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

Hi - sorry, I might have hijacked someones thread here.. I apologise if I have. Sarah

I haven't come across it but hopefully someone will,whatever happens you should get in touch with the breeder straight away,being a good breeder she would want to be kept up to speed on her,she might even have heard of it anyway & be able to help.MC's are very heavy footed as a breed,they can't creep up on you even if they try & I along with another member on here have a cat who each have a leg that turn at such an angle they appear double jointed.MC's are a breed unto themselves,completely different from any other as no doubt you are finding out.
Will keep checking your thread to see what happens & fingers crossed for a good outcome for you & your babe x

Yes - Alfie has the 'double jointed' leg thing. Sometimes he looks like hes got two knees on each leg! Afraid I can't help with the carpal hyperextension, but can only echo what jckkerrison says and contact your breeder. Hope your baby perks up soon. Keep us updated x

Sorry have not had this with a cat before and I am surprised actually the breeder did not notice it, as when Poseidon and also an Abyssinian (which actually came right) we knew as soon as they where born there was something not right straight away.

Keep in touch with your breeder as I am sure they will want to be kept in the loop. I know what you are going through as we have been through a similar trauma with Poseidon who was fine when he was a baby, getting around and stuff, but when he grew and the leg didn't we made the decision to remove it..

Fingers crossed for you and your baby xx

I would definitely recommend talking with the breeder. A good breeder should know their own cats the best, and will be very concerned about any possible congenital health issues. I would not rely on the judgment of just one vet, but neither would I let it go and hope for the best. I don't have any experience with joint issues in pets, but there certainly are vet specialists that deal with joints and joint surgery.. I would try to see one of them if possible.

MCs are not dainty cats and can make a fair amount of noise while walking. Our girl Allie can bend her front paws (down and back) so that they nearly touch her leg. It is truly quite remarkable to see her grasp things. I don't see anything unusual about her when she is walking, however.