Many new and experienced cat owners ask us if their pets can get Down syndrome. Luckily, the answer is no, they cannot. However, many cats can exhibit Down syndrome-like symptoms, and we are going to take a closer look into what causes these physical and behavioral abnormalities. We’ll discuss genetic mutations and other factors that can cause these symptoms to keep you better informed.
What Is Down Syndrome? Down syndrome is a condition in which a person has an extra chromosome. This extra chromosome is a copy of another, and it can affect the way the body and mind work. The effects it has on the mind and body can vary considerably from one person to the next, but some physical features of those who suffer from Down syndrome are similar. The most recognizable symptoms in humans include a reduced IQ, a short & stocky physical frame, a flattened face, poor muscle tone, and loose joints. Why Don’t Cats Have Down Syndrome? Humans have 23 chromosomes, and Down syndrome results from a person receiving an extra chromosome 21. Cats only have 19 chromosomes, so duplication of the 21st is impossible, and so far, there are no conditions that occur because a cat possesses a duplicated chromosome in any spot. In fact, there is nothing even similar to Down syndrome in cat biology—usually, changes within the chromosome cause genetic disorders. Image Credit: Tatiana Belkina, Shutterstock What Causes Down Syndrome-Like Symptoms in Cats? Feline Panleukopenia Feline Panleukopenia is a condition that reduces the number of white blood cells in the body, exposing your cat to infection and disease. A hardy virus similar to the parvovirus in dogs is the cause of the problem, and it can result in your cat being depressed and listless, which might resemble some Down syndrome symptoms at first. Vomiting, diarrhea, and a dull coat are also signs of feline panleukopenia. Cerebellar Hypoplasia Cerebellar hypoplasia is a condition that’s related to feline panleukopenia in that it occurs when the mother becomes infected with the disease while pregnant. It causes the brain’s cerebellum to develop incorrectly, resulting in poor motor control and affecting balance and coordination, common symptoms in Down syndrome. Image Credit: abubibolabu, Pixabay Trauma Any serious trauma, especially a blow to the face or head, can cause permanent damage, changing your cat’s behavior along with its physical and mental abilities forever. If this trauma occurs while the cat is still a kitten, it can be easy to mistake the resulting damage as a symptom similar to Down syndrome. Toxic Chemicals Toxic chemicals that your cat ingests are likely to have a wide range of side effects, but toxic chemicals ingested by a pregnant mother are even more likely to result in congenital disabilities that resemble Down syndrome symptoms. These chemicals can affect the way the brain and body develop without foreseeable results. Image Credit: Abessinier, Pixabay Genetic Disorder Genetic disorders are the most likely culprit if your cat is showing Down syndrome-like symptoms. Genetic mutations can cause all of the physical symptoms one may see in Down syndrome, including wide eyes, short neck, small paws, flat face, poor muscle tone, etc. Genetic disorders can mimic Down syndrome so closely because Down syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by the extra chromosome. The best way to avoid genetic disorders in your kittens is to study the parents’ ancestry to make sure none are present. Choose parents with a clean history.
Summary Luckily, cats cannot have Down syndrome, but many genetic disorders can cause similar symptoms. Trauma, the ingestion of chemicals, and certain viruses can also cause Down syndrome like viruses. If you feel like your cat is displaying Down syndrome-like symptoms, we recommend taking it to the vet to have it looked over to ensure it doesn’t have a health issue requiring attention. See also: Swimmer Syndrome in Kittens: Signs, Causes, and Treatments
You may also want to read: Kennel Cough in Cats: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
Featured Image Credit: Piqsels
Many new and experienced cat owners ask us if their pets can get Down syndrome. Luckily, the answer is no, they cannot. However, many cats can exhibit Down syndrome-like symptoms, and we are going to take a closer look into what causes these physical and behavioral abnormalities. We’ll discuss genetic mutations and other factors that can cause these symptoms to keep you better informed.
What Is Down Syndrome?
Down syndrome is a condition in which a person has an extra chromosome. This extra chromosome is a copy of another, and it can affect the way the body and mind work. The effects it has on the mind and body can vary considerably from one person to the next, but some physical features of those who suffer from Down syndrome are similar. The most recognizable symptoms in humans include a reduced IQ, a short & stocky physical frame, a flattened face, poor muscle tone, and loose joints.
Why Don’t Cats Have Down Syndrome?
Humans have 23 chromosomes, and Down syndrome results from a person receiving an extra chromosome 21. Cats only have 19 chromosomes, so duplication of the 21st is impossible, and so far, there are no conditions that occur because a cat possesses a duplicated chromosome in any spot. In fact, there is nothing even similar to Down syndrome in cat biology—usually, changes within the chromosome cause genetic disorders.
What Causes Down Syndrome-Like Symptoms in Cats?
Feline Panleukopenia
Feline Panleukopenia is a condition that reduces the number of white blood cells in the body, exposing your cat to infection and disease. A hardy virus similar to the parvovirus in dogs is the cause of the problem, and it can result in your cat being depressed and listless, which might resemble some Down syndrome symptoms at first. Vomiting, diarrhea, and a dull coat are also signs of feline panleukopenia.
Cerebellar Hypoplasia
Cerebellar hypoplasia is a condition that’s related to feline panleukopenia in that it occurs when the mother becomes infected with the disease while pregnant. It causes the brain’s cerebellum to develop incorrectly, resulting in poor motor control and affecting balance and coordination, common symptoms in Down syndrome.
Trauma
Any serious trauma, especially a blow to the face or head, can cause permanent damage, changing your cat’s behavior along with its physical and mental abilities forever. If this trauma occurs while the cat is still a kitten, it can be easy to mistake the resulting damage as a symptom similar to Down syndrome.
Toxic Chemicals
Toxic chemicals that your cat ingests are likely to have a wide range of side effects, but toxic chemicals ingested by a pregnant mother are even more likely to result in congenital disabilities that resemble Down syndrome symptoms. These chemicals can affect the way the brain and body develop without foreseeable results.
Genetic Disorder
Genetic disorders are the most likely culprit if your cat is showing Down syndrome-like symptoms. Genetic mutations can cause all of the physical symptoms one may see in Down syndrome, including wide eyes, short neck, small paws, flat face, poor muscle tone, etc. Genetic disorders can mimic Down syndrome so closely because Down syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by the extra chromosome. The best way to avoid genetic disorders in your kittens is to study the parents’ ancestry to make sure none are present. Choose parents with a clean history.
Summary
Luckily, cats cannot have Down syndrome, but many genetic disorders can cause similar symptoms. Trauma, the ingestion of chemicals, and certain viruses can also cause Down syndrome like viruses. If you feel like your cat is displaying Down syndrome-like symptoms, we recommend taking it to the vet to have it looked over to ensure it doesn’t have a health issue requiring attention.
See also: Swimmer Syndrome in Kittens: Signs, Causes, and Treatments
- You may also want to read: Kennel Cough in Cats: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
Featured Image Credit: Piqsels
