Can a kitten have down syndrome??

thorsmama

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So I helped birth this kitten 6 weeks ago. No one wanted him because he "looked different". My friend and her bf called him "DS" for down syndrome... He does have offset eyes. One eye almost seems lazy. Forehead looks odd too. Almost caveman. He's active playful. Hasn't given effort to the food tho. And seems to think my Tom cat will nurse him... My friend said he was eating on his own... So idk...
 
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thorsmama

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I don't think so
I looked it up and there are cats/kittens with neurological abnormalities that are considered to the equivalent I guess of "down syndrome" and googled pictures of down syndrome kittens and found several pictures of kittens and grown cats that have the same distinct spread apart eyes kind of bulged out. But not sure what exactly equivalent would mean.
 

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Could you post a picture of him?

There are lots of different neurological conditions that kittens can suffer from, but I don't think there is an actual Feline Down's Syndrome. Most cats who are referred to as DS cats actually have other conditions caused by inbreeding or by the mother cat being sick while pregnant. This sometimes makes them look a bit odd, but it doesn't always mean they have cognitive disorders.

Does he have trouble balancing or walking? 
 
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thorsmama

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Could you post a picture of him?

There are lots of different neurological conditions that kittens can suffer from, but I don't think there is an actual Feline Down's Syndrome. Most cats who are referred to as DS cats actually have other conditions caused by inbreeding or by the mother cat being sick while pregnant. This sometimes makes them look a bit odd, but it doesn't always mean they have cognitive disorders.

Does he have trouble balancing or walking? 
I'm not sure how to on here... I keep trying and it doesn't show the picture.
 
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thorsmama

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Could you post a picture of him?

There are lots of different neurological conditions that kittens can suffer from, but I don't think there is an actual Feline Down's Syndrome. Most cats who are referred to as DS cats actually have other conditions caused by inbreeding or by the mother cat being sick while pregnant. This sometimes makes them look a bit odd, but it doesn't always mean they have cognitive disorders.

Does he have trouble balancing or walking? 
Also his mom and dad weren't related. His mom was young. I haven't really watched to see his coordination. I just brought him home last night. He seems overly brave. Afraid of heights. Wasn't at all scared of my full grown tom cat. Who thankfully was actually scared of him... He's very sweet but just something DOES seem... Different...
 

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thorsmama

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Could you post a picture of him?

There are lots of different neurological conditions that kittens can suffer from, but I don't think there is an actual Feline Down's Syndrome. Most cats who are referred to as DS cats actually have other conditions caused by inbreeding or by the mother cat being sick while pregnant. This sometimes makes them look a bit odd, but it doesn't always mean they have cognitive disorders.

Does he have trouble balancing or walking? 
I think I got it.. http://s1236.photobucket.com/user/s...WP_20150322_13_27_51_Pro_zpsd3nyojto.jpg.html 4wks old is the best facial I have. I got my friends son to hold him. I literally saw him born. He was either #2 or #4.
 
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thorsmama

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thorsmama

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thorsmama

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I am a new user... -__- That's why my images aren't showing up... I tried photobucket and its awaiting mod approval...
I haven't been on many forums for awhile. Keep forgetting the photograph moderation thing.
 

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Aww, what a cutie! I don't believe they can have Down Syndrome, but there are a plethora of other neurological diseases that may appear similar. I had a stray that I cared for her whole life. She looked like she had downs syndrome also! But much more severely than your little one. She also had a cleft palate & trouble breathing. On the day we had to put her down, the vet said she had a rare neurological disorder with 30 syllables that he's only seen in textbooks. She was a special one. Your little one is special in his own way too.
 

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If very young kittens don't get the omega fatty acids they need for normal brain development, specifically EPA and DHA (found in fish oil), they can have deficits, if not disease, as a result. This can occur in utero due to their mother having nutritional deficiency, as well as if their mother was infected with a few specific viruses that can affect fetal development.

Kittens can be born with cerebellar hypoplasia, when part of the brain, the cerebellum, is not fully developed or formed, smaller (hypo-) in size than a normal newborn kitten. If Thor is wobbly when he stands/walks, has head tremors, and/or reduced vision, these are all signs of CH, and a veterinary exam could determine if he has CH vs limp due to trauma, or normal development with normal kitten mobility (a little wobbly anyway when they're very young and learning depth perception and balance).

He is super adorbs! From the pix nothing grossly obvious, but images are limited for observation purposes; in-person exam is best. Eyes actually look good, normal blue color, pupils contracting normally in light. Doesn't "appear" abnormal but a veterinarian seeing him move and balance in person is the best way to determine his neuro status.

Get him in soon for his initial exam anyway, and they can ensure he's growing and developing normally, monitoring weight, vision, oral health, check ears for mites, palpate his lil abdomen, and check his stool for endoparasites. His first vaccine for rhino, calici, and panleuk would be beneficial now also, while he has no ability to fight these common viruses with his still developing immune system. Dewormer every 2 weeks, starting with pyrantel pamoate (i.e. Strongid or Nemex) is standard protocol too, until fecal test results warrant "bigger guns."
 
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thorsmama

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If very young kittens don't get the omega fatty acids they need for normal brain development, specifically EPA and DHA (found in fish oil), they can have deficits, if not disease, as a result. This can occur in utero due to their mother having nutritional deficiency, as well as if their mother was infected with a few specific viruses that can affect fetal development.

Kittens can be born with cerebellar hypoplasia, when part of the brain, the cerebellum, is not fully developed or formed, smaller (hypo-) in size than a normal newborn kitten. If Thor is wobbly when he stands/walks, has head tremors, and/or reduced vision, these are all signs of CH, and a veterinary exam could determine if he has CH vs limp due to trauma, or normal development with normal kitten mobility (a little wobbly anyway when they're very young and learning depth perception and balance).

He is super adorbs! From the pix nothing grossly obvious, but images are limited for observation purposes; in-person exam is best. Eyes actually look good, normal blue color, pupils contracting normally in light. Doesn't "appear" abnormal but a veterinarian seeing him move and balance in person is the best way to determine his neuro status.

Get him in soon for his initial exam anyway, and they can ensure he's growing and developing normally, monitoring weight, vision, oral health, check ears for mites, palpate his lil abdomen, and check his stool for endoparasites. His first vaccine for rhino, calici, and panleuk would be beneficial now also, while he has no ability to fight these common viruses with his still developing immune system. Dewormer every 2 weeks, starting with pyrantel pamoate (i.e. Strongid or Nemex) is standard protocol too, until fecal test results warrant "bigger guns."
Well I've been watching Thor all day now. And he's "wobbly" but just a little. Like when he first stands up. He can bolt with the best of them. Chase a apron string. Climb a pant leg/leg skin (OUCH!)
 
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thorsmama

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Looks like his depth perception is off... He goes in for water and hits it with his face. I put it in a white mealworm cup so he could see it better in the kitchen/see the shine of the water. Dived and splashed. Is having trouble figuring out that the food is food... So my bf picked up wet food on the way. And we are going to mix it. And i have 24 cans of "core grain free salmon & herring & whitefish" wet cat food coming to me Monday or Tuesday.
 
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thorsmama

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Since he is having trouble eating and has been trying to nurse off my tom cat I have enlisted my bf to go get Thors mama. My friend was rehoming her anyhow. Navi WASNT given the best nutrition when she was pregnant. And since I was living with my friend during navis pregnancy I would slip cans of tuna to her.
 

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He looks like a normal very young kitten to me. And it's normal for them to be a bit wobbly at that age too. Maybe as he grows it will be more obvious whether he has something wrong or not. I'm glad he's with his mama now :D.
 
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thorsmama

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He looks like a normal very young kitten to me. And it's normal for them to be a bit wobbly at that age too. Maybe as he grows it will be more obvious whether he has something wrong or not. I'm glad he's with his mama now :D.
I'm watching him for now and just letting mama take care of him. All his brothers and his sister are weaned and litter trained. Which is why I am concerned.
 
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