Melody Kitty's Brittle Bone Disease

Last Thursday, my kitty Melody hurt herself simply trying to jump up a short distance. Again. This is the fifth time in her lifetime that I know she's injured herself doing something that wouldn't bother most cats. At first, we thought her injuries were simply sprains; then, our vet thought it might be hip dysplasia. But this most recent injury led to an x-ray consult from the U of M, and now we know that she has actually broken bones in her back legs multiple times. Their assessment based on the x-rays is that she has Osteogenesis Imperfecta, more commonly known as Brittle Bone Disease.

Brittle Bone disease is a rare genetic disorder that affects human children and other mammals. The bones are deficient in collagen, making them prone to breakage.  Melody needs orthopedic surgery to help mend this fracture, and she will need life-long treatment to help her bones get stronger, although I'm not certain human-developed medications for this disease can be tolerated by cats.

Melody's surgery may require metal pins or even a metal rod inserted into the affected bone to help support it. I've found widely-ranging costs for orthopedic surgery for cats, so the amount is my best guess for what we need for her surgery and related treatment. We need to have this surgery as soon as possible, before scarring occurs on the bone.

Melody is only 8 years old, and in otherwise excellent health. She is sweet and intelligent, and a wonderful companion animal. Please help her live a few more years.

Also, even if you cannot donate, please share this on Facebook. My Facebook account login has been broken for months now, and I cannot post it there. Thank you!