Watch Kitten Born With Deformed Legs Take First Steps With Custom Braces

Viewers online have been moved by a video of a rescue kitten learning to take her first steps after acquiring a set of custom-made braces for her front limbs.

Athena, who was adopted from an animal shelter in Atlanta, Georgia, after evading the euthanasia list, was born with feline radial hypoplasia—a congenital condition causing bone abnormalities in her front legs. Her owner, Madison Russell, captured the 6-month-old taking some of her first steps with the help of her new braces and decided to share the triumph online. The post, which had been shared under u/cheesecakefull7886 on October 10, has been upvoted more than 2,000 times.

Russell spoke with Newsweek about her pet's eventual victory over the life-altering condition that is rare in felines.

"She still has a long way to go, but with lots of physical therapy she's making huge strides," Russell told Newsweek. "Athena was originally surrendered for euthanasia at just a few weeks old, but was saved by a local humane society, who posted her pictures online.

"It was very obvious she had serious deformities of her front legs and as a wheelchair user, I immediately felt attached to her and knew she had to be mine."

From left: Madison Russell helps rescue kitten Athena walk in her new leg braces; and the feline as she sleeps with an arm band. The pet had been adopted from a humane society in Georgia,... From left: Madison Russell helps rescue kitten Athena walk in her new leg braces; and the feline as she sleeps with an arm band. The pet had been adopted from a humane society in Georgia, after being initially surrendered for euthanasia. u/cheesecakeFull7886

Viewers were able to see Athena successfully taking her initial steps towards Russell. The braces, carefully fitted to her front paws, guided Athena as she learned to walk, turn, and balance while being offered treats by her devoted owner. Her progress became evident as the video went on, and her journey from having no ability to walk to finally being able to move with the help of her braces has tugged at the heartstrings of viewers on Reddit.

"All Athena could do at first was slide around on the floor," Russell said. "Unfortunately, this led to pressure sores and spinal problems, so after working with a veterinary orthopedic surgeon and a rehab specialist, we decided to get her custom leg braces."

Athena, a rescue kitten in Georgia, before getting leg braces. The 6-month-old has a condition called feline radial hypoplasia and has only just become able to walk, thanks to new limb support. Athena, a rescue kitten in Georgia, before getting leg braces. The 6-month-old has a condition called feline radial hypoplasia and has only just become able to walk, thanks to new limb support. u/cheesecakeFull7886

The braces, made from cast moldings of Athena's legs, were fitted around two weeks ago. A short clip, that had been shared to Reddit on October 2, initially showed Athena's tentative first steps with the braces. The follow-up video, shared a week later, displays her taking much more confident strides with her owner also in view of the camera.

The feline's custom leg braces have provided a pivotal solution to improve her mobility and quality of life, and Russell, along with moved viewers online, could not be happier.

"While she is everything to me, it's amazing to see everyone else loves her too," Russell said. "She's such a special cat and I've been really lucky to be able to share her story with others."

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