As previously mentioned, this section is not meant to be a complete listing of every disease or defect seen in young cats. We have used this particular section, however, for those conditions that are less common in the young cat and are not listed elsewhere.

Occasionally kittens will be born with portions of their eyelids missing, usually the sections nearest the ears. Both eyes and both lids can be involved as the actual presentation of this condition will vary greatly. Without an eyelid, hairs then rub the cornea, similar to cats with entropion, and will cause a keratitis. The eyelids may not be able to close properly as well. There is a delicate surgery that can help these cats but a specialist will often be needed to perform such a procedure.

Anodontia is the congenital absence of one or more teeth. Most of the time a deciduous tooth is present but the adult tooth fails to appear. Usually only one or two teeth are missing and rarely is this harmful to the cat. Anodontia is considered to be an inherited trait and is quite rare. Treatment is usually not advised or available.

An anterior crossbite occurs when the incisors, the small teeth in the front of the mouth, on the lower jaw are in front of the incisors of the upper jaw when the mouth is closed. There is debate as to whether this condition is inherited or induced by trauma. It is basically unheard of in the cat.

This condition occurs when the upper jaw is longer than the lower jaw. Cats with the condition should not be bred but otherwise will get along fine. In some cases where the lower incisors are digging into the roof of the mouth, extraction of the lower incisors may be necessary.

Congenital porphyria describes a genetic defect in metabolism that will cause the tips of the teeth to become heavily discolored with a brownish pigment. If exposed to a wood's light the teeth will fluoresce a pinkish color. The problem is usually less apparent in the adult teeth after they erupt and there is no treatment. Affected cats should not be bred.

Hypoglycemia occurs when the blood sugar drops to very low levels producing the clinical signs of weakness, nervousness, trembling, hunger, coolness of the body, decreased mental ability, depression, coma and death. Some young kittens may have trouble storing sugar in their liver or have a less-developed liver. This leads to an inability to increase blood sugar in times of stress or if feedings are not close together and regular. Metabolic defects can also cause low blood sugar. Very small and young kittens can die within hours if the symptoms of this condition are not noticed and treated quickly. Diagnosis of hypoglycemia is based on physical examination and blood glucose analysis. Determination of the actual cause may require repeated blood testing and X-rays. Hypoglycemia is much less common in kittens than in puppies.

In mild and early cases feeding the normal food, giving small amounts of honey in water or providing Nutrical or similar caloric supplements may serve to bring the pet back to normal quite quickly. In severe cases IV dextrose and gradual re-warming of the patient, and general supportive care will be needed. Most cats will outgrow this problem. Those that have recurrent bouts should have thorough blood testing to determine and treat any underlying primary condition if possible.

Although rare, some kittens will be born without a true anal opening. In some cases the colon internally will have not formed to reach the anus. There may be a spot that will look similar to an anus but that will be without the actual opening into the colon. Clinical signs include the absence of defecation, bloating and loss of appetite. Vaginal defects, penile defects and other problems with elimination may also be present. Diagnosis is based on physical examination and X-rays including dye studies.

Depending on the defect present, how the colon has developed and the actual status of the anal sphincter, it is possible to surgically open the anus and if needed, connect the colon to the opening. As most kittens are young, their risk of anesthesia may be the bigger problem, but as all kittens with this defect will die without surgery it seems to be the only best option.

Lymphangiectasia is a congenital, abnormal dilation of the lymph vessels connected to the small intestine. It is believed that this condition occurs due to poor development of other lymph ducts that block the flow of lymph fluid from the intestines. It is the lymph fluid that carries fat and proteins from the digestive tract into the blood. This abnormal condition then results in low blood protein and fluid collecting in the abdomen (ascites) or extremities (edema). Clinical signs of affected cats include diarrhea, weight loss and swelling of the legs or abdomen. Diagnosis is made by blood counts, serum chemistry, X-rays and exploratory surgery.

Some cats may be managed with special diets including a special fat supplement. For a few cats a very delicate surgery to bypass part of the lymphatic system has proven effective. Many cats, however, will not respond to treatment and develop secondary infections and scar tissue in their extremities.

This is an unusual and inherited abnormality of kittens where the cartilage of the ribs that attaches to the sternum forms improperly. This causes the breastbone to become depressed somewhat deeply into the chest cavity, leading to respiratory distress, weakness and poor growth rates. Parents and kittens should never be bred (again). Kittens can sometimes be helped with corrective surgery, which, although they will still not be anatomically perfect, will allow them to live and function normally.

The pituitary gland sits at the base of the brain and sends directions to other endocrine glands within the body. The failure of this gland to develop properly will cause gross abnormalities in the growing kitten. Clinical signs include a failure to grow and develop normally, stunting of growth, abnormal body proportions, failure of the adult coat to appear, failure of teeth to develop and erupt, loss of hair and a decrease in mental development. Diagnosis is based on history, physical examination, blood testing X-rays and hormonal testing.

Identified early, replacement of growth hormone, steroid hormones and thyroid hormone can aid in normal development. This can become costly and will certainly require a very dedicated owner. Most cats are incapable of breeding but if so able should not be bred.

Some cats have a defect that causes multiple, small, fluid-filled cysts to form inside the kidneys. Extreme cases may also involve the liver tissue as well. This defect may cause no problem at all or can lead to progressive renal failure. In other cases, the cysts can become infected causing a pyelonephritis that may be treatable. It may be difficult to identify cats with this disease if no symptoms are present. ((Polycystic Kidney))

Prognathism occurs when the lower jaw is longer than the upper jaw and the lower incisors are farther forward in front of the upper incisors. The defect is inherited but very uncommon in cats. It probably causes no real problem for the pet. Prognathism usually occurs early in life. This can, however, result in an abnormal meshing of other teeth in the mouth.

As this condition can be noted early in a kitten's development and as it appears that the upper incisors may "catch" and retard development of the upper jaw, some success has been realized by pulling all the upper deciduous incisors as early as 8-12 weeks of age, thus allowing the upper jaw to grow in an uninhibited fashion. If this does not improve the condition it is considered genetic and affected cats should not be bred.

On occasion extra teeth develop and are apparent in the mouth. If they are not crowding other teeth or affecting the bite this defect can be considered inconsequential. If they are causing a problem, the veterinarian can select certain teeth for removal and easily correct the problem. The most common teeth affected are the premolars, the medium-size teeth on the sides of the jaw.

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©2007 James W. Day D.V.M., P.C.