Thread: My kitten born with carpal hyperextension!

Hi everyone

I am new here and need some advice please.

My husband spoiled me for my birthday and bought me the most adorable Maine Coon kitten. She came from a breeder of long standing and a very good reputation.
She is 15 wks and has been at home with us for a fortnight, today.

Last week whilst watching her play, I realised how noisy footed she is, particularly on our wooden floors and compared to our BSH's. Its a real thud thud. I thought this may be because of her big feet and not being used to the breed traits, I started looking for comments from others. However, yesterday within a 8hr period, she went from being lively and bouncy, to be lethargic and not eating/drinking. Not wishing to wait, we whipped her into animal E.R.

She was found to have a very high temperature and was dehydrated (which I knew - despite giving her fluids by syringe). They duly treated her and told me to get her checked today at our own vet.

I have just returned from there, where they dealt with the more pressing issues and then I asked them to watch her walk. I have noticed over the past couple of days that she appears to walk on her front legs, with her front feet loose in front. (If a human - is would be like walking on the heels of your hands - with fingers up in the air or just flopping in front)

The vet saw what I saw and upon checking them, was able to bend her toes right back to her legs! Panda did not flinch. She showed no signs of pain or discomfort at all.
Obviously there is a birth defect at play but I can find nothing on the internet that discusses carpal hyperextension 'from birth'. There is lots about after landing from height and injury but nothing congenital.

Please does anyone else have any information or experience of this? I would like to try to find out a prognosis for the future. Our vet suggests X-rays but not until she is a year old, giving her time to grow. My concern is that as she gets bigger, she will be in pain. My vet could not comment, as she has not seen this before.

Also, without trying to sound mercenary, she was very expensive and we had to sign a document accepting full responsibility, after 5 days. I am not saying I would give her up, I am just trying to weigh up all the pros and cons with the future in mind too.

Your comments and advice would be most gratefully received.

Sarah