answer:Yes, the vet sounds like a quack…xrays are ALWAYS 1st in order for any suspected break, be it a kitten or an Elephant. Without a radiograph and appropriate diagnosis of the type of fracture,random splinting may or may not help;. At best it will immobilize the leg but it WILL heal crooked, deformed and most likely the cat will never have full mobility. The bones will fuse in a deformed manner no doubt. Right now, you are doing the best you can with limited resources. IF the kitten survives all it’s trauma, has no other infections or internal injuries ( who the hell knows what kind of trauma it suffered and the possibility of other internal injuries are high as well ) IF it survives this critical period, and you think it’s chances of survival are good, perhaps you can find another vet for followup care and/or if you do not plan on keeping it a rescue that might take on a special needs animal. I have had a rescue goose that had a fractured foot that fused and caused her to be unable to lower her ankle enough to walk flat footed on the leg, she was always gimpy but is 8 years old now and gets around fine inspite of her goofy leg. Good luck and kudos to you for helping this poor little waif! :-)