To Educate Those Who Are Wondering About My Special Needs Kirby!
Kirby was born with a birth defect (due to genetics) called radial aplasia, which translates to absence of bone in the radial, or arm bone. This is the more severe form of this condition. My tiny Thumbelina has the much less pronounced version called radial hypoplasia, which is curvature of the radial bones, and a slight shortening. I first heard of these kitties via the grapevine, and because there was a particular Texas woman Vicki Speir who was breeding them, and doing the talk show curcuits showing off her mutated little cats. She dubbed them "Twisty Kats" a term I abhor! :mad: It makes me think of wringing out a wet towel. :rolleyes: Kirby's condition is caused by a mutation in the genes that are responsible for polydactyl cats (or double pawed). My first R/A kitty was Willy, a cat I adored, and miss terribly. :( Here's a link to Willy's story...http://www.catfamily.com/chkittyclub.../jan/willy.htm
As many of you here on Pet Talk know, I have a weak spot for the handicats, and they are often euthanized in shelters, or die on the streets. Kirby was a shelter surrender several years ago, at a kill shelter that has since closed due to budget cuts. I had a good thing going there at the time, as they adopted out many of my cats and kittens, and also against shelter policies, if any of them came down with URI's or other problems, they called, and I came and brought them back here until they were better. They also smuggled out many cats and kittens slated for euthanasia, and I found them homes through other shelters. Kirby came in with three littermates, two that were normal, and a beatiful white kitten that looked just like my Sweet Pea. A volunteer took me out back to show them to me, and I spotted Kirby, and told the workers I wanted him and his sister as well. The comment I got back was "why would you want these deformed kittens, when there's so many healthy ones"? I told them about Willy, and showed them his photo which I carried everywhere. I heard nothing for several days, and then got a call asking me to come up there. I had no idea it was Kirby, all tested, neutered, microchipped etc! The vet that was also the shelter vet (Dr. Dunn) is my vet, and has treated many of my special needs kitties, so he had put in a good word for me! :D Kirby's sister was killed however as she had runny eyes! :( :mad: :( Big deal, they weren't infected, and Kirby has been incredibly healthy. I would have taken his sister in a heartbeat also, but it was too late for her. Kirby does have a bit of difficulty moving around, and has to balance himself on his hind legs (kangaroo style) to eat etc. His hind quarters are very well developed, and muscular, as he uses his hind legs to spring around. When he was still a kitten he managed to dislocate his hip. I took him to the vets, but as it was a free visit, I coudn't stay and wait for him. They would look at him when they had the time. By the time they looked Kirby over, his hip had popped back into the socket. :eek: He had it happen one other time a few weeks later, but it went back into the socket within an hour. No problems since! Kirby does stay in my bedroom, as there's no way he can navigate stairs without breaking his neck. I have lots of 'crash pads' arranged around the bed to cushion his jump from the bed. He has never missed the litterpan once. He's incredibly affectionate when I go to bed. He slams up against me, and gives me nose rubs, all the while I keep him balanced with a hand on his chest. He loves tummy rubs too! So that's my boy Kirby's story. ;) Feel free to ask any questions you'd like too.
