Kitten with Down syndrome. Can animals have Down syndrome?

Thanks to advanced diagnostic methods, we can now detect fetal malformations and accurately classify them. Down syndrome occurs in 1...

What is Down syndrome?

In 1862, Dr. John Langdon Down described a number of birth defects he observed while working with children with intellectual disabilities. Only less than 100 years later, another doctor - Prof. Jérôme Lejeune - discovered the cause of the problem.

He proved that these people are different in that they have more chromosomes than healthy people. They are present in the nucleus of every cell in the body and carry all the genetic information about each of us. In people with Down syndrome, the extra chromosome is in pair 21. For this reason, another name for the condition is trisomy 21. In patients, an extra chromosome can be present in every cell (and these are the most common cases), but it can also occupy individual cells of the body, which leads to significantly less pronounced symptoms of the syndrome in the child. Mosaic trisomy occurs in only 1-2% of all patients.

How does Down syndrome manifest?

Most defects affecting people with trisomy are classified as minor defects. Here you can mention for example. changes in appearance, such as a flat facial profile, narrow and slanted palpebral fissures having a mongoloid shape, a short neck, shorter arms, sunken bridge of the nose or flat feet. Muscle tone in such people is lower, which affects, for example, a tendency to open the mouth and stick out the tongue. Additionally, although children with trisomy are born at average weight and height, as they age they become overweight and shorter than average.

People with Down syndrome also struggle with defects included in the so-called. major defects. They require specialized treatment - these are, among others: congenital diseases of the heart muscle, thyroid diseases, leukemia or Alzheimer's disease, which begins very early.

Of course, there are still many problems and shortcomings that affect patients. However, they are not always together. Each person with trisomy faces a different set of more or less onerous difficulties..

However, this happens to everyone mental retardation and immune problems.

Many of the listed defects do not significantly affect the quality of life of patients, although they are definitely stigmatizing in nature. If trisomy is accompanied by mild mental retardation, these people are so independent that they need only a little help with daily activities. On the other hand, patients with more severe defects, in addition to specialized treatment, also require the assistance of a caregiver even in basic areas of life.

No doubt though patients can learn, grow and even work. Many years of research and experience in the education and rehabilitation of children with trisomy have shown that providing them with the opportunity to learn, develop and approach them correctly can, to some extent, reduce the degree of mental disorders.

What does this look like in animals?

On the Internet you can find images of various types of animals with unusual-looking faces or otherwise, more awkwardly, mobile ones. Below the photographs we will find a clear description telling us that this is a tiger, chimpanzee, dolphin or kitten with Down syndrome. These animals do have defects reminiscent of trisomy 21 - a high forehead, characteristically located eyeballs, a protruding tongue, and many others. Certainly the appearance of these animals may be affected by various congenital or acquired defectsAre you sure it's Down syndrome?

Also read: Leukemia in cats - causes, symptoms and treatment. Doctor advises

Does Down syndrome exist in animals?

Animals have a different number of chromosomes than humans. Moreover, each species has its own characteristic set. There may be several pairs of them, or maybe several hundred. For example, dogs have 37 pairs of chromosomes, mice have 20, and cats have 19 pairs.

This means that animals should not be affected by trisomy 21 pairs of chromosomes, which leads to the same problems as in humans. Therefore, Down syndrome is not recorded in cats and other animals. «“A kitten with Down syndrome” is a term that has no scientific basis.

So what might be going on with the pets we call “pets with Down syndrome”?

The different number of chromosomes in animals does not allow the same defect to occur as in humans. Nevertheless animals are not free from genetic problems.

Many malformations are still unknown - their range is very wide, but thanks to advanced diagnostic methods we can already identify most of them.

Of course it can play a big role here mismatch of animals, i.e. "inbreeding", others related mating. It might also be too much late pregnancy of females or various poisonings. Some problems arise during pregnancy itself - insufficient nutrition of females, injuries they receive, viral infections or hormonal imbalances that occur in them.

It also happens that changes in appearance are acquired. In this case, they are caused by various diseases or injuries. Some disorders are irreversible, but many can be successfully treated. That is why it is so important that owners take care not only of high-quality food, but also of a sufficient supply of vitamins and minerals necessary to maintain health and maintain high immunity in their purring friend.

Is this a kitten with Down syndrome? Changes in the appearance of the muzzle

An unusual appearance of the eyes, slightly squinted eyelids, a slightly open mouth - these symptoms are enough to create the impression that the animal we are dealing with is a cat with Down syndrome. But are you sure? It happens that a runny nose, inflammation of the paranasal sinuses or conjunctivitis will give us a similar picture. In other cases it may be consequences of trauma to the facial part of the mouth or insect bites in this area. A cat suffering from toothache may also look similar. Pararadicular abscess is not only pain, but also swelling of the infraorbital regionmaking it difficult to open the eyelids completely.

When it comes to high, sometimes prominent forehead - the problem may be in the frontal sinus. The fluid that collects in this place and the resulting inflammation will not only affect the appearance of the animal, but will also give us symptoms of poor coordination.

You should also keep in mind cancer. Retrobulbar tumors are manifested by exophthalmos, changes in the angles of the eyes, the inability to close the eyelids, conjunctivitis and even photophobia. On the other hand, tumors located in the oral cavity can deform it and lead to significant asymmetry.

Animals whose appearance is unusual from the first moments of life most often have genetic defect. These include, for example, malocclusion or cleft palate. Their presence will affect the appearance of the mouth, the position of the tongue and even the way of feeding, but we will never hear from the doctor that this is an animal with Down syndrome.

Behavioral disorders

The mistaken assessment that we are dealing with an animal with Down syndrome may be due to this. unusual, sluggish way of moving. To find out what the true cause of the problems is, it is worth paying attention to whether they are present from birth or appeared later in life.

Congenital changes may be caused by underdevelopment of the limbsalthough they are often neurological problems. For example, cerebellar hypoplasia.

However, in the case of disorders observed in older animals, it is worth paying attention to, for example, inflammation of the nervous system, poisoning, deafness or degenerative changes in the brain age related.

What other reasons could there be for the changes?

Photos don't always tell us the whole truth. We never know what exactly happened to the animal shown. It happens that its appearance is the result of extensive surgical interventions.. Sometimes the only treatment is surgery, thanks to which the animal can enjoy life, but its consequence remains the pet’s unusual appearance.

Accidents can also cause changes in appearance or movement patterns. Often after a car accident, despite intensive treatment, the pet is unable to return to full physical shape.

Let's not forget about bites or burns - such injuries can also leave an indelible mark on our pet's appearance.

Some diseases of humans and animals are common, and some are specific to only one species. We can't treat a cat like a little person. A kitten with Down syndrome is an invention of the Internet. Our genetic information is transmitted slightly differently than in the body of a cat or dog. For this reason, we should never believe that a pet in a photo found on the Internet is a cat with Down syndrome or any other animal with Down syndrome. The reasons for changes in the appearance or behavior of animals should be sought in other diseases. A thorough diagnosis will help solve this mystery.