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Hello! I’m new here and I can’t find much information out there about cats born with 3 legs. 
Some background information about my tripawd. I lost my “soul-cat” (named Cosmo) unexpectedly Christmas day of 2020. I have a hard time admitting just how completely torn up I was (and still am). I rescued a 12 week old male tabby kitten about two months later in February of 2021. He wasn’t exactly what I was looking for when I went to pick out a new friend (I was being rather shallow and artificial and wanted ONLY an all white cat, subconsciously trying to ‘replace’ Cosmo…which, obviously, I’m thankful that didn’t happen) This kitten actually “picked” me out… quite literally. He was lounging in a cat tree and kept tapping me on my shoulder! Needless to say, I wanted him to come home with me. It wasn’t until the facility employee was scanning him and getting him prepared to leave that I noticed he had an awkward walk and limp. Looking closer, his rear left leg is much shorter: about half of a limb. The vet tech at the rescue explained that he was born with this malformation and he should get along just fine considering he doesn’t know any different; ie. he didn’t have to undergo any sort of adjustment period. 

I named him Ferguson (aka Fergs, Fergie). 

A week later I took him to my personal vet to get their opinion and to be educated/informed of anything I would need to know as a new tripawd Mom. My vet said the same thing and added that it’s possible he might need the rest of his limb amputated but only if it seemed to cause problems.

As he grew, his limb stayed short giving him more and more of a limp. I took him to the vet again with concern for his hips. (I’m trying to be proactive as possible and will also admit that I’m sort of a Helicopter Mom and quite over protective as a result of the sudden loss of Cosmo.) But, again, my vet said everything was fine. He checked out great in all areas of health and the vet saw no need to amputate the remaining limb nor did he observe any other health concerns. (Disclaimer - I have a tremendous amount of faith and respect for my vet. He’s cared for all of my pets which includes 5 cats and 2 dogs over the past 11 years. Also, 6 years ago he performed a very difficult surgery on another kitty of mine, saving his life, that has lived a very healthy and happy life since then).

So here we are, about 8 months old, and he has started doing what I have found somewhat common in rear leg amputees known as a backward walk or wobble. He’ll raise his left rear “nub” in the air as he sort of hops or scoots or wobbles backwards. It lasts for just a few seconds and he doesn’t appear to be in any sort of pain. He actually seems quite normal and more annoyed than anything. It seems to happen more often when he’s trying to eat. So while he’s in a front resting position. Which explains the annoyance because he’s quite glutton and doesn’t appreciate the interruption of his eating lol 

Long story short, I haven’t found any information at all on this behavior being observed in a cat that was born as a tripawd. Only in recent amputees. I’m taking him to the vet soon but was curious if anyone else has any experience with this behavior. Especially if it’s been with a non-amputee. 
From what I’ve read, it sounds like phantom limb with gabapentin and massages for help. 

I guess my concern though, is if he might have nerve damage from the birth defect or an underlying nerve issue that may have even caused the defect.

Any thoughts?

Does anyone else have a birth defected kitty with this behavior? 

I appreciate your time and any advice or feedback!! 

Thank you for allowing us to join such a great, helpful, beneficial and HOPEFUL community!! 

Corina and Fergs