special needs Cameo needs a home( so cute)

[doolittleky]

http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=6705258

[Lizzie]

I did a Google search on the Manx syndrome to see what problems might arise later and it doesn't look good at all. The condition seems to worsen even while the cat is still quite young. Fortunately, the shelter which has taken in Baby seems to be a no-kill and most of their cats live in foster homes.

But what a shame for this very sweet looking kitten!

[doolittleky]

that breaks my heart to know about her conditon
melissa

[catmandu]

That is so sad about Cameo, and we pray that theres someone who can take the little One in.

[critters]

I did a Google search on the Manx syndrome to see what problems might arise later and it doesn't look good at all. Diapers, expressing, stool softeners, etc. can help with many of the manifestations of Manx Syndrome, but this baby seems to have a mild case at the moment. This baby probably only needs to be watched for Megacolon and just allowed to be a baby. :)

[Catty1]

From two different sites; the first link is from a Manx breeder with 25 yrs experience; the second is excerpted from Wikipedia.

Hugs to that baby! He is CUTE!
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http://www.manxcats.com/myths.htm

Manx Syndrome

Manx Syndrome is a colloquial name given to the condition which results when the mutant tailless gene responsible for shortening the cats' spine has an excessive negative effect. It can seriously damage the spinal cord and the nerves. The cat can have problems with spina bifida, bowels, bladder, and digestion as a result. Actual occurrences of this are rare in modern examples of the breed due to informed breeding practices. [1] Most pedigreed cats are not placed until four months of age to make sure that proper socialisation has occurred. This gives adequate time for any mutant gene-related health issues to be seen, as they turn up early in the cat's life.

According to Robinson's Genetics for Cat Breeders and Veterinarians, both the Manx tailless gene and the Scottish Fold fold-eared gene are potential lethal genes in utero if extreme tailless to tailless are mated or if extreme fold-eared to fold-eared are mated. Problems are most likely to occur when two completely tailless Manx are bred together. For this reason, responsible breeders generally breed a 'stumpy' or fully-tailed Manx with a 'rumpy' or 'rumpy riser' to minimise the chances of serious defects. This breeding practice is responsible for the decreasing occurrence of spinal problems in recent years.

[doolittleky]

Thanks for the info. I amgoing to ask my vet about it toonext time Iam at the vet.
Melissa

[Lizzie]

It was the possibility of digestive problems that concerned me because it made me think of pain. The other problems, with incontinence, can be worked on and lived with - as I do with my elderly Ginger and my CH kitten (MUST think of names this weekend), but that part made me wonder if their life would be worth living. The most utterly miserable cats I've seen are those suffering from irritable bowel syndrome and those with liver disorders that have made them nauseous. The face that she is with a rescue organization and not at a county shelter made me feel a lot more hopeful for her future - but am I making assumptions here?

[doolittleky]

Lizzie, if you are not sure about it being a kill shelter or not email them and ask them. If it is we willl just have to start working on finding Cameo a home.
Melissa

[Lizzie]

Okay, I wrote and asked. You will have me living on oatmeal and onions if you keep posting about these special needs cats - just kidding, I'm glad you do it and I know you and Queen S. have taken in plenty.

[doolittleky]

Oatmeal and onions are more than what is in my frig! LOL I was supposed to have banned myself from looking on petfinder for my own good, but I do slip at times or when I get those emails from the yahoo groups I belong to. It is really painful for me to look on Petfinder since I know alot of them will be killed becasue there just aren't enough homes for all the babies that need them. Sometimes it gets me so depressed that I have to stop for my own sanity. Special needs babies have always been closest to my heart since that is usually what I have the most of. I do hope by me posting these babies that it does somehow help them find their own special person to love them forever. My problem like it seems to be with you is that i fall for them all.
melissa

[mumpkees]

Just wanted to add my two cents on this little kitten in the hopes that it will encourage anyone even remotely considering adding this adorable baby to their family. We have had two spina bifida dual incontinent kits and are working on adopting a third. KaiWind we got at 5 wks old and he was just learning to walk normally instead of hop. He was a rescued barn cat and came to us with severe diarrhea because of poor diet. Once we got the diet figured out KaiWind was fine - perfect little poops every time LOL. (you have to experiment with a combination of wet and dry foods - even different brands until you get stools normal (we ended up with best results 'unfortuneately' with 'crax' food). KaiWind never need stool softeners or other additives. KaiWind didn't need to have his bladder expressed as it emptied fully on its own. Some S/bifida babies do need to have bladder expressed. KaiWind was with us for over two years until he had an accident totally unrelated to his spina bifida.

The other baby, KaiBlue came to us at about 12 weeks, but not only did she have s/bifida which the other caregiver wasn't sure how to address, but she had other disabilities that they hadn't cared for. We lost her about two weeks after she came to live with us, sadly.

This little girl here sounds like her case of spina bifida is very mild as she is using her litter box - so while she may have some leakage of urine or fecal matter, it sounds like she has urinary and bowel feeling which is a good thing. She is quite young so with some mild PT she may even be able to use her rear legs. (My Lee helped our Bentley who came to us with two rear bent legs and a rear foot bottom that faced skyward.). Bentley while still bent legged has that foot completely turned around now and planted fully on the ground - he runs, climbs and jumps - an interesting gait yes, but fully able to keep up with his normal and missing leg/feet buddies.

So if anyone is even remotely considering this little girl, please do. I am more than willing to help anyone with diapering tips, how to prevent urine scald from using diapers, with diet suggestions, etc. She's adorable and deserves a home with someone as special as those on this group. Yes, what you read on line (and even vet recommendations) may sound dire, but there are many spina bifida babies doing well with dedicated caregivers. And even if she does have a shortened lifespan (after all none of us knows when we will be called home), she deserves the time she has and not to die alone in a shelter without having ever known someone to care for her and love her. /mari

[Lizzie]

This is the response from the shelter:

"According to our vet, Cameo could live in a home. She uses the litter box, but occasionally gets a bit of a crusty bottom and needs to be washed up. Her back legs are a deformed and she "bunny hops," but doesn't seem to be a bit inhibited by her disability. We don't plan to keep her in permanent foster, and if we are unable to place her, we will, as a last resort, look for a sanctuary that will accept her.

Our true hope is that someone will be interested in adopting her as a "special needs" cat, so she can live in a "real" home. And, we would be willing to provide transport to her new home."

[mumpkees]

This little girl is definitely special needs and needs an indoor only home. However, she's using her litter box and a 'crusty bottom' is minimal care - a little 1/2 bath or babywipes for her bottom and she should do fine.

Also, since she is 'bunny hopping' that is a good sign also. When we got KaiWind, he also was just learning to bunny hop. As he got older he was able to work his rear legs independently. Chances are good that Cameo Kitten will be able to also but in the very least it doesn't sound as if her unique form of locomotion bothers her. She might with some PT (physical therapy) do even better with getting around.

The rescue group that has her is willing to help transport her, so please someone open your heart and your home to this little sweetheart - you won't regret it! /mari

[Lizzie]

I've written back to my contact at the shelter asking if their vet was able to give an assessment of future veterinary needs. I know that I can't take on another cat that needs more than the usual visits - check-up, shots, occasional small disorder. I don't have anywhere to put her right now either while she goes through her week of isolation since my isolation bedrooms are in use. I wish I could take her - it makes me smile to think of Cameo bunny-hopping and Ashley reeling and rolling as they play together. My massive FIV+ boys have been very gentle with Ashley so I assume they would be with Cameo also.

[doolittleky]

aww, I know you don't need anymore babies, just like i don't, but I hope she gets a home with you or someone we can keep track of her. She is such a sweetie!
Melissa

[mumpkees]

Lizzie: Be sure to let us know what the vet has to say. She is using the litter box to urinate and deficate? The vets have checked to make sure that her bladder is emptying? Is she 'leaking' at all? She is using her rear legs to bunny hop even though they are 'deformed'? Can you describe the 'deformity' of her rear legs? /mari

[Lizzie]

The latest reply to my email on her medical problems:

It is my understanding that she does eliminate fully, however, she gets a bit of crust on her bottom which needs to be washed (she may have some problems grooming herself there). On your other questions regarding digestive system, I will consult with our vet and get back to you.

[doolittleky]

Gosh Lizzie, Are you going to adopt all four of them? You are an angel! I hope you know that i wasn't posting them just for you to adopt. Well I have to go work , i'll be back on later. Let me know if there is anything I can do.
Melissa