Moonage Daydream spent a bit of time with the vet. It was determined that he has Angular Limb Deformity. Probably not Radial Agenesis, as that is a complete lack of that bone. This is often to do with a trauma of some sort. The foreleg has two bones in it, just like a human forearm, a radius and an ulna. During normal development, both bones grow together at the same rate to form the limb. In cases like this, something has happened to the growth plate of one of the bones like some sort of injury to the limb; an accident or trauma or what not. So now one bone grows normally, but its twin is stunted, so it causes the whole limb to twist up as growth goes forward. We received him the day after birth, but the doctor said an injury could be of any nature really, perhaps even in utero. I asked if there is any treatment. I told her I am not a vet tech, but I am a massage therapist; so if there is anything I can do to help muscles I would be happy to. She said often any treatment is actually unhelpful. Some try to splint the limb, pretty impossible with a growing kitten. Splinting and other treatments cause issues, because even if the limb is forced straight, that bone is not growing properly or naturally, so it will not make it do so. Only an area will create new bone growth, not the whole bone, so it is not fixing anything and can cause other problems. The doctor said outcome will most likely be fine. Often the leg folds up (as seems in Moonage) and just kind of stays tucked up out of the way. Sometimes the leg will drag, and can cause callous or ulcer, and may require medical intervention down the road. As it is just the one leg, he will most likely get around very well, and it probably wont be an issue. I expressed how important it was to me that things that are merely cosmetic need not be addressed just to suit human vanity. She agreed. Moonage Daydream seems to need no medical intervention, and quite honestly he doesnt know that anything is wrong with his leg. The Vet said that he will develop muscles that will help him accommodate and he should be just fine. When he grows up, he may have difficulty going down stairs, and so we will have to judge whether he should be restricted. The front legs of a cat are their springs and shock absorbers. Cats that have this issue in both front legs can cause harm to themselves going down stairs or jumping down because they dont have the ability to catch themselves and can fall on their faces and cause all kinds of other injuries. When only one leg is involved, the cat is actually much better off. If there are issues, simple things can be done like making sure there arent huge drops, installing low incline ramps and the like. Time will tell if any things need to be done, he may just surprise us all. I have cut the side of the litter-box a bit so that he can easily maneuver over it, because they are all still at the walk and wobble stage. He has no difficulty in wrestling and holding his own with his brother Starman; and if you have seen any of his videos, that little booger can climb right up the side of his nest like a little monkey! And quite honestly, look at that guy; is he not the most adorable thing you have ever seen? I think his little ooch just adds to the charm that is Moonage Daydream!
Posted on: Wed, 13 Aug 2014 23:53:51 +0000
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