little cutie! I'm in love with the little stinker :D he'll have to come live with me! lol Thank you all so much for the info.

[grinn75]

His tummy looks very lopsided. Doesn't look like normal big belly kitten to me. What does everybody think about starting a dewormer just in case it is parasites?

[stepnstone]

I agree the belly does look extended but one has to be very cautious with over the counter wormers on such a young kitten. May not be such a good idea without vet approval, their little bodies are still quite fragile at this age.

[SammysMom]

I truly would get him to the vet rather than spending money on otc medications. He looks quite a bit larger that 2 weeks to me, but maybe that is just the angle of the photo.

[chicklett43]

Like I said, he was being a wiggle worm and was crawling around, he doesn't usually look lopsided. He was born on July 4th, but we are thinking they may have been a little bit overdue (we aren't exactly sure because we aren't sure when Tipper, the momma, got pregnant or even when she was in heat because she stayed outside most of the time anyway.) If he had worms or a disease or anything would he still act like a normal baby? Because he acts just like any other kitten, no throwing up, he attempts to walk (just not well...) and he sleeps normal (not too much and not too little, he sleeps when his sister does.) I don't know if that would mean anything or not... I will take him to the vet but I just wanted to get anyone's opinions so that I knew some of the possibilities and what to ask the vet about...

[SammysMom]

The FIP positive kitten that I had acted totally normal. That was what was so weird about the whole thing. I had no idea except for the bloated belly that anything was wrong. Because of that I expose my own cat to a potentially fatal illness. That is why I now spread the word at every opportunity.:soapbox
Sorry for the soapbox speech!

[chicklett43]

Thank you for spreading the word of it. Luckly the only other cats he's really come in contact with are his mom and sister and they'll go to the vet with us when we take Onyx. I've completely fallen in love with the little munchkin. Today he rolled over for me to rub his tummy and he loves his ears rubbed so much that he thumps his foot when I do it. :D He is also starting to play, silly little guy. Anyway thank you all for the input, I appreciate it so much. That's one of the many reasons I love it on this forum so much! You are all such awesome people and always so helpful, even if it's not dealing with squirrels.

[chicklett43]

I tried to post an update on Onyx the other day but I have no idea where it went so I'll put up a new one =) He is doing great! He is finally putting his legs under him to walk (about a week later than his sister.) Also, WE HAVE TEETH! I learned that one the hard way.... (I was the first one he played with when he got his new teeth... wasn't very nice about it either...) He absolutely LOVES to play with anyone and anything. His legs are still twisted so he is going to go to the vet for that but his tummy isn't as big (we've been taking him out and letting him get exercise) so I'm not quite as worried about that. His belly is acutally a good size considering he has a giant head. He'll be going to see his vet as soon as I get a job (my parents are being pains about it so the first thing I'm doing is get pet insurance for him and my two dogs.) He has completely stolen my heart and I think (or would like to think) the he really likes me too. I know I say this a lot, but thank you guys again for your concern and your input. Every person on this site are all amazing and extremely helpful. Glad I found you guys!!! :thankyou

[chicklett43]

Hey all. You probably won't read this but just in case anyone does, I have good news:hyper ! I talked to the people I live with and I get to keep Onyx!!! :wahoo I just have to wait for my first paycheck so that I can get him stuff! He can use his legs also!:jump He started walking about 7-10 days after his sister (after her first actual, belly off the floor step.) He's a little slow to try new things. It took us a long time to get him to eat the kitten food, but he does now! He also took to the litter box immediately which was a relief to me after he peed on my sister twice :D He is a fluff ball, too! I'll have to post some pictures on here of him just in case anyone wants to see him. I love the little monster and I am missing him and the rest of my family (human and pet alike) so much right now!!! Thank you guys for the help, even if my parents were being pains about it... *rolls eyes.* I don't know what I would have done without the advice! I would have been even more scared for my little man. I really am glad :Love_Icon Alan:Love_Icon led me to this site!!!

[grinn75]

Yeah! :wahoo So happy Onyx is okay and gets to stay with you. This is great news. Thanks for the update. I had been wondering.:thankyou

[chicklett43]

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/301351_2304486170055_1186268606_2807178_5640472_n. jpg
Onyx with my dad LOL they love each other!



http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/311943_2304493930249_1186268606_2807191_2716330_s. jpg
In the middle of a meow. Look and those huge paws!!! He's my little fuzz monster :D

[stepnstone]

Good news! :thumbsup Thanks for the update... :D

[Tickle's Mom]

:thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup

[grinn75]

He's adorable! :Love_Icon I think you're going to have a monster big kitty on your hands judging by the size of those paws. I don't blame you for wanting to keep him. He looks so soft and cuddly. In case you can't tell I love kitties. I have 3 of my own, 2 long hair and a short. Give that fuzzball lots of lovins! http://www.easyfreesmileys.com/smileys/free-love-smileys-929.gif (http://www.easyfreesmileys.com/facebook-smileys.html)

[chicklett43]

His paws have been huge since the day he was born so I'm guessing he'll end up giant! He was the biggest baby, too. I love cats! They are probably in my top five favorite animals... (That coming from a person who loves every animal she sees :D ) I think I've got a job, so just a few weeks for my first paycheck and he gets to come live with me!!! I am missing him so much! (Especially his cute little kisses!)