Video answer: Helping Kittens with Twisted Leg / Swimmers Syndrome // Information and Physical Therapy
Best answer to the question «Should I euthanize a kitten with twisted legs?»
Answered by Ebonie Luong on Thu, Sep 29, 2022 7:30 AM
Many veterinarians are not familiar with a kitten being born with twisted legs. If the owner takes a kitten born this way to a veterinarian, it is not unusual for the veterinarian to assume the kitten is permanently deformed and recommend euthanasia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Those who are looking for an answer to the question «Should I euthanize a kitten with twisted legs?» often ask the following questions:
😻 Can kittens be born with twisted legs?
We began to receive reports and photos of kittens born with twisted legs from around the globe. Kittens were born this way in all breeds—from show cats to feral cats—in small litters and huge litters. We were amazed. We decided to follow the progress of individual cases. This led to more follow-up articles including:
When euthanasia is necessary, it typically takes place after the working day. That could be a long, frightening wait for your cat. When the time comes, a cat will be euthanized via an injection to the leg. This will not be painful. At worst, your cat will feel a sharp scratch when the injection is administered.
😻 How do you stabilize a twisted leg on a cat?
If the front leg twists from the "wrist" hold the leg still between the cat's body and the wrist. If the hind leg is twisted from the hock, stabilize the leg by holding it firmly over the stifle joint between the body and the point of the hock.
If you have a kitten born with twisted legs, don't panic. Make sure the kitten can pull itself into position to nurse. Occasionally the twisted legs prevent a kitten from competing with its littermates to reach and attach to the mother's nipple.
Thank you so much for supporting our continued efforts to help Kittens Born with Twisted Legs. Occasionally a kitten is born with one or more legs that appear twisted. The cause of the abnormality is contracted tendons.
A small donation of just $25 can make a big difference in a kitten's life. Thank you so much for supporting our continued efforts to help Kittens Born with Twisted Legs. Occasionally a kitten is born with one or more legs that appear twisted. The cause of the abnormality is contracted tendons.
If the kitten's leg is severely twisted, you may have to brace it in between the stretching exercises in order to help it straighten. If the kitten needs to have the legs braced, do not delay.
Video answer: A tiny kitten was at risk for euthanasia due deformity in his front legs
The kitten on the left has one back leg with contracted tendons. The littermate on the right has both hind legs twisted the articles Contracted Tendons and Photos Of Kittens Born With Twisted Legs.
As the kitten grew inside its pregnant mother, there was not enough room for the legs to lay normally or to move, so the legs twisted as they grew and became stiff because they were unable to move and flex. When we first published the article about twisted legs the response was beyond our expectations.
Occasionally the twisted legs prevent a kitten from competing with its littermates to reach and attach to the mother's nipple. If the kitten is having problems nursing, you may need to hold the kitten in position so it can suckle without being pushed aside by its littermates.
Occasionally a kitten is born with a leg that appears twisted that is caused by contracted tendons. The leg is turned inward and the affected joint is stiff with a knotty feel. It can affect either front and hind legs and one or more legs.
A single kitten may be affected in a litter or more than one kitten may be born with twisted legs. There may be a statistically increased chance of a cat giving birth to a kitten with contracted tendons if the queen has a very large litter or if the queen herself has a small uterus.
The kitten on the left has one back leg with contracted tendons. The littermate on the right has both hind legs twisted. A kitten can be born with one limb affected (unilateral) or two front legs or two hind legs affected (bilateral).
Video answer: Rescue 3 kittens were in danger of euthanized because one of them is missing a leg
As soon as you notice the newborn kitten has twisted legs, begin the Stretching & Flexing Exercises described below. Newborn kittens are growing very fast so the opportunity to stretch the shorted tendon and correct the leg's position is the most favorable in the first few weeks of life.
The legs appear twisted—a condition that is the result of Contracted Tendons. Contracted tendons are not genetic but are most likely the result of poor positioning of the fetus inside the amniotic sac and crowding in the uterus.
We began to receive reports and photos of kittens born with twisted legs from around the globe. Kittens were born this way in all breeds—from show cats to feral cats—in small litters and huge litters. We were amazed. We decided to follow the progress of individual cases. This led to more follow-up articles including:
Zoo animals including African Servals & Tigers have also been known to give birth to newborns with contracted tendons. A single kitten may be affected in a litter or more than one kitten may be born with twisted legs.
The hind leg turns inwards from the point of the hock so that it crosses underneath the kitten's belly. The degree of the turn inward can be mild or so severe that the hind foot is twisted upside down. The entire lower hind leg is twisted inwards in a semicircular fashion from the hock down.
Contracted tendons is a condition, not a deformity. Left untreated, it can develop into a permanent deformity, however. If you have a kitten born with twisted legs, don't panic. Make sure the kitten can pull itself into position to nurse.
Your goal is to euthanize your cat before he or she begins to suffer, but you also don’t want to euthanize too early. If your cat has been diagnosed with stomach cancer, talk to your veterinarian about how you can monitor your cat’s quality of life and determine appropriate timing for euthanasia.
Once kidney failure has occurred, the decision to euthanize a cat with polycystic kidney disease is often discussed with the veterinarian. The best way to prevent polycystic kidney disease in cats is to practice selective breeding.
If the paw is not curled under, it does not need to be part of a brace. If the paw curls under, extend the brace and bend it to keep the paw in a normal position. It is important to try to get the twisted leg corrected before the kitten begins walking. Bracing is optional before the kitten begins to walk depending on how severe the twisting may be.
There may be a statistically increased chance of a cat giving birth to a kitten with contracted tendons if the queen has a very large litter or if the queen herself has a small uterus. It should be noted however that twisted kittens have been born in single kitten litters, so litter size is not a reliable predictor.
The degree of bending and twisting may be slight or the front leg may be twisted almost 180 degrees. The hind leg is bent backwards from the point of the hock. The hind leg turns inwards from the point of the hock so that it crosses underneath the kitten's belly.
The point of this story is to let you know that cats are tough little survivors, that there's no reason to euthanize an otherwise healthy cat with a broken leg, and that your cat can indeed adjust and live a happy life indoors with you.
Due to the severity of the condition, many owners make the decision to euthanize at this point. The most common signs of a cat with heart failure is respiratory distress. Cats will often come into the clinic with open mouth breathing, unfavorable gum and tongue color, vocalization, along with extreme stress.
If the kitten is splaying the hind legs out to the side, connect the legs to one another in a "hobble" by running a twist of tape or vet wrap between the two hind legs, leaving it long enough for the kitten to take a step but not so lose that it can splay the legs out sideways. The kitten should be able to stand upright and walk with the braces.
The leg is bent under at the wrist and twisted inwards. The degree of bending and twisting may be slight or the front leg may be twisted almost 180 degrees. The hind leg is bent backwards from the point of the hock. The hind leg turns inwards from the point of the hock so that it crosses underneath the kitten's belly.
You can then euthanize your cat or have it done for you by your vet. To euthanize a cat, the veterinarian will usually resort to euthanasia. This can be very expensive.
If your cat has been diagnosed with congestive heart failure, you should euthanize your cat when it begins experiencing these serious symptoms: While it might seem like an impossible decision, if your cat is experiencing these symptoms and has already been diagnosed with heart failure, you should absolutely put him/her down.
There's no need to euthanize for this reason. A diabetic cat can be managed quite easily once the blood glucose level is regulated. Your question was cut off, but you can discuss the care and feeding of a diabetic cat with your (or his) veterinarian. You can also request a consultation and we can discuss the situation in more detail.
Video answer: Kitten was scheduled to be euthanized because of her abnormally short and twisted forelegs