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jfms.com Birth defects are structural or functional congenital mal-formations arising from errors during fetal develop-ment.1 They can either modify an isolated portion of a body system, the complete system or parts of several systems.2 Malformations of the extremities have variable manifestations: they range from the lack of a single struc-ture to partial or complete absence of the limbs.3 Congenital limb deformities have only been rarely reported in the cat.4–9 This report describes the macroscopical and radio-graphical findings in a kitten referred to the Department of Veterinary Public Health at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Messina, Italy. The study was performed in a 2-month-old, male kitten, belonging to a colony of strays. The kitten was reported to have been born with a deformed right fore limb. There was no known trauma during birth or the neonatal period. The subject was unable to use the leg. Physical examination revealed a shortened limb that ended, at the level of the carpus, in a stump without digits; a nail was present at the level of the first pha-lanx and on the palmar surface only two footpads were present. No skin changes were present (Figures 1 and 2). Mediolateral and dorsopalmar view radiographs were made. The radiographs showed an absence of phalanges. The first metacarpal and the proximal and distal phalanges of digit 1 were present. The deformed metacarpal bones were reduced in length; the carpal bones were incompletely ossified consistent with the age of the kitten (Figure 3). On follow-up radiographical examination 4 months later, the carpal bones appeared deformed and radius and ulna were shortened when compared with the contralateral limb (Figure 4). At the Unilateral forelimb partial aphalangia in a kitte