Kim,

Angel's problems sound very similar to my Felicia's problems. Felicia's one leg is more deformed than the other. She has no elbow joint. The bones missed during growth and her leg is permanently fused at a 90 degree angle. If and when the time comes, I will have it amputated. The surgery suggested by the specialist sounded horribly painful to me. Felicia's other leg is bowed, much like Angel's it sounds.

If it helps at all, neither problem slows Felicia down in any way. She takes flying leaps off 6 foot high bookshelves onto the bed to ambush her big brothers. She runs and plays like a normal young cat. She eats well, she purrs and snuggles. She does not act like she's in pain. She's adapted remarkably well.

She's almost 3 now. My vet told me not to expect her to live past her first year. He now expects she will live a fairly normal life span. She will develop arthritis younger than most, but we can deal with that.

I call Felicia my handicapped cat. Felicia has no idea she's any different than the other cats.

Sending many prayers and good thoughts for your little Angel. I hope she does as well as Felicia.