When Button arrived at Helen Woodward Animal Center in late October, he was in pain. The six-week-old kitten was found in LA with one of his rear legs severely malformed. The leg had an intact thigh bone and paw, but he was missing the lower part of his leg. This left Button unable to move as well as a kitten his age should. His constant discomfort made it impossible for him to live life the way he deserved. His leg was not just a physical obstacle—it was a source of constant pain.
Our dedicated medical team went straight to work, prioritizing Button’s comfort and pain relief. Medical Director, Dr. Alexis Siler, decided Button’s best option would be to perform a carefully planned amputation to remove the damaged limb, giving the kitty a chance to live a pain-free, active life.
“Dr. Siler did a really wonderful job. It was a clean surgery, it was fast,” Veterinary Assistant Maddi Spillane said. The team carefully dissected part of the bone, transected muscles, and avoided major veins and blood vessels to ensure the procedure was a success. They amputated to the femur, preserving the integrity of Button’s remaining leg for the best possible recovery.
The results were nothing short of remarkable. Button’s recovery was swift, and his pain was gone. “We can all attest to the fact that his character really improved after the surgery,” Spillane said. Button’s transformation from suffering to free movement has been incredibly rewarding for everyone involved.
“Part of their journey is seeing them go from afflicted and in pain to seeing them recover and be able to live more freely,” Maddi said. “Being able to see that is just so special,”
