Perhaps that the kitten is so young that healing of the back can be possible from proper care, I don't know the logistics but it is worth a second opinion absolutely, and if the kitten is scrambling to get out of the front seat it must still have good use of limbs perhaps. I hope that you are able to save the young kitten I really do, it'd be so worth it. I lost my cat Spike (I have lots of cats, and a dog pets are wonderful) who would have been 16 this fall, I had that angel for the majority of my life...he had kidney failure and kept going for longer than the doctor gave him, ultimately I had to take him into the vet when he just gave up one afternoon and she examined him and found a mass, poor Angel, but unfortunately I had to have him put asleep and that was just horrible, you know, really gut wrenching, the only reason I consented was because I was told he was in an extreme amount of pain and would continue and may go that afternoon. Pets are family, so I really hope the kitty survives, prayers go out to you. Jess