My husband had an interesting question...as you know, we have Baby Roo and his faciel features are different than the rest of the cats....he is alot bigger as well...I think he is just part bobcat becuase there area some ferals in this are that are...
But he was looking at Roo, and his face has a flatter look to it...his eyes are wider set...and...well....he got to wondering if Down Syndrome can run in animals as well...
Roo also has that sort of loveable no matter what attitude that people with Down's Syndrome have...
Is it possible?...Would this be why his mom could have taken him for a walk in the pasture and left him behind...was it on purpose because she knew he was different?
Down's Syndrome
Re: Down's Syndrome
Not to my knowledge, but there are various illnesses that can occur during in utero or shortly after birth that can cause mild "deformities" (just an example here, but malnutrition for example can cause growth defects or poor development, some virals can cause neurological/neuromuscular defects). Refresh my memory, what health condition, if any, did Roo suffer? Can you post a recent pic of him?
..........Traci
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annabradley
- Posts: 64
- Joined: Wed Aug 10, 2005 11:17 pm
- Location: Klamath Falls, OR
Re: Down's Syndrome
I teach special education, and have studied Down's syndrome. It's a genetic defect where the person has 3 copies of the 21st chromosome instead of the two that most people have. They have replicated it in mice chromosomes, but that didn't cause any facial deformities. I'll put in a quote from the study here:
"These mice have been shown to have problems with memory, in brain function and in the formation of the heart, similar to those that can occur in people with Down's syndrome"
I'm sure that any animal can have a chromosomal defect. It wouldn't even have to be the 21st chromosome. The result could be a facial deformity and a change in mental function. They both seem to go together in many other human syndromes, so why not with a cat? It's an interesting question.
Anna B.
"These mice have been shown to have problems with memory, in brain function and in the formation of the heart, similar to those that can occur in people with Down's syndrome"
I'm sure that any animal can have a chromosomal defect. It wouldn't even have to be the 21st chromosome. The result could be a facial deformity and a change in mental function. They both seem to go together in many other human syndromes, so why not with a cat? It's an interesting question.
Anna B.
Re: Down's Syndrome
Thanks...here are some pictures of Roo...
We found him in the pasture grass when he was such a little thing that he could crawl under the door and get into the front hall...he did not know how to lap the gruel from a bowl and fit in the palm of my hand...
Health Issues:
Roo is the one DH said we should have named EvertheSneezer....Roo sneezes alot, especially during allergy seasons...to the point he will make his nose bleed and he is just miserable...
When his permanent fangs started to come in...the baby ones did not fall out, so he had 3 sets of double and one set of triple fangs...the vet said to get him to hold onto tuggie toys and see if the baby ones would come out that way, and they did...leaving him with 3 normal sets of fangs and one double set...
When he went to be neutered, the vet also checked the fangs and chose one to pull...he said the root was very long and far into the nasal cavity, and gave us antibiotics for him...but we still had sneezing bouts and snotty nose until almost 4 months of antibiotic treatment...the vet said that other fang also is way up in the sinus cavity and could give him continuing sinus troubles...
Other than that...he is just a HUGE loveable lug...he loves to be held like a baby...and every morning greets me in the bathroom waiting to be held...he stands on the ledge at the end of the tub and lifts his front paws up to my shoulders to be held...then proceeds to pull himself into my arms, settle his rump on my hip and bury his face into my neck...
We found him in the pasture grass when he was such a little thing that he could crawl under the door and get into the front hall...he did not know how to lap the gruel from a bowl and fit in the palm of my hand...
Health Issues:
Roo is the one DH said we should have named EvertheSneezer....Roo sneezes alot, especially during allergy seasons...to the point he will make his nose bleed and he is just miserable...
When his permanent fangs started to come in...the baby ones did not fall out, so he had 3 sets of double and one set of triple fangs...the vet said to get him to hold onto tuggie toys and see if the baby ones would come out that way, and they did...leaving him with 3 normal sets of fangs and one double set...
When he went to be neutered, the vet also checked the fangs and chose one to pull...he said the root was very long and far into the nasal cavity, and gave us antibiotics for him...but we still had sneezing bouts and snotty nose until almost 4 months of antibiotic treatment...the vet said that other fang also is way up in the sinus cavity and could give him continuing sinus troubles...
Other than that...he is just a HUGE loveable lug...he loves to be held like a baby...and every morning greets me in the bathroom waiting to be held...he stands on the ledge at the end of the tub and lifts his front paws up to my shoulders to be held...then proceeds to pull himself into my arms, settle his rump on my hip and bury his face into my neck...
Re: Down's Syndrome
His eyes don't appear to be wide-set to me, but he does have a short nose bridge (similar to a persian's nose). I don't think this is necessarily a defect, or even a serious one, although the teeth and sinus problems do need to be re-evaluated.
If there is a root still lodged or grown into the sinus cavity, it should be removed, because reoccuring sinus problems can really be detrimental. Sinus infections can also lead to various bacteria that can spread and cause infection elsewhere, not something you want Roo to endure. I'm assuming your vet ruled out nasal or sinus polyps as well? In any event, any tooth root lodged into the sinuses needs to be removed.
A consult with a feline dental specialist could probably help in determining if removal of all the extra canines would be prudent. My guess is it would be, although I don't know the structure of his teeth or if removal would jeopardize the surrounding teeth structure, only a dental vet can determine that. I'd also, as a safeguard, rule out gum disease and/or stomatitis if he also happens to have tooth problems, broken or chipped teeth, reddened gums, gingivitis, or diseased teeth. (this probably not applicable in such a young cat)
If there is a root still lodged or grown into the sinus cavity, it should be removed, because reoccuring sinus problems can really be detrimental. Sinus infections can also lead to various bacteria that can spread and cause infection elsewhere, not something you want Roo to endure. I'm assuming your vet ruled out nasal or sinus polyps as well? In any event, any tooth root lodged into the sinuses needs to be removed.
A consult with a feline dental specialist could probably help in determining if removal of all the extra canines would be prudent. My guess is it would be, although I don't know the structure of his teeth or if removal would jeopardize the surrounding teeth structure, only a dental vet can determine that. I'd also, as a safeguard, rule out gum disease and/or stomatitis if he also happens to have tooth problems, broken or chipped teeth, reddened gums, gingivitis, or diseased teeth. (this probably not applicable in such a young cat)
..........Traci
Re: Down's Syndrome
it could be the short nose that makes his eyes seem wider set to me...his teeth and gums are a nice healthy colour, as far as that goes, so no gum disease or anything that is visible...
Roo has not had any sneezing/allergy fits lately either...they seemmore related to the weather...but I do often wonder if removing his fangs would be better for him...or not...because as you said, what would it do to the rest of the teeth and his jaw, muscles and so forth...
I do not know of a dental specialist, but the emergency vet in the city would be the best place to start...
our local vet is great for the basics...shots, spay/neuter, general checkups...but when it comes to an illness greater than a URI, I like to go to someone more specialized...
Roo has not had any sneezing/allergy fits lately either...they seemmore related to the weather...but I do often wonder if removing his fangs would be better for him...or not...because as you said, what would it do to the rest of the teeth and his jaw, muscles and so forth...
I do not know of a dental specialist, but the emergency vet in the city would be the best place to start...
our local vet is great for the basics...shots, spay/neuter, general checkups...but when it comes to an illness greater than a URI, I like to go to someone more specialized...
Re: Down's Syndrome
Well, hopefully your vet can refer you to a feline dental vet, perhaps your area has a "visiting" dental vet that does "rounds" at various clinics for procedures the general practitioners aren't experienced with.
If Roo doesn't "use" the additional canines, and if they are not altering the structure of his normal teeth, then they should be removed, especially those with any roots entering the sinuses...the bacteria is what I am most concerned about, and the sinuses would treat these as foreign objects and respond in kind, i.e., bacterial infection, pockets of infection, inflammation, constricted and broken blood vessels (causing the blood with sneezing), etc. During those occurances, it would be pretty painful for him. I'd also hate to think of him being on extended courses of antibiotics, since he could develop a resistance to them (and antibiotics aren't a curative treatment for this situation, only targeting bacterial infection)
You may not need specialized surgery, but it is definately worth it to find a feline dental vet for a consult, the vet could then decide the necessity of removing all the unnecessary canines or only whatever is necessary. If removing the canines that have the elongated roots are the only concern, your general vet may be able to get this done with a general prophy, but I'd sure see a feline dental vet first (he'd be more experienced with the tooth structure and associated problems, and be able to determine if surgery involving the sinuses would be necessary).
If Roo doesn't "use" the additional canines, and if they are not altering the structure of his normal teeth, then they should be removed, especially those with any roots entering the sinuses...the bacteria is what I am most concerned about, and the sinuses would treat these as foreign objects and respond in kind, i.e., bacterial infection, pockets of infection, inflammation, constricted and broken blood vessels (causing the blood with sneezing), etc. During those occurances, it would be pretty painful for him. I'd also hate to think of him being on extended courses of antibiotics, since he could develop a resistance to them (and antibiotics aren't a curative treatment for this situation, only targeting bacterial infection)
You may not need specialized surgery, but it is definately worth it to find a feline dental vet for a consult, the vet could then decide the necessity of removing all the unnecessary canines or only whatever is necessary. If removing the canines that have the elongated roots are the only concern, your general vet may be able to get this done with a general prophy, but I'd sure see a feline dental vet first (he'd be more experienced with the tooth structure and associated problems, and be able to determine if surgery involving the sinuses would be necessary).
..........Traci
Re: Down's Syndrome
Thanks Traci....I will contact the vet in the city and see when he can either see Roo or when or where I can get him toa dental vet
Re: Down's Syndrome
Hope you can find one....thanks for getting the pics together so quickly, he's gorgeous, just look at those huge puddies!! 
..........Traci
Re: Down's Syndrome
As I said, he is my baby...he has been from day one...and he likes to be held just like a baby nd will grab hold of my fingers and pull themto his mouth and suck on them....just like a baby....I do not think he realizes he is a CAT...
He has also learned how to open our bedroom door by batting at it...so when I was so sick I could not get out of bed last week, he was determined enough that he finally got in and just lay there with me...every so often coming up to sniff at my face, then would go lay at my legs again...
Roo is such a sweetie...yet so clumsy and like a big oaf...I will have to get some lovie pictures to post of him...
He has also learned how to open our bedroom door by batting at it...so when I was so sick I could not get out of bed last week, he was determined enough that he finally got in and just lay there with me...every so often coming up to sniff at my face, then would go lay at my legs again...
Roo is such a sweetie...yet so clumsy and like a big oaf...I will have to get some lovie pictures to post of him...