Pectus Excavatum in kitten.

[Kwik]

Update: the little one’s breathing rate is now completely normal, very playful, lots of strength and started to eat wet food today.

However, while his upper rib cage is growing to an oval shape, lower ribs are not improving and even seem to get “deeper” as he grows. I’ve heard the condition can get better or worse as they grow…

Plan to take him to x-ray in 2 weeks to determine the severity, and I’ve got a surgeon lined up if operations need to be done when he’s 13/14 weeks old (>1kg). Fingers crossed he won’t need to go through such procedure at such young age, but we’ll do what’s best for him.View attachment 468265

They are the cutest little bunch I've ever seen- I just want to scoop them all up together to hug n kiss- PRECIOUS!!!

The photo belongs on a greeting card or a wall calendar- adorable

 

[Jj1008]

That's wonderful news, regarding the breathing. I'm no specialist, but if his breathing is good now, then he could well be out of the woods.
The lower ribs are the pectus excavatum curling in. Sundar has quite a 'dent' in his chest.

Thanks for sharing your experience with Sundar. Picture cannot tell but the dent is about 0.4cm now… his posture seems to be okay, hopefully no spin deformation.

Btw, we’ve named him “Peter Pan”

 

[Kwik]

Thanks for sharing your experience with Sundar. Picture cannot tell but the dent is about 0.4cm now… his posture seems to be okay, hopefully no spin deformation.

Btw, we’ve named him “Peter Pan”

Peter Pan is beyond ADORABLE!

 

[Jj1008]

Another update - all the kittens are doing wonderfully, including Peter Pan, who’s now 700g (rest are 150-200g heavier). She has no clinical symptoms, eating playing etc all fine.

I’m taking them for their 1st vaccination this week, insurance’s cooling off period is over, so she’ll be covered for diagnosis and procedures which is a big relief.

Here they are! (our male cat is quite fond of then and become step-dad).

 

[Jj1008]

Forgot to mention, we discovered Peter Pan is a girl. But love the name so not re-naming her

 

[Kwik]

Forgot to mention, we discovered Peter Pan is a girl. But love the name so not re-naming her

I think the Broadway "Peter Pan "enlisted all females to play the part of Peter- Mia Farrow,Kathy Rigby,Sandy Duncan to name a few

I had a friend named Petey in high school,a girl

 

[Jj1008]

Update - visited the vet today. Peter Pan has a slight heart murmur, vet said difficult to determine if it’s caused by the chest or just a kitten thing. Next week or early week after I’ll bring her for further checks. Thank goodness I’ve put her on insurance as early as possible, can already see the vet bills

She’s doing well, a very good climber (always end up on my shoulder), and now 870g.

 

[Kwik]

Update - visited the vet today. Peter Pan has a slight heart murmur, vet said difficult to determine if it’s caused by the chest or just a kitten thing. Next week or early week after I’ll bring her for further checks. Thank goodness I’ve put her on insurance as early as possible, can already see the vet bills

She’s doing well, a very good climber (always end up on my shoulder), and now 870g.

Precious- adorably cute

 

[Jj1008]

I’ve got a final update on this: Peter Pan just had an ultrasound scan today by a heart surgeon. Although she’s got quite a dint into her chest, the upper ribs are long and there’s enough space for her organs. Her heart is slightly rotated but otherwise healthy without any complications. The specialist does not recommend any surgery and said she’s just as healthy as other kittens.

I am overjoyed with the news, so happy to know the little one will enjoy a good and long life!

 

[Kwik]

I’ve got a final update on this: Peter Pan just had an ultrasound scan today by a heart surgeon. Although she’s got quite a dint into her chest, the upper ribs are long and there’s enough space for her organs. Her heart is slightly rotated but otherwise healthy without any complications. The specialist does not recommend any surgery and said she’s just as healthy as other kittens.

I am overjoyed with the news, so happy to know the little one will enjoy a good and long life!

GREAT NEWS!

 

[Jj1008]

I want to update the community again - hopefully giving other people in the same condition some references.

Although the local vet confirmed with ultrasound her heart’s in good condition and did not recommend surgery, I wanted to be absolutely sure so got them refer me to the country’s specialist.

The specialist said ultrasound alone cannot be used to determine how severe the condition is or if surgery’s needed, so I drove her to the new vet & got a CT done (OMG it’s freaking expensive but needed). I am now waiting for the specialised doctor to come back and let me know if further treatment/surgery’s needed. I hope not - but I know the condition can get worse & cause sudden deaths during the rapid growth period. I just want to avoid any tragedy as much as I can.

Will update & share imaging. She’s precious, was rolling and purring at the clinic, captured everyone’s heart.

 

[white shadow]

.
Ooooooooooooh my !

Soooooooo cherish-able !

You know, you could share more pix ANY time, no need to wait for updates! We'll never turn away from those, and there's never too many.

So very precious! Thank you!
.

 

[Kwik]

I want to update the community again - hopefully giving other people in the same condition some references.

Although the local vet confirmed with ultrasound her heart’s in good condition and did not recommend surgery, I wanted to be absolutely sure so got them refer me to the country’s specialist.

The specialist said ultrasound alone cannot be used to determine how severe the condition is or if surgery’s needed, so I drove her to the new vet & got a CT done (OMG it’s freaking expensive but needed). I am now waiting for the specialised doctor to come back and let me know if further treatment/surgery’s needed. I hope not - but I know the condition can get worse & cause sudden deaths during the rapid growth period. I just want to avoid any tragedy as much as I can.

Will update & share imaging. She’s precious, was rolling and purring at the clinic, captured everyone’s heart.

Petey baby girl is adorable..... she's in my prayers and so are you

 

[mani]

Jj1008 He's about 12 weeks old now?
I'm hoping there won't be any need for surgical intervention at this stage.

Keep us posted.

 

[Jj1008]

Jj1008 He's about 12 weeks old now?
I'm hoping there won't be any need for surgical intervention at this stage.

Keep us posted.

Thanks! She’s almost 4 months old. Though her breed (Savannah) do take longer to mature & I just hope her ribs won’t get in the way during her growth. The cardiovascular expert at the new vet place confirmed she’s got a strong & healthy heart.

I am waiting for a call from the soft tissue surgeon today to tell me the evaluation result. Most likely no surgery at this stage - but I think x-ray follow ups may be needed later to ensure she’s in good health till she’s an adult.

 

[Jj1008]

Now I need some community wisdom.
So Petey’s CT result came back as severe deformity. But her heart is healthy, the curve is at a slight bended angle so not pointing/pressing the heart. However, it does add pressure to lungs.

The vet got me to calculate her sleeping respiratory rate, which is between 36-48 per minute, slightly faster than it shall be.

The vet gave me two options:
- Do nothing now, but bring her back for X-ray in a month’s time to see if it’s worsening/improving.
- Surgery now - but he said Petey may be a healthy cat without it though no one can guarantee it… there are of course risks associate with surgery too…

The problem is she may be a healthy cat without surgery. But there’s still a chance of heart failure later. And if we do identify she needs surgery at later stage, surgery will have to be open chest (now it is non-invasive, just sewing the bones to a fiber glass). I need to make the decision by tomorrow…

Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks!

 

[Kwik]

Now I need some community wisdom.
So Petey’s CT result came back as severe deformity. But her heart is healthy, the curve is at a slight bended angle so not pointing/pressing the heart. However, it does add pressure to lungs.

The vet got me to calculate her sleeping respiratory rate, which is between 36-48 per minute, slightly faster than it shall be.

The vet gave me two options:
- Do nothing now, but bring her back for X-ray in a month’s time to see if it’s worsening/improving.
- Surgery now - but he said Petey may be a healthy cat without it though no one can guarantee it… there are of course risks associate with surgery too…

The problem is she may be a healthy cat with surgery. But there’s still a chance of heart failure, and if we do identify she needs surgery at later stage, surgery will have to be open chest (now it is non-invasive, just sewing the bones to a fiber glass). I need to make the decision by tomorrow…

Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks!

So why do you need to decide by tomorrow - if he said you can wait a month & do X-rays then to see if it worsens or improves - wouldn't you know better what to do then?Id wait a month and if it worsens surgery might be the best option,meanwhile I'm praying your Wisdom and Guidance ,very difficult decision and even more so under such pressure,I don't see the urgency to decide no later than tomorrow- in one month surgery will still be less invasive than when she's older ,won't it?

 

[Jj1008]

So why do you need to decide by tomorrow - if he said you can wait a month & do X-rays then to see if it worsens or improves - wouldn't you know better what to do then?Id wait a month and if it worsens surgery might be the best option,meanwhile I'm praying your Wisdom and Guidance ,very difficult decision and even more so under such pressure,I don't see the urgency to decide no later than tomorrow- in one month surgery will still be less invasive than when she's older ,won't it?

The problem is one month is crucial - it’s possible by then her ribs are already grown not to be able to be corrected. The surgery should be done 14-16 weeks. She’s going to be 16weeks

 

[Kwik]

The problem is one month is crucial - it’s possible by then her ribs are already grown not to be able to be corrected. The surgery should be done 14-16 weeks. She’s going to be 16weeks

Surgery is always a risk at any age but of course it gets riskier with age and especially with such an invasive surgery - I believe if I was in the position where I could afford the least invasive procedures NOW that I would choose to do so- the surgery you are describing that was recommended is as " corrective " a measure as can be done and hopefully will prevent issues later on to ensure the best possible quality of life for this wee one

Such hard decisions to make and my heart goes out to you- we are here to support you in whatever you choose

 

[mani]

The 'tomorrow' thing does seem a little dramatic. However time is of the essence.. little kittens grow quickly. I had thought that, by four months it was going beyond the time for the easier option. That's probably why they're being urgent.

I can only tell you of my experience.. Sundar's breath was a little laboured as a kitten.. that doesn't seem to be the case with Petey? Her sleeping respiratory rate is only 'slightly faster' which isn't at all critical.

Sundar has the additional cervical scoliosis (the upper spine dips down) so there is less room for the chest organs. Now, at twelve, he has pretty severe arthritis due to his deformities; I imagine within the next couple of years Sundar's arthritis will become untenable and we'll have to let him go. He has mild renal failure but it's well under control. That may or may not be due to a compromised heart. Also there could be other genetic things going on as all of the others in Sundar's litter did not survive. Petey doesn't have the cervical issue, but her PE may be more pronounced. The fact that she seems to be a happy little kitten without obvious issues is a good sign though.

I guess what I'm saying is that Sundar is still with me, despite the odds. I didn't have the option for surgery where I am so did not have to go through the process you are dealing with.

When it comes down to it, this is up to you. I'd let her be, but I would be mortified if, in a few months, it became significantly worse. From what I'm reading, they're not saying this is something that very much needs to be done. But then it could improve Petey's quality of life

Sit with it. Just clear your mind and then ask yourself what you really think.. what's your gut feeling.