eloquence

I adopted a kitten a few months ago from the veterinary clinic I work at. She has a birth defect: Her left rear leg is missing from the hock down, but has a piece of paw pad on the stump. She's really cute and sweet. Very sassy like her mama. Anyway, because of this birth defect, she is having some issues. She uses the limb to walk on as if the paw was there. Her pelvis and back are starting to warp and her muscles and tendons are beginning to tighten and, I believe, fuse. I spoke with a vet that I work with about this today and explained to her how her vertebre are kinking and how her back is warping. More or less, she may have compression on her lower spinal cord due to the bones twisting oddly. She is only 8 months old, but because of her being painful, we may have to start her on Cosequin or something similar. The doctor I spoke to recommended that I have a specialist that visits our hospital on occassion take a look at her. She is an orthopedic surgeon. I'm not sure if I should have the specialist look at Gypsy or not yet. I don't want her to be in pain at all... The vet I spoke with said that the specialist may opt to try removing Gypsy's whole leg (what there is of it anyway), so that she can't use the limb at all or may be more invasive. Yes there is such a thing as being more invasive than amputation. Now, I'd do anything for this kitten. She's my daughter, simply put. Her big brother, Pharaoh, has urinary issues and I'd do anything for him as well. What do you guys think? Should I have the specialist take a peak at her or should I try the joint supplement? I really don't have the funds for any sort of surgical procedure, but I will come up with it if needed. Advice? Please?

Lots of love,
Eloquence