Mary Allen
Rumors spread quickly on the internet and one of them concerns the cat with Down’s Syndrome. Heartbreaking stories like kitten Otto and white tiger Kenny suffering from genetic defects seem to confirm this. However, it is impossible for cats to be born with Down syndrome – we explain why here.
While cats may exhibit some symptoms typical of people with Down syndrome, they may not have this genetic abnormality themselves. This is because their genetic structure is different from humans.
What is Down Syndrome Actually?
Down syndrome is also known as “trisomy 21”. Humans normally have 64 chromosomes that carry the genetic material. The chromosomes are usually arranged in pairs, so there are 23 pairs of chromosomes. Half of the chromosome pair is inherited from the father and the other half comes from the mother. Sometimes it can happen that a chromosome is not just duplicated, but tripled – this is called a “trisomy”. If this happens on the 21st pair of chromosomes, it is called “trisomy 21” or colloquially Down’s syndrome.
The genetic anomaly can manifest itself in different ways in those affected and lead to more or less severe physical and mental limitations. Still, there are some symptoms that most people with Down syndrome have in common, including:
● Below-average height
● Small, rounded skull
● Flattened back of the head
● Wide-set eyes
● Slanted eyes
● Broad bridge of the nose
● Small ears
● Large tongue
Common physical limitations include:
● Muscle weakness ● Visual
impairment
● Hearing impairment
● Susceptibility to infections
● Congenital heart disease
In addition, there are often developmental delays and a low intelligence quotient as well as learning difficulties, although there are also people with Down syndrome who are almost averagely intelligent.
Down Syndrome in Cats is Genetically Impossible
Unlike humans, cats only have 19 pairs of chromosomes. Because of this, they cannot form trisomy 21 and it is genetically completely impossible for a cat to be born with Down’s syndrome. However, what does happen is a trisomy on the sex chromosome in cats. Normally, creatures with two X chromosomes are female, those with one X and one Y chromosome are male. Every now and then the offspring accidentally inherits two X chromosomes and one Y chromosome. In cats, this is expressed by the fact that the animal has the external biological characteristics of a tomcat, but is infertile. This is the case, for example, with male tortoiseshell and calico cats.
Down Syndrome Symptoms in Cats & Their Causes
While it’s impossible for cats to have Down Syndrome, they may exhibit one or the other symptom that is typical of people with trisomy 21. The kitten Otto, who made the rounds on the internet a few years ago as a cat with Down syndrome, had wide-set eyes. White tiger Kenny, who died in 2008 and was thought to have Down syndrome, suffered from a severe underbite and misaligned teeth, and a round skull. Famous cats such as Grumpy Cat, Lil’ Bub, or Monty also have visual features that are reminiscent of Down syndrome symptoms in humans.
The following malformations or diseases resembling Down syndrome can occur in cats:
● Short stature
● Hydrocephalus (Waterhead)
● Ataxia
● Physical malformations with muscle weakness
● Blindness
● Squinting
● Deafness
● Malformations of the skull and face
● Malformations of the jaw
● Malformations of the teeth
● Cleft lip or palate
how come Most often it is inbreeding, overbreeding, or spontaneous genetic mutations that lead to physical deformities or congenital heart defects and other organ damage. Sometimes the kittens cannot develop properly in the womb because the mother has become ill during pregnancy. Newborn kittens can also be disrupted in their development by diseases. Furthermore, some infections such as cat flu or FIV reduce a cat’s immune system.
If a cat’s mental traits seem limited, the cause is usually insufficient socialization and improper housing. These can lead to behavioral problems and mental illnesses such as depression or anxiety disorders. Older cats can also suffer from dementia-like humans, which limits their mental abilities regardless of their life history.