Cat With Twisted Legs Learns To Walk After Multiple Surgeries

It is a whole new life for Duncan after his surgeries.

Fhilcar

• Published in Animal Stories
• January 8, 2022

It was March when the three-week-old kitten named Duncan arrived at the Ester Neonatal Kitten Alliance. His twisted hind legs were not a rare condition at all, and they had helped many kittens with the same condition already, according to its director, Andee Bingham.

But unlike those other kittens that were just days old and whose legs were flexible enough for them to straighten through physical therapy and massage, Duncan’s case was different. His were already sized up when he was brought to Alliance.

They tried all possible means – water therapy, physical therapy, splinting, and massage – but none of them worked. Alliance did not waste time to find the right specialists and surgeons to help them fix his legs.

It was a long six-month search, and they already felt frustrated as no one heeded their call. As everyone fell in love with the sweet Duncan, they only wished for his wellness and the best life he deserves.

September came, and a glimmer of hope has shown upon him as Dr. Krebs of Ashville’s Upstate Vet Specialty Care examined Duncan. The proposed procedure and recovery plan won’t be easy, but it will surely give him a chance to walk and play around.

Read more of Duncan’s story and find out what happened after multiple surgeries were made on his hind legs. You will see how a fighter this kitty is.

Here is Duncan when he was three weeks old. The kitten had twisted legs.

Alliance spent several months trying to straighten his legs.

We have helped more than a dozen kittens with twisted legs this year. They usually come to us at just a few days old, when their legs are malleable enough that we’re able to straighten them with massage and physical therapy.

Unfortunately Duncan’s legs were already very seized up by the time we met him. We spent several months trying everything — massage, physical therapy, water therapy, splinting — nothing worked. - Andee Bingham

Finally, a proposed procedure and recovery plan has been laid.

It was frustrating, to say the least. Duncan had grown into such a sweet, loving boy. Everyone who met him fell in love.

We just wanted him to have the quality of life he deserved. It was heartbreaking that there seemed to be no answers.

The procedure and recovery he proposed wasn’t going to be easy, but it gave Duncan a good chance at eventually being able to run and play with his friends. - Andee Bingham

Here's a video of Duncan as he joyfully plays with a ribbon.

Duncan loved playing with a ribbon! If he can’t use his legs to get to the fun, we’ll bring the fun to him! We’re still waiting to hear back from the surgeon about scheduling his leg surgery, but hopefully, it’ll happen within the next week or so. - Andee Bingham

His surgery was finally set in October.

Today he spent some time laying in the grass, batting at bugs, and feeling the breeze on his face. Before we know it, he’ll be zooming all over the place, so we’re taking advantage of this time when we can bring him outside without him being a flight risk. - Bingham

Alliance’s Director Andee Bingham with Duncan, post-surgery.

We’re grateful that he is, by nature, such a gentle and happy-go-lucky guy. - Andee Bingham

Duncan finally takes his first stand.

Duncan’s foster mama is getting creative with his physical therapy! Here he is being propped up with a box so he can learn to stand up on his legs to eat. - Andee Bingham

Duncan slowly takes his first steps.

Once he’s stronger and more confident we’ll start teaching him how to walk. A lot of us will definitely cry happy tears when he does that on his own for the first time! - Andee Bingham

The best thing was seeing him play with other cats.

It’s been a long journey, and I’m so excited to see him run and play like his other cat friends. - Andee Bingham

Duncan is taking one day at a time until he fully recovers. Thanks to Alliance and the team of surgeons who worked hard to correct Duncan's condition.

It was not hard to care for and love Duncan, and everyone cried as they saw him take his first step. The wait was finally over!

Fhilcar