Las Vegas Foster Mom Tapes Kitten’s Legs, But The Reason Is Not What You Think
When I first came across the story of a tiny kitten with its legs taped, my immediate reaction was one of shock. I was filled with anger, assuming it was yet another tale of animal cruelty.
But as I continued reading, I was in for a surprise. The reason behind the kitten’s taped legs is something you wouldn’t expect, so keep reading!
Nikki Martinez, a foster mom from Las Vegas, had been caring for newborn kittens for as long as she could remember.
It didn’t take long for her to notice something unusual about one of the kittens from the newest litter she welcomed into her home.
At just ten days old, Jitterbug began to show her charming personality and distinctive features.
Nikki quickly noticed that her hind legs were positioned incorrectly, moving outward in a way that resembled a frog’s posture.
A trip to the vet confirmed that Jitterbug had swimmer syndrome, a developmental condition.
While not life-threatening, the syndrome causes difficulties with movement, presenting several challenges for the little kitten.
The positive news is that swimmer syndrome can be treated if caught early, which was the case with Jitterbug. Since she was just a few weeks old, they were able to begin treatment right away.
The treatment was a bit unusual: Taping the kitten’s legs to ensure they stayed in the correct position.
It might look funny, but it’s highly effective and can help fully correct the alignment of her legs.
Nikki started taping Jitterbug’s legs to keep them tucked underneath, beginning with 45 to 60-minute sessions a couple of times each day.
This was important because the kitten was still being nursed and groomed by her mom.
At such a young age, kittens rely on their mothers to help stimulate them to go to the bathroom, which made the process a bit more challenging.
However, once Jitterbug learned to use the litter box, Nikki was able to keep the tape on for longer stretches of time.
Even though Jitterbug had her legs taped and couldn’t move like her siblings, she remained a joyful kitten. Her delightful personality shone through, and she made the most of her kittenhood.
It was as if she didn’t acknowledge her physical condition. She carried on doing everything that typical kittens do, but in her own special way.
Full of determination, she refused to let anything hold her back from living her best life.
Jitterbug’s determination and strong will quickly resulted in impressive progress.
Thanks to the taping, along with physical therapy and back massages, she began to show remarkable improvements.
She learned to walk, run, and even jump! Nikki expressed her excitement in an interview, saying:
“It’s so fantastic and I’m so excited that I get to see that she’s going to have a normal kitty life.”
Thanks to the constant support from her foster parents, Jitterbug conquered every obstacle and blossomed into a happy, healthy kitten.
Before long, she found her forever home, alongside her sister Cha Cha.
You can follow their adorable journey and get a glimpse of their everyday adventures by checking out their Instagram profile.
