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Cats/Kitten with cleft lip?

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Expert: - 4/22/2010


Question
HI my cat just had 3 kittens today and i believe the first kitten born has a cleft lip. his nose is uneven and one nostril has a hole to his lip. but he seems to be eating and healthy,,this is the first time this has happened thorughout our many liters. will this kitten survive and if so will it be a hard life for him?? please help

Answer
Hi Brittany.  If the kitten is able to eat normally, chances are good that he will survive (if he survives beyond the first 48 hours, this is a good sign he's eating pretty normally).  Many times, the hole in the palate will actually close up on its own within the first several weeks of life.  If not, but the kitten does survive, he may be more likely to suffer nasal and sinus problems, as bacteria and food from the mouth can make their way into the nasal passages.  A surgery could correct the deformity in most cases to prevent this.  Generally, though, a cleft palate is not considered a debilitating deformity as long as the kitten survives his first few days.

Best of luck!

Jessica  

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Jessica

Expertise

The areas in which I have gained the most experience are cat health and feral cat management/rescue. I provide supportive care to chronically ill cats, hospice care to terminally ill cats and also am involved in trap-neuter-return efforts. My specialities lie in taming feral cats and in the allopathic treatment of cats with illnesses or special needs. I also have owned Siamese, Himalayans, Abyssinians, Russian Blues, Savannahs, Bengals, Peterbalds, Don Sphynx and Oriental Shorthairs and am well-versed in cat breeds as well as cat behavior and nutrition.

Experience

I have 15 years of extensive experience with cats ranging from breeding to medical care. My daily routine consists of caring for cats with diabetes, thyroid disease, kidney failure, feline leukemia, feline AIDS as well as feral cats. I have experience with liver patients, heart patients, feline infectious peritonitis, cancer, recovery from amputation and trauma, congenital deformities and most every disease in between. I have assisted cats giving birth and hand-nursed kittens who were neglected by their mother from 2 days old through weaning.

Education/Credentials
15 years' hands-on experience

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