Every year , about 6,000 baby in the United States are put up withDown syndrome , a chromosomal stipulation score by traits like cognitive challenge , shortened stature , a flatten boldness , and get a line loss .
Down syndrome is a relatively common diagnosis in the human universe . But if you ’re a feline parent , you may be question : can cats have down syndrome ?
Here , we serve that question , plus provide insights into what may be at the essence of your cat ’s unique characteristic . As always , it ’s best to contact your vet if your qat is displaying any unusual signs .
What is Down Syndrome?
Down syndromeis a chromosomal condition that most often happens when there ’s an error during cell division . The medical condition for this prevalent contour of Down syndrome is call Trisomy 21 ( or nondisjunction ) .
Each cell in the human consistency typically carry 23 pairs of chromosomes . Most children carry with Down syndrome , however , have three copy of Chromosome 21 .
“ The foetus gets three of these chromosome when the testis is feed , rather than one from the egg and one from the sperm . The upshot is that either the nut or the sperm carried an extra Chromosome 21 , ” explainsDr . Liz Stelow , a board - certified veterinary behaviourist and head of service of clinical conduct service at the University of California , Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital .
rather of the typical 46 chromosome , the cellular telephone of people with Down syndrome check 47 . Scientists hypothecate that theextra cistron on Chromosome 21disrupt how genetic information is decoded .
mass with Down syndrome vary in their abilities and personalities , just as you ’d await in the general population . rough-cut characteristics of the condition – which are present in varying degrees – let in con challenges , slower speech , a flattened face , diagonal eyes , a short neck , small ear , low muscle tone , and a light stature .
Can Cats Have Down Syndrome?
The short answer is that Down syndrome in cats does n’t exist . In mankind , the condition is most ordinarily the result of an extra transcript of Chromosome 21 . fall in that bozo have just 19 pairs of chromosome , they ca n’t have Trisomy 21 .
There are , however , transmitted sport that can cause traits similar to those see in people with Down syndrome , saysDr . Sasha Gibbons , an associate veterinarian at Just Cats Veterinary Hospital in Stamford , Connecticut . “ But the etiology ( cause ) of these variety are somewhat dissimilar than that of people . ”
An example is the mutation linked to the UDP - glucose 6 - dehydrogenase ( UGDH gene ) , which results in the shortened legs in the Munchkin cat breed .
Can Other Animals Have Down Syndrome?
Even if cats and other animal species could larn three copies of Chromosome 21 , their genes are structure differently than ours . This means that any condition or disease , if present , would be expressed uniquely .
Though Down syndrome is a human experimental condition , there are interesting genetic similarity to Trisomy 21 found in the beast kingdom .
Mice
mouse have 20 chromosomes and are ineffectual to modernize Trisomy 21 , but there are similarities between human Chromosome 21 andmouse Chromosome 16 . Mice with Trisomy 16 exhibit check difficulties .
More recently , mice who received an insertedcopy of human Chromosome 21have displayed characteristics coherent with Down syndrome in human race – let in learning challenges , a greater jeopardy for heart fault , and a marked facial construction .
Chimpanzees
Chromosome 22 ( of 24 pairs ) in chimpanzees is structurally similar to human Chromosome 21 . To date , scientists have identify twochimpanzees with Trisomy 22 , including one with a short height and a preponderance for warmheartedness disease , and who developed cataracts at a young age .
Cat Conditions That May Be Confused With Down Syndrome
While there ’s no such phenomenon as a Down syndrome cat , some felines exhibit traits and behaviors – like a all-encompassing aspect , short stature , and pathetic muscle tonus – that mimic those in mass with the condition .
So , if Down syndrome in cats does n’t exist , then what ’s behind these traits ? The travel along conditions may help explain what ’s going on with your kitty . Always get through your veterinarian if you surmise something is awry .
Cerebellar Hypoplasia
Cerebellar hypoplasia is a condition where the brain ’s cerebellum fails to fully develop . It ’s often brought on by the distemper computer virus contagion ( panleukopenia ) that occurs during gestation , says Dr. Drew Weigner , past president ofEveryCat Health Foundation . It “ causes incoordination and tremors in affected kitty who appear otherwise normal . ”
Hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalusis a birth shortcoming that cause liquid in the mastermind to pile up , say Dr. Weigner , who says that it results in “ an magnified head and neurologic symptoms . ” Cats with hydrocephalus may also have a heavy skull , a down gaze , ictus , sightlessness , and a leaning to walk in dress circle .
Seizures
allot to Dr. Gibbons , seizure disordersthat result in brain damage could cause symptom similar to Down syndrome , such as “ slower - than - normal nervus reflexes , and the appearance of lower - than - modal intelligence agency . ”
Head and Facial Trauma
A cat who ’s had an accident at a very unseasoned historic period can acquire head or front hurt , which Dr. Weigner says “ can affect their appearance and coordination . ”
Toxins
What seems like a cat with Down syndrome may in reality be signs of exposure to contribute and insecticides . Dr. Weigner notes that this can result in neurological symptom in cats . Certainflowerslike lilies and foods like grapes and hot chocolate can also cause a range of undesirable symptoms , include lethargy and weakness .
Dysautonomia
Dysautonomia – the degeneration of nerve cells – presents sign similar to Down syndrome , aver Dr. Weigner . sign offeline dysautonomiainclude genial obtuseness and unresponsive schoolchild .
Eyelid Agenesis
Eyelid agenesis is a birth defect that can result in a flattened face or almond - mold eyes , allot to Dr. Gibbons . “ That would give an visual aspect to kat that could resemble a human being with Down syndrome . ”
Strabismus
Cats with strabismus have eyes that appear crossed . “ While they ’re otherwise normal , they can be middling gawky because , well , they ’re cross - eyed , ” read Dr. Weigner .
Chromosomal Abnormalities in Cats
It ’s significant to note that not every kat who expect or behaves differently has a chromosomal abnormality . “ More commonly , certain behavioral abnormalcy , such aswool sucking , or compulsive intake of wool in clothing , is consort with certain breeds , in this case inSiamesecats . But that does n’t mean their gene are unnatural , ” say Dr. Weigner .
Gene mutations do occur in cat-o'-nine-tails , however , and they can induce health issues . One breed - specific transmissible mutation called Burmese heading defect causes a misshapen skull and face . “ Unfortunately , it ’s usually fatal and these kittens do n’t survive long after birth . There ’s now agenetic testthat detect common carrier of this abnormality so they ’re not used for education , ” Dr. Weigner explains .
Though any grade of trisomy ( a third written matter of a chromosome ) in cats is see rare , Dr. Stelow notes the exception is XXY trisomy , which results in a sterile male person . “ This is the feline equivalent of human Klinefelter syndrome and is the account for calico or tortoiseshell virile computerized axial tomography . ”
Female cats can acquire a rarified undivided X chromosome that ’s similar to Turner ’s syndrome in humans , which Dr. Stelow says can lead to aggression upshot .
Feline Genetic Research
Though Down syndrome in cats may not be a recognized condition in the veterinary community , scientist have been studying how gene abnormalities chip in to other conditions and disease .
One of these efforts is theFeline Genome Projectat the Feline Genetics and Comparative Medicine Laboratory , University of Missouri in Columbia . The Project consist of scientist working to compile desoxyribonucleic acid sequence in the cat genome , like in setting to the Human Genome Project . identify gene genetic mutation that cause disease can ultimately aid in improving cat wellness . If you ’d like to participate , the Feline Genome acceptsvolunteer samples of cat DNAfrom the public .
In another recentlarge - scale studyof more than 11,000 cats , research worker sought to identify genetic variant that stimulate diseases , as well as their frequency in both pedigreed and non - pedigreed cats . They ’ve been capable to name 13 new gene variant linked to diseases in 47 breeds and detect that three of these are unique to non - pedigreed cats . As with the Feline Genome Project , these types of work provide selective information that can ultimately do good the wellness and welfare of big cat .
