A different kitten moral dilemma (Feline Hip Dysplasia )

[TrogL]

(fixed link)

I went and saw my step-daughter's kittens last night (see other kitten thread) and they're cute (what did you expect?) but one has something wrong with it.

It's back legs don't work properly. I suspect it's Feline Hip Dysplasia. I suggested the kitten should be put down immediately.

My step-daughter is in training to be a vet's assistant and she says she's willing to take care of it and that the kitten has the possibility of having "at least some sort of life". Her teacher has already had a look at it. She says the kitten may eventually get enough back leg muscle development to live a fairly normal life.

I'm torn. She's the expert, but it seems cruel.

[trotsky]

1. Quality of life.

For a human being, an intellectual creature, you can not have full use of your body and yet still have a full life.

It's a tough call when it comes to animals. I had to put my cat down a couple of years ago as he was battling kidney failure. I just realized things had reached a point where its was no longer about his needs, but about mine. He was suffering way too much to allow it to go on, just for my sake of not wanting to "give up".

It's her kitten, she's got easy access to vet care, I guess you have to just let her give it a chance. As long as the animal isn't suffering.

[Don_G]

2. Have You Heard About Speedy?

A kitten born without a pelvis, the vet made him a set of wheels out of a few toys.

http://www.geocities.com/speedykitten/

[geniph]

3. Hip dysplasia in a cat is VERY treatable

the treatment of choice is femoral head ostectomy (removal of the ball of the hip joint) and the recovery is unbelievable - the cat is up and walking the same day and running around like nothing ever happened in about 8 weeks. It's very different from FHO in a human; besides the fact that a cat is four-legged, not two, their muscles compensate amazingly well and fast.

One of my guys has what's called Legg-Calve-Perthes syndrome, which causes degeneration of the hip joint. The treatment is FHO. He recovered so well that I don't even know which leg we've done and which still needs to be done. There's no reason at all to put the cat down for dysplasia. They're pain-free and mobile as soon as they recover from the surgery, and the problem does not recur.

[sam sarrha]

4. I grew up on a farm, it is a different perspective... you didn't have the

time or energy to even consider taking care of lame animals, compassion was quick and painless. But, if someone else has the time and effort, no problem. We have 2 dogs and a cat all rescued, the cat has had a multiple compound fracture from a mauling, $500 and a lot of care etc, teddy has had surgery twice..about $1500, Linus the abused poodle is under constant training to not Lick holes in his feet.. its off and on. We have taken in mauled desert tortoises and fledgling doves, hurt Night Hawks.. we send the wild ones to proper Groups. Plus the regular vet check ups.. but they are our 'Kids'. It is fortunate that there are 'Other people' to help the 'other' less fortunate. we are pretty maxed out. You might want to check out Pemma Chodron's tapes and books on 'Tonglen', "Good Medicine", "When Things Fall Apart"****, "Starting Where You Are". Tonglen is a Tibetan Buddhist method for taking pain/suffering and giving relief/compassion. I highly recommend her...www.SnowLionPub.com www.SoundsTrue.com and of course you can get cheaper used books at Amazon and B/N, I changed from an angry/frustrated 30 alcoholic in a few short months to clean and sober, and fairly calm and happy. My wife was totally surprised, I made 3 meeting a week to a local Tibetan Buddhist group and did volunteer work. Now i have to drive a truck 4 weeks on/4 days off, but I have compassion for the idiot drivers who risk their precious lives and the precious lives of their families driving like fools.. a loaded truck takes over 100 Yards to stop..a football field!! lite or unloaded maybe 300 yards...dont take the space in front of them!! they cant stop and will OVER RUN you... lots of drivers run 4 hours on/4 hours off, or 5/5 -they are sleep deprived!! BE CAREFUL!!!