Help These Tiny Legs Stand Tall
When Mantis arrived at our Adirondack Region Cat Adoption Center, the team immediately noticed something wasn’t right. The small, black kitten moved with an awkward, crouched gait because his back legs didn’t straighten properly.
After being transported to our Pet Health Centers at North Shore Animal League America, x-rays revealed what lay beneath the surface: a significant congenital deformity in both of Mantis’s hind legs. His fibulas – the small bones that help stabilize the lower limbs – had stopped growing prematurely, while his tibias continued, causing both legs to curve and twist painfully inward.
“This kind of angular limb deformity puts abnormal pressure on the knees and joints,” explained Dr. Mark Verdino, Animal League America Chief of Veterinary Staff. “He’s still growing, and without intervention, it’s likely to get worse and eventually extremely painful.”
Mantis is only four and a half months old, but the treatment he requires is far beyond his size. This tiny kitten is now facing multiple surgeries and months of recovery. Cases like his demand time, expertise and significant financial investment. But at North Shore Animal League America, we believe that every life is worth saving, no matter how complex the path ahead may be.
The surgical plan’s first step is a procedure to remove a section of the fibulas, reducing pressure and possibly allowing the tibias to straighten slightly as Mantis continues to grow. Later on, once his bones mature, he’ll likely need a second surgery to realign his legs and kneecaps.
Will he ever walk perfectly? We don’t know. But we’ll do everything we can to give him the best possible outcome. Mantis is currently recovering from his first surgery and has amazed everyone with his trust and affection. He doesn’t know his future depends on specialized medical care, he only knows he’s finally safe.