Thanks Lori. Aren't they just too cute? My they have grown since these pics. I promise more soon. Tuffy continues to amaze me. Yesterday, he jumped off the back of the couch after Buddy. Not something I want to encourage, but he was fine, just looked at me like, "What's the problem?"
Nora
I second that, they really are way too cute!!!
Cute PLUS attitude! I bet Smokey Mach one is sitting on her cloud at the Bridge, her tail curled around her with a sweet smile on her lips to think of her little namesake. She looks like a little bowlegged cowboy.
Do you think they may need ramps in the future? Are they able to groom okay?
Kim
Tuffy is the one with the bowed front legs and badly twisted hind legs. Smokey has one bowed front leg. But so much has changed since these pics. First, one of Tuffy's front legs straightened and the other became more bowed. This led to the only drag sores as the bowed front leg was contacting the floor in a different spot. I put a dressing on it for a couple of days and then just used antibiotic ointment until it healed. It calused and there were no more problems. Now both front legs are straight! His hind legs will always be crippled as there is missing bone. But he has built up ligaments and muscle over time, making them more stable.
Smokey can do anything and get anywhere any kitten can and Tuffy is trying his best to catch up with her. We had a ramp in the condo for awhile so he could get up to the lowest bench, but I have taken it out now. He can get on the lowest bench and the next one up without help. That second bench is about 2 ft. high, the same level as the couch seat which he also gets up with ease. Maybe as they age, they may need ramps if arthritis developes, but I don't see that in the near future.
They have no problem with grooming and Tuffy can even scratch his shoulders with one of those twisted hind legs. They are out in the house much of the day now and they don't slow down. They can keep up with any of the other cats and both Boots and Buddy wash them. Buddy is really attached to Tuffy. He is huge beside that kitten, but he wrestles with him and is so gentle.
I put them in the condo when the Boston pup is running loose because she is only 7 months old and plays pretty rough. But I'm beginning to introduce them with the pup on a leash. Also, they are in the condo when Princess and Sweetheart are out in the house. I can't have Sweetheart out all the time, but they are out for a couple of hours every evening. Princess is so tiny, only 5 lbs and she never puts on weight, but she gets pretty nasty with the other cats. The kittens would have a problem defending themselves. She even goes over to their condo and hisses at them. Lori and I think she is missing some connections in her head. Ha!
I've decided to update the kittens on this thread since it has their pictures. They are 6 months old now and so much has changed. Tuffy's front legs are as straight as any cat's and he has developed so much strength in his hindquarters that he can raise them from the floor. He still resembles a seal when he moves. He can get on any chair or sofa in the house now and when he jumps, he does so very gracefully.
Smokey's front leg is also very nearly straight too.
The kittens are out of the condo from 7AM until between 10 and 11 PM now except for the hour my girls and Gismo are out of my room. Gismo is rough with the cats and Princess slaps them pretty hard. They have no limitations. Gracie, the Boston pup, has learned how to play with them and is no problem anymore.
I'm still discovering extra toes on Tuffy. What I thought was extra pads on his hind feet have turned out to be toes. I found this when I was clipping his nails. There was a nonretractable claw growing straight out of the bottom of each. And I have discovered a tiny dew claw on the back leg. That brings his total to 6 on each bact foot and 5 on the front ones. Smokey has 6 on each foot.
They are growing fast and really just normal kittens. They really have few special needs, just keeping them safe and regular nail clipping.
Hi Nora
Thanks for the update on the kittens. So glad they are doing good.
Thanks for taking such great care of them
marla
That's wonderful news, Nora. I've updated both of them for Monday, and it's a wonderful Half-year Birthday present, isn't it?
Huggles and continuing prayers
Marf
Totally precious and adorable!!
I love to hear how well they are doing.. it really is amazing that with the right love and care how far they can come.
Thank your for being such a great mom to them!!Hugs
Julie
Enjoyed all your comments. Something brand new with Tuffy. He is using his hind feet when he moves. That is so amazing since he has missing bone in in both hind legs. Apparently, nerves are all connected.
I saw the update, Marf. Thanks.
Miracle cats for sure, Nora! It's clear that this pair isn't about to let a few "minor" infirmaties get in the way of their play!
What a happy update!
Hugs
marion
Nora you and Iare so much alike we have 2 special need cats nd 4 special need dogs.I am drawn more tothe older animinals and special need ones too like yu.
Stanleyand I can no longer work with special need kids even at church b\ butwe havea heart for specila need furkidsnand that maters too nomatter how long or how short we have them they leavea huge paw print on uor heart when they go tothe bridge.I thank you for doing this my friend and right here wilbe a-ok withme too
LOve y Heidi
P.S.Lori thaks forthe pcs theyare so adorable I just wnat tohold them and kiss them too h
heidi
Survivor of Many Things