My stray kitten has back leg issues & spine dip. How do I care?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I strongly recommend taking the kitten to the vet. She may have an injury to that leg, or to her back. She may require x-rays if a fracture is suspected. in the meantime keep her confined to a small area such as a dog crate - room enough for sleeping, food, water and litter box but no running or playing. Do not give her any pain medications as many are toxic to cats.

Hi ! Your kitten needs to see a vet ASAP, to understand if there is a proble with her pelvis or with her back. The longer she is left, the less chance she has to recover sadly. Also she is going to be in a lot of pain which is also a big concern. I hope she can be treated and she can go back to full health soon. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach !

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. This is likely a genetic malformation during birth. The only thing I would watch out for is pain in the affected leg and any abrasions from the leg dragging on the ground. Otherwise, she should be able to adapt to her malformation. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

You can keep him clean and comfortable and see if the control of his rear legs will return. He may be permanently paralyzed though. I like to support these animals, putting something underneath their stomach if needed, to get them standing with their rear legs underneath in a normal position. If he gets stronger when you have him standing he may improve. Usually they will start to move their legs in a few weeks if they are going to improve. If he remains paralyzed you can purchase or make a cart or wheelchair for him so he can walk around on his own. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for this kitten.

I would still recommend taking your kitten into the veterinarian to have an x-ray performed. She may have fractured the leg and just have a small hairline fracture without bone displacement. She would still need a splint or cast placed to help the bone heal. She may also benefit from some pain medication as well. As for the blood in her stool, I would recommend having a fecal examination performed by your veterinarian. It is very common for young kittens like this to have intestinal parasites that need to be treated with specific dewormers. There are other causes of blood in the stool as well such as dietary indiscretion, foreign bodies, viruses, or stress. Your kitten will likely need antibiotics and a dewormer to help the diarrhea clear up. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could potentially be due to trauma, infectious or neurological. If you are able to, I would recommend having a veterinarian examine him so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. Unfortunately, there is not much you can do without know for sure what this could be. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns. You could take him in your house and make sure he is cage rested in case this is an injury and see how he does with cage rest.

Often young kittens recover well from injuries given enough time. I would let him do what he wants as long as he’s getting around now. I expect him to improve and not become worse or paralyzed. He may never be perfect but if he’s able to walk and run an isn’t painful then he can live a normal life. Having an exam would be good when you can. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for your kitten.